With the proliferation of smartphones and the simplification of access to the Internet, there is a large number of applications that help in learning different languages. We reviewed a number of applications for studying Japanese and selected a few of these, which may be useful in the learning process, and to test your knowledge.
LingoDeer
Yes, LingoDeer is a general language learning app, but its main specialization in Asian languages – Korean And Japanese. It will provide the most detailed description of the language with all the dialects and accents.
You start your learning process with a fundamental basis and general information about the language so you could understand its nature better.
During the process of learning, you will be seeing comments by the app, explaining different nuances of the language. All the audio files for training are recorded by the native speakers, so you could train your ear for the “real” language.
LingoDeer works both in online and offline mode. There are 3 types of alphabets that you can choose to learn Japanese. Overall, the whole course will count around 150 lessons. Flashcards are included. You can choose on your own which skill you want to practice today – listening, speaking, or writing.
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JA Sensei
This application is designed for beginners to learn the Japanese language. There are lessons to study kana, kanji, different thematic dictionaries, and travel dictionary of phrases.
The program is a fascinating interactive course on the basics of the Japanese language, which includes 23 lessons of increasing difficulty. Each lesson there is a part dedicated to grammar, a small Japanese text, and interesting information about the culture of Japan.
The program includes both the Japanese syllabaries (hiragana and katakana), Kandi hieroglyphic system, numerals (the actual number of countable and suffixes), conjugations of verbs and particles are separately considered.
There is also an extensive grammar section with clear examples and vocabulary which includes 1855 words. All lessons are voiced by native speakers. For each section, you can build your own list with notes.
To test your knowledge there is a system of interactive audio tests of different complexity. The interface is clean and simple, the design is beautiful.
Learn Japanese by Bravolol
The application is designed for learning the basics of the Japanese language. Also, it can be used as a phrasebook.
The program includes over 800 common Japanese phrases and expressions, structured by categories (similar to the standard phrasebooks). There are sections for teaching grammar and pronunciation.
In addition, the program includes an extensive dictionary. Often required phrases can be added to favorites. There is a built-in search.
As a virtual teacher, a beautiful parrot speaks with a different pronunciation (parrot is voiced by a native speaker). The interface is beautiful and comfortable. The user can configure the font size on their own.
Gakusei
This app might seem very simple from the beginning, but in fact, it’s really useful. It teaches you how to form basic phrases and answer questions in Japanese. It works in the way that it constantly generates phrases and questions and you have to type in the answer.
If you’re not sure you got the full understanding of the idea or you feel like you need help you can translate the phrase immediately right in the app. One cool feature of it is that many phrases and expressions are taken from the popular sources (for example, books) so it will be easier for you to memorize them.
Obenkyo
This app is designed for both beginners and for advanced Japanese learners. There is an opportunity not only to learn new material in sections but also to test the knowledge of these materials within the divisions respectively.
The following sections are presented: Katakana, Hiragana, Numbers, Kanji, Vocabulary, Grammar, and particles. There is the possibility of personalization submission of new material and testing.
The application provides the lists of kanji that can be displayed in accordance with the levels of the exam to determine the level of ownership of the Japanese language (Nihongo norёku siken, JLPT), helping you to prepare for the exam.
The program also includes vocabulary and grammar exercises, and although it is in the process of development and some of the features do not always work properly, it can be very useful in the study of Japanese writing.
Kanji Renshuu
The software is designed for the study of hieroglyphs of the Japanese language. You will have an opportunity to explore the hieroglyphs as a new material, and to check the knowledge of previously studied hieroglyphs.
New hieroglyphs are provided in the form of cards, where there are all their values, all the reading. In total, in the application, at the time of writing, there were 3007 cards. This application requires knowledge of the English language.
Japanese Verbs
The app gives you an opportunity to study of Japanese verbs. The program provides the possibility to study the theoretical aspects of working with verbs, a dictionary of the verbs of the Japanese language, as well as testing the knowledge of Japanese verbs.
This application is suitable for the beginners to learn the Japanese language and for those who continue to study it. The application requires knowledge of the English language.
Japanese Test
This application is designed to test the knowledge of the Japanese language. It has three levels of checking: from the beginner to the advanced. The number of questions in the test during a single pass is adjusted according to your desire.
Immediately after the answer to the question, the result is given: right or wrong, and the correct answer is given when there was an incorrect answer. The knowledge of English is required for working with this application.
Mondly
It is an incredibly interesting program with which you can not only have fun but do this with profitably. How will it look? Very simply, you have to choose a foreign language and begin to study it. After that, you can start a simple and clear process of learning. That is why it is very important to understand how the application is different from its competitors. Never before, it was not so easy and fun.
Features:
- Speech recognition.
- Voice in HD-quality.
- Interactive Learning.
- Exciting game.
- Track your progress.
- Compete with your friends.
- Real talk.
- No advertising.
- You do not need an internet connection.
Japanese with Nemo
It helps to build a database of words in Japanese and allows you to lead any conversation confidently. More than 1,200 most frequently used foreign words and phrases that are spoken by a native speaker. Practice the pronunciation in the recording studio.
It is sufficient to record the phrase you uttered and compare it with the way the teacher says. You’ll wonder how fast your foreign accent has changed.
Nemo also serves as an interpreter. It will come to help in any situation. On a device, all audio files are loaded, which helps to save money on expensive database access while you are abroad.
It does not require prior knowledge of Japanese. Nemo is created so as to maximize the amazing power of mobile devices and the human brain.
Its goal is frequently used words. The full version includes the most applicable words and phrases in everyday life. Decode the menus with the most used words of the section “food”. Achieve excellence and build a sentence in Japanese with the help of auxiliary words. Make new acquaintances using compliments and templates for the beginning of the conversation.
ESPECIALLY FOR YOU
- Nemo is your own tutor who will monitor your results in the development of all the words and expressions.
- You decide which words to learn, and which ones to skip unnecessary.
- For more successful memorization, Nemo introduces new words slowly and at the right time checks their development so that they are stored in long-term memory.
Japanese with Nemo is a portable application that is easily integrated into your lifestyle!
Kanji Drop
Since Japanese is unique and consists of such elements called kanji, the developers have come up with a very interesting strategy for learning.
The bottom line is that you get various combinations with kanji blocks, which gives you the opportunity to learn new words. All movements occur at a same time.
This method of study allows you to quickly and clearly learn the alphabet and semantic structure of the language. For stimulation to study, the app has such features as «power ups» related to kanji and a glossary detailing all the meanings of each of the words you have collected.
When you collect the full word, the blocks inside it will explode, freeing up space for a new one. Thus, this program allows the user to have both fun and get some benefit and the opportunity to train or even develop yours brain.
i-Sokki Japanese Vocabulary
i-Sokki Japanese Vocabulary is an application that will help to learn everyday words and phrases in Japanese, with the correct pronunciation. With this program, you will be able to hear, read, and learn the different Japanese symbols.
In the app you will find a large number of the most essential phrases in the following categories:
- common phrases;
- introduction;
- numbers;
- colors;
- people;
- food.
StickyStudy Japanese
It is a program for learning Japanese kanji and words.
The main advantages:
Excellent interface.
Vocabulary is shown in the form of a map on which you can move freely.
Workspaces.
The program collects kanji dictionaries for the JLPT exam, kanji, which are studied at school (from 1 to 9 levels), and the old and new lists of jōyō kanji. All the kanji are divided into these categories.
You can create your own list and add kanji and words in them.
Method Leitner + calendar
The program remembers your progress for each hieroglyph or word and selects them for testing by a certain algorithm. You can set reminders for daily tests.
Animation kanji
The program includes about 2,000 animation writing hieroglyphs.
Examples
It includes a large database with examples of the use of each hieroglyph.
List mode
For large kanji dictionaries, there is a list mode that supports searching and sorting of hieroglyphs.
Akebi Japanese Dictionary
Japanese-English Dictionary is a free application for Android devices, which is a bi-directional English-Japanese dictionary that allows you to find quickly the right translation for a word in English or Japanese.
The program includes more than 350,000 Japanese words, phrases, examples of sentences, pronunciations, the built-in search is also presented.
The application will be useful in the study of the Japanese language, but also when traveling abroad, at a meeting with the familiar aliens, in emergency situations, and in many other cases. Progress in education can be shared with friends on social networks.
Japanese Kanji Study
It is the full version of the program, which will help to study kanji of the Japanese language. The program divides all the hieroglyphs into the groups, which may have different meanings in different combinations, there are more than 6,000 pieces of them.
Based on the complexity of the language the author simplified the work with the study and created a simple and intuitive interface.
Aedict3 Japanese Dictionary
It is the full version of the program, which will help to study kanji of the Japanese language. The program divides all the hieroglyphs into the groups, which may have different meanings in different combinations, there are more than 6,000 pieces of them.
Based on the complexity of the language the author simplified the work with the study and created a simple and intuitive interface.
HelloTalk
First thing what all the users need to know about this app – this is not a choice for beginners. HelloTalk is an app for a more or less advanced level of language when you can already conduct a conversation in a language you are learning. HelloTalk allows you to chat with native speakers of the most diverse languages, including Japanese.
Don’t expect a super-fancy user interface or something like that in this app – it is super simple, but it does its main function. The chats are made in a similar way to the WhatsApp structure. You can, of course, add a short description to your profile and add some photos, so the other could find the common topics to talk about with you.
Learn Japanese by MindSnacks
Great and fun app to learn Japanese. It has more of a “childish” concept of learning design – but it doesn’t make the tasks easier or worse – you will still learn the language well. Plus, both parents and children will be able to use this app with the benefit for themselves.
The whole learning process is built in the way that you are playing a game, compiling words and phrases. If everything is correct – you pass the level. The app contains hints as images – if you are a visual type of learner – this option is just perfect for you. You will be learning the alphabet as well – in the level with balloons.
Duolingo
It is most likely that you are familiar with this app and you can basically find it in any article dedicated to language learning. Over the past 5 years, Duolingo has taken over the market completely – mainly because it was one of the first apps for the smartphone to learn foreign languages.
Obviously, you can find the Japanese language here as well. If you have never tried Duoliguo before, here is the quick instruction: you choose the language, then learn phrases according to the topics, learn to spell, and some basic grammar rules.
As you are progressing, more and more topics are unlocked. The app is nice for the beginners but if you want to have a really deep understanding of the Japanese language, then you should try another app.
imiwa?
Learning of each language has its specific aspects and difficulties. For Europeans and Americans, Japanese is one of the most difficult languages to learn because it is completely different – especially in terms of the alphabet. That’s why learning and memorizing how to read the words from the sigh is so important here.
One good app for this is Imiva that is basically an English-Japanese dictionary – it would be useless in the process of learning of such languages as Spanish or German, but in Japanese details do matter a lot. Here you will get the whole Japanese alphabet with all the possible Japanese signs – practice every day and one day you will learn them by heart!
By the way, the app translates Japanese words, not to English only. It will also translate it to Spanish, French, Russian and some other languages – another bonus point here.
We have reviewed the best applications for the study of the Japanese language. If you are a polyglot, and you are ready to proceed with the study of another foreign language, we advise viewing the article 15 Best apps to learn Spanish for Android & iOS.
