Yomiwa
A Japanese dictionary with optical character recognition and tools for reading unfamiliar text.
BeginnerIntermediateFreemiumEasyDictionaryOCRiPhone, Android
Japanese dictionary resource directory
Browse maintained dictionary and lookup profiles. Use the focused shortlist when you need one recommendation for a specific study job.
Nihongo Dictionary
An iPhone and iPad dictionary connecting word lookup, reading clippings and study tools.
BeginnerIntermediateFreemiumEasyDictionaryReading supportiPhone
Shirabe Jisho
An offline Japanese-English dictionary with handwriting input, radical search and word lists.
BeginnerIntermediateFreemiumEasyDictionaryKanji lookupiPhone
Mazii
A Japanese dictionary and study reference with word, kanji, grammar and sentence search.
BeginnerIntermediateFreemiumEasyDictionaryGrammar referenceWeb
Kanjipedia
A Japanese-language reference for kanji, readings and word meanings from the Kanken organization.
IntermediateAdvancedFreeModerateKanji referenceJapanese dictionaryWeb
Forvo Japanese
A searchable collection of contributed Japanese word and phrase pronunciations.
BeginnerIntermediateAdvancedFreeEasyPronunciation referenceAudioWeb
Jisho
A free Japanese-English dictionary you can search from English, romaji, or kanji.
BeginnerIntermediateFreeEasyDictionaryWeb
Yomitan
A browser popup dictionary for looking up Japanese while you read.
IntermediateFreeInvolvedDictionaryWeb
Takoboto
A free Japanese-English dictionary for phones, with a web version.
BeginnerIntermediateFreeEasyDictionaryAndroid, iPhone, iPad, Kindle, Web
Immersion Kit
Search Japanese words in anime and drama subtitle lines.
IntermediateFreeModerateDictionaryWeb
Kanshudo
Kanji, vocabulary, and grammar in one system, with flashcards attached.
BeginnerIntermediateFreemiumModerateKanjiDictionaryWeb
Jotoba
A free Japanese dictionary with names, pitch accent, and example sentences.
BeginnerIntermediateFreeEasyDictionaryWeb
OJAD
Japanese accent lookup and predicted sentence pitch contours from a free University of Tokyo reference.
BeginnerIntermediateAdvancedFreeModerateDictionaryWeb
Showing 13 resources.
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This directory collects the maintained dictionary and lookup profiles in the library. Each profile records its platform, setup, study role, important limits, and source check date.
Browse by lookup surface
- Web search boxes: Jisho and Jotoba
- Mobile and offline lookup: Takoboto
- Definitions inside a browser page: Yomitan
- Media sentence context: Immersion Kit
- Dictionary tools inside a broader study platform: Kanshudo
- Pitch-accent lookup for words, conjugations, and pasted sentences: OJAD
The directory order is editorial, not a universal ranking. Open a profile when you want the full fit, limit, platform, and evidence record.
Need a direct choice?
Use the Japanese dictionary shortlist to choose one default and, when needed, one context tool for mobile, browser, name, pitch, or subtitle lookup. For systematic pitch study, use OJAD and the pronunciation and pitch-accent shortlist.
Camera lookup, iPhone dictionaries and Japanese definitions
Yomiwa helps identify text before dictionary lookup. Nihongo combines an iPhone dictionary with clippings and flashcards; Shirabe Jisho is another established offline iPhone option. Mazii offers word, kanji and grammar search.
When you can read Japanese definitions, Kanjipedia gives kanji reference from the Japan Kanji Aptitude Testing Foundation. Forvo answers a different question: how contributors pronounce a word or phrase. Check the context rather than treating one recording as a universal pronunciation rule.
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of Japanese dictionary resources are listed here?
The directory includes web search boxes, mobile and offline dictionaries, popup lookup, subtitle sentence search, pitch-accent lookup, and broader study platforms. Use the focused shortlist for a recommendation.
Related
The best Japanese dictionary apps and websites by lookup jobStart with Jisho for browser lookup. Choose a phone dictionary for offline use, Yomiwa for camera text, or Yomitan for lookup inside web pages. Kanjipedia serves Japanese-language kanji reference.Forvo JapaneseA searchable collection of contributed Japanese word and phrase pronunciations.Immersion KitSearch Japanese words in anime and drama subtitle lines.JishoA free Japanese-English dictionary you can search from English, romaji, or kanji.JotobaA free Japanese dictionary with names, pitch accent, and example sentences.KanjipediaA Japanese-language reference for kanji, readings and word meanings from the Kanken organization.