# Distinction - Words & Phrases — Speak natural English > English vocabulary builder with native speaker content and spaced repetition. (iPhone/iPad app by Hidekazu Kato.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/distinction-words-and-phrases/id1441860634 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Hidekazu Kato](https://appshunter.io/developer/1441860633) - Category: Education, Books - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.80/5 from 71 App Store ratings · 61 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 14.1 · 327 MB - Languages: American English, Japanese - Released: 2021-04-16 - Data updated: 2026-08-26 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/distinction-words-and-phrases/id1441860634/reviews.md ## What is Distinction? Textbook English may make sense on the page, but real conversations can still be hard to follow. Distinction is an English learning app that helps you move from recognising English to actually using it. It focuses on the words and phrases native speakers genuinely use in everyday life, but learners rarely meet in conventional study materials. With natural example sentences, native-speaker audio, word origins, English definitions, and pronunciation practice, everything you need to learn usable English is in one place. Supports Distinction I–VI and Structures. Includes 2,530 carefully selected words and phrases and 5,320 practical example sentences, created with five native speakers from the US, UK, and Australia. 【What makes Distinction different】 • Carefully selected real-life words and phrases • Natural example sentences and audio for every entry — American and British English • English definitions and etymology that help ideas stick • Pronunciation, listening, and speaking practice in one learning flow • Fully offline once downloaded — study on your commute, on flights, or abroad without using mobile data 【App features】 • Study Mode based on spaced repetition and active recall • Personalised study plans based on your time and goals • Automatic review of weaker items • Streaks, levels, XP, and completion certificates • Fast search across headwords, examples, and explanations • Speech recognition for pronunciation practice (main entries only; Structures excluded) • Audio filters, autoplay, and shuffle • Progress tracking with graphs and statistics 【Pricing】 • Free to try — 120 words + 7 structures included • Unlock only the titles you want with one-time in-app purchases • No subscription • No external ads ## Key features - Access to native speaker vocabulary - Native speed audio - Detailed explanations and origins - Spaced repetition study mode - Progress tracking and statistics - In-app certificates - Offline functionality ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Distinction I | $19.99 | one-time | | Distinction II | $19.99 | one-time | | Distinction III | $19.99 | one-time | | Distinction Structures | $19.99 | one-time | | Distinction IV | $19.99 | one-time | | Distinction V | $19.99 | one-time | | Distinction VI | $19.99 | one-time | | Distinction S British Audio | $6.99 | one-time | | Distinction VI British Audio | $11.99 | one-time | | Distinction III British Audio | $11.99 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (10 of 61) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/distinction-words-and-phrases/id1441860634/reviews.md ### 5/5 — 自然な英語を学べる！ *2026-06-15* 散歩中や運転中などの隙間時間にいつも使っています。教科書英語ではなく、実際にネイティブが使う自然な英語表現を学べるのが魅力です。シンプルで使いやすく、無理なく続けられます。 ネイティブの友人にも見せたことがありますが、「良いアプリだね」と好評でした。日本語を勉強している友人からは、英語話者向けの日本語版があればぜひ使いたいと言われたこともあります。 **Developer response:** 日頃よりDistinction Appをご利用いただき、そして嬉しいレビューをお寄せいただきありがとうございます！散歩中や運転中など、日常のすき間時間にご活用いただけているとのこと、大変嬉しく拝見しました。また、「教科書的ではなく、実際にネイティブが使う自然な英語表現」という点を評価いただけたことも、チーム一同とても励みになります。日本語話者だけでなく、英語話者のお友達にもご紹介いただきありがとうございます。英語話者向けの日本語版についてのご要望も、今後のサービス開発の参考にさせていただきます。これからもより良い学習体験をお届けできるよう努めてまいります。今後ともDistinction Appをどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。 ### 5/5 — 日本人が弱いところ *2026-05-25, version 2.4.2* 日常で使う素敵な表現が沢山。洋画を楽しみたいとか日常会話を楽しみたい人にとても良いと思います。 アプリ内時間が弄れれば助かります。24時でリセットされるのは勉強しづらいです。 ### 2/5 — British/Aussie English *2026-05-19, version 2.4.1* イギリスかオーストラリアをディフォルトとして無料で選べるようにしていただけないですか？2カ国以上学びたい方は有料という形でもいいと思いますが、現状その値段もだいぶするので結局今は他のイギリス英語やオーストラリア英語の学べるものしか使ってないです。 ### 1/5 — too many unnecessary updates *2026-05-03, version 2.4.1* アップデートが多すぎる。