Isn’t it great to live in a time where there is an app for everything? Isn’t it even better when you can use those apps for free? We are fortunate to live in a world where new skills such as speaking Japanese, are a simple few clicks away. The only issue is that there are too many options and it can take far too much time from our precious lives to decipher the good quality from the utterly useless, which is why I’ve narrowed it down for you.
Ranked repeatedly as one of the most difficult languages to learn for Native English speakers, Japanese can be tricky to get the hang of particularly as to really understand the language and use it correctly you have not 1, not 2 but 3 scripts of texts to learn and the pronunciation that goes along with them is surprisingly unlike the alphabet we’re used to.
Just recently, online platforms offering various services, especially those for students, were a real hit. Still, high school and college students daily rely on paper writing services to either write an essay orrewrite my essayand are ready to pay for prompt academic help. But now, in addition to those platforms, they got something even better – numerous apps to help them out with their studies instantly!
Taking this into consideration, I would suggest the best way to learn Japanese for free is to find the right combination of the following 6 great free apps to study Japanese.
Table of Contents
Learn Japanese Free (Innovation apps)
This app teaches the old school way in the form of flashcards.You read the English phrase or word and tap to see and hear the Japanese translation. It also includes some testing but doesn’t test everything you learn unfortunately or in any particular order. This was the first app I ever used to learn Japanese and it did really benefit my first few months in the country.
It has absolutely no fee and minimal advertisements. It’s very easy to use but it does only teach a very specific way of saying each phrase which may lead to some confusion in your listening ability.It offers some hiragana and katakana practice but an app more predominantly geared towards them would be more beneficial.
This would be an ideal starting point for you, particularly if you’re planning on visiting for vacation as it’s a great way of nailing the basics for a polite trip.
Listening | Reading | Kinesthetic | Writing | Speaking |
---|---|---|---|---|
✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Download the app: Android – Not available on iOs
Learn Japanese: Lesson, News, Videos
This app offers a more traditional way of learning. Think back to multiple TV shows from the 90s/00s where characters learned languages by listening and repeating to their cassettes or CD players. This is very similar.
There is a wide array of conversations, vocabulary and phrases that you can play, listen and repeat in order to practice. It also offers Katakana and Hiragana charts but less physical effort than many other apps.
It’s the perfect app for auditory learners and everything is completely free but be prepared for a lot of advertising.
Listening | Reading | Kinesthetic | Writing | Speaking |
---|---|---|---|---|
✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ (well, up to you) |
Download the app: Android – Not available on iOs
Write It! Japanese
When considering learning Japanese, you may feel it only necessary to learn how to speak the language but studying Hiragana and Katakana as well, will highly benefit your practice. It is important to understand the sounds of each character in order to have proper pronunciation which is a very important part of speaking Japanese as a small sound difference can change a sincere compliment into a harsh insult.
This app gives you absolutely everything for free when it comes to learning both scripts. You get to physically practice writing, hear the sounds as they’re meant to be and play game-like quizzes to test your skills as you progress.
Listening | Reading | Kinesthetic | Writing | Speaking |
---|---|---|---|---|
✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Download the app: Android – iOS
Obenkyo
This app is ideal for those interested in learning kanji along with being incredibly useful for those practicing hiragana and Katakana. The app was designed to benefit anyone preparing for the JLTP and offers both study and testing options.It also has very detailed grammar explanations.
You have immediate free access to all Hiragana and Katakana reading and writing practice along with thousands of Kanji characters. There are no time limits or forced advertisements. The only major downfall is the lack of sound, it would be much more beneficial to hear each character but it’s the perfect app for reinforcement and if used along with auditory Japanese apps, you’ll have everything you need to not only gain the ability to converse in the language but also to understand the language.
Listening | Reading | Kinesthetic | Writing | Speaking |
---|---|---|---|---|
✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Download the app: Android
DuoLingo
I have been using Duo lingo myself, for years.It combines most aspects of language learning into an almost game like structure. It is probably the most motivational of the available apps, regularly encouraging consistency. It keeps track of how many days you’ve studied, reminds you to review previously learned topics and provides a score board where you can compete with friends and stay accountable. It also creates a logical pattern for learning as you can not move onto the next topic without completing the other.
There are limitations to using the app for free however, it gives you 5 hearts or “lives” everyday and once you’ve made 5 mistakes throughout your practice, you can’t learn anything new for the rest of the day without paying. However, you may still review all previously learned topics which on completion, can give you a free extra life.
Duo Lingo offers reading practice, vocabulary practice, listening and sentence structure practice. There is absolutely no need to pay for the extra bonuses the app offers unless you want to but there are some forced advertisements while in use.It’s a fun and motivational way to keep studying on a daily basis and although it lacks grammar explanation, it does allow the brain to figure it out leading to a more substantial lesson.
Listening | Reading | Kinesthetic | Writing | Speaking |
---|---|---|---|---|
✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ (up to you) |
Download the app: Android – iOS
Lingo Deer
This is very similar to duo lingo in it’s game like nature and inability to progress further without completing the current topic. It also provides speaking practice, asking users to talk into the mic on their phones as the app recognises any potential errors in pronunciation.
