# Human Japanese Lite — user reviews > 254 indexed App Store user reviews of Human Japanese Lite by Brak Software, Inc., rated 5.00/5 from 931 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/human-japanese-lite/id304088756/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/human-japanese-lite/id304088756.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 902 · 4★ 27 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 1 ## What do users think of Human Japanese Lite? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🚀 Free and good quality - 🚀 Comprehensive and easy to understand - 👍 Immersive and well-written - 👍 Excellent for learning Japanese pronunciation - 👍 Provides cultural and historical context - 👍 Engaging and fun to use - 👍 Thorough and logical teaching progression - 👍 Helpful for beginners and experienced learners - 👍 Complements other learning apps well **Cons** - 🐛 Occasional crashes or stability issues - 💡 Inability to sync progress across devices **Commonly reported bugs** - Occasional crashes or freezes - Compatibility issues with older devices **Most requested features** - Dark mode option - More advanced features for experienced learners - Ability to sync progress across devices ## Newest reviews (19 of 254) ### 5/5 — Great! *2025-04-26, version 3.2.1* Much better than Duolingo. This goes step by step in a USEFUL way with sentences that make sense!! ### 5/5 — Thoroughly well done *2025-04-18, version 3.2.1* This app teaches all the things you will need to learn for your first trip to japan aswell as a bit of fun facts and cool ways of teaching, would recommend for someone trying to upgrade verbs and deepers meanings to what is said. ### 5/5 — amazing app for beginners *2025-02-21, version 3.2.1* I’ve been using this app for 2 months along with other sources, but I always use this the most. It’s an amazing way to learn the hiragana and (some of) the katakana syllabaries. I highly recommend you try this and if you like it, maybe even buy the full version! ### 5/5 — Excellent for learning Japanese *2025-01-27, version 3.2.1* I have been learning Japanese for the past year and this has been my most useful resource. ### 5/5 — brilliant *2025-01-08, version 3.2.1* helps understand history and the way it makes it so easy to learn ### 5/5 — Excellent *2024-12-06, version 3.2.1* Although this app may not be as “exciting” as an app like Duolingo with high gamification, it’s definitely more fun. The teachings are more clear and interesting and the learning is hard in the right ways so that you really take the information in better. ### 5/5 — amazing!!! *2024-10-08* keeps it very interesting and relatable- the name is really accurate, it feels more human than just copying characters down on paper. I use it along with a few other apps and recommend doing so but this one is definitely my favorite. it teaches you not only writing or words but things about japan ans geography. really, this app is interesting and keeps you wanting to learn. ### 5/5 — def give it a try *2024-09-25, version 3.2.1* I downloaded the lite/free version on my phone & iPad first to try it out on both devices before I bought the full version and I’m definitely going to buy the full version for my iPad. It is very good for beginners and very interactive. ### 5/5 — Great for beginners *2024-09-05, version 3.2.1* I have just started learning Japanese and this app has been incredibly helpful with easing me into learning the language. Grammar and language rules are explained very well and in a manner that is not overwhelming. If you are a beginner with no prior knowledge I highly recommend using this app as a primary resource! ### 5/5 — Changed my whole view *2024-08-21* For 2 years I’ve been learning Japanese with Duolingo and books but when I went to Japan I literally could say less than a handful of words and no sentences. I was confused and thought I just didn’t remember anything, but then I saw a TikTok recommending this app. Literally right after reading the first chapter I was so locked in and couldn’t stop. The way they explain everything, every chapter I was like “ohhh”. Whoever made this is literally amazing, and now I feel like I can actually grasp the concept of words and pronunciation better than ever. ### 5/5 — Helpful with other apps *2024-04-15, version 3.2.1* The best part for me was being able to hear and see the different combinations of characters and getting to practice that over and over again. For writing the characters I used a different app to prattle stroke order. Also the cultural information was helpful as well. ### 5/5 — Amazing app *2024-04-02, version 3.2.1* I’m learning so much Japanese and improving everyday! Love the explanation provided which gives me a much deeper understanding of the language and culture ### 5/5 — Outstanding, obviously created by someone who loves to help you learn *2024-02-07, version 3.2.1* I downloaded Human Japanese after I realized my progress with learning Japanese had stalled about 45 days into Duolingo. Human Japanese turned out to be a delight. Everything is explained, from why the letters look the way they do to how words are pronounced, long with some history, culture and photos. My progress is rapid because I really understand now. Human