Kanji Learner's Dictionary

I wanted to use this app for a few months before I finally gave it a review. I am very happy with this purchase. It feels well organized and mirrors the feel of the book version. Be sure to tap on everything as there are a lot of small details packed in and the references to other kanji compounds and radicals are really helpful.

It’s all well and complete as far as a dictionary of kanji goes but some sort of integration with the Kanji Learner’s Course also sold by Kodansha in print form but not on iOS would be great. Some ideas include being able to order the Kanji in the same order and perhaps being able to practice writing the Kanji on the iPad with the pencil.

The dictionary itself is a great resource, make no mistake. The app is about 80% there, but needs some serious user interaction thought put into it. But that shouldn't be a deterrent to buying this dictionary. You'll get good information, quickly enough, and with little confusion.

Great app, seems to have the same content as my physical copy. Two asks for the developers that would be very useful: 1. Add a different syntax to search for kanji by their old former index before the revised edition came out. I have reader books that have KKLD indices in them but they are for the original edition. Being able to search in a similar way to: @1234, but perhaps $1234 or the likes would bridge lookup between editions. 2. Please add a dark mode for this app so that my eyes don’t go blind from the brightness.

Very useful app. Various search options are available, including a very handy SKIP-based search. Integration with the other apps from the same company is excellent. I recommend purchasing the bundle of all 3 apps, as they work best together. A bit pricey. Given the price, I wish more kanji were included (say, all kanji in the “advanced” version of the book). A few not-so-rare kanji are indeed missing. While that is not a dealbreaker, it is occasionally a source of frustration for users who would like to make this app their go-to kanji reference.

No other kanji dictionary app even comes close to comparing to this one. The core meanings and SKIP is incredible!

An impeccable implementation of the original book by Jack Halpern and the CJK Institute, I highly recommend this app for all serious students of Japanese Kanji. I had used the book for many years and found it to be the most complete single-source document for studying Kanji. Its expose’ of each character in various compound usages by meaning greatly contrasts the limited content found in other study materials. In book form, the SKIP classification system allowed me to locate nearly any character in less than 20 seconds! Now as an app, it’s even easier and quicker. A truly outstanding contribution to kanji studies for newcomers and academics, alike.

The way that this app integrates with the new Kanji Usage app by the same developer really helpful! The best Japanese-English & English-Japanese dictionary for serious learners. The customer service is also very kind and helpful. Very satisfied with my purchase! I have bought 3 apps so far, including the comprehensive dictionary too!

I use this dictionary frequently to look up kanji and get sample vocabulary for that kanji. I also use it to search for kanji in the Kanji Learner's Course. Nice reference!

This is a must have resource for students of Japanese. As a book it is superb but in its electronic iteration it is truly an indispensable item. No true grasp of the Japanese language is possible without knowledge of Kanji, and no significant Japanese vocabulary can be attained without knowing and understanding Kanji. In this resource, multiple Kanji can be cross-referenced and rapidly studied (including close ups and stroke order animations) with a simple tap on a character...this includes component characters in all vocabulary examples which follow each of the the main character listings. The speed and utility of a digital format facilitates quick understanding of word formation. It is so quick that I actually have fun using it. The breadth of vocabulary one can attain even with occasional study using this dictionary is astonishing and there literally is no finer English language reference. That Kodansha published this dictionary is a testament to its quality. It may cost a bit more but it is well worth it! I am a long time student of Japanese and have tried all of the other dictionary and Kanji mnemonic memorization tomes but always return to this one for its thorough and comprehensive treatment of the Kanji.