Japanese translator appsare becoming increasingly popular as more and more people are tempted by the beauty of Japan. People want to visit the country, but they also want to be able to communicate with the locals. This is where Japanese translation apps come in. You no longer have to worry about carrying around a phrasebook, you can just download a Japanese translation app and you're on your way.
Now when we say Japanese translator apps, we mean a translator that doesTranslations from Japanese to EnglishandTranslations from English to Japanese.
Two-way translation is necessary to communicate effectively in Japanese.
So let's check out the best Japanese translation apps!
- Google Translate - Two way translation from English to Japanese
- English to Japanese translator - Kings & Queens
- Japanese-English translator - Klay's development
- Camera translator - App World Studio
- English Japanese Translator
- Yomiwa
This is our list of the best Japanese translator apps available. Now read on to find out which one is best for you.
Best Japanese Translation Apps
This is our list of the topJapanese to English translation appsCurrently available to help you with your Japanese translations. Each app has something different to offer, but they all do the same job, which is to translate Japanese to English and vice versa. (Some may even support translations into other languages!)
Google Translate - Two way translation from English to Japanese
Our first Japanese translator app is google translate.
Google Translate has come a long way in the last decade. The translations are more accurate and the app's features are more futuristic.
With the Google Translate app, you can take photos of text you see and the text will be translated for you. You can also use it for voice translation, handwritten translation or just traditional typed translation.
And the best thing about Google Translate app is that you can translate not only Japanese but also other languages.
Can translate without internet access
camera translation
language translation
Keyboard or hand drawing options
English to Japanese translator - Kings & Queens
Kings & Queens English to Japanese Translator is a fun and interactive translator with attractive graphics.
The app is based on the idea that while you are translating, you also want to learn Japanese. If communication is your only goal, this app may not be for you. However, if you want to learn while communicating, we highly recommend them.
Built-in Japanese keyboard with the app
Added learning section for lessons so you can both study and translate
Japanese-English translator - Klay's development
Klays development offers a range of translators depending on what language you want to translate to and what language you are translating from.
Japanese to English translator is a free app that not only allows you to translate on the go but also improve your Japanese skills at the same time.
Voice input and keyboard input
Favorite list of translations that you can access offline.
Camera translator - App World Studio
The camera translator is the technology we expect from our translators.
You no longer have to sit down and type a full translation. With Camera Translator, just point your camera at some text and the app will do the rest.
If you're a bit more old school, don't worry, this app still lets you type text, but now you have the option for both.
This app contains ads and in-app purchases.
Also has translations for Chinese and Korean
Bookmark favorite words to use later
Just push and click!
English Japanese Translator
Our next Japanese translation app recommendation is simply English to Japanese translator.
This English to Japanese translator is easy to use with an attractive interface and is one of the most popular Japanese translator apps available.
With a built-in dictionary and the ability to support written and spoken translations, this app is the perfect companion for your trip to Japan.
Just like the other apps, it's also great to help with learning and not just translation for the function of communication.
Supports Japanese handwriting
Supports speaking translations
Supports typed translations
Yomiwa
Our final Japanese translation app recommendation isYomiwa.
Upload photos from your camera roll
draw kanji
vocabulary lists
Yomiwa uses real-time camera translation, which is great if you're traveling around Japan and need some translation. You can also upload photos from your camera roll if you've already taken a photo but didn't have time to translate it at the time.
Yomiwa is an amazing Japanese translation app and a must-have when planning a trip to Japan. But don't just take our word for it, check out the preview of the Yomiwa app here:
If an app isn't for you...
There you have our recommendations for the best Japanese translator apps. However, if an app isn't for you, why not consider something more advanced?
If you don't want to use an app and are looking for something more advanced, why not check out oneelectronic translation device.
How to use a Japanese translation app
Let's face it, no translation app is perfect, at least not yet.
One day we might have translators that work flawlessly, but for now it's important to note that they can and do make mistakes. Some of these errors are small and do not impede understanding, but others are a bit more significant and can cause serious confusion.
With that in mind, knowing how to use a translator app is important to get the best possible results and avoid unnecessary confusion.
So let's see how to get the most out of your English to Japanese translator app!
