Sogou Input is a popular Chinese input method editor (IME) that offers fast and accurate Chinese typing for users. While it’s widely available for Windows and macOS, Linux users have often wondered whether they can enjoy Sogou Input on their system. The short answer is yes! Though it’s not officially supported on Linux 搜狗输入法电脑版下载, there are a few workarounds to get Sogou Input up and running on your Linux or Ubuntu machine.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of installing and setting up Sogou Input on Ubuntu or other Linux distributions.

What Is Sogou Input?

Sogou Input is one of the most widely used input method editors for typing Chinese. It boasts features such as:

• Fast and accurate input
• Support for Pinyin and other Chinese character input methods
• Cloud-based prediction for faster typing
• Customizable user interface
• Robust vocabulary and error correction

Though it’s not natively available for Linux, many users still prefer it for its versatility and efficiency.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you have the following:

1. Ubuntu or another Linux distribution installed.
2. A 64-bit architecture (since Sogou Input for Linux is only available for 64-bit systems).
3. Root privileges on your system to install software.

Installing Sogou Input on Ubuntu

Here’s a step-by-step guide to installing Sogou Input on Ubuntu:

Step 1: Download the Sogou Input Deb Package

1. Open your browser and visit the official Sogou Input download page: Sogou Input for Linux.
2. You will find a .deb package for Linux. Download the latest version of the package compatible with your architecture (usually sogoupinyin_*.deb).

Step 2: Install Dependencies

Before installing the Sogou Input package, make sure you have all the necessary dependencies installed. Open a terminal and run the following commands to install them:

bashCopyEditsudo apt update
sudo apt install -y fcitx fcitx-config-gtk fcitx-table fcitx-ui-classic

These packages will help manage the input method framework (Fcitx) on your system, which is needed for Sogou Input.

Step 3: Install the Sogou Input Deb Package

Once the dependencies are installed, navigate to the directory where you downloaded the .deb package and install it using the following command:

bashCopyEditsudo dpkg -i sogoupinyin_*.deb

This command will install Sogou Input on your system. If there are any missing dependencies, you can fix them by running:

bashCopyEditsudo apt --fix-broken install

Step 4: Configure Fcitx

After installation, you need to configure Fcitx to use Sogou Input as your input method.

1. Open the Fcitx Configuration Tool by searching for “Fcitx” in your application menu.
2. In the Fcitx Configuration Tool, click on the + button to add a new input method.
3. From the list of available input methods, search for Sogou Pinyin and add it to your list.
4. You may want to change the input method switch key to something more comfortable, like Ctrl + Space.

Step 5: Set Fcitx as Your Default Input Method Framework

To make sure Fcitx starts automatically when you boot your system:

1. Open System Settings > Language Support.
2. Under the Keyboard input method system section, change the default input method to Fcitx.
3. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Step 6: Start Using Sogou Input

Once everything is set up, you can start using Sogou Input:

• Press the input method switch key (e.g., Ctrl + Space) to toggle between English and Chinese input.
• When typing in a text box or document, you’ll see the Sogou Input interface where you can type in Pinyin and choose the correct Chinese characters.

Troubleshooting

While Sogou Input generally works well, you might encounter a few issues. Here are some common troubleshooting tips:

1. Fcitx not appearing in the taskbar: If the Fcitx icon doesn’t show up after installation, try running fcitx -r in the terminal to restart the input method framework.
2. Missing input method: If Sogou Input doesn’t show up in the list of input methods, make sure Fcitx is running and that you added it correctly in the Fcitx configuration tool.
3. Fonts or rendering issues: Ensure that your system has the necessary fonts installed to display Chinese characters. You can install additional fonts with: bashCopyEditsudo apt install fonts-noto-cjk

Alternative: Using Sogou Input with Wine (If You Encounter Issues)

If you run into compatibility issues or prefer a more Windows-like experience, you can use Wine to run the Windows version of Sogou Input on Linux. Here’s a quick guide:

1. Install Wine on your system: bashCopyEditsudo apt install wine
2. Download the Windows version of Sogou Input from the official site.
3. Install it using Wine: bashCopyEditwine setup.exe

While this method isn’t as efficient as the native Linux version, it can be a good fallback if you encounter problems.

Conclusion

Sogou Input is an excellent choice for Chinese input on Linux, even though it doesn’t have official support. By using Fcitx as the input framework, you can easily set up and enjoy Sogou Input on your Ubuntu system. If you follow the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be typing in Chinese with ease in no time.

If you run into any issues, don’t hesitate to check the troubleshooting section or try the Wine method as a last resort. Happy typing!