Use the Candidate window
When you type an input code, the Candidate window shows all possible characters for the code (including emoji for Pinyin and Zhuyin). If you set the predictive completion preference for an input source, the Candidate window also shows the most relevant predictions as you type. In the Candidate window, choose the characters you want to use in your document.
Note: Typing suggestions that are displayed in the Candidate window also appear in the Touch Bar (if your Mac has one).
Show the window
To make the Candidate window appear, do the following:
For most Chinese input sources: Type an input code, then the Candidate window automatically appears.
For Zhuyin and Zhuyin - Eten input sources: Type an input code, then press the Space bar.
To be able to press the Space bar when you use the Sucheng or Cangjie input sources, click the Input menu in the menu bar, then deselect “Show candidates while typing.”
Navigate in the window
Change the orientation of the Candidate window while using an input source: Click the Input menu in the menu bar, choose Open [input source] Preferences, then choose Horizontal or Vertical.
Change the highlight color of the Candidate window: Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click General, then click the “Highlight color” pop-up menu and select a color.
Move to the next or previous candidate in the window: Use the arrow keys on your keyboard.
Move to the next or previous row in the window: Use the Equal Sign (=) or Minus (–) key on your keyboard.
Scan the candidates in the window: Use the scroll bar or the double arrows, if shown.
Change how candidates are organized in the Candidate window: If you see the sort options, such as Frequency or Radical, at the bottom of the window, click one or press the Tab key. Otherwise, click the single down arrow on the right side of the window to show the options. For some input sources, the sort options aren’t available.
Filter candidates by the standard Mandarin tones (for Pinyin): Press the Tab key repeatedly to cycle through the four tones, and to return to the unfiltered candidate list. If the Candidate window is set to vertical orientation, you can also press Option-Tab.
Select candidates in the window
Do one of the following:
For most input sources, press the Space bar when the candidate you want is selected. For Zhuyin or Zhuyin - Eten, press Return instead.
Press the number key that corresponds to a candidate.
Double-click a candidate.
To see substitution candidates after you enter an input code, select the code, click the Input menu in the menu bar, then choose Show Structural Candidates. The substitution candidates appear inline in the candidate window.