# Jisho > Jisho’s fit as a free Japanese-English dictionary with romaji, kanji, and English search, plus what it cannot do. Canonical: https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/jisho Last updated: 2026-09-14 Jisho is a clear, free web dictionary for looking up words, kanji, and example sentences without installing anything. Published: 2026-08-13 4 min read beginner · intermediate · free · easy · Dictionary · Web [Visit Jisho](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/jisho) ## Key facts | Fact | Details | | --- | --- | | Best for | Beginners who need English or romaji search | | Avoid if | You need hover lookup inside a page | | Pricing | Free | | Platform | Web | | Ease of use | easy | ## Pros - Beginners who need English or romaji search - Quick lookups of words, kanji, and example sentences - Learners who do not want a browser extension yet ## Cons - You need hover lookup inside a page - You want a Japanese-only monolingual workflow - Offline mobile use is required Jisho is a free Japanese-English dictionary. [awesome-japanese](https://github.com/yudataguy/awesome-japanese) calls it a gold-standard web dictionary, which matches how most beginners actually use it: type an English gloss, romaji, or a pasted word and read the result. ## What job it does It answers “what does this word mean?” and “how do I write this kanji?” without an account. Stroke diagrams, parts of speech, and example sentences make it usable on day one. ## Limits Jisho does not teach grammar, schedule reviews, or sit on top of a novel. For in-page reading, [Yomitan](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/yomitan) is the stronger lookup layer. For production, you still need example sentences in context and a place to use the word. ## How to test it Look up three words from a textbook page and one unknown kanji by radical or drawing if available. If the entries are clear enough to return to study, it is doing the job. If the missing job is phone, offline, hover, pitch, or subtitle lookup, use the [Japanese dictionary shortlist](https://studyjapanese101.com/best/japanese-dictionary-apps-and-websites) before adding another dictionary. ## Sources checked Product details can change. Evidence pages and their individual check dates appear below. Profile reviewed 2026-08-13. - [Jisho official site](https://jisho.org/) - official product · checked 2026-08-13 · Official product page used for the public description, platform, and current offering. ## Alternative tools - [Forvo Japanese](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/forvo-japanese) - A searchable collection of contributed Japanese word and phrase pronunciations. - [Immersion Kit](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/immersion-kit) - Search Japanese words in anime and drama subtitle lines. - [Jotoba](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/jotoba) - A free Japanese dictionary with names, pitch accent, and example sentences. ## Related - [Japanese dictionary resource directory](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/dictionaries) - Browse maintained dictionary and lookup profiles. Use the focused shortlist when you need one recommendation for a specific study job. - [The best Japanese dictionary apps and websites by lookup job](https://studyjapanese101.com/best/japanese-dictionary-apps-and-websites) - Start 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. - [Free Japanese Learning Resources: Build a Study Routine](https://studyjapanese101.com/best/free-japanese-learning-resources) - A complete free stack can start with Irodori for sequence, Tae Kim for explanation, Jisho for lookup, Renshuu for optional review, Tadoku for reading, and Nihongo con Teppei for audio. You do not need all six on day one. - [A beginner Japanese path that does not start with Anki](https://studyjapanese101.com/blog/a-beginner-path-that-does-not-start-with-anki) - Anki is a powerful memory engine. It is a poor first app if you do not yet know what to put on the cards. - [Kanji study is a sequence problem](https://studyjapanese101.com/blog/kanji-is-a-sequence-problem) - Kanji is less a talent problem than an order problem. Choose a sequence, or choose to learn characters from the words you already read. - [How to read Japanese before you feel ready](https://studyjapanese101.com/blog/read-japanese-before-you-feel-ready) - Waiting until you know enough kanji is how adults never start. Pick a source you can finish, then look up less than you want to.