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Do you feel stuck in your Japanese learning journey? You’ve learned the basic grammar concepts, and you can read hiragana and katakana and even some kanji, but there are still a lot of Japanese words that go over your head.
That’s probably because you still have a limited Japanese vocabulary.
Well, I have just the solution for you: Japanese vocabulary apps.
Why use Japanese vocabulary apps?
Japanese learning apps target a variety of language skills, from speaking to comprehension to writing. Japanese vocabulary apps, on the other hand, are designed to help you learn new words and phrases. And they do that in a fun and engaging way.
Here are some reasons why you should use Japanese vocabulary apps:
Convenience: You can use Japanese vocabulary apps anywhere, anytime, as long as you have your phone or tablet with you. This means you can learn Japanese on the go, during your commute, or while waiting in line.
Affordability: While Japanese books and online Japanese tutors are great for achieving fluency, they typically cost more. Many Japanese vocabulary apps are free or cost very little, making them an affordable alternative to traditional language classes or textbooks. (That said, you can also check out these Japanese vocabulary books if you prefer the traditional route.)
Variety: There are many different types of Japanese vocabulary apps available, each with its own unique features and teaching methods. This means you can choose an app that best suits your learning style and preferences!
Gamification and personalization: Many of these apps use gamification techniques to make learning fun and engaging. Features like points, badges, and leaderboards to motivate you to keep learning. Plus, you can customize your learning experience by setting goals, tracking your progress, and choosing the topics you want to learn.
Top picks
I listed 17 Japanese vocabulary apps below but you don’t have to try them all. You can check if their features match your goals or simply choose from my favorites:
- Mondly and Ling are great for gamified lessons
- Pimsleur and uTalk help you learn practical Japanese vocabulary and correct pronunciation
- Rocket Japanese and Lingodeer provide comprehensive Japanese courses
- Learn Japanese vocabulary from Japanese TV shows and movies on Lingopie
- Get a handy dictionary and versatile learning tool with Takoboto
Time to take a closer look at these apps. 行きましょう!
Top Japanese vocabulary apps for language learners
1. Mondly
Whether you’re only getting started with Japanese or just need an extra vocab boost, Mondly can help. With its gamified lessons, Mondly doesn’t just teach Japanese but does so in a fun way.
It offers short and engaging lessons that last just 10-15 minutes each. There’s an emphasis on useful vocabulary, although there’s also a bit of grammar and some speaking exercises.
Mondly’s Japanese course features about 50 thematic units, making it a great study aid to reinforce important words and concepts. It also has features such as leaderboards and trackers that help you stay motivated.
Learn more about Mondly with this detailed review.
Key features:
- Smart vocabulary builders to help you learn new words faster than ever
- Bite-sized language lessons to prepare you for real-life conversations
- Grammar features and speaking practice
Pricing: Daily lessons are available for free but you can unlock more lessons and features for $12.90/month. Check the latest offers here.
Devices: iOS and Android
2. Pimsleur
Want to expand your vocabulary and improve your Japanese conversational skills at the same time? Pimsleur is the app for you.
Pimsleur is a time-tested language learning tool (and one of the best Japanese speaking apps) that focuses on conversational language skills. Since its lessons are primarily audio-based, it allows you to start speaking a new language from day one.
But these audio lessons follow a dialogue format, which means you get to learn words and phrases that you can actually use in real-life conversations! And with the effective Pimsleur Method, retaining all these learned words and phrases will be a breeze.
Check out more features and benefits with this Pimsleur review.
Key features:
- Focuses on vocabulary that helps you communicate effectively in real-life situations
- 30-minute audio lessons that improve listening and speaking skills
- Effective SRS method to retain new vocabulary and grammar rules
Pricing: Pimsleur subscription is $14.95/month for Audio-Only; $19.95/month for Premium (with Bonus Materials), or $20.95/month for All Access. Start your full access, 7-day trial here.
Devices: iOS and Android
3. Rocket Japanese
Learn Japanese with Rocket Languages
One of the most comprehensive language learning apps, Rocket Japanese offers a structured learning path with interactive audio lessons, culture insights, and survival kit lessons focusing on commonly used phrases.
What I like about Rocket Japanese is that its audio lessons are conversation-based, which helps you learn practical, real-life Japanese. The language and culture lessons provide in-depth explanations of grammar and cultural nuances, enhancing your understanding of the Japanese language.
