Study Japanese 101

Shirabe Jisho

An offline Japanese-English dictionary with handwriting input, radical search and word lists.

3 min read
BeginnerIntermediateFreemiumEasyDictionaryKanji lookupiPhone
Visit Shirabe Jisho
Best for

iPhone learners who need offline word lookup

Avoid if

You need a native Android version

Pricing

Free download with optional in-app purchases

Platform

iPhone

Ease of use

Easy

Pros

  • iPhone learners who need offline word lookup
  • Readers identifying unfamiliar kanji by handwriting or radicals

Cons

  • You need a native Android version
  • You expect dictionary examples to teach a complete course

Shirabe Jisho is Blazej Stanek’s iPhone and iPad Japanese dictionary. Its official App Store listing describes offline lookup, handwriting recognition, radical search, example sentences and study lists, with optional paid customization features.

Who it fits

iPhone learners who need offline word lookup. Readers identifying unfamiliar kanji by handwriting or radicals.

Limits to keep in mind

This is the App Store product with ID 1005203380. Do not confuse it with other applications called Shirabe. As with any bilingual dictionary, check the word’s sense, register and example context rather than assuming its first translation will fit your sentence.

A useful first session

Download the dictionary before you need offline access. Try a known word, a kanji drawn by hand and a radical search so you understand the available routes. Save a small list from your actual reading and check the current purchase details before enabling optional features.

Browse Japanese dictionaries or use the study stack builder to choose a tool for your current job.

Sources checked