---
title: "Learn Japanese by reading real Japanese | ContextCat"
description: "Read Japanese news and texts on iPhone. Tap any word, even without spaces, to see what it means in that sentence, explained in your own language."
url: https://contextcat.app/languages/japanese
---

[ContextCat](https://contextcat.app/)[Languages](https://contextcat.app/languages)

# Learn Japanese by reading real Japanese

Japanese has no spaces between words, so ContextCat cuts the text into words on your iPhone. Tap a word and you get that word, explained in your language, not a single kanji.

[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6737737343?pt=122713589&ct=site_lang_japanese&mt=8)

駅で友だちを**待って**います。

待って _verb, te-form_

waiting (from 待つ, matsu, to wait)

With います it means an action going on now: I am waiting for my friend at the station.

Japanese, explained in English. You choose the language of your explanations.

## What to read in Japanese

Today, the daily edition, has headlines from Japanese outlets, including CNN.co.jp, GIGAZINE, ITmedia NEWS, 4Gamer.net and トラベル Watch. Open one and the article opens in the reader, where every word can be tapped.

Japanese outlets on Today are written for native readers, so they are a stretch for beginners. The guide below suggests where to start.

You can also bring your own Japanese: import a PDF, save a link to a web article, or paste text. Whatever you read, it stays in Japanese, and help appears only where you ask for it.

## How a tap helps

The word turns bold and a note opens under its sentence with the meaning it has here, in your own language. Word analysis gives the root and the form. Select a few words or a sentence to translate just that part.

Every word you tap is saved with its sentence and comes back as a card, at longer and longer gaps, until you know it. Listen reads books, PDFs and your texts aloud in a natural Japanese voice, sentence by sentence.

## Is it right for you?

ContextCat works best once you know enough Japanese to follow a simple text and want to read more of it. If you are starting from zero, begin with a course, and come back when short texts feel within reach. The [guides](https://contextcat.app/guides) have ideas on where to start.

## Read next

-   [How to read news in Japanese as a beginner](https://contextcat.app/guides/how-to-read-news-in-japanese-as-a-beginner)
-   [How to learn a language by reading](https://contextcat.app/guides/how-to-learn-a-language-by-reading)

## Questions

### Can I learn Japanese with ContextCat?

ContextCat helps you learn Japanese by reading it. Tap any word in a Japanese text and it explains what the word means in that sentence, in your own language, then brings the word back later for review. It does not replace a course for grammar or speaking.

### What is there to read in Japanese?

Today's edition has headlines from Japanese outlets such as CNN.co.jp, GIGAZINE, ITmedia NEWS. The Store has books and articles, and you can import your own Japanese PDFs, web articles and texts.

### Is ContextCat free for Japanese?

Yes, to start. The free plan includes 25 word explanations, 15 sentence translations a day and 3 imports, in every language. ContextCat Pro removes the limits.

## Other languages

[English](https://contextcat.app/languages/english) · [Spanish](https://contextcat.app/languages/spanish) · [French](https://contextcat.app/languages/french) · [German](https://contextcat.app/languages/german) · [Korean](https://contextcat.app/languages/korean) · [Chinese](https://contextcat.app/languages/chinese) · [Italian](https://contextcat.app/languages/italian) · [Portuguese](https://contextcat.app/languages/portuguese) · [Russian](https://contextcat.app/languages/russian) · [Turkish](https://contextcat.app/languages/turkish) · [Dutch](https://contextcat.app/languages/dutch) · [Swedish](https://contextcat.app/languages/swedish) · [all 39](https://contextcat.app/languages)