Its often been said that the best way to learn is to have fun doing it. To be sure, learning a new language can be one of the more frustrating pursuits. But adding an element of fun can make the most laborious languages do-able. Memrise sets out to elevate your language learning ability by introducing word/picture associations. Usually we can learn a word quicker if we can think of a visual image that represents it. Along these lines, Memrise shows you drawings and photos alongside words to help you remember them. These pictures are called mems. Take the Chinese language for example.

As you may know, Chinese characters represent drawings of objects. If you can learn these objects, you will remember the meanings of the shapes. So in order to learn the word 学 (to study), Memrise shows you how the Chinese word looks like a student studying. This method is used to learn numerous other languages too. All the downloadable language courses and mems are fueled by Memrise’s online community of learners. So you’ll be learning courses that other learners developed.

Once you download a course or two, you can begin the learning process. Memrise employs a multifaceted approach. First, it will introduce the words and pictures to you. Next it will drill you with a couple different quiz fortmats including flashcards and multiple choice. And then the process starts again. At regular intervals you will revisit older words to test your long-term memory.

Memrise takes a unique approach to learning foreign words by likening the learning process to growing plants. When you learn new words, you are planting. When you practice them, you’re watering. Down the road you’ll harvest them. It’s a neat process for learning. I especially like the audio pronunciation Memrise offers. It’s free to sign up, so give it a shot.

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Memrise is just one of our favorite Chinese learning apps for iPhone and iPad. We’ve collected all of our favorites here. And if you’d like to see more of our top app selections in different categories, just head on over to our Best Apps Series.

Here are a couple of our other picks of the best Chinese learning apps for iPhone and iPad:

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