Very User-Friendly Japanese Apps for Beginners
Here are a few apps I’ve personally used and found really helpful for beginners, especially if you’re planning to take the JLPT.
1. MochiKana
• Skill: Japanese Alphabets (Kana)
If you're a complete beginner, MochiKana is a great place to start. It teaches Hiragana and Katakana in small steps, with short quizzes and cute visuals to help you remember. I was surprised how quickly I could recognize the characters without feeling overwhelmed.
2. MochiKanji
• Skill: Kanji + Vocabulary
Kanji can feel like one of the toughest parts of learning Japanese, but MochiKanji makes it a lot more approachable. Instead of memorizing each character in isolation, you learn Kanji through real vocabulary. For example, when studying the Kanji 飲 (drink), you’ll come across useful words like 飲む (to drink), 飲み物 (beverage), and 飲食 (eating and drinking), all in context. If you’re also looking to build your vocabulary, the app has a variety of courses grouped by topics like JLPT, IT, and more. Lots of useful stuff to dive into.
Plus, with MochiKanji, you can search and learn kanji through radicals. Each radical comes with simple mnemonics and explanations, so instead of memorizing kanji blindly, you start recognizing familiar patterns inside different words.
For example, once you learn the radical 「氵」(water), you’ll start noticing it in kanji related to water like 「海」(sea), 「池」(pond), or 「酒」(alcohol). It makes learning feel much more connected and easier to remember over time.
This feature really helped me become more familiar with kanji faster because I could understand how characters are built instead of treating every kanji as a completely new word.
For anyone wanting to build a solid Kanji foundation step by step, this is a very helpful tool.
3. Todai
• Skill: Reading comprehension
I use Todai almost daily to practice reading. It offers short news articles written in simple Japanese, with furigana (pronunciation), English/Vietnamese translations, and tap-to-translate vocabulary. It's a great way to get used to real Japanese while staying up to date on current events.
4. NHK Easy Japanese
• Skill: Listening + Grammar
NHK’s app has short audio lessons with slow, clear Japanese. Each lesson comes with a full transcript and explanation. Topics are practical — things like daily routines or working life, and the pace is perfect for beginners. I found it super useful for picking up common grammar patterns and polite language.
5. Migi
• Skill: JLPT prep (various skills)
If you’re planning to take the JLPT, Migi is great for getting used to the format. You can choose your level (from N5 to N1), and focus on specific parts like vocabulary, grammar, or reading. The layout is very clean and simple, and it helps you practice without pressure.
6. Translation & Help
• Skill: Quick understanding, grammar help, and examples
Sometimes you’ll run into sentences or grammar you just don’t get. When that happens, I ask ChatGPT to explain in simple English. It’s super helpful when you're self-studying and need someone to break things down.
You don’t need to learn everything at once, and you definitely don’t need a dozen apps. Just pick one or two skills to focus on in the beginning, and stick with it daily. A little bit each day goes a long way.
You’ve got this. 頑張ってね .