アプリを開いて直ちに勉強したいのに、イギリス英語を追加する強制アップデートで10分無駄にした。隙間時間に積み重ねて勉強したいエリートには不向き。 ### 4/5 — 要望:Browseページにて日本語訳だけを表示したい *2026-03-29, version 2.3.7* 基本的に語彙の質と発音記号が素晴らしいので愛用しています。 Browseのページで単語を見ながら覚えていくことが多いのですが、英単語や例文の英語部分をマスクして英単語と例文の日本語訳だけを表示する機能があると、瞬間英作文的な使い方ができるのでより充実したアプリなるかと思います。 ### 2/5 — 複数端末× *2026-03-19, version 2.3.7* 複数の端末で使用しますが、互換性が悪すぎます。何度もログイン、バックアップを取る必要があるのでスマートではありません。改善をお願いします。 そのほかの内容はとても使いやすいです。 ### 2/5 — バグあり *2026-03-03, version 2.3.7* 1日の目標単語数増やしたら、最後の単語だけ”難しい”を選択できないです。”普通”を選択すれば終わるけど、勉強にならないかも。 ### 3/5 — アップデートにより合計学習日数の表示日数がなぜか減った *2026-02-22, version 2.3.6* 直近のアップデートした後なぜか表示日数が減りました ### 5/5 — とても良い教材 *2026-02-22, version 2.3.6* 本も持っていますが、アプリの方が継続しやすく、半年ほど利用しています。アプデ後、とても使いやすくなりました！ ### 5/5 — 感想と要望 *2026-02-14* 本の単語帳だと単語の並びで覚えてしまって、いざその単語だけで出てきた時にパッと出てこなかったりしますが、これは自動でシャッフルしてくれ、しかも忘却曲線を考慮してくれるのでとても助かります。また、音声も聞けるので、リスニングやシャドウイングにももってこいで助かります。毎日のノルマ数をこなすとチェックマークがつくので、毎日のタスクをこなしている感時も味わえ、『やらなくては！』と言う気になります。 要望としては、 •100%達成した後にもう一度始める時はリセットをするしかないと思うのですが、何回100%まで達成したのかの記録も見れればさらに達成感もあって嬉しいです。 •口語でしか使わない、文語でしか使わないみたいなのもわかると嬉しいです。口語でしか言わないことをメールなどに書くと少し違和感があるような気がします。 •何人か書かれていましたが、新たなアップデートでSNSで報告！みたいなのが出てくるようになったのは非常に残念です。設定でオンオフ選べるといいかのと思います。個人的には特にシェアするような内容ではないかな、と思います。 •単語帳の番号に関係なく全ての単語帳の例文だけをシャッフルして再生で切り取るうれしいです。歩きながら聞いて勉強もできればうれしいです。 **Developer response:** レビューをお寄せいただきありがとうございます。忘却曲線による学習や音声機能をご活用いただけているとのこと、大変嬉しく拝見しました。100％達成回数の表示や口語・文語の区別、SNSシェア機能のオンオフなど、貴重なご要望もありがとうございます。例文のシャッフル再生については、アプリ内「見つける」→右上の三本線→表示項目を「例文のみ」にチェック→右上チェック→シャッフルをタップ、でお試しいただけますので、もしご希望の使い方に近ければぜひご活用ください。いただいたご意見は今後の改善の参考にさせていただきます。引き続きDistinctionをよろしくお願いいたします。 ## Frequently asked questions about Distinction ### What is the primary focus of Distinction? Distinction focuses on teaching English vocabulary and phrases that native speakers use daily but are often missed in standard ESL materials. It provides detailed explanations, native audio, and example sentences to aid comprehension and usage. ### How does Distinction's study mode work? Distinction uses a spaced repetition system in its Study Mode. This method intelligently schedules reviews of vocabulary items just before you're likely to forget them, optimizing memorization through active recall. ### Can I use Distinction offline? Yes, Distinction can be used completely offline. This allows you to study English vocabulary without needing an internet connection, making it convenient for use anywhere, anytime. ### Does Distinction have ads? No, Distinction is completely ad-free. The app is designed to provide an uninterrupted learning experience, allowing users to focus solely on vocabulary acquisition. ### What is the pricing model for Distinction? Distinction operates on a one-time fee per Distinction module, with no subscription required. Users can try a limited selection of words and structures for free before unlocking the full content via in-app purchases. ### How does Distinction help with pronunciation? Distinction includes IPA phonetic symbols adjusted for sound reductions and liaisons, helping users speak more naturally. It also offers speech recognition for practicing pronunciation on main vocabulary items. ### What kind of progress tracking does Distinction offer? Distinction provides comprehensive graphs and statistics to give users a full picture of their study progress. This includes tracking streaks, levels, and XP earned, as well as monitoring vocabulary learning efficiency. ### Is Distinction suitable for beginners? While Distinction focuses on words rarely found in typical ESL materials, its structured approach and detailed explanations can benefit learners at various stages. The free trial allows users to assess its suitability for their level. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.5.0 — 2026-06-24 What's New The example sentences for the headword you're viewing are now a doorway into the rest of Distinction. As you read, you can dig straight into the explanation of any expression that catches your eye. - Tap an expression in an example sentence to reach the related headword's explanation in an instant - Turn that "I've seen this phrase somewhere" hunch into an answer on the spot - Let one example sentence carry you onward to the expressions connected to it, without breaking your flow Bit by bit, the expressions you've learned start to link together, and all of Distinction comes into view as one connected whole. We've also fixed a few minor bugs. If you like to wander through Distinction with an example sentence as your starting point, give this update a try. If you're enjoying the app, a review on the App Store would mean a lot to us. ### 2.4.2 — 2026-05-24 What's New The player screen now gives you finer control, so you can listen at your own pace and loop until it sticks. - A new playback bar lets you see where you are and jump straight to the part you want to hear - 3-second back / 3-second forward let you instantly re-listen to anything you missed - Toggle between repeat-all and repeat-one to drill a single track as many times as you need If you shadow or dictate, this update is built for that "wait, one more time" moment. Improvements The long-press copy popup is back and better. You can now copy the headword along with its synonyms in one tap. We've also fixed a few minor bugs. If you'd like to listen, mimic, and master English at your own pace, give this update a try. If you're enjoying the app, a review on the App Store would mean a lot to us. ### 2.4.1 — 2026-04-28 【New】 You can now A/B-compare American and British English in an instant. Press and hold an English word or sentence to open a panel where you can switch accents and adjust playback speed on the spot. You can also change the speed from Settings, and your choice is saved across sessions so you can pick up right where you left off. Listen to the same word or sentence in US and UK back-to-back to lock the differences into your ear. 【Improvements】 - Fixed an issue where British phonetic symbols could be shown when American English was selected. - Fixed a few minor bugs. If you'd like to listen, mimic, and master English at your own pace, give this update a try. If you're enjoying the app, a review on the App Store would mean a lot to us. ### 2.4.0 — 2026-04-18 【New】 British English support is finally here. You can now switch between American and British English in Accent Settings, where you can check audio, phonetic symbols, and accent conversion guidance all in one place. Hear the differences, see the differences, and understand them more deeply. 【Improvements】 - Improved speech recognition accuracy and stability, making pronunciation checks smoother. - Fixed a few minor bugs. To build English skills that go beyond American pronunciation, give this update a try and start learning British English more thoroughly. If you're enjoying the app, a review on the App Store would mean a lot to us. ### 2.3.7 — 2026-02-24 【Improvements & Fixes】 - Fixed challenge mode lap count display: Resolved an issue where lap counts could appear as 0 or less than one lap in some cases. Existing learning records are now reflected correctly. - Fixed an issue where the "Note" button on the learning screen could disappear when using iPad multitasking with another app. We hope this update helps with your daily learning. If you enjoy the app, we'd love to hear from you — please leave a review or rating! ## Apps similar to Distinction | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [English Radio - IELTS TOEFL](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/english-radio-ielts-toefl/id724108987) | 4.8 (2,152) | Free | Education | | [Essay Writing - IELTS / TOEFL](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/essay-writing-ielts-toefl/id1499212122) | 4.8 (185) | Free | Education | | [English Player - IELTS & TOEFL](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/english-player-ielts-and-toefl/id1565721779) | 4.6 (241) | Free | Education | | [Vocabulary Builder by Atlas](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vocabulary-builder-by-atlas/id1438344260) | 4.8 (12,333) | Free | Education | | [ELSA Speak - English Learning](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elsa-speak-english-learning/id1083804886) | 4.8 (111,707) | Free | Education | | [IELTS \| TOEFL \| TOEIC English](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ielts-toefl-toeic-english/id6463496712) | — | Free | Education | ## More apps by Hidekazu Kato - [Distinction 2000 - Core Vocab](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/distinction-2000-core-vocab/id1622931748) All apps by Hidekazu Kato: https://appshunter.io/developer/1441860633 ## Related topics [atsu](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/atsu) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-26.*