Top Shortcuts in Sogou Input Method to Save Time

Sogou Input Method is one of the most popular Chinese input systems, known for its speed and accuracy. Whether you’re typing in Simplified or Traditional Chinese, 搜狗输入法 Sogou has a wide array of shortcuts and features that can make your typing experience significantly faster and more efficient. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best shortcuts in Sogou Input Method that can help you save time while typing.

1. Switch Between Input Modes Quickly

One of the most useful shortcuts in Sogou Input Method is the ability to switch between different input modes with ease. This is particularly helpful when you need to alternate between typing in Pinyin, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, or using special symbols.

Switch to Pinyin Mode: Press Ctrl + Shift + Z.
Switch to English Mode: Press Ctrl + Space.
Switch to Simplified Chinese: Press Ctrl + Shift + S.
Switch to Traditional Chinese: Press Ctrl + Shift + T.

These shortcuts allow for quick switching, saving time when you need to toggle between various input types without having to use the mouse.

2. Quick Insertion of Common Phrases

Sogou Input Method offers the ability to quickly insert frequently used phrases, saving you time on typing the same words over and over again. You can add custom phrases that you use regularly for faster input.

Add to Custom Dictionary: When typing a phrase or word, press Ctrl + Shift + A to add it to your custom dictionary. Once added, typing the abbreviation for that phrase will allow you to quickly insert it.
Insert Phrase or Symbol: Press Ctrl + Alt + [number] to insert your custom phrase or symbol. This is great for commonly used terms like email addresses, phone numbers, or other frequently typed sequences.

3. Input Chinese Characters via Pinyin with Tone Marks

If you’re a learner of Chinese or need to type accurately with tone marks, Sogou Input Method allows you to type Pinyin with tone marks quickly, which can otherwise be a hassle.

Type with Tones: Press Ctrl + Shift + 1 for the first tone, Ctrl + Shift + 2 for the second tone, Ctrl + Shift + 3 for the third tone, and Ctrl + Shift + 4 for the fourth tone.

This method of typing with tone marks is much faster than manually switching to a tone-marked input method or manually typing numbers after each Pinyin syllable.

4. Quickly Clear Candidate List

Sometimes, you may want to start fresh with your candidate list or quickly dismiss suggestions you don’t need. Sogou allows you to quickly clear the candidate list without having to navigate through the menu.

Clear Candidate List: Press Esc to clear the candidate list and reset to the beginning, ensuring you’re only looking at the most relevant suggestions.

5. Using Fuzzy Matching for Faster Typing

Sogou Input Method’s fuzzy matching feature helps speed up typing by automatically recognizing and suggesting words that are phonetically similar to what you’re typing. This can help reduce errors and save you time.

Activate Fuzzy Matching: Press Ctrl + Shift + F to enable fuzzy matching, which helps with quick word predictions.

Fuzzy matching is particularly useful when you’re typing fast or when you’re not sure of the exact spelling of a word.

6. Switch Between Different Input Styles

Sogou offers different input styles, such as handwriting, stroke input, and more. You can easily switch between these styles to match your typing preferences.

Switch to Handwriting Input: Press Ctrl + Shift + H.
Switch to Stroke Input: Press Ctrl + Shift + J.

These shortcuts help you quickly change your input method, especially when you’re typing complex Chinese characters or symbols that are easier to input by hand or stroke.

7. Quick Access to Emoji and Special Characters

In today’s digital world, adding emojis or special characters to your messages can be a regular task. Sogou Input Method allows you to quickly insert them into your text without needing to switch apps or use the mouse.

Open Emoji Panel: Press Ctrl + Shift + E to bring up the emoji panel for easy access.
Insert Special Characters: Press Ctrl + Shift + V to quickly insert a variety of symbols and characters.

8. Switch to Full-Screen Input

For those who prefer to focus entirely on typing, Sogou Input Method allows you to switch to full-screen input mode, which eliminates distractions and maximizes your screen space for typing.

Switch to Full-Screen Input: Press Ctrl + Shift + F to toggle between full-screen mode and normal mode.

This feature can be particularly useful when you’re working on long documents and need more screen space.

9. Use the Space Bar for Word Prediction

Instead of constantly clicking or scrolling through candidate lists, you can use the Space Bar to quickly select the most likely word prediction. This will help you save time by reducing the need to move your fingers from the keyboard.

Press Space to confirm the word prediction.
Use Shift + Space to cycle through different candidate words or phrases.

10. Customize Your Own Shortcuts

One of the best features of Sogou Input Method is the ability to create and customize your own shortcuts. If you have specific tasks or phrases you use regularly, you can create your own shortcuts for faster input.

Customize Shortcuts: Go to Sogou Input Settings, select Hotkeys, and create your own personalized keyboard shortcuts based on your needs.

Conclusion

Sogou Input Method is an excellent tool for efficient and fast typing in Chinese. By mastering these shortcuts, you can drastically reduce your typing time, improve accuracy, and make the overall experience much more fluid. Experiment with the shortcuts that best suit your needs, and soon enough, typing in Chinese will feel faster and more intuitive than ever before.