Top 7 best Japanese language learning software today

The demand for learning Japanese is increasing, and consequently, the cost of learning is becoming more expensive. If you are looking for a method to learn Japanese that is effective, cost-saving, and allows you to study at any time and place, then this article is for you. The article compiles 7 free and easily accessible apps for learning Japanese on your phone.

1. LingoDeer

If you love exploring and learning international languages, you’ve probably heard of this app. LingoDeer is a popular language learning app trusted by many users. It provides high-quality lessons on a variety of topics with effective learning methods, not only for Japanese but also for many other languages. Developed by a reputable and experienced team, it will surely help you improve your Japanese in a short time.

LingoDeer

Advantages:

  • Supports learning more than 10 different languages.
  • Lessons are categorized from basic to advanced levels.
  • Rich vocabulary with diverse topics and illustrative images for easy memorization.
  • Pronunciation and reading guided by native speakers.
  • Provides competency tests after each lesson and level to assess your learning progress.

Disadvantages:

  • Limited vocabulary introduced in each lesson.
  • Best suited for beginners, with no advanced lessons available.

Link to download LingoDeer

2. Japanese Listening Practice

As the name suggests, Japanese Listening Practice is a very useful app for improving your Japanese listening skills. It offers listening exercises with content on various aspects of daily life, with increasing difficulty. The app also provides daily news to add variety to the listening exercises, helping users improve their listening skills. You can download the audio files to listen to them anytime, even without an internet connection.

Japanese Listening Practice

Advantages:

  • Effective listening practice for smartphones.
  • Allows downloading audio files for offline listening.
  • Diverse listening topics from daily life.
  • Lessons range from basic to advanced levels, building a solid foundation for learners.

Disadvantages:

  • The interface is not very visually appealing.
  • Ads may interrupt the learning process.

Link to download Japanese Listening Practice for Android

3. Hiragana - Learn Japanese

This app helps you practice and improve your writing skills. Trusted by hundreds of thousands of users, Hiragana - Learn Japanese offers three types of exercises: drawing Hiragana with your finger, writing the correct syllables for Hiragana, and choosing the right Hiragana for each syllable. Spending just a few minutes each day on this app will significantly enhance your skills.

Hiragana

Advantages:

  • Attractive, easy-to-use interface.
  • Integrated spell-check system to identify common mistakes.
  • Modern, effective learning methods.
  • Various exercises to practice and test your abilities.

Link to download Hiragana - Learn Japanese for Android

4. Learn vocabulary - Minder

Vocabulary is the foundation of any language. To master and expand your Japanese vocabulary, Minder is an essential app for your phone. It supports four main languages: Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and English, with over 800 lessons and more than 30,000 vocabulary words.

Minder

Advantages:

  • Simple, user-friendly interface.
  • Supports multiple languages besides Japanese.
  • Modern learning methods for fast vocabulary acquisition and long-term retention, suitable for children as well.
  • Uses Flash Cards for effective memorization.

Link to download Minder for Android

5. JA Sensei - Learn Japanese

JA Sensei is a Japanese learning app with over 23 effective lessons covering various topics and structures, from simple to complex. It's popular among Android users. The app cleverly incorporates Japanese culture and customs into each lesson, making learning more interesting and memorable.

JA Sensei

Advantages:

  • Diverse lessons from basic to advanced, suitable for all ages.
  • Various topics with effective memorization methods.
  • Lightweight app, compatible with many devices.
  • Incorporates cultural elements to make learning enjoyable.

Link to download JA Sensei for Android

6. NHK Easy Japanese News Reader - Simple & Useful

For those who love Japanese culture and are learning the language, NHK Easy Japanese News Reader - Simple & Useful is an invaluable app. It lets you read and listen to daily news in Japanese, keeping you updated with the latest information while improving your skills.

NHK Easy Japanese News Reader

Advantages:

  • Constantly updated news and information.
  • Shows furigana for Kanji and provides a list of new words in each news item.
  • Links to various dictionaries, including English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.
  • Easy download of articles for frequent offline listening practice.

Platform: Android, iOS

Link to download NHK Easy Japanese News Reader - Simple & Useful for Android

7. Japanese Dictionary Takoboto

Japanese Dictionary Takoboto is a handy dictionary app that allows users to quickly and accurately look up vocabulary using Kanji, Kana, Romaji, or Latin alphabets. It includes not only words but also complete sentences, examples, and verb/adjective conjugations for better understanding and usage in conversations.

Japanese Dictionary Takoboto

Advantages:

  • Search Kanji by selecting multiple radicals.
  • Provides offline Japanese-English and English-Japanese dictionaries.
  • Advanced learning tools and methods for high effectiveness.
  • Useful features to support self-learning at home.

Link to download Japanese Dictionary Takoboto for Android

With these top 7 free apps for learning Japanese on your phone, you’ll surely find one that suits your needs and level. Good luck reaching your learning goals!