Is your child obsessed with Minecraft? I’m not usually a fan of video games, but I made an exception for Minecraft, especially since my kids can play with their cousins in Taiwan. Even Grandma joined in to be part of the fun! While I still worry about too much screen time, Minecraft has been a way for my kids to bond with relatives who are far away. I took the time to learn about the game to make sure it was safe and to show them that their interests matter to me. I’ve also been exploring ways to use Minecraft as part of their Chinese learning. In this article, I’ll be sharing some resources with you.
What is Minecraft in Chinese?
The official Chinese name for Minecraft is 我的世界. In Taiwan, kids might also call it 賣塊 or 創世神, but most kids know it simply as Minecraft. These Chinese names can be helpful if you’re looking for Chinese-language resources online. For example, if you want to find YouTube videos in Mandarin, try searching for “我的世界.”
Which Version of Minecraft Should Your Kid Use?
When my kids started playing Minecraft, I kept hearing them ask, “Java or Bedrock?”—and honestly, I had no idea what they were talking about. If you’re in the same boat, don’t worry. I’ll break it down in this article.
Global Version
Bedrock and Java Editions of Minecraft are considered global versions. Both are available in Traditional Chinese (繁體中文) and Simplified Chinese (简体中文), but Zhuyin and Pinyin are not available; you just have to change the language in the game settings. There are no location restrictions, allowing you to play with users anywhere in the world.
Java Edition
This is the original PC version that lets players customize the game with mods, but it can be harder on your computer. Java Edition doesn’t work on phones or tablets.
Bedrock Edition
This version works on tablets, phones, consoles, and even VR. Bedrock Edition runs faster and allows kids to play with siblings or friends using different devices. I think most kids play on
China Version
There is a China version of Minecraft, but it’s only available in mainland China. You need a Chinese citizen ID number to use it. It only supports Simplified Chinese (no Pinyin) and connects to servers exclusively for players in China. What I love about this version is that it sets a curfew for users under 18 and disconnects them between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.! My kids are in bed by then anyway, but I really appreciate this feature. If you are reading this, you likely cannot use the China Minecraft Edition, but it’s interesting to know what else is out there.
Do You Need to Read to Play Minecraft?
Younger kids can still play Minecraft in creative mode without needing to read. But if they want to craft, play in survival mode, or use mods, they will need to read. My 6-year-old nephew doesn’t recognize many Chinese characters yet, but he has memorized the objects in the game. I never thought of Minecraft as an educational tool, but my kids are always sharing new vocabulary they’ve learned from playing the game. Minecraft can also be a fun way for kids to practice reading, whether it’s in English, Chinese, or another language they’re learning.
How to Change the Language In Minecraft to Chinese
To change the language in Minecraft, open the game’s settings menu and click on “Language.” Then, select the language you want. Minecraft supports several display options, including Simplified Chinese (used for Mandarin in mainland China) and Traditional Chinese (used for Cantonese and Taiwanese Mandarin).
Check out this wiki for step-by-step instructions and screenshots.
Pinyin Language Packs for Java Edition
Add Chinese and Pinyin Over All Blocks
If you have a PC, you can install language packs to display the Pinyin Hanzi Resource Pack by Winter Alexander. The Hanzi Resource Pack adds Simplified or Traditional Chinese characters to Minecraft by overlaying them onto the block textures from an existing resource pack. This means players can see Chinese characters on every block in the game. The “Hard” version removes the original textures entirely, so players must read Chinese to know what each block is. There’s also a version with pinyin, which can help learners who aren’t yet fluent in reading Chinese characters.
Check out this tutorial on the Minecraft Wiki to learn how to install a resource pack.
Add Pinyin to Default Minecraft Chinese Text
If you changed the language in Minecraft to Chinese and simply want to add Pinyin, LAntoine’s Chinese for Learners Language Pack does just that! You can also enable subtitles in the game for more text.
