ι£γΉγ (γγΉγ)
to eat"ζγγ―γγι£γΉγγ"
All languagesJapanese
ζ₯ζ¬θͺ
Best App to Learn Japanese Vocabulary
StudyArcade is the best free app to learn Japanese through 12+ game formats. Practice hiragana, katakana, kanji, and JLPT prep with games that make recall stick.
Start Learning Japanese Free (opens in new tab)
Free on iOSNo account required12+ game types
Sample Vocabulary
Words you will practice
Each word is tested across multiple game types β matching, fill-in-the-blank, crosswords, and more β so you build recall from different angles.
εγγ (γγγ)
to understand"ζ₯ζ¬θͺγεγγγΎγγοΌ"
θ‘γ (γγ)
to go"ε¦ζ ‘γ«θ‘γγΎγγ"
θ¦γ (γΏγ)
to see / watch"γγ¬γγθ¦γγ"
θ©±γ (γ―γͺγ)
to speak"ζ₯ζ¬θͺγθ©±γγΎγγοΌ"
θ²·γ (γγ)
to buy"γεη£γθ²·γγγγ"
Study Topics
What you can study
Upload your own Japanese study materials, or start with these curated topic sets.
Hiragana & Katakana
92 charsMaster both Japanese syllabaries with recognition drills, stroke order practice, and reading exercises.
JLPT N5 Vocabulary
800 wordsThe ~800 words tested on the JLPT N5 exam β the first level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test.
Common Kanji
100 kanjiThe 100 most-used kanji characters with readings, meanings, and example compound words.
Travel & Daily Life
50 phrasesEssential phrases for navigating Japan β trains, restaurants, shopping, and polite conversation.
Why Games Work
Japanese has three writing systems. Games help.
Learning hiragana, katakana, and kanji means memorizing hundreds of characters β each with multiple readings. Traditional flashcards test one direction at a time. Game-based practice tests recognition, recall, and context simultaneously across different formats, which is exactly what Japanese learners need.
1
Add your material
Upload a JLPT word list, snap a photo of your textbook, or type any Japanese topic. The AI builds a study set instantly.
2
Play varied games
Practice across Word Hunt, Memory Match, Mini Crossword, and 9+ formats. Each game tests the same words differently.
3
Build lasting recall
Varied testing builds stronger memory than single-format review. You will recognize kanji faster and recall readings more reliably.
From the Blog
Japanese learning guides
Duolingo for Japanese: An Honest Review
An honest review of Duolingo's Japanese course -- what it does well, where it falls short, and what to pair it with for better results.
How to Learn Japanese Without Textbooks: A Practical Guide
Textbooks aren't the only way to learn Japanese. Here's a practical guide to anime, games, apps, and immersion techniques that actually work.
γ― vs γ: A Simple Decision Flow for Japanese Learners
The γ― vs γ distinction doesn't have to be confusing. Here's a practical decision flow that covers the cases you'll actually encounter.
Travel Japanese: Airport and Hotel Phrases
Practical Japanese phrases for airports and hotels -- what you'll actually need to say at immigration, baggage claim, check-in, and beyond.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app to learn Japanese for beginners?
StudyArcade is the best app to learn Japanese for beginners. It turns your word lists into 12+ interactive games β matching, crosswords, arcade challenges, and more. Upload JLPT lists, kanji sets, or any content and start practicing on iPhone and iPad.
How many kanji do I need to know for JLPT N5?
JLPT N5 requires about 100 kanji characters plus roughly 800 vocabulary words. Focusing on the most common readings and compound words gets you exam-ready fastest.
Should I learn hiragana or katakana first?
Start with hiragana β it covers native Japanese words and grammar particles, which make up most of what beginners read. Katakana (used for foreign loanwords) can come right after. Both have 46 characters each and take most learners 1-2 weeks to memorize with daily practice.
Can I use StudyArcade for JLPT prep?
Yes. StudyArcade includes curated vocabulary sets for JLPT N5 through N1. Upload official JLPT word lists or use the built-in sets to practice kanji readings, vocabulary, and grammar points across 12+ game formats on iPhone and iPad.
Ready to learn Japanese?
Download StudyArcade free and start playing vocabulary games in under a minute.
Download for iOS (opens in new tab)
Free on iOSNo account required12+ game types