Sumi: Learn Japanese
Kanji, kana and real reading
About
This app offers a structured approach to learning Japanese, focusing on kanji, kana, and reading comprehension. It breaks down character origins, provides guided lessons, and includes a comprehensive reference library. The experience is designed to be quiet and focused, with offline functionality.
What's New in Sumi
1.0.6
October 22, 2026
Today's lesson Each day Home suggests a lesson sized by how you feel: Light, Steady or Keen. Warm up, learn a few kanji, the words built from them and a grammar point, then read one sentence that uses them all and press the day's stamp. It is only a suggestion: skip any step, leave whenever you like, and everything you finish is kept. A Home you arrange Home is rebuilt around today's lesson, and it is yours to arrange. Drag a card to move it, drag its corner to make it small, medium or large, and tuck away anything you do not use. New cards settle first A card you have just learned comes back later the same day and again the next, and joins your reviews once you have got it right in two separate sittings, so review is the cards you know rather than a wall of ones you only just met. Sumi Pro in the app You can now get Sumi Pro inside the app through the App Store. Already have it on this Apple account? Tap Restore in Account or Settings. Readings your way In Settings, under Reading, you can hide rōmaji and read in kana only, everywhere except the kana lessons. A kanji's on'yomi now show in katakana, as dictionaries print them: 食 ショク, たべる. Also new Questions with four short answers show them two by two. The Kanji Library's list is a grid of tiles again. On the flick keypad the kana around your finger are no longer hidden by the next key, and replaying a review keeps its sounds. Everything still works with no connection.
MoreSubscriptions & In-App Purchases
Sumi Pro Annual
Every lesson, review and drill, yearly
FAQ
How does Sumi teach Japanese characters?
Sumi teaches Japanese characters by first showing their strokes in order, sound, and origin. It then presents questions after the user has been exposed to the information, focusing on understanding rather than rote memorization.
Does Sumi have a learning streak system?
No, Sumi does not have streaks to protect or leagues. The app focuses on consistent learning without penalizing users for missing days, with missed characters reappearing first.
What is the Kanji X-Ray feature in Sumi?
The Kanji X-Ray feature in Sumi allows users to deconstruct kanji characters, understanding how their components (like radicals) contribute to meaning and sound. This helps in recognizing patterns and reducing memorization.
Can I use Sumi offline?
Yes, Sumi works completely offline. Lessons, the kanji library, audio, and progress saving are all available without an internet connection.
What kind of content is available in the Reference Shelf?
The Reference Shelf in Sumi includes kana charts with stroke order, radicals, particles, phrases, counters, word families, grammar references, and a number reader for various formats.
What is the age rating for Sumi?
Sumi has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of learners.
How often is Sumi updated?
The latest version of Sumi is 1.0.5, and it was last updated on October 7, 2026. Updates typically focus on refining the learning experience and data accuracy.
What devices is Sumi available on?
Sumi is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices, offering a consistent learning experience across Apple's mobile ecosystem.