Along with this feature, it gives guides in writing all Japanese characters and breaks down all sentence structure for you to piece back together.It has detailed grammar explanations and fun daily quizzes.
The major issue is that it is only free for alphabet learning, introductory lessons and a travel phrasebook. These are still fantastic things to learn and because of the layout of this app you will learn them and have fun while doing so. It’s a small fee to continue onward but even to just use it for it’s free options will greatly benefit your practice.
Listening | Reading | Kinesthetic | Writing | Speaking | Pronunciation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Download the app: Android – iOS
Conclusion
With these 6 great free apps for learning Japanese you’re officially out of excuses not to start. Any one of them will benefit your learning and finding the appropriate combination will have you bragging about your multilingual ability in no time. We all find ourselves bored and waiting somewhere, so why not throw on a pair of headphones, download a free app and get studying.
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KatC
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An Irish girl, living and working in Osaka. Kat came to Japan expecting to stay a year and 3 years later, has no plan to leave after falling in love with the culture and beauty of the country. She’s passionate about writing, travel, fitness and new experiences.
Tags: learn japanese
FAQs
Where can I learn full Japanese for free? ›
- Duolingo.
- JapanesePod101.
- NHK World Easy Japanese.
- Japan Foundation's Marugoto course.
- Learn Japanese Free.com.
Duolingo lessons focus on immersion and teach Japanese the same way you learned a language as a child. Similar to Rosetta Stone, it gives you intuitive quizzes to help you remember vocabulary and kanji. The app uses game-like features to encourage you to study and includes fun challenges to keep you going.
How can I learn Japanese in Japan for free? ›- Kyoto University. ...
- University of Tokyo. ...
- Sophia University. ...
- Meiji University. ...
- Hokkaido University. ...
- Kyushu University. ...
- Keio University. ...
- International Christian University.
While it may not be possible to become fluent in Japanese in just ten days, it IS possible to learn the basics of speaking in a short period of time and move on to becoming fluent. Don't be discouraged. You can and will learn Japanese much faster than you expect.
Is 1 hour a day enough to learn Japanese? ›However, if you study only one hour per day and don't do anything else to learn Japanese, it can take you up to twenty years to learn the language! So if you don't want to be speaking Japanese only in 2039, keep reading to see how you can shorten this time frame.
Does it take 1 year to learn Japanese? ›Learning Japanese isn't easy and it will take time. It's probably fair to say that you can expect a commitment of at least three years in order to achieve something resembling fluency. The average learner gets to the advanced level in three or four years.
What is the fastest way to learn Japanese fluently? ›- Don't rush the basics. For some learners, the three Japanese writing systems can be intimidating. ...
- Find media you love. ...
- Practise with native speakers. ...
- Record yourself speaking. ...
- Set goals. ...
- Use mnemonics. ...
- Stay positive.
How Long Does it Take to Learn Japanese on Average? With consistent studying and speaking, for about 30 minutes to an hour a day, you could speak at a conversational level in Japanese in about 3 months.
Is Japan difficult to learn? ›The Japanese language is considered one of the most difficult to learn by many English speakers. With three separate writing systems, an opposite sentence structure to English, and a complicated hierarchy of politeness, it's decidedly complex.
Is Bunpo app free? ›The free version of Bunpo offers most that total beginners need. Besides the JLPT sections, there is one called 'Alphabets and Basic Words' containing 18 categories from introductions to hiragana and katakana to phrases and vocabularies from many fields of daily life.
Can I get by in Japan only speaking English? ›
So, can you travel in Japan without speaking Japanese? Sure you can. It big cities and at major landmarks and popular tourist sights, you'll be just fine most of the time.
Can I self teach myself Japanese? ›Learning Japanese by yourself? Yes, it's possible to do that – millions of people are doing it all over the world. It takes a bit of work but you can truly make Japanese progress alone.
Is college in Japan free? ›Tuition and Scholarships in Japan
Tuition fees at Japanese public universities are 535,800 yen, or $6,500. Academic fees for the first year generally consist of admission fee, tuition fee, and facility and equipment usage fee, but in Tsukuba, the regular entrance fees and first year tuition fees have been waived.
The average length of time to learn advanced Japanese is 2-3 years. At the intermediate level, you can understand most of what your teacher says, and you can follow along with TV programs. When it comes to using the language with other Japanese speakers, however, you still have some limitations.
How many hours of Japanese should I study? ›The number of hours you are able to commit per day is ultimately what will have the largest impact on how many years it will take to reach your Japanese fluency goals. So, you will want to spend a good chunk of time learning every day. In general, it is recommended that learners spend 2 hours per day studying Japanese.
What is the hardest language to learn? ›Across multiple sources, Mandarin Chinese is the number one language listed as the most challenging to learn. The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center puts Mandarin in Category IV, which is the list of the most difficult languages to learn for English speakers.