What’s more, Rocket Japanese comes with an accurate voice recognition technology. This allows you to practice your pronunciation and get instant feedback, which is crucial for mastering the Japanese language. The app also includes flashcards and quizzes for vocabulary practice, reinforcing what you learned.
Key features:
- A holistic approach to learning Japanese
- Relevant, conversation-based vocabulary
- Cultural lessons help you get a deeper knowledge of the language and avoid common faux pas
Pricing: $75/month if you sign up for 6 months. Check out the latest sale here.
4. Ling App
For a comprehensive approach to learning Japanese, try out Ling. This app provides a variety of interactive lessons that cover reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
One of the standout features of Ling is its focus on practical vocabulary and phrases. It does with the Ling Chatbot. Conversing with the chatbot not only helps you train your listening and speaking skills but also enhances your vocabulary.
Ling also incorporates mini-games, fun quizzes, and other gamified elements so learning Japanese doesn’t feel like a chore. You can even learn how to write Japanese characters with finger-tracing exercises!
Key features:
- Lessons and exercises cover all core language skills
- Learn relevant vocabulary in the context of conversations
- Interactive tools such as games, flashcards, etc.
Pricing: Limited content for free. You can unlock more lessons and features for as low as $14.99/month. Check the latest offers here.
Devices: iOS and Android
5. Lingodeer
This is another awesome app if you love well-structured courses. Lingodeer is designed with an emphasis on grammar and vocabulary, making it an excellent choice for serious learners. Plus, it covers all aspects of the language, including reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Lingodeer’s Japanese lessons are organized into themed units that cover a wide range of topics, from basic greetings to complex grammatical structures. Each lesson includes native speaker audio, stories and dialogues, and interactive exercises to reinforce learning.
This app also does a great job of teaching the Japanese writing system. You get detailed lessons on hiragana, katakana, and kanji, complete with stroke order animations and practice exercises.
Key features:
- User-friendly interface and comprehensive content
- Essential vocabulary and grammar for learners of all levels
- High-quality authentic audio from native speakers
Pricing: Starts at $14.99/month
Devices: iOS and Android
6. Clozemaster
Learn Japanese with Clozemaster
All of the above apps so far are ideal for beginners (although they’re also useful for intermediate and advanced learners). But what if you’re past the beginner stage and crave more challenging lessons?
Enter Clozemaster. This unique app uses the concept of cloze tests where learners fill in the blanks in sentences, providing context for vocabulary and grammar. Instead of the usual flashcard-type exercises, this method requires you to understand how words are used in real sentences.
Clozemaster is especially useful for intermediate and advanced learners. It doesn’t hurt that the app is designed like an 8-bit video game, giving off retro vibes.
Key features:
- Challenging cloze tests to learn vocabulary based on context
- Listening and reading exercises
- SRS-based review techniques help you remember more words and phrases
Pricing: Limited content for free. Clozemaster Pro costs $8/month or $60/year.
Devices: iOS and Android
7. Lingopie
For an immersive (and entertaining) way of amassing new Japanese words and phrases, turn to Lingopie. This innovative language-learning platform leverages real TV shows and movies to teach languages, including Japanese.
To start learning, choose from a large collection of Japanese TV shows and films of various genres. The video player comes with dual subtitles. You can click on any word or phrase in the subtitles, instantly see its translation, hear its pronunciation, and save it for later review.
With this method, you get immersed in authentic content, providing a context for vocabulary and grammar. You also hear how words are used in real life and how native speakers pronounce and enunciate these words. And you get to watch entertaining stuff. What’s not to like?
Key features:
- A wide range of Japanese content to watch and learn from
- Interactive dual subtitles, transcripts, and flashcards
- Engaging and immersive way to learn real-life Japanese vocabulary
Pricing: $5.99 per month on the yearly plan. But you can try Lingopie for free first.
Devices: iOS and Android
8. uTalk
If vocabulary is your main goal for learning Japanese, uTalk is a straightforward and effective way to achieve this. The app is best for building a foundation with essential words and phrases, offering over 2,500 of them across more than 60 practical, everyday topics.
Learning is done through a variety of simple, fun, and easy games that help the words stick. You can get a feel for the rhythm of Japanese by listening to real native speakers—both male and female voices—and practice your own accent using the voice recording function to compare your intonation.
Key features:
- Extensive library of Japanese words and phrases
- Authentic pronunciation from male and female native speakers
- Voice recording option for speaking practice
Pricing: Introductory lessons are free. Get full access starting from $11.99/month. Check out the latest uTalk sale here.
