# GENKI Vocab for 3rd Ed. — 1200 Essential Japanese Words

> Learn over 1,200 essential Japanese vocabulary words for beginners. (iPhone/iPad app by The Japan Times Publishing, Ltd..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/genki-vocab-for-3rd-ed/id1531679862 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [The Japan Times Publishing, Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1478996338)
- Category: Education, Reference
- Price: $6.99
- Rating: 3.00/5 from 105 App Store ratings · 129 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 177 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2020-10-16
- Data updated: 2026-08-30
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/genki-vocab-for-3rd-ed/id1531679862/reviews.md

## What is GENKI Vocab for 3rd Ed.?

Learn elementary Japanese words at your own pace!
GENKI Vocab for 3rd Ed. is an app that enables users to learn more than 1,200 words essential for beginners.

This is the official iPhone app for the 3rd edition of GENKI: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese, a best-selling series of Japanese learning materials boasting more than 3.5 million copies sold worldwide.

Advantages
◆Users can view the words and listen to the recordings as they like, enabling them to study at their own pace.
◆By repeating a process of memorization and self-checking, learners can firmly master important beginning-level vocabulary.
◆Words already memorized are progressively removed from the study set, so users can concentrate on just the words that challenge them, making for a more efficient approach to learning.
*This app will not play audio if your device is in Silent mode (Vibrate mode). To hear the audio, please turn Silent mode off.

Study methods and functions
This app has three main modes: Study, Check, and List.

◇ "Study" allows users to view the words, their meanings, and the example sentences over and over, so they can take their time learning.
・Audio recordings of all words and example sentences are provided with natural pronunciations by native speakers of Japanese. 
・Fun illustrations help users to better retain the words studied. 
・Users can bookmark the words they like. The bookmarked words are compiled in the Bookmark list in "List."

◇ “Check” helps learners to track their mastery.
・Users check their understanding of the vocabulary studied and sort the words into those mastered and those not yet retained.
・The words already mastered are taken out of the study set, leaving behind just those that still need to be worked on.

◇ “List” displays a list of all words covered by the app so that users can see their progress and review the vocabulary.
・The list can be arranged in any of three orderings: lesson order, a-i-u-e-o order, and alphabetical order. The words bookmarked in the Study mode are also listed in the Bookmark list.
・Checkmarks are automatically placed next to words that have been mastered.
・The Study view of words can be displayed from the list entries, enabling quick review.


○This app is based on the vocabulary from the third edition of GENKI.
○Ads: The app does not display any ads that might interfere with learning.

## Key features

- Learn 1,200+ essential Japanese words
- Audio recordings by native speakers
- Illustrations for better retention
- Memorization and self-checking quizzes
- Progressive removal of mastered words
- Study, Check, and List modes

## Chart rankings

- #9 in Top Paid · Education (US App Store)
- #163 in Top Paid (US App Store)

## What do users think of GENKI Vocab for 3rd Ed.?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 📚 Aligns well with Genki textbook curriculum
- 🎤 Native speaker audio pronunciation
- 📝 Example sentences with context
- ⏱️ Saves time vs. creating flashcards manually
- 🎯 Simple and focused vocabulary tool
- 📊 Tracks study progress separately
- 🔄 Scrambled card order for variety

**Cons**

- 🔊 Audio frequently doesn't work or is unreliable
- 💰 Expensive price point ($5-6+)
- 🐛 Numerous UI bugs and glitches
- ❌ No spaced repetition system
- 🔄 Limited review functionality for marked words
- 📱 Crashes when reaching end of lessons
- 🎯 Bare-bones feature set
- 🔇 Audio tied to silent mode (unintuitive)
- 📖 Text cuts off on example sentences
- 🖥️ Desktop version non-functional
- ⚠️ Some pronunciation errors in audio

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Audio doesn't work or cuts out intermittently
- App crashes when reaching final card in lesson
- Text missing or cut off on example sentences
- Swiping to view sentences doesn't work reliably
- Cards auto-flip back when trying to view other side
- App incompatible with iOS 17
- Desktop version shows no words in flashcards
- Sound only works when phone not in silent mode
- UI glitches requiring multiple attempts to navigate
- App crashes on iPad

**Most requested features**

- Spaced repetition (SRS) system
- Typing/input practice feature
- Tap-to-play audio functionality
- Ability to study bookmarked words in flashcard mode
- Free or discounted pricing with textbook purchase
- Kanji stroke order animations
- Aggregated sentence list for listening practice
- Session persistence (save progress between sessions)
- Phone speaker audio support (not just headphones)
- Actual testing/verification instead of honor system
- Android feature parity (sentence examples)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 129)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/genki-vocab-for-3rd-ed/id1531679862/reviews.md

### 1/5 — No sound

*2026-07-30*

The app has no sound. Tapping on the button to play the vocabulary sound does nothing.

