Best Japanese Learning Apps: Help You Master The Japanese Language

Introduction

Are you interested in Japanese Learning apps to master your Japanese language? It is not an easy task to learn Japanese. It is a tricky and difficult language because of its unique grammar and pronunciation. It is an exciting and challenging journey to learn Japanese with its distinctive scripts. The different scripts include hiragana, katakana and kanji.

Are you learning Japanese for JLPT preparation, or for a trip to Japan or you are eager to learn about Japanese culture? It can be any reason but you should learn the Japanese language from the best app available. 

Let’s explore this article about Best Japanese Learning Apps to master the Japanese language. As well as, you will find the best Japanese dictionary apps to help you master Japanese vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. Here, we will cover the top most recommendations for learning Japanese language apps for both Android and iOS users.

best Japanese learning apps

Reason To Use Apps to Learn Japanese

The Japanese writing scripts such as hiragana, katakana and kanji make the language unique, beautiful and difficult to understand. Also, nuanced grammar creates another complexity for learners.

The Japanese learning apps are versatile, contain interactive lessons, and features such as spaced repetition and flashcards. This makes the learning engaging and effective. The apps are for all whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced learner.

The apps deeply focus on Japanese writing, grammar, speaking and reading skills. Not only this, various apps that help you to learn Japanese are available on all devices such as Android and iOS. It ensures accessibility of Japanese learning apps on multiple smart devices.

Best 10 Japanese Learning Apps

We have chosen the best 10 apps that make you perfect in Japanese. The apps cover almost everything from detailed courses to all necessary  tools you need for learning Japanese grammar, speaking, reading and writing.

App Name

Best For

Platform

Pricing

Key Features

LingoDeer

Comprehensive learning

iOS, Android

Free, Premium $12/month

Structured lessons, flashcards, grammar

FluentU

Immersive video-based learning

iOS, Android, Web

$29.99/month, 14-day free trial

Interactive subtitles, real-world videos

Duolingo

Gamified learning for beginners

iOS, Android

Free, Premium $6.99/mont

Bite-sized lessons, kana, basic grammar

AnkiMobile/AnkiWeb

Customizable flashcards

iOS, Android, Web

Free (Android), $25 (iOS)

Spaced repetition, community decks

Pimsleur

Speaking and listening

iOS, Android

$19.99/month

Audio-based lessons, conversational focus

Memrise

Vocabulary and phrases

iOS, Android

Free, Premium $8.99/month

Native speaker audio, real-life phrases

Bunpo

Japanese grammar

iOS, Android

Free, Premium $7.99/month

Grammar dictionary, JLPT prep

Imiwa?

Japanese dictionary

iOS

Free

Offline dictionary, kanji animations

Takoboto

Japanese dictionary

Android

Free

200,000+ entries, voice search

JapanesePod101

Podcast-style lessons

iOS, Android, Web

Free, Premium $8-$47/month

Audio lessons, cultural insights

 LingoDeer: Best for Comprehensive Learning

LingoDeer is the top app to learn Japanese language. The app is specifically designed for beginners to intermediate learners. It covers lessons regarding hiragana, katakana, and kanji scripts.

It also offers detailed lessons of Japanese grammar. The app provides clear audios and interactive exercises.

Moreover, it is ideal for consistent learning because of its spaced repetition system and ads-free offline mode. LingoDeer app is available on both iOS and Android devices.

LingoDeer is the best app to learn Japanese for those who aim for smooth learning when exploring Japanese vocabulary, pronunciation, reading and writing.

FluentU: Best for Video-Based Immersion

FluentU is another valuable app for Japanese learners. It actually transforms real-world examples of unique Japanese videos such as music videos, and news into engaging lessons.

The lessons come with clickable subtitles that help in understanding the Japanese language. FluentU is a best app for learning Japanese language with pronunciation and vocabulary with real-world examples.

The app offers 14-days free trial for everyone using it for the first time. It is available on both iOS and Android smart devices. Not only can you access the app on web-based platforms, this can make it versatile and easily accessible for many.

It is the best Japanese learning app and highly-recommended for immersive and quality learning.

Duolingo: Gamified Based App For Beginners

Duolingo offers a gamified Japanese learning approach. It makes the app popular and fun for beginners. It offers kana, basic Japanese grammar, and basic vocabulary through concise and brief lessons.

Duolingo app supports both iOS and Android devices. It comes with free features to learn basic Japanese language. It also offers premium features for casual Japanese learners starting their Japanese language learning journey.

AnkiMobile/AnkiWeb: Best for Flashcard Enthusiasts

Anki is also one of the best Japanese learning apps for mastering kani and phrases. It uses spaced repetition to assist you memorize Japanese characters and vocabulary.

It assists you for JLPT preparation using customizable flashcards and community-created decks. The app is available on both iOS, Android and Web users. It makes it a more accessible, versatile and must-have app to learn Japanese for serious learners.

Pimsleur: Popular For Speaking and Listening

Pimsleur app is known for two best practices that includes speaking and listening. The app is designed on audio-based lessons to sharpen pronunciation and conversational skills.

The app is ideal for those aiming for a trip to Japan or learning Japanese to interact and communicate in Japanese language. The app is available on both iOS and Android devices. It helps Japanese language learner to speak Japanese fluently.

Memrise: Best for Vocabulary and Phrases

Memrise is one of the top Japanese learning apps supporting app for serious learners. The app focuses on native speaker audio and video to teach real-life phrases and vocabulary in Japanese.

Its interactive teaching format and spaced repetition make it a unique app to learn Japanese. The app can be downloaded in both iOS and Android supporting smart devices.

Bunpo: Best for Japanese Grammar

Bunpo is a dedicated Japanese learnings app that supports lessons from JLPT N5 to N1. It teaches Japanese language through structured and organized Japanese grammatical rules.

The app includes a grammar dictionary and more than 8000 quiz questions. The app has proven itself as the best tool to learn Japanese grammar. It is available on all iOS and Android supporting devices.

Imiwa?: Best Japanese Dictionary App (iOS)

Imiwa? Is another free and offline Japanese dictionary app. It focuses on Japanese script learning. The app includes more that 170,000 entries on kanji animation and Japanese vocabulary.

Imiwa? is available on iOS devices. The app offers handwritten recognition and JLPT filters. It makes it a top pick for learners aiming for a reliable and trustworthy Japanese dictionary.

Takoboto: Best Japanese Dictionary App (Android)

Takoboto is one of the best Japanese dictionary apps. The app is purely designed for Android users. It is a go-to Japanese dictionary app for quick learners that includes more than 200,000 entries.

It also assists in voice searching. It is an excellent choice for those who look for fast translation or kanji details on the go.

JapanesePod101: Best for Podcast-Style Learning

JapanesePod101 offers podcast-style learning lessons with Japanese native speakers. It covers grammar, vocabulary and cultural insights of Japanese.

The app is available on all smart devices such as iOS, Android and web. Its versatility and easy accessibility make it a best program to learn Japanese for all type of learners.

Best App to Learn Japanese for Travel

Travelling is a passion and if you are a frequent traveler and want to visit Japan, then we recommend you must learn the basics of the Japanese language. For this we recommend the HelloTalk app.

The app connects you with the native speakers for real-time Japanese language practice. It offers built-in translation features and phrase tools to assist you in better communication.

The app is available on all smart devices that supports iOS and Android softwares. This makes it an ideal and versatile app for practicing conversational Japanese before you plan a trip to Japan.

If we say it is an ideal app to learn Japanese for travel then it is not wrong. Have a safe journey to Japan!

Read Also: Best Golf GPS Apps

Best Video Games to Learn Japanese

Video games can make learning fun and engaging. Here are two best video games to learn Japanese:

apps to learn Japanese

Lingopie

It is purely based on Japanese shows with engaging subtitles to strengthen vocabulary and pronunciation. It’s a distinctive Japanese reading app that is available on both iOS and Android devices.

Infinite Japanese

Infinite Japanese is available on iOS and Android supporting smart devices. It is a game-based best Japanese learning app that teaches kana and Japanese vocabulary with visual puzzles.

Tips to Maximize Your Learning with Japanese Apps

If you are a serious Japanese language learner. We recommend you to get the most out of these best tools to learn Japanese. Here are some pro-tips for our learners:

Japanese learning apps

Setting-up Daily Goals

The daily targets come in apps like Duolingo or LingoDeer. These goals come with daily interactive learning activities and daily lesson plans for about 10-15 minutes to build language learning habits.

Use Combination of Different Apps

You should pair two to three different apps to learn the Japanese language. It should be the combination of everything such as listening, reading and writing of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. For instance, combining Bunpo with Imiwa?

Practice With Native Speakers

Some Japanese learning apps offer native speakers. You can improve your listening and speaking with the help of these apps. That may include HelloTalk or italki to help practicing with native speakers.

Focus On You Weak Areas

The learners should practice more on their weaknesses while learning the Japanese language. You should use Anki for kanji, Memrise for vocabulary etc to overcome the weak areas in the learning process. It will help you target your specific but weak language skill.

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Conclusion

All Japanese learning apps focus on diverse requirements for Japanese learners. These apps help you to master Japanese characters for your trip to Japan, or the JLPT.

LingoDeer, Bunpo or FluentU offers well-structured and detailed lesson plans on Japanese language.  Imiwa? and Takoboto assists you in quick lookup for Japanese dictionaries and extensive Japanese vocabulary.

HelloTalk is an awesome app for travelers to practice listening and speaking skills. You should download multiple Japanese learning apps to learn Japanese while focusing on their specialized features.

It enables you to master Japanese reading, writing, listening and speaking. Ultimately you can interact and communicate in Japanese.

Frequently Asked Questions

Duolingo and LingoDeer are the top choices for beginners. These apps are best because of their gamified lesson plans and clear instruction of different Japanese scripts such as hiragana and katakana. Also, both apps focus on Japanese grammar.

Imiwa? is supported by iOS and Takoboto is Android, supporting Japanese dictionary apps. These apps offer offline access to extensive vocabulary entries, and kanji details.

Yes, apps like Duolingo, Memrise, and Imiwa? offer free versions with powerful features. AnkiWeb is absolutely free for Android and web users and ideal for flashcard-based learning.

As per our experience, HelloTalk is the best app to learn Japanese for travel. It allows you to practice Japanese phrases under assistance of native speakers with real-world scenarios.

Yes, you can learn Japanese grammar with the help of Bunpo. It offers detailed lessons and quiz questions for JLPT levels from N5 to N1. The app is available on iOS and Android supporting devices.