AI Learning Companions
Hana 【ハナ】- Premium Learning Expert
Our advanced AI (subscription required) offers:
- Superior accuracy and deeper insights
- Faster response times
- Enhanced conversation abilities
- Advanced grammar analysis
- Cultural context and nuanced explanations
Emma 【エマ】- Free Learning Companion
Available to all users, Emma is perfect for:
- Explaining meanings and basic concepts
- Getting started with Japanese fundamentals
- Simple translations and meanigs of each word
- Works offline
Complete Learning Toolkit
Web Browsing
Navigate Japanese websites with live AI assistance. Screenshot content, record audio from videos, and get instant explanations.
Content Reader
Import PDFs, ebooks, images, and videos. Get translations and explanations for any content you want to learn from.
Speaking & Listening
Practice natural conversations with AI that speaks with emotion and responds intelligently. Get pronunciation help and conversation tips. It will suggest phrases so you can keep the conversation going.
Sentence Explainer
Get complete grammar breakdowns with particle explanations, verb forms, and vocabulary analysis. Perfect for understanding complex sentences.
Smart Translator
Translate between Japanese and your language with cultural context and nuanced meanings. Works both directions.
Reading Helper (Furigana)
Add furigana to any Japanese text instantly. Makes complex kanji readable with pronunciation guides.
Personal Tutor
Ask anything about Japanese grammar, culture, or usage. Your AI teacher explains everything in detail.
Multi-Language Support
All explanations in your native language. Available in 14+ languages worldwide.
Real-World Learning Scenarios
🎌 Anime & Drama Learning
Screenshot subtitles or record audio from Netflix, Crunchyroll, or YouTube. Get instant grammar explanations and cultural context for every joke and reference.
📖 Manga & Books
Snap photos of manga panels or import ebooks. Get word-by-word breakdowns and understand complex narratives with furigana support.
🎮 Gaming
Decode game dialogue from JRPGs, visual novels, and mobile games. Master gaming terminology and understand character interactions.
✈️ Travel in Japan
Navigate menus, signs, and conversations with confidence. From train stations to restaurants, understand everything you encounter.
📚 Academic Study
Complement your textbooks with detailed explanations. Get alternative perspectives on grammar and prepare for JLPT exams.
🎵 Music & Media
Understand J-Pop lyrics, podcast discussions, and social media posts. Connect with Japanese culture on a deeper level.
Best Practices for Maximum Learning
Essential Tips
- Start new chats for different topics - this helps our AIs stay focused and accurate
- Use OCR text instead of images for faster responses and more efficient usage
- The microphone also works to record audio from videos and games, it's very easy and will speed up your learning
- Keep conversations focused on specific topics for better learning outcomes
- Take advantage of both Hana (comprehensive assistance) and Emma (offline support) with meanings
- Use the right tool for each task - Translator for quick meanings, Sentence Explainer for deep understanding
Content Capture Tips
- Anime/Drama: Screenshot subtitles or record audio while watching
- Manga: Take clear photos of text panels for OCR recognition
- Games: Screenshot dialogue boxes and menus
- Web Content: Use the built-in browser to capture and analyze Japanese sites
- Documents: Import PDFs and ebooks directly into the Content Reader
- Conversations: Record snippets to review