Japanese is fun and I value being able to click on words and letters to hear them pronounced. The chapter quizzes are fun, too, as every time I answer correctly there is an exclamation of delight. I will use Human Japanese and Duolingo together as I want to learn some useful Japanese before meeting my Japanese daughter-in-law’s family in a few months, but If I could go back in time, I would choose to start with Human Japanese and then later add Duolingo for practice. The creator of Human Japanese has considered every word and page clearly, and this is obviously a passion project aimed to help people learn. I am using HJ lite and it is free ### 5/5 — Seriously in depth *2023-12-25, version 3.2.1* Human Japanese is a very in depth examination of japanese language and culture. The author writes in a manner that is very approachable and friendly, while also not being too informal. The author obviously cares a great deal about the work they do, and it shows ### 5/5 — Great teaching sequence and very user friendly *2023-11-19, version 3.2.1* Would recommend if you’d like to learn the Japanese language and culture. I’m currently just starting, but the integration of practical application/grammar with the teaching of alphabets/symbols paired with culture/history make this such a valuable resource in learning. ### 5/5 — Amazing resource *2022-11-09, version 3.2.1* Such a well designed Japanese learning app. The best I have seen and very reasonable price for the amount of content. Highly recommend! Thanks to the creator. ### 5/5 — Great app to start learning Japanese *2022-09-19, version 3.2.1* App has been a great way to learn the basics of Japanese. ### 5/5 — Best app by far *2022-06-24, version 3.2.1* This is by far the best app to learn Japanese if you’re a native English speaker. It reads like a textbook, but you can also do (or redo) tests and vocabulary quizzes. Also whoever wrote the text is adorable, and clearly passionate about 日本語！ I can’t recommend this app highly enough, if I had stuck with other apps I would be completely lost because they don’t properly explain grammar or sentence structure. ### 5/5 — So precise , fun and rich an app *2022-04-07, version 3.2.1* I used to live in Japan some 30 years ago and found new things and recollected with the app so easily that I commit to continuing till I get my fluency back ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Broken and Unuable *2023-04-01, version 3.2.1* I had to hard power cycle my phone just to close the app. Not recommended. ### 3/5 — Good layout, some inaccuracies *2010-07-27, version 0* Katakana is not used for foreign words. ### 3/5 — Reccomended *2010-04-18, version 0* I find this application to be rather informative, and it deals with the teaching of Japanese very well. It's also good that as well as attempting to teach the language, the creators have thrown in cultural lessons too. As helpful as this app is, I have found mistakes. For example, where it is trying to explain the verb tenses and whether the said subject exists or not, they make a crucial error with the use of the verb 'arimasu/arimasen'. You see, you only use 'arimasu/arimasen' for INANIMATE objects. If you are trying to refer to a LIVING/ANIMATE thing, you would use the verb 'imasu/imasen'. It is vital to know that, and I find it quite a let down for an otherwise excellent application to miss that important grammar point. ### 4/5 — Almost perfect *2019-05-18, version 3.2.1* I’ve just started using this app and I must say, having an understanding of the language, rather than just learning words, has suited my learning style perfectly. My only issue is not being able to pick up on my iPhone where I left off on my iPad. ### 4/5 — Needs a little more work *2017-11-12, version 3.1.1* Using this to relearn what I already know from 3 years of high school Japanese classes. Finding out there’s more than one meaning to multiple words. Would rate 5 stars, but I would add to this some sort of word review or flash cards before reaching the actual review and test. Otherwise, good work! ### 4/5 — Great for beginners *2017-08-16, version 3.1.1* The app is a good mix of information and entertainment to keep you engaged. Everything is written very clearly and is easy to use and follow. The interactivity livens up learning and it feels nothing like reading through a boring textbook. ### 4/5 — Almost perfect *2017-05-17* Let me first start off by saying this is a fantastic app. The GUI design is elegant and the instructional design is well thought out. I have forgotten most, if not all, of the Japanese I learned in college. Human Japanese has allowed me to stimulate those forgotten brain cells. However, It's lacking a couple of key tools for practicing content retention. 1) Built-in flash cards selectable by single, multiple, or all chapters. By chapter 10, vocabulary words are shot out at a rate similar to water out of a fire hose. I had a difficult time remembering all the words and going back into the chapters became difficult/tedious. 