# OJAD > Choose OJAD Word Search for Japanese accent lookup or Suzuki-kun for a predicted sentence contour. See the limits before using it as a speech model. Canonical: https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/ojad Last updated: 2026-09-01 Use Word Search to check a word or conjugated form. Use Suzuki-kun to inspect a predicted sentence pitch contour. OJAD works from words and text; personal speech feedback is a different job. Published: 2026-09-01 6 min read beginner · intermediate · advanced · free · moderate · Dictionary · Web [Visit OJAD](https://studyjapanese101.com/go/ojad) ## Key facts | Fact | Details | | --- | --- | | Best for | Learners who need the accent of a textbook word or conjugated form | | Avoid if | You need a person to hear your recording | | Pricing | Free; the project asks that the site not be used in for-profit ventures | | Platform | Web | | Ease of use | moderate | ## Pros - Learners who need the accent of a textbook word or conjugated form - People who want a predicted contour for a sentence they can read - Teachers looking up first-occurrence words by textbook ## Cons - You need a person to hear your recording - You want a beginner podcast - You need a study app with a review queue OJAD is a Japanese accent reference. Choose Word Search for a word or conjugated form. Choose Suzuki-kun for a predicted sentence pitch contour: a line showing how the pitch may rise and fall. A predicted contour is not an assessment of your own recording. The University of Tokyo laboratories' [four-feature introduction](https://www.gavo.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ojad/eng/pages/usage), checked 17 Oct 2026, separates Word Search, Verb Suffix Search, Text Search and Suzuki-kun. Start with the tool that answers your lookup question. ## The four functions **Word Search** looks up accent types for textbook words that change grammatical form, such as verbs and adjectives, including their conjugated forms. The official page says you can search a word, see the textbook unit where it first appears, and listen to or download speech samples. The English home and sidebar list textbook views that include Genki, Minna no Nihongo, Marugoto, and Japanese for Busy People. This profile does not state a textbook total. **Verb Suffix Search** covers a verb with an added ending when Word Search does not cover the full expression. Adding that ending can change the accent position. The how-to page says this mode uses automatic language analysis and is not 100% accurate. **Text Search** accepts a Japanese sentence you type or paste. It finds words that change grammatical form and shows the accent types for the forms used in that sentence. The how-to page says this also uses automatic language analysis and is not 100% accurate. It cannot output pitch contour or speech. **Suzuki-kun** predicts sentence accent positions and a pitch contour for text you enter. The four-feature page says its contour assumes no strong focus on one word and cannot handle effects such as surprise. Treat that display as a prediction for those conditions, not the one required delivery for every conversation. Word Search audio samples on the Before using page are the voices of Ueda Masako and Kato Hiroki, two professional Japanese voice actors. ## Limits OJAD will not hear you. If the bottleneck is whether you can tell two pitch patterns apart, use the tests on [kotu.io](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/kotu). If you need a person on a recording, use [Speechling](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/speechling). Text Search and Verb Suffix Search use automatic analysis. Suzuki-kun predicts a sentence contour. Keep a dictionary speech sample, a predicted contour and feedback on your own speech separate. For one textbook word, begin with Word Search; move to a sentence tool only when the sentence is the question. The Before using page says the dictionary was developed for academic research and educational purposes, and asks that the site not be used in for-profit ventures. Study Japanese 101 links to it as a reference. It does not wrap OJAD as a paid product. Use the [pronunciation and pitch-accent shortlist](https://studyjapanese101.com/best/japanese-pronunciation-and-pitch-accent-resources) when you are choosing among lookup, ear training, and coaching. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is OJAD free? Yes. It is a University of Tokyo project for academic research and educational use. The Before using page asks that the site not be used in for-profit ventures. ### Can beginners use OJAD? Yes for lookup. Word Search can find textbook words and play audio. Suzuki-kun still needs a Japanese sentence you can type. It will not teach you to hear contrasts by itself. ## Sources checked Product details can change. Evidence pages and their individual check dates appear below. Profile reviewed 2026-09-01. - [OJAD 4-feature introduction](https://www.gavo.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ojad/eng/pages/usage) - official docs · checked 2026-10-17 · Official description of Word Search, Verb Suffix Search, Text Search, and Suzuki-kun, plus the University of Tokyo laboratory attribution. - [OJAD Before using](https://www.gavo.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ojad/eng/pages/notes) - official docs · checked 2026-10-17 · Official academic-and-educational purpose, request not to use the site in for-profit ventures, and named professional voice actors for audio samples. - [OJAD English home](https://www.gavo.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ojad/eng/pages/home) - official product · checked 2026-09-01 · Official textbook-addition notes, Suzuki-kun speaker and speech-rate options, and Word Search audio playback behavior. - [How to use Text Search](https://www.gavo.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ojad/eng/pages/usage_ninnitext) - official docs · checked 2026-09-01 · Official statement that Text Search uses natural language processing and is not 100% accurate, and that this mode does not output pitch contour or speech. - [How to use Verb Suffix Search](https://www.gavo.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ojad/eng/pages/usage_kouzokugo) - official docs · checked 2026-09-01 · Official statement that Verb Suffix Search uses natural language processing and is not 100% accurate. ## 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. - [Jisho](https://studyjapanese101.com/resources/jisho) - A free Japanese-English dictionary you can search from English, romaji, or kanji. ## 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. - [Japanese pronunciation and pitch-accent resources by job](https://studyjapanese101.com/best/japanese-pronunciation-and-pitch-accent-resources) - Use OJAD to look up accent, kotu.io to train your ear, and Speechling to record for a coach. Beginners should look up before they drill. - [Japanese resources for advanced learners](https://studyjapanese101.com/levels/advanced) - Build range and precision with native material, a useful reference, a small review routine, and feedback on the Japanese you use. - [5 Best Anki Alternatives for Japanese: Inku Is Our Pick](https://studyjapanese101.com/best/anki-alternatives-for-japanese) - We recommend Inku first for most Japanese learners who want prepared daily review on iPhone. Renshuu fits a broader Japanese study system, JPDB fits media vocabulary, WaniKani fits a fixed kanji path, and Bunpro fits grammar retrieval. Protect your Anki collection before testing a replacement. - [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. - [Hiragana and Katakana Resources for a Two-Week Start](https://studyjapanese101.com/best/hiragana-and-katakana-learning-resources) - Learn hiragana, then katakana, with one drill and one review loop. Inku fits prepared cards with audio on iPhone. Real Kana fits typed recall. A textbook or Irodori can teach the same script inside a course.