How to Type in Hindi, Arabic, Chinese and Other Scripts
CorrectNow Editorial Team · 6 min read
You do not need special software to type in Hindi, Arabic, Chinese, Tamil or most other scripts. Every major operating system already includes keyboards for them. The hard part is usually knowing where the setting is and which kind of keyboard suits you.
This guide covers the two main approaches, then walks through the built-in options on computers and phones.
Two ways to type in another script
There are two broad kinds of keyboard for non-Latin scripts.
A native layout maps each key to a letter of the script. For Hindi, the standard InScript layout is an example. It is fast once learned, but you need to memorise where the letters are.
A phonetic or transliteration keyboard lets you type the sounds with Latin letters and converts them into the script. Type "namaste" and the keyboard usually suggests नमस्ते. This is easier for beginners and for people who already type quickly in English. Chinese and Japanese input normally work this way too: you type the pronunciation and choose the right characters from a list.
Adding a language keyboard on Windows
On Windows, open Settings, go to Time and language, then Language and region, and add the language you want. Once the language is installed, you can add or change its keyboard under the language options.
To switch between keyboards while typing, press the Windows key and the Space bar together, or click the language indicator on the taskbar. For Hindi you will find a standard Devanagari layout; for Chinese, Pinyin-based input; for Arabic, an Arabic layout.
Adding an input source on a Mac
On macOS, open System Settings, choose Keyboard, then edit Input Sources and add the language and layout you want. Many languages offer more than one option, such as a standard layout and a phonetic one.
You can switch input sources from the menu bar, or with a keyboard shortcut such as Control and Space, or the Globe key on newer keyboards, depending on your settings.
Typing in other scripts on Android and iPhone
On iPhone and iPad, go to Settings, then General, Keyboard, Keyboards, and choose Add New Keyboard. Pick your language and layout. A globe key then appears on the keyboard so you can switch.
On Android, the keyboard app's settings let you add languages. Many Android keyboards offer a transliteration option for Indian languages, where you type in Latin letters and get Hindi, Tamil, Bengali or another script. You can also download other keyboard apps if the built-in one does not suit you.
- Hindi and other Indian languages: native layouts and Latin-letter transliteration are both common.
- Arabic, Urdu and Persian: right-to-left layouts; the text direction switches automatically.
- Chinese: type Pinyin and select characters from suggestions.
- Japanese: type in Latin letters, which become kana and can be converted to kanji.
Avoiding common problems
A few issues come up again and again when people start typing in a new script.
- Avoid legacy font-based typing; use a proper system keyboard so your text is saved as Unicode.
- Check that the font in your document supports the script, or letters may show as empty boxes.
- With phonetic keyboards, look at the suggestion before pressing Space, since similar sounds can produce a different word.
- Watch vowel signs and conjunct letters in Indian scripts; a missing mark can change the word.
Checking what you have typed
Transliteration keyboards are convenient, but they can pick a wrong spelling when two words sound alike. It is worth reading your text once more before sending it.
If you want a second pair of eyes, you can paste the text into a proofreader that understands your language. CorrectNow checks spelling, grammar and punctuation in 150 languages and explains each change, which is useful when you are still learning where the letters and marks go. If you prefer speaking to typing, voice typing in the CorrectNow editor uses the browser's speech recognition and works best in Google Chrome.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to type in Hindi on a computer?
For most people who already type in English, a phonetic or transliteration keyboard is easiest. You type the words in Latin letters and choose the Hindi spelling from suggestions. The InScript layout is faster once you have learned it.
Do I need to install special fonts to type in Arabic or Chinese?
Usually not. Modern Windows, macOS, Android and iOS systems include fonts and keyboards for major scripts. You only need to add the keyboard in your settings.
Why does my typed text show as boxes?
The font being used does not include characters for that script. Switch to a font that supports the script, and the letters should appear.
Can I type in two languages without changing settings each time?
You can keep several keyboards installed and switch between them with a shortcut or the globe key. Some phone keyboards also let you type in two languages at once, suggesting words from both as you type.
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