Chinese input method on Debian Linux

🧩 Step 1: Make sure your package list is up-to-date

Run:

sudo apt update

Then try installing again:

sudo apt install fcitx5-config-qt

💡 The configuration tool is sometimes packaged as fcitx5-config-qt instead of fcitx5-config-tool in Debian (especially Debian 12 Bookworm and older).

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✅ Step 2: Install all the necessary Fcitx5 components

Try this full command (covers both possible package names):

sudo apt install fcitx5 fcitx5-config-qt fcitx5-chinese-addons fcitx5-pinyin fcitx5-chewing

If you prefer the GTK config tool instead of the Qt one (for GNOME users), you can also install:

sudo apt install fcitx5-configtool

Some Debian mirrors use fcitx5-configtool (no hyphen) instead of fcitx5-config-qt. If one fails, try the other.

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🧠 Step 3: Set Fcitx5 as your input method

im-config -n fcitx5

Then log out and log back in.

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🈶 Step 4: Open the configuration UI

Once installed, run:

fcitx5-config-qt

or, if that doesn’t exist:

fcitx5-configtool

You can also search in your desktop menu for “Fcitx5 Configuration”.

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Add Chinese input methods

1. In the Input Method tab, click “+” (Add).

2. In the pop-up:

   • Uncheck “Only Show Current Language” (important!).

   • Scroll or search for:

     • Pinyin → for Simplified Chinese (拼音输入法)
     • Chewing → for Traditional Chinese (注音输入法)

3. Select the one(s) you want and click OK.

4. Use the Up/Down arrows to reorder your input methods (put your preferred one at the top if you want it default).

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Switch input methods

Once configured:

• Press Ctrl + Space (default) to switch between English and Chinese input.
• You’ll see a small keyboard icon or Chinese character indicator appear in your system tray when active.

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Optional: Add Fonts for Chinese Display

If Chinese characters show as boxes or missing glyphs:

sudo apt install fonts-noto-cjk

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🀄 Option 2: IBus (alternative method)

If you’re using IBus instead of Fcitx5:

1. Open Settings → Region & Language → Input Sources

2. Click the “+” button to add a new input source.

3. Select:

   • Chinese (Pinyin) for Simplified
   • Chinese (Chewing) for Traditional

4. Close the settings window.

Switch with Super + Space or Ctrl + Space.