Something you’d actually say.
Speak or type in your own language. Kotoba helps you say it naturally in Japanese, with a tone that fits.
Try a tone
Find your words.
In Japanese.
Turn an everyday thought into natural Japanese. Understand the words, save the useful ones, and use them again.
Get launch updates
Coming soon for iPhone
ことば
kotoba · noun
word; language. A good place to begin.
How Kotoba works
Read between the kanji.
Furigana gives you the reading. The offline dictionary gives you the meaning, even when you’re out of signal.
What works offlineA coffee with a friend
English
Want to grab a coffee tomorrow?
Tone
JapaneseFor a friend
明日、コーヒーでも飲みに行かない？
A word to keep
A thought becomes a conversation.
Make a plan. Ask a question. Find the right words for a small, everyday moment.
And understand it, too
Sample flashcards01 / 03
Do you remember this word?
明日
あした
tomorrow
Take a moment. You’ve seen this one.
A little practice, in your own time.
Flashcards are part of Kotoba Pro.
Keep the words that matter.
Save words and phrases from your own conversations. Make personal decks and revisit them with flashcards.
Compare Free & ProTry the next reply.
Practice both sides of a conversation with Reply Coach, before you find yourself in the real one.
Compare Free & ProA little less unfamiliar. One word at a time.
A translation is a beginning. Look a little closer, keep what’s useful, and come back to it.
A few things to knowStart with a few words.
No account to make. Just something you’d like to say.
Kotoba
FreeFor a little Japanese in your day.
- 5 translations each day
- Voice or typed input
- Preset tones and furigana
- Offline word and kanji dictionary
- Handwriting lookup
Kotoba Pro
More practiceFor the words you want to make your own.
- No daily translation limit
- Saved words and phrases
- Flashcards and personal decks
- Custom translation context
- Conversation practice with Reply Coach
Monthly or yearly. Pricing available in the app.
A few things to know.
When can I download Kotoba?
We’re getting Kotoba ready for the App Store. Email us for launch updates, and we’ll let you know when it’s available for iPhone.
Do I need to know Japanese already?
No. Start with a phrase in your own language. Furigana helps you read the Japanese, and the dictionary helps you explore unfamiliar words. You can also choose Easy Japanese as a translation tone.
What works without an internet connection?
The bundled dictionary, your saved material, and flashcards work offline. Handwriting recognition works on your device after its model downloads. Translation and Reply Coach need an internet connection; voice recognition may need one too.
How does the free version work?
You get five successful translations each day, plus dictionary lookup, preset tones, and furigana. The daily allowance resets at midnight UTC. Pro adds saving, flashcards, custom context, Reply Coach, and translations with no daily limit.
Where does my learning data go?
Your history, saved words, and study progress stay on your iPhone. Translation and Reply Coach process the text you send online. Read our privacy policy.
Let’s find your words.
A small companion for your Japanese.
Coming soon for iPhone.