Can you learn 10 kanji a day? ›If you learn 10 kanji a day, you can learn all of them in 200 days (just under 7 months) If you learn 5 kanji a day, you can learn all of them in 400 days (just over 13 months) If you learn just 2 kanji a day, you can learn all of them in 1000 days (less than 3 years)
How many words do you need to be fluent in Japanese? ›Generally speaking, you need to know about 3,000 – 5,000 Japanese words to be fluent in the language. But it can't just be any words, as you could simply learn the names of people, places, and Pokémon to hit one or two thousand.
Is it easier to learn Japanese or Chinese? ›Japanese is slightly easier to learn. But, Chinese is much more widely spoken. Both languages have their pros and cons.
Should I study Japanese everyday? ›1. Study Japanese every day. I know I just said that traditional studying methods are only a small part of it, but they're an essential part nonetheless. Grab a few recommended textbooks and knuckle down for at least twenty minutes a day (ideally an hour or two, but twenty minutes is better than nothing).
Is studying in Japan easy? ›
It's an easy way for international students to learn about cultural differences between different countries without having to travel so far away from home Japan is an amazing place to study. The cost of living in Japan is significantly less expensive than other countries, and a high salary is guaranteed.
What age is too late to learn Japanese? ›Am I too old to study Japanese in Japan? You may have heard recently that it's now impossible to study in Japan if you are over 30 years old. Luckily for those who fall in that category, this isn't actually true and it's actually never too late to chase your Japanese language dreams.
What is the easiest language to learn? ›- Frisian. Frisian is thought to be one of the languages most closely related to English, and therefore also the easiest for English-speakers to pick up. ...
- Dutch. ...
- Norwegian. ...
- Spanish. ...
- Portuguese. ...
- Italian. ...
- French. ...
- Swedish.
Japanese is one of the most difficult languages for English natives to master. This is because it does not have a lot of likeness in structure to English. Approximately it will take 88 weeks, or 2200 hours of studying, to become fluent.
How do I study like a Japanese student? ›- Use A Kanban Board. ...
- Have A Morning Routine. ...
- Have A Nighttime Routine. ...
- Tidy Up Your Space. ...
- Review Your Notes. ...
- Always Strive For Quality. ...
- Try Time Blocking. ...
- Value Your Breaks.
Syllabic Rate: This refers to the number of syllables per second. Japanese is the highest here, just beating out the fast-talking Spanish. The hypothesis of the study is that languages with a lower information density (like Japanese) will make up for it by speaking faster.
Is Japanese the fastest language? ›1. Japanese:
Japanese is the fastest recorded language. It has a rate of 7.84 syllables per second.
The Japanese "r" is different from the English "r". The sound is sort of between the English "r" and "l". To make "r" sound, start to say "l", but make your tongue stop short of the roof of your mouth, almost in the English "d" position. It is more like the Spanish "r".
Can you live in Japan without speaking Japanese? ›Working, living, and traveling in Japan without speaking Japanese is feasible, and there are countless examples of foreigners doing so. Having said that, learning Japanese will put you at an exceptional advantage in both your professional life and daily life.
Is Duolingo Japanese free? ›Learn Japanese in just 5 minutes a day. For free.
Learn Japanese in just 5 minutes a day with our game-like lessons. Whether you're a beginner starting with the basics or looking to practice your reading, writing, and speaking, Duolingo is scientifically proven to work.
Where can I learn Japanese for free India? ›
- Nihongo Center. ...
- The Japan Foundation. ...
- Nihonkai Japanese Language Training Institute. ...
- University of Delhi.
Takoboto (Android)
Takoboto is an offline Japanese-English, English-Japanese dictionary and also a learning tool. There are example sentences, conjugated forms for each word and kanji information. You can search words in kana. kanji, romaji or alphabets.
This app has all that, and more, for only $10. As I said, the beginners levels are free, but if you want to learn N4 to N1 kanji you have to pay for them.
Is Japanese hard for Indians? ›Japanese is a mora-timed language with phonotactics and a pure vowel and consonant sound system. These features may sound complicated. But, it is these very features that make learning Japanese for Indians, easy. Japanese words are mostly based on verbs, nouns, and particles.
Is Japan easy to learn? ›The Japanese language is considered one of the most difficult to learn by many English speakers. With three separate writing systems, an opposite sentence structure to English, and a complicated hierarchy of politeness, it's decidedly complex.
Can I learn Japanese language in 1 month? ›Let's get one thing clear: You won't become fluent in a month. (Unless you're some foreign language genius.) But you can absolutely learn what you need to get by with a month of studying. It's all about finding what resources are best for you.
Which learning app is completely free? ›Our Picks | Duolingo | Quizlet Check Stock $0.00 at Amazon (Opens in a new window) |
---|---|---|
Number of Languages | 35+ | 100+ |
Style of Program | Podcasts, Stories | Flashcards and Games |
Web App | ||
iPhone App |
- Khan Academy. 3 Images. Close. Khan Academy is a non-profit that aims to "provide a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere," and it certainly delivers on that promise. ...
- eDX. 3 Images. Close. ...
- Coursera. 3 Images. Close. ...
- Udemy. 3 Images. Close. ...
- Alison. 3 Images. Close.