Devices: iOS and Android
9. Memrise
Memrise is a standout app for those looking for engaging Japanese vocabulary practice.
What sets Memrise apart is its focus on real-life language. It offers video clips of local speakers, immersing you in the nuances of everyday Japanese conversation. This means you get to understand the practical usage of the language — really useful if you’re planning to visit Japan or interact with native speakers.
Memrise also teaches Japanese vocabulary based on your interests. Plus, it includes pronunciation exercises, allowing you to practice your speaking skills and perfect your accent.
Key features:
- Learn real-life words and phrases through videos of native Japanese speakers
- Hear native pronunciation and accents
- Challenging tests and personalized review plans
Pricing: Some features are available for free. To get access to all lessons, sign up for Memrise Pro.
Devices: iOS and Android
10. renshuu
An all-around tool for learning Japanese, renshuu offers a personalized path to mastery in vocabulary, kanji, grammar, and listening. Depending on your learning style, goal, and current skill level, you can start learning Japanese scripts, or proceed with more advanced lessons.
Renshuu has a rich library of materials including over 15,000 native-recorded audio files, 17,000 hand-picked images, and 160,000 sample sentences to make understanding vocabulary a breeze. If your goal is to master kanji, the app has over 12,000 kanji with colorful mnemonics to help understand and retain the meanings.
Aside from its comprehensive content, the app also features fun exercises and crossword puzzles, collectible coins, manga pages, and hundreds of illustrations. You can play multiplayer games with friends!
Key features:
- Rich library of learning materials, both in-house and community-generated
- Personalized learning paths
- Fun exercises and games
Pricing: Free with in-app purchases
Devices: iOS and Android
11. Drops
Drops is a popular and fun app that promises to teach Japanese in five minutes a day. I know that sounds too good to be true but if you simply want to acquire as many Japanese words as possible in a short amount of time, you’ll find Drops useful.
Drops, in a nutshell, is a gamified app that teaches Japanese words through visual associations. By matching words to beautiful illustrations (or vice versa), you can learn over 2,000 Japanese words as well as learn how to pronounce them.
Drops lessons are free to access for five minutes daily. You’ll need to subscribe to get more playtime. I recommend using this as a supplement to whatever Japanese material you’re already using and not as a sole resource.
Key features:
- Focuses on vocabulary acquisition, with over 2,000 Japanese words to learn
- Learning through visual associations
- Listening test feature
Pricing: Free for five minutes daily. Upgrade to Drops Premium for $8.5 to get more playtime.
Devices: iOS and Android
12. Busuu
Somewhere between a complementary course app and a self-study online program, Busuu offers bite-sized lessons that can be completed in just a few minutes each day. The course features many phrases and words that you can use in daily conversations.
One of Busuu’s unique features, however, is its social component. It has a community of native speakers and Japanese learners who can give you feedback or with whom you can share milestones.
As for its vocabulary component, Busuu features words and phrases across various themes. There’s also a Japanese for Travel course that teaches basic Japanese phrases for travelers. Cultural context is well integrated into the lessons too!
Key features:
- Personalized study plans
- Vocabulary review feature
- The community feature lets you converse and learn from native speakers
Pricing: $13.95/month. Snag the latest Busuu promo here.
Devices:
13. FluentU
Ideal for intermediate or advanced Japanese learners, FluentU is a platform that uses real-world videos to teach Japanese. While it’s not a complete or systematic way to learn Japanese, it’s an immersive tool for learning relevant words and improving your Japanese pronunciation.
FluentU’s video collection ranges from music videos and movie trailers to news and speeches so you can definitely find content that interests you. Each video comes with interactive subtitles that allow you to hover over any word and get the definition of the word, plus example sentences.
To test you on what you’ve learned, there are quizzes and flashcards that you can use to remember difficult words. The app also uses SRS for its review modes so you can store words into long-term memory.
Key features:
- Huge (and growing) collection of real-world videos, including various clips, movies, music, and more
- Annotated subtitles and transcripts
- Interactive flashcards and fun quizzes
Pricing: Starts at $29.99/month but you can try it for free for 7 days or check the latest sale.
Devices: iOS and Android
14. Takoboto
You can’t make a list of Japanese vocabulary apps without squeezing in a dictionary, right? And when it comes to Japanese-English dictionaries, Takoboto is one of the most reliable.
