As i wrote on my About page, since May 2009 i moved to Japan with my family to start a new life. As you probably know the mobile phone networks in Japan is slightly different with another countries. This includes the phone handsets available which are dominated by local manufacturer with Japanese Language support only. So when i was arrived last year i tried to find a handset with English Language support. And i was lucky that iPhone is here and it’s SoftBank, one of the mobile phone operators in Japan who provides it.
As another new comer in Japan, the language is alway the biggest problem. But i was really happy to find some great apps for iPhone for learning Japanese Language. After trying couple of applications and using them for the last few months i finally found 10 of the most recommended apps. So, here you go!
Kotoba is a multilingual Japanese dictionary for iPhone and iPod touch devices. The dictionary files are embedded in the application so that the dictionary is available at all times with no additional cost. Kotoba! was created using the amazing JMdict files from the Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group based on the work of Jim Breen on the EDICT project.
2. Kana Strokes (Japanese Hiragana + Katakana) (Price: FREE)
This application is an interactive chart of the Japanese Hiragana and Katakana syllabaries with very-high-quality animated illustrations, IPA, pronounciation codes, and original Kanji characters for each character. Kana Strokes smoothely animated each character of the kana with beautiful, precise curves, teaching proper form and stroke order.
3. Free KanaQuiz (Price: FREE)
KanaQuiz test your Japanese Hiragana and Katakana skill by asking multiple choices questions. Kill your time and strengthen your Japanese capability at the same time. It also has a Hiragana/Katakana table for you to look up.
4. Kana Flip (Hiragana Katakana) (Price: $1.99)
Kana Flip is a learning tool similar to flashcards, but with an intelligent progress tracking system that helps you learn faster. After you “flip” to the answer, you pick if you were Right or Wrong. The programs remembers which Japanese characters you have trouble with, and which you have learned well. It focuses on the probelmatic items, while using longer spans of time between repetitions of learned material.
ShinKanji is a kanji reference and study application combining a kanji dictionary and a database of stroke orders. This applications contains a large database of 3200+ kanjis with stroke order animation and structure information. It also provides pronounciation in kana or romaji.
6. Pocket Japanese (Price: Various)
Pocket Japanese is a comprehensive Japanese Language Learning application. It consists of several levels of study in separate packages which you can choose from such as Newbie, Beginner and Advanced. Each package contains several lessons. The thing that makes this app is interesting is because it covers most of the topics in learning language such as listening, reading, grammar and vocabulary. It also deliver the contents in such ways to make it interesting such as include audio converstations.
7. Japanese Flip (Price: $5.99)
Japanese Flip is a learning tool similar to flashcard, but with an intelligent progress tracking system that helps you learn faster. After you “flip” to the answer, you pick if you were Right or Wrong. The program then remembers which Japanese words you have trouble with, and which you have learned well. It focuses on the problematic items, while using longer spans of time between repetitions of learned material. The vocabulary it self divided into four categories based on the Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level (JLPT).
Kanji Flip is similar applications with Japanese Flip but in this app you’ll be tested about your Kanji skill. It also divided into four categories based on the JLPT Level. There are total 2234 Kanji with 4700 example words.
9. JLPT Japanese Vocabulary Builder (Price: Various)
Starting from 2010, the Japanese Language Proficieny Test (JLPT) will change it’s system. The new system will use 5 levels (N1-N5) instead of 4 levels (Level 1-4) in the previous system. This change of course affects the vocabulary grouping accordingly. Currently there’s only one provider who has created the apps based on the new system. They called their apps JLPT Japanese Vocabulary Builder. I would say this apps is great but the price is some how too expensive.
10. Japanese Phrases & Lessons (Price: $9.99)
This application helps you to learn Japanese Phrases. There are more than 2,600 Japanese Phrases available all with sound. Besides you can also find hundreds of lessons included in the apps. The free version also available but with less number of words and lessons.
Again, those applications are really great and very useful. I hope it can help those of you who wants to learn Japanese Language using iPhone.
September 11, 2010 at 3:26 am
May we humbly recommend our iPhone/iPodTouch app “Learn Hiragana Now!” – with this you should be able to learn to read and write hiragana within a few hours. It’s fast, fun, and easier than you ever thought possible!
Information, screenshots, and demo video:
http://mcgaijinsoftware.wordpress.com/learn-hiragana-now/
iTunes Link:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/learn-hiragana-now/id370849215?mt=8
November 18, 2010 at 1:02 pm
I’m a japanese major and always found it difficult to get faster at reading katakana. Therefor I made an iphone app (Kata-Touch). It’s a time based puzzle game. I’m also working on a hiragana version. Feel free to try it out, you can find it in the app store.