Minecraft Chinese YouTube Channels
My kids are obsessed with watching Minecraft tutorials on YouTube, so I’ve rounded up some popular Mandarin-language Minecraft channels to share. These channels are available on the regular YouTube app (not YouTube Kids). I’ve previewed several videos and didn’t notice anything inappropriate, but since I haven’t reviewed every video, I recommend watching with parental guidance.
You might be wondering why I’m not recommending any channels on YouTube Kids. I only found one channel, but I’ve since deleted the YouTube Kids app because of the nonstop “brain rot” content it kept serving my kids. Yes, “brain rot” is a type of content! The final straw was checking my 8-year-old’s profile and seeing that she was being shown cartoons with kissing scenes. While not explicitly inappropriate, I found it sexually suggestive and not suitable for her age. There’s no reason children should be exposed to that kind of content. Right now, I’m trying YouTube Premium and only allowing them to watch pre-approved videos that I’ve downloaded for offline viewing.
Nana KAna is a Hong Kong-based YouTuber who creates Minecraft content in Mandarin Chinese, featuring gameplay, creative builds, tutorials, and fun commentary.
阿斯asu is a popular Taiwanese YouTuber known for his high-energy Minecraft gameplay videos and livestreams.
灰吡 (Huibi) is a Mandarin-speaking Malaysian YouTuber who specializes in Minecraft gameplay tips.
阿柴MC (A‑Chai MC) is a gaming YouTuber from Taiwan, known for Mandarin commentary over popular Minecraft videos.
MrChesterccj is a Taiwanese Minecraft-focused YouTuber and Twitch streamer, known for his energetic gameplay and short educational clips.
骚虎Tiger is a Hong Kong-based YouTuber who creates Mandarin-language recaps of Minecraft content, including videos about Dream, a well-known American Minecraft creator.
Minecraft Chinese Books
There are tons of Minecraft books in English, and I’m pretty sure my kids have read them all! We haven’t explored any in Chinese yet, mainly because the ones I’ve found don’t include Zhuyin and are too advanced for their reading level. However, if your child is comfortable reading Chinese, Books.com.tw has over 100 Minecraft books listed on their website.
We were gifted a Minecraft-themed math workbook in Chinese. The traditional characters include Zhuyin, but it still feels a bit too advanced for us. Thankfully, my kids’ tutor will be working on it with my son. He agrees that Minecraft math is a good compromise for days when he’s not in the mood for regular Chinese tutoring. This 96-page workbook is available from Books.com.tw for less than $8 USD.
Online Minecraft Classes
If you live in an area without a big Chinese-speaking community, finding a local Chinese school or tutor can be tough. Even though my kids take in-person Mandarin classes, I still supplement with online lessons, especially for my older one. Keeping him focused during online classes has been a challenge. I catch him playing Zoom with backgrounds or sending emoji reactions instead of listening to the teacher. And since he spends all day talking about Minecraft anyway, why not talk about it in Chinese?
I found an online teacher based in Taiwan who created a Minecraft-themed class that got him happily talking about crafting and building in Mandarin. He’s learned how to say things like Enderman and Piglin, but also useful vocabulary, like science-related words from the crafting table. As much as I dislike video games, I’ve come to appreciate Minecraft as an unexpected language-learning tool.
Interested in trying a Minecraft Mandarin speaking class? The classes are $20 USD per hour, and our teacher has some spots available. Check out this reel to see what the Minecraft Chinese class is all about, and message me on Instagram for more information.
Minecraft-Themed Chinese App
My all-time favorite app for reading practice is Dot Languages, and this year, they added a customizable article feature! I’ve started creating Minecraft-themed stories and dialogues for my kids, and they’ve been asking for more. Success! One of the things I love most about Dot is how the Chinese characters are color-coded by HSK level, making it easy to gauge difficulty. You can also toggle Pinyin on or off, and the best part: tap any character to hear its pronunciation. You can even save characters to a practice list for review later. I’m also able to share the articles I’ve written with other Dot Languages users.
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