Thanks to technology it is easier than ever to learn a new language like Japanese. All you need is a phone or tablet. That’s because there are many apps on the market that will teach you how to speak and write Japanese. Whether you want to learn enough to survive a trip to Japan or want to become fluent in a new language, you will find these 8 best apps to learn Japanese to be incredibly helpful.
What are the 8 best apps to learn Japanese?
1. Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese
Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese is both an app and online learning tool. You can jump back and forth between the app and the website any time you like. This app is great for beginners and people who already have some Japanese knowledge. The set up can be a little confusing if you once took a Japanese class because Tae Kim does it much differently but in a way that makes more sense. It starts small and then builds up in difficulty while also explaining why the language does what it does (such as formal speech). This is definitely a must have for anyone who wants to learn Japanese. There is plenty more information on the website, too.
2. Obenkyo
Obenkyo takes the best of Japanese learning and puts it all together in one app. It even contains Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese. The app is one of the best for learning lots of vocabulary and even lets you practice writing characters directly on the screen of your device. There is even a drawing game that makes learning to write character more fun instead of just repetitive. The testing system makes you feel like you are actually taking a class and getting a good grade is important. The testing system uses flash cards. Completing tests give you motivation and a sense of accomplishment.
3. Learn Japanese Phrases
Learn Japanese Phrases might not be as chock full of lessons and information but it has something few other language learning apps have. It allows you to record yourself speaking a word of phrase. You can then play back your recording and compare it to the native speakers saying the same word or phrase within the app. This way you can tell if your pronunciation is off or spot on. This app is a great addition to other language learning apps and is beyond useful for people traveling to Japan.
4. FluentU
FluentU is a fun way to learn Japanese because it uses real videos from music and movies to help teach. Watch popular music videos and see the worlds flow across the screen with both Japanese characters and English translation. If you are someone that loves spending time on YouTube and can pick up hearing a word in another language and matching it with the English translation then FluentU is for you.
5. Learn Japanse by Mindsnacks
The Mindsnacks app Learn Japanese uses fun games to help you learn the language. Your goal is to keep beating your high scores to show you are getting better at what you’ve learned. You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy these fun games. If you hate learning and reading textbooks then Learn Japanese is the better option for you because it makes learning fun and entertaining. It is great for beginners to the language and people who have been learning for years and want something to help keep them fresh at speaking or writing Japanese.
6. HelloTalk
HelloTalk is a social media language exchange app that lets you meet new people and learn a new language at the same time. You create a profile and state what language you want to learn and how much you already know. You then match up with people who speak that language and/or want to learn the language you are fluent in already. You then send messages and voice/video chat with each other in the language you want to learn (or they want to learn.) You can edit messages for grammar and spelling before replying and your new friend will do the same for you. If you love Japan and not just the language then meeting someone from Japan will help you learn more. You also get to help others in return and that’s always a good thing.
7. Human Japanese
Human Japanese is a typical lesson app with lots of features. It starts out with easier lessons and works up in difficulty. Every new character, word, or phrase has a clickable sound file so you can hear how it sounds. This helps you practice your pronunciation. What’s fun about Human Japanese is that after a few chapters on learning the language there are fun chapters about the country and culture. As of 2017, there is a basic version and intermediate.
8. Dr. Moku’s Hiragana Mnemonics
Dr. Moku claims that with this app you can learn Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji is one hour. Many users claim that this is possible and some say it can be learned in a half hour. The app uses mnemonics to help you memorize quickly. It also has fun quizzes that get tricky at the harder levels. You can even practice writing characters the animated strokes feature that shows how the character is drawn so you can follow along.
Here’s a bonus app to help with learning Japanese:
Anki
Ani isn’t a language learning app really but it is something anyone learning a new language will love. Why? Because it lets you create flashcards of anything you want. There are Japanese flash cards you can download or make your own using sounds, pictures, and words. Pull out the flashcards to help you practice Japanese in between lessons.
These are by far the best apps to learn Japanese. Whether a beginner or already pretty fluent, you will find an app that makes learning the language easier. Give them all a try and choose one that works best for you and your favorite way to learn.
What are the best apps to learn Japanese? There are many but here you will find the top 8 Japanese language learning apps that include tests, games, character writing, and much more.