### 2/5 — No sound function

*2026-06-16*

There is no sound

### 1/5 — No good

*2026-06-04*

Just got it and the sound does not work!! What a waste of my money.

### 1/5 — Crashes constantly!

*2026-04-23, version 1.4*

I have no idea if this is worth it or not. I paid for it but it crashes every time I open it. Very frustrating. And these are not the words you find in the textbook. So I'm disappointed. Bad purchase on my part. Don't do this to yourself!

### 5/5 — Audio works on iPhone 16 Pro

*2026-02-14, version 1.4*

Audio works on iPhone 16 Pro

### 1/5 — Sound Doesn’t Work

*2025-12-09, version 1.3*

I have reinstalled the app repeatedly and the sound does not work. It only worked the first time I used it.

### 1/5 — sound is not working in the app

*2025-10-30*

sound is not working

### 1/5 — NO SOUND

*2025-10-08*

No sound

### 2/5 — Not working well

*2025-10-07*

Really not working well… 
No place to practice katakana or hiragana.

### 5/5 — Great

*2025-10-05, version 1.3*

A great methodology to increase your vocabulary, especially if ‘memorising’ is not your thing. It’s easy to use and follows the main textbook chapters L1 - L23. Very convenient if you want to continue to practice your vocabulary for 10-15min during the day, while commuting or during a break.

## Frequently asked questions about GENKI Vocab for 3rd Ed.

### What does GENKI Vocab for 3rd Ed. do?

This app helps users learn over 1,200 essential Japanese words for beginners. It is designed to complement the 3rd edition of the popular GENKI textbook series. The app offers various study methods to facilitate vocabulary acquisition at the user's own pace.

### What are the key features of this Japanese vocabulary app?

Key features include the ability to view words, meanings, and example sentences, listen to native speaker audio recordings, and utilize fun illustrations for better memory retention. It also offers a self-checking system to track mastery and efficiently removes learned words from study sets.

### How much does GENKI Vocab for 3rd Ed. cost?

This application is a paid app. There are no advertisements or in-app purchases mentioned, indicating a one-time purchase for full access to its features and content.

### What is the best way to use this app for learning Japanese?

The app offers three main modes: Study, Check, and List. Users can study words with audio and illustrations, test their understanding in the Check mode, and review progress in the List mode. Repeating the memorization and self-checking process is recommended for firm mastery.

### Is this app compatible with my device?

The description specifically mentions it is the 'official iPhone app'. Therefore, it is designed for use on iPhones. Users should ensure their device meets any specific iOS version requirements for optimal performance.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.0 — 2026-05-28

Fixed layout issues on certain devices.

### 1.4 — 2025-12-18

We have complied with the latest age rating settings. The app content remains unchanged.

### 1.3 — 2025-05-17

Minor bugs are fixed.

### 1.2 — 2024-04-17

Minor bugs are fixed.

### 1.1 — 2024-04-02

Minor bugs are fixed.

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## More apps by The Japan Times Publishing, Ltd.

- [GENKI Vocab Cards for 2nd Ed.](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/genki-vocab-cards-for-2nd-ed/id785207187)
- [ビジネス英語の新人研修Prime 〜基本のフレーズを完全マスター！〜](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prime/id820936408)
- [GENKI Kanji Cards for 2nd Ed.](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/genki-kanji-cards-for-2nd-ed/id840720020)
- [GENKI Conjugation Cards](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/genki-conjugation-cards/id975482646)
- [OTO Navi - Sound Navigator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/oto-navi-sound-navigator/id1490391845)

All apps by The Japan Times Publishing, Ltd.: https://appshunter.io/developer/1478996338

## Related topics

[genki](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/genki) · [genki vocab](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/genki-vocab)

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*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 2026-08-30.*