This versatile tool that contains over 200,000 entries is not a plain dictionary though. It’s also a great Japanese learning tool that allows you to search for words in both Japanese and English using kanji, kana, romaji, or Latin alphabets. It also provides example sentences and kanji information for each word.
In addition to being a great vocab resource, Takoboto also has a useful grammar search function. Users can look up specific grammar points and receive a general meaning, formation, and example sentences that demonstrate the grammar pattern in use. A must-have for any Japanese learner.
Key features:
- 200,000+ Japanese words with English translations, all searchable using kana, kanji, romaji, or Latin characters
- Flashcards and study lists
- Offline mode
Pricing: Free! To access more features (e.g., synchronize your word lists, native speaker audio clips, remove ads), sign up for the premium version starting at $4.90/month.
Devices: iOS and Android
15. Duolingo
Of course, this list has to include the most popular language learning app. Although not as comprehensive as other apps on this list, Duolingo is a great app for absolute beginners.
Duolingo is designed to make learning fun and engaging, with game-like lessons that can be completed in just five minutes a day. The lessons are bite-sized, making them easy to fit into a busy schedule, and they cover reading, listening, and speaking skills.
The vocabulary you’ll learn here starts as basic but eventually includes more complex sentences. You also get to practice writing and reading Japanese scripts. The best part? It’s free!
Key features:
- Organized, progressive lessons targeting all language skills
- Gamified learning that keeps you motivated
- Repetition of words and phrases for better retention
Pricing: Free. You get ad-free access and unlimited hearts for $6.99/month.
Devices: iOS and Android
16. Anki
To clarify, Anki is not exclusively a language learning tool. It’s a digital flashcard app that’s designed to help you remember a vast amount of information about any subject, including languages.
To improve your Japanese vocabulary using Anki, you can create your own set of flashcards or download pre-made Anki decks. Some of the most popular public decks are Japanese Core 2000 Step 01 Listening Sentence Vocab + Images and JLPT N5 Vocabulary Deck – With Audio & Example Sentences.
Anki also uses a spaced repetition system to help you memorize new words. For example, if you learn a new Japanese word, Anki will prompt you to review it a few minutes later, then a few days later, and so on until the word is firmly lodged in your memory.
Key features:
- Customizable digital flashcards
- SRS review method
- Detailed study stats
Pricing: Free for Android, $24.99 for iOS
Devices: iOS and Android
17. Yomiwa
A multilingual dictionary, translation, and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) tool, Yomiwa is a multipurpose tool that’s worth adding to your Japanese learning toolkit.
Yomiwa has over 200,000 Japanese entries with translations in English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Hungarian, Dutch, Slovene, Swedish, and Hungarian. You can search through entries using kanji, kana, and romaji.
The extensive dictionary should be enough to grow your vocabulary but you can take it further by using Yomiwa’s OCR technology. This tool can recognize 4,000+ Japanese characters in pictures and with your device’s camera, making it great for both Japanese learners and travelers!
Key features:
- Extensive dictionary with 200,000+ entries
- Multilingual translations
- OCR technology and flashcards
Pricing: Free!
Devices: iOS and Android
18. Bunpo
Finally, here’s an app that doesn’t just boost your vocabulary but also helps you get JLPT-ready.
Bunpo is a language learning app that offers comprehensive courses in Japanese. It comes with interactive lessons, grammar notes, quizzes, and a personalized curriculum powered by SRS. The app also includes a smart Japanese kanji dictionary and a Japanese grammar dictionary.
Bunpo’s lessons are structured according to the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) levels, from N5 (beginner) to N1 (advanced). Each lesson starts with an explanation of the topic, followed by exercises that give you multiple-choice questions or let you put words in the correct order. With tons of sample sentences and quizzes, there’s no doubt you’ll get the vocabulary (and grammar) boost you need!
Key features:
- Japanese words can be tapped to reveal meaning
- Teaches grammar and Japanese scripts extensively
- JLPT-based lessons
Pricing: Free with limited content. To get complete access, upgrade to Bunpo Plus starting at $7.99/month.
Devices: iOS and Android
Final thoughts
Expanding your Japanese vocabulary can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. And if you haven’t realized it yet, Japanese is a long-term endeavor, especially the vocabulary part.
Fortunately, with the above apps and other Japanese learning resources, you can build a strong foundation to keep learning the language. And when you travel to Japan or get a chance to converse with native speakers, you’ll see that the hard work is well worth it.