2) Quick Reference for the letter. I forgot several of the letters as I advanced further into the chapters, but had a hard time remembering which chapter to find the answer. A quick reference to all letter already learned would be extremely helpful Great app overall, Bravo! ### 4/5 — New experience... So far, more than good! *2016-06-04, version 3.1.1* Downloaded and opened the HJ lite app this afternoon, and am very impressed so far! Writing style / explanation are excellent, actually makes grammar interesting! Very easy to understand, which makes it easy to learn and remember. The sound recordings are also brilliant. Just enough, in just the right places to learn and then challenge whether you have picked it up correctly. The only slight criticism would be that I cannot 'share' the app between iOS devices, which is a shame as I see no benefit in downloading twice. I regularly move between iPhone and iPad (wifi only), particularly at night when I would like to keep learning, but need the larger screen. Apart from that, I can't wait to continue through the 8 chapters, and if progress is made, get the full version! ### 4/5 — Wonderful, but... *2014-11-12, version 3.1.1* A splendid & well thought out app, but I have downloaded the full version on my iPad, yet am still being asked to pay again on my iPhone. Please fix this problem. ### 4/5 — Good app *2014-10-08, version 3.1* Very good for learning Japanese characters (I'm not very far through!). Nice to understand the background and history within the lessons. Only improvement would be that the spoken Japanese is very quiet. When using similar apps when playing music, the music quietens when the app "speaks" - I can't use this app with music in the background although it appears to be set up to allow that... ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — ITS FREE AND GOOD *2025-10-01* this is a good chunk of the paid version of this app. Allows you to truly get to know the writer and if how they explain things work for you before buying. In the chapters provided(of the ones I have gone through on both) have zero difference. Same amazing quality. TLDR: it’s the same as paid just only part. Good to see if you like the writer and want to spend money ### 5/5 — Best written guide for Japanese pronunciation I’ve encountered *2025-09-06, version 3.2.1* I’ve never read a guide before that so clearly explains how to produce sounds of Japanese language ### 5/5 — Amazing *2025-08-23, version 3.2.1* Immersive and well-written ### 5/5 — The Best Japanese Learning App! *2025-08-07, version 3.2.1* Honestly, I love this app. With all the information on learning Japanese that is out there, it’s so nice when an app like HJ takes all the information and makes it easy to learn! I was overwhelmed on where to start but this is my favorite app hands down and other than Anki - it’s my go to each and every day! ### 5/5 — I'm Speechless. *2025-08-06, version 3.2.1* -Speechless in both Japanese and English! I have finally found an app that feels as if it's main focus is to teach people japanese, rather than get money from them. Duolingo pales in comparison- amazing app; どうもありがとうございます❕ ### 5/5 — LOVE IT *2025-07-18, version 3.2.1* It gives such a good look at every topic, would definitely recommend for any beginners! ### 5/5 — Spectacular!!! *2025-05-27, version 3.2.1* Let me just cut to the point: I’ve been wanting to learn Japanese for years but never been able to because it was just so *boring*. My school offers both Italian and Japanese, last year I did both for one semester and chose to do Italian the next year. I downloaded this app to test and see in which language I could learn the same general phrases quicker in. Result? With this app, I learned Japanese MUCH faster. Thank you to whoever made this app. You are literally better than my teachers. ### 5/5 — Deep Understanding *2025-05-25, version 3.2.1* This program is designed to give you a deep understanding of the Japanese language. Much of the history behind how the written language came to be and written norms are discussed. The importance of stroke order, ten-ten, and hane. Harai, hane and tome strokes are important in correctly writing characters so they are clearly understood. ### 5/5 — Great for us linguistically minded people! *2025-05-04, version 3.2.1* As someone who once studied linguistics and really likes and learns best from a textbook approach, I’m quite enjoying this app and learning a lot! I feel it’s a good complement to something like Duolingo, which gives you phrase and word practice but without a lot of background info. HJ supplies that background info I was lacking, along with having a friendly and mellow vibe. ### 5/5 — New user transfer from the owl *2025-04-30* So I was using another language app for a couple of years that I’m not sure if I’m allowed to mention. I’m sure that one works well for a lot of languages, but it doesn’t really do what’s necessary for Japanese. HJ on the other hand, uses more of a systematic approach and explains in detail why sentence structure is the way it is and the specifics of pronunciation. I have learned more in one week with this than I did in a year with the other. The author explains everything in a fun and natural way. I don’t feel like I’m reading a textbook, I feel like some friend I know is trying to teach this to me. So far so good. I’ll know for sure if this is working when everything switches to hiragana. 😬 --- *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 2026-06-10.*