- Keep your sentences short- The longer the sentence, the greater the probability of error
- Keep your sentences simple- The more complex, the greater the likelihood of errors
- Remember that some words have more than one meaning- If you translate a word and get an answer, that word may have a different meaning. If the translation doesn't make sense, try again!
- If there is confusion, use a second translator to compare
- Try to learn some Japanese- If you have a basic knowledge of Japanese, it will be easier for you to determine if your app made mistakes
Hope you have success with your Japanese translation with these tips.
Frequently asked questions about Japanese translator apps
As a translator, apps are becoming increasingly popular, as are the questions that come with them.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Japanese translators. We hope we managed to answer them appropriately for you!
Does using a Japanese translator app mean I can't learn Japanese?
Of course not! You can learn Japanese and still use the translator app for situations where your Japanese may not be up to scratch.
A handy trick to avoid over-relying on your translator when you're also learning Japanese is to start each conversation by speaking, and then when you get stuck with your app, instead of starting the conversation with the translator app to start.
Just because you use a Japanese translator doesn't mean you can't learn Japanese.
Is the translation perfect?
The accuracy of the translation depends on which app you have.
All apps have the possibility of making small grammatical mistakes, but the translations are getting better every day. And remember that you will probably use this app to communicate and not to speak perfect Japanese.
Do I have to use the internet?
Unfortunately, many apps require internet access, but the good news is that Japan is a fairly well-connected country on the internet.
To find out if the app you are using requires internet, you need to read the specifications specific to that app.
Do I have to pay for a Japanese translation app?
Good news here is that majority of Japanese translation apps areFREE. However, you'll need to check with the individual app you want to use, as some of them cost money.
But if you're not picky about which app to use, you can find one that's free.
Do I need to download a Japanese keyboard to use the apps?
If you plan to use your app to translate English to Japanese, you shouldn't need a Japanese keyboard.
However, if you want to translate things you've seen in Japanese back into English, downloading the keyboard will help. Check with the app you use to see what it recommends.
Are the apps ad-free or not?
Again, this depends on the specific app you're using, but most aren't ad-free. This is because the company still makes money when you can download them for free, so it adds ads to the apps.
But don't worry, usually these apps are not intrusive and you can close them with a click of a button. If you find that ads are becoming a problem with the app you are using, it might be time to switch apps.
Can a Japanese translation app help me learn Japanese?
Of course it can! Maybe not as fluent as you need to learn and practice, but a translation app is a great thing if you want to learn Japanese.
When traveling in Japan you can use your app when you see a new word to find out what it means. This way you can acquire new vocabulary to improve your Japanese while understanding what's going on.
We hope you enjoyed our recommended list of the best Japanese translation apps available. Let us know which one you use and why in the comments below.
Will a Japanese translation app kill my battery?
There's no reason why a Japanese app should drain your battery while you're using it. However, if you find that the battery is drained, properly close the app when you are not using it. Even if it consumes a lot of battery, it only does so for the time it is actually used.
Does a Japanese app use a lot of memory?
How much memory the app occupies depends on which one you ultimately choose. When downloading a Japanese translation app, pay attention to how much memory is required. If your translation needs aren't serious, it may be worth considering one that uses a little less memory than if you need peak performance.
Should I invest in an electronic translator?
Sometimes an app on the phone isn't enough and you need something more powerful. A good option for this is an electronic translator. These devices work similarly to apps, but are separate technologies. Whether you make a decision or not depends entirely on your translation needs. They're really useful bits of technology, but they can be expensive at times. That's why we recommend downloading a Japanese translation app first. If this does not meet your needs, you can consider investing in an electronic translator device.
Is a Japanese translation app required for a trip to Japan?
This really depends on your level of Japanese and your ability to communicate without speech. Although English is spoken in some tourist areas of Japan, English skills are not really that good. If you want to do something other than stay in an international hotel and visit major tourist hotspots, some level of Japanese is required. Without Japanese, you cannot do things in certain restaurants, buy tickets for transportation, and eat. And if you don't want to learn Japanese yourself, a translation app is definitely required.
Is a Japanese translator app better than a dictionary?
Whether an app is better than a dictionary is up for debate. A translator app works very much like a dictionary. The difference is that you can type any word and see what comes up instead of looking up words in alphabetical order. You could say that it's preferable to a paper dictionary as it's not something you have to carry around, but electronic dictionaries and electronic translators are becoming more and more similar, so classifying which is a dictionary and which is is different a translator.
FAQs
What is the most accurate Japanese translator? ›
DeepL Translate: The world's most accurate translator.
What app should I use to translate Japanese? ›Google Translate
There's also an option to speak into the phone's inbuilt microphone. Google Translate records and renders your words into text, then produces a translation. This is then read out to you in the target language. Google Translate also works offline.
Millions translate with DeepL every day. Popular: Spanish to English, French to English, and Japanese to English.
What is the app that reads and translates Japanese? ›Waygo is an award-winning app that translates food menus and signage. Simply point and translate with your smartphone—Waygo doesn't require an internet connection, uses minimal disk space, and is available for iOS and Android. Waygo currently supports translation of Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, with more to come.
What is the best translator for Japanese to English? ›- Best Document Translator: DeepL Translator.
- Best Japanese Learning Support: Japanese English Dictionary+
- Best Browser Extension: Mazii.
- Best Industry-specific Translator: SYSTRAN Japanese Translation.
- Best Language Input Options: Yandex Translate.
1. Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)
The test is divided into five different levels in which N1 is the highest level of accomplishment and N5 is the most basic level of achievement. N5 is equivalent to CEFR A1 being the easiest, whereas N1 is equivalent to CEFR C1, which is the most difficult one.
Yandex Translate
Yandex has been reported as being more accurate than Google Translate. I include this here because like Google, it's a huge, publicly-available search engine with easy access. The Japanese translations I've done on Yandex have all been pretty reliable, and this one also allows for voice input.
DeepL is one of the best Google Translate alternatives for people who really value accuracy, especially when it comes to grasping context and local idioms. DeepL offers an API that you can use to automatically translate your website, as well as a web interface and apps to translate text content or text files (like .
Which is better Google or DeepL? ›For the languages that it supports, DeepL is regarded to be a bit more accurate than Google Translate. However, DeepL Translate has a limited language selection as compared to Google Translate and also costs more money.
What app do Japanese people use to communicate? ›Line is much more than a simple messaging app, with various features including music streaming, news, and even securities investment. Over 70% of the Japanese population uses the app.
Does Google Translate have accurate for Japanese? ›
A 2021 study conducted by the UCLA Medical Center found that Google Translate preserved the overall meaning for 82.5% of the translations. But the accuracy between languages spanned 55% to 94%.
What is the best app to learn Japanese for free? ›- Duolingo. An all-round app for learning the basics of foreign languages, Duolingo has become hugely popular in the past few years. ...
- LingoDeer. ...
- Obenkyo. ...
- Kanji Recognizer. ...
- HiNative. ...
- Imiwa? ...
- Japanese. ...
- Learning Japanese.
- Best Overall: Google Translate.
- Best for Accuracy: DeepL Translate.
- Best for Business: Microsoft Translator.
- Best for Extra Features: iTranslate.
- Best for Live Conversations: SayHi.
- Best for Messaging: Language Translator.
- Google Translate. Google Translate needs no introduction, being probably the most well-known machine translation software out there. ...
- DeepL Translator. ...
- Bing Microsoft Translator. ...
- SYSTRAN Translate. ...
- Amazon Translate.
- Google Translate.
- Bing Microsoft Translator.
- DeepL.
- Reverso Translation.
It measures language ability in 6 levels (C2, C1, B2, B1, A2, A1 from fluent to beginner). C2 level holders are regarded as fluent as a native language speaker, or are referred to as business level.
What is the highest level of Japanese fluency? ›JLPT Japanese-Language Proficiency Test. The JLPT has five levels: N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5. The easiest level is N5 and the most difficult level is N1.
What is better than Yandex translate? ›Translate include features and documents. We have compiled a list of solutions that reviewers voted as the best overall alternatives and competitors to Yandex. Translate, including Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, Bing Translator, and Google Cloud Translation API.
What is the Japanese alternative to Google? ›Goo is operated by the Japanese NTT Resonant, a subsidiary of NTT Communications.
Why is Yandex so much better? ›Yandex's popularity can be understood due to the fact that it's specifically designed for the Russian language. With a different alphabet, Russian is very different from English. Yandex has the ability to interpret the language and provide relevant search results in a way that Google can't.
Which is the No 1 translation app in the world? ›
1. Google Translate. Let's kickstart the list with probably the most popular free translation app in the entire world – Google Translate. The application allows you to successfully translate 108 languages by typing a word, 95 when using handwriting, and 90 when you use your camera.
What is the No 1 translation app? ›Google Translate
Still one of the best translation apps for Android, Google Translate holds a big share of the translation app marketplace.
If you want to find a free alternative to Google Translate, you can try Microsoft Translator, DeepL or another “free doc translator” online.
Why is Papago better than Google Translate? ›Accuracy of Translation
Papago shines brighter than Google Translate here, mainly because it focuses on a comparatively lower number of languages. Although not error-free, and sometimes completely irrelevant too, Papago's biggest advantage is its Korean roots.
Langmate - Japanese chat and language exchange app.
What is the hardest language for Google Translate? ›Italian and German are the hardest languages for Google to translate.
Why are Japanese translations so different? ›Japanese is a complex language. In fact, it uses a completely different alphabet. As well as different sentence structures, honorifics and grammar. So, it's not surprising that it would take more time to accurately translate any media from English to Japanese.
Which languages are the most accurate for Google Translate? ›- Spanish – 94% accurate.
- Tagalog – 90% accurate.
- Korean – 82.5% accurate.
- Chinese – 81.7% accurate.
- Farsi – 67.5% accurate.
- Armenian – 55% accurate.
- Pros and cons.
- JapanesePod101. Pros and cons. Duolingo. Pros and cons. NHK. Pros and cons. Rocket Japanese by Rocket Languages. Pros and cons. WaniKani. Pros and cons. FluentU. Pros & cons. Memrise. Pros & cons. Conclusion.
Japanese is one of the most difficult languages for English natives to master. This is because it does not have a lot of likeness in structure to English. Approximately it will take 88 weeks, or 2200 hours of studying, to become fluent. But this article shows tips and tools to expedite and make the process easier.
Is Google Translate for Japanese accurate? ›
A 2021 study conducted by the UCLA Medical Center found that Google Translate preserved the overall meaning for 82.5% of the translations. But the accuracy between languages spanned 55% to 94%. Sometimes, Google Translate's precision is shockingly good.
Is Apple translate accurate for Japanese? ›In terms of Apple's accuracy, it works more or less as well as Google Translate does in providing translations for the eleven languages that are currently available, in both text and voice recording.
Is Yandex accurate Japanese? ›Yandex Translate
Yandex has been reported as being more accurate than Google Translate.
For the languages that it supports, DeepL is regarded to be a bit more accurate than Google Translate. However, DeepL Translate has a limited language selection as compared to Google Translate and also costs more money.
Is there an accurate translation app? ›iTranslate is the leading translation and dictionary app. Easily translate text, websites, or start voice-to-voice conversations in over 100 languages.
Is Japanese difficult to translate? ›Considered to be one of the most complex languages worldwide, Japanese can also be one of the most difficult languages to translate. With three character sets and no relation to any other language, Japanese requires complete attention to detail to be accurately translated.
Is Apple Translate better than Google? ›Both Google Translate and Apple Translate support real-time translation. However, Google Translate works with 43 languages when using real-time translation, while Apple's offering only supports 11 right now. Keeping that in mind, Google Translate is the winner and the best real-time translator app right now.
Do Japanese people use Apple? ›iOS More Popular in Japan and US, Android Dominates in China and India. In the global smartphone market, the Android operating system trounces the competition at 87 percent overall.
Is DeepL better than Yandex? ›While DeepL provided a generally better overall translation performance, especially evident in its rendering of the context and the syntactical structure of the text at the sentence level, Yandex proved better in transliteration and was able to suggest undoubtedly more accurate cultural-specific equivalents.
How long is realistic to learn Japanese? ›Japanese is one of the most difficult languages for English natives to master. This is because it does not have a lot of likeness in structure to English. Approximately it will take 88 weeks, or 2200 hours of studying, to become fluent. But this article shows tips and tools to expedite and make the process easier.
What is the best way to learn conversational Japanese? ›
To become fluent in Japanese, you will need to practice with a Japanese teacher. Language apps and books can help you reach a certain level, but if you want to reach fluency, practicing conversation is key. A qualified Japanese tutor can help you practice and guide your learning.