Hello Nihongo Learners! Last week I shared my thoughts on the number one language learning app, Duolingo. I have been using it to learn however, I soon felt that my progress was getting slow as I still can't express my self well. I still speak like a robot "watashi wa roku ji ni kohi o nomimasu" (At six o clock I drink coffee). So I looked for other apps and there are many in the app store. Finally I decided on HeyJapan. The lessons look well structured since they are based on Minna No Nihongo book.

The Minna No Nihongo is used to teach foreign language learners Japanese and aimed at passing the JLPT. Book 1 covers chapters 1-25 which is equivalent to JLPT level N5.

The HeyJapan app has lessons until JLPT N2 but right now, I'm on the lowest level which is N5.

The lessons are similarly mapped like in Duolingo but here are lessons that I was looking for, the verb forms. "Te" form is very important as from here, you can learn to conjugate verbs. This is also chapter 14 of Minna no Nihongo. Permission "shashin o totte mo iidesu" (you may take pictures) and not allowing an action "koko de shashin o totte wa ikemasen" (you must not take photos here) are covered in chapter 15 of the book while "Nai" form "koko de shashin o toranai de kudasai" (please don't take photos here)is covered in chapter 17.

Like other language apps, it has a theory, vocabulary and practice sets. You can also practice speaking and writing including some kanji.

HeyJapan has a free feature but this is very limited. The paid version cost around $20. This is a one time payment and not a subscription though. Paying the premium unlocks all the features which to me is worth it.

There are speaking exercises for certain situations that you can apply in real life.

Conclusion

HeyJapan is a better app for learning Nihongo. Having been designed to follow the lessons in Minna no Nihongo, it's an app that can help you prepare for the JLPT proficiency exam. You have to pay premium though to get the full benefits but in my opinion $20 is a reasonable price to pay.

Is it a complete app? I would say no, there are other apps that would target certain skill sets like kanji, listening and speaking. Next post, I will share the apps that I use for those.

Thank you for reading!