Best App to Learn Japanese: Top 6 Picks for 2024

Learning Japanese can be an exciting and rewarding experience, especially with the wide range of apps available today. Whether you’re aiming to grasp the basics or achieve fluency, there’s an app to suit every need. With different features and approaches, finding the best app for learning Japanese can depend on your personal preferences, learning style, and goals. Here’s a guide to some of the top apps and what makes them stand out for Japanese learners.

1. Duolingo

Best for Beginners

Duolingo is one of the most popular language-learning apps globally, and it’s an excellent choice for beginners in Japanese. It offers a gamified experience where learners can practice Japanese through bite-sized lessons, unlocking new levels as they progress. Duolingo covers hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji along with sentence structures and vocabulary.

The app’s strength lies in its simplicity and ease of use. It’s highly accessible and allows learners to start practicing immediately. The lessons are structured like games, which keeps users motivated with rewards and streaks. While it’s a fun way to learn, Duolingo lacks depth in grammar and more advanced language features, making it more suited for beginners or those looking for casual practice.

Pros:

Free with optional premium features
Easy to use and gamified to encourage consistency
Good for building vocabulary and sentence basics

Cons:

Limited grammar explanations
Not suitable for intermediate or advanced learners

2. LingoDeer

Best for Grammar-Focused Learners

LingoDeer is designed specifically for learning Asian languages, including Japanese. Unlike Duolingo, which focuses on vocabulary and simple sentences, LingoDeer places a strong emphasis on grammar. The app offers a structured curriculum, providing detailed explanations for grammar points while also covering hiragana, katakana, and kanji.

For beginners and intermediate learners, LingoDeer is a fantastic choice because of its thorough approach to language structure. It also provides writing practice and speaking exercises, giving users a well-rounded learning experience. The app offers free content, but access to the full course requires a subscription.

Pros:

Strong focus on grammar with clear explanations
Suitable for both beginners and intermediate learners
Includes speaking, listening, and writing exercises

Cons:

Paid subscription required for full access
May be too structured for casual learners

3. WaniKani

Best for Learning Kanji

Kanji is one of the most challenging aspects of learning Japanese, and WaniKani is a specialized app that focuses solely on kanji and vocabulary. It uses a spaced repetition system (SRS) to help learners memorize over 2,000 kanji and 6,000 vocabulary words. The app provides mnemonic devices to make remembering the complex characters easier.

WaniKani is ideal for learners who struggle with kanji and need a structured way to tackle it. Its strength lies in helping learners master kanji efficiently, making it a perfect companion for intermediate to advanced learners. However, it doesn’t cover grammar or conversation, so it works best when used alongside other apps.

Pros:

Effective spaced repetition system for kanji memorization
Covers over 2,000 kanji and related vocabulary
Offers mnemonic aids to reinforce learning

Cons:

Only focuses on kanji and vocabulary
Paid subscription after a free trial

4. BunPro

Best for Mastering Japanese Grammar

BunPro is a grammar-focused app that categorizes lessons based on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) levels, from N5 (beginner) to N1 (advanced). The app uses spaced repetition to help learners retain grammar points and provides example sentences, exercises, and links to external resources for deeper understanding.

This app is perfect for learners looking to reinforce their understanding of Japanese grammar, particularly those studying for the JLPT. It lacks other language skills like speaking and listening practice, so it’s best to use BunPro alongside other apps for a comprehensive learning experience.

Pros:

Extensive grammar lessons categorized by JLPT levels
Spaced repetition system for grammar retention
Provides links to external resources for further study

Cons:

Lacks speaking and listening practice
Subscription required for full content access

5. Memrise

Best for Vocabulary Building and Listening Practice

Memrise combines vocabulary building with real-world listening practice. The app uses videos of native Japanese speakers to demonstrate how words and phrases are used in context, which helps learners improve both their listening and speaking skills. Memrise uses spaced repetition to help users retain vocabulary, and its community-created courses cover various topics.

Memrise is particularly useful for those who want to expand their vocabulary and improve their listening skills by hearing native speakers. However, it doesn’t offer as much focus on grammar or kanji as other apps, so it’s best suited for learners who need supplemental vocabulary practice.

Pros:

Videos of native speakers for immersive listening practice
Spaced repetition to reinforce vocabulary learning
Free with optional premium content

Cons:

Limited grammar instruction
Not ideal for advanced learners

6. Tandem

Best for Conversation Practice with Native Speakers

Tandem is a language exchange app that connects learners with native Japanese speakers for text, voice, or video chats. It’s a unique way to practice conversational Japanese and learn about the culture firsthand. The app allows users to exchange languages, helping each other with corrections and tips.

Tandem is perfect for those who want to improve their speaking skills and gain fluency. However, it’s more dependent on finding the right language partner, so the learning experience can vary. It’s an excellent supplement to structured learning for those looking to practice real-world conversations.

Pros:

Real-time conversation practice with native speakers
Free to use with premium features available
Great for practicing fluency and conversational skills

Cons:

Learning quality depends on your language partner
No structured lessons

Conclusion

Choosing the best app to learn Japanese depends largely on your individual goals and learning style. For beginners, Duolingo provides a fun and easy introduction to the language. If you’re focused on mastering grammar, LingoDeer and BunPro offer excellent in-depth explanations. For kanji mastery, WaniKani is unmatched, while Memrise helps expand your vocabulary through real-world context. Finally, for those looking to practice conversation with native speakers, Tandem offers an authentic way to improve speaking skills.

By combining a few of these apps, learners can cover all the key aspects of the Japanese language and enjoy a more well-rounded learning experience.

Mobile app – Wikipedia

Japanese language – Wikipedia

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