5 Best Apps to Learn Japanese for Free in 2024

Have you ever felt the itch to learn Japanese but lost in the vast sea of online resources? Well, you’re not alone! Many aspiring Japanese learners share the excitement of diving into the language but often feel overwhelmed by the myriad of options available.

Learning Japanese can be an exciting and intimidating work. With many online resources available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure where to begin. Here, we’ll explore the best app to learn Japanese for free.

Highlights:

• Start with Anki to learn hiragana and katakana efficiently, and expand your vocabulary using spaced repetition.
• Use a Japanese dictionary app to save and organize words, tailor lists for specific purposes, and track your progress.
• Supplement your studies with Netflix, watching Japanese content with Japanese subtitles to enhance listening skills and immerse yourself in the language.
• Connect with native speakers or fellow learners on HelloTalk for comprehensive language exchange, including writing, correcting, and translating.
• Improve pronunciation with Jaccent, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience by reading, hearing, and pronouncing words correctly.

The 5 Best Apps to Learn Japanese for Free

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, these apps are designed to make your Japanese learning experience more productive and enjoyable.

1. Anki: Mastering Alphabets and Beyond

• Flashcard app for efficient learning.
• Ideal for mastering hiragana, katakana, and kanji.
• Utilizes spaced repetition for optimal memory retention.
• Versatile for learning vocabulary and kanji at various proficiency levels.

Anki, a widely known and powerful flashcard app, is the first step in the Japanese learning journey. Anki helps learners conquer the three essential Japanese alphabets – hiragana, katakana, and kanji.

The effectiveness of spaced repetition optimizes memory retention by reviewing information at spaced intervals. Anki’s versatility makes it suitable for learners at any level, allowing them to progress seamlessly from alphabets to vocabulary and kanji.

2. Japanese Dictionary: Your Ultimate Language Companion

• User-friendly dictionary app for Japanese learners.
• Allows saving words in custom lists for focused learning.
• Provides word levels for tracking and progress monitoring.
• Supports writing recognition for looking up unknown kanji characters.

Next on the list is a Japanese dictionary app, a must-have for anyone diving into a new language. We recommend this app for its user-friendly interface and unique feature – the ability to save words in custom lists.

These lists can be tailored for specific purposes, such as travel phrases or JLPT exam preparation. The app’s convenience lies in its ability to provide word levels, aiding learners in tracking their progress and focusing on relevant vocabulary.

3. Netflix: Learning Japanese through Entertainment

• Supplementary tool for immersive language learning.
• Offers a wide range of Japanese content with Japanese subtitles.
• Enhances listening skills through native shows and dubbed versions.
• Provides a break from traditional textbooks, making learning more engaging.

Netflix is a valuable supplementary tool for any language learner. By watching Japanese content with Japanese subtitles, learners can enhance their listening skills and immerse themselves in the language.

Nowadays, so many people use Netflix to watch content, from native Japanese shows to dubbed versions of familiar titles. Including Japanese subtitles adds an extra layer of language exposure, creating an immersive learning experience.

4. HelloTalk: Connect with Language Exchange Partners

• Language exchange app connecting learners and native speakers.
• Facilitates communication through writing, correcting, and translating.
• Allows users to find language exchange partners for diverse practice.
• Caution advised due to potential non-language-related intentions of some users.

HelloTalk, a language exchange app, is the fourth recommendation. Its unique features allow users to connect with native speakers or fellow learners.

The app facilitates language exchange through writing, correcting, and translating, making it a comprehensive platform for reading, writing, speaking, and listening practice. However, we advise caution due to some users’ intentions, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries.

5. Jaccent: Perfect Your Pronunciation

• Pronunciation-focused app for language learners.
• Enables users to hear the correct pronunciation of words.
• Complements reading with auditory learning, enhancing language authenticity.
• Useful for avoiding self-taught pronunciation pitfalls and developing a native accent.

The final app in the language learning toolkit is Jaccent, a pronunciation-focused app. We underscore the importance of reading, hearing, and pronouncing words correctly.

Jaccent allows users to hear the pronunciation of words found in the dictionary, ensuring a well-rounded language learning experience. We recommend using Jaccent to avoid the pitfalls of self-taught pronunciation and to develop an authentic Japanese accent.

Conclusion

Navigating the landscape of Japanese language learning can be challenging, but with the right tools, it becomes an enriching experience. We recommended apps cater to various aspects of language acquisition, from mastering the alphabet to perfecting pronunciation.

As you begin your Japanese language journey, consider incorporating these apps into your daily routine for a more comprehensive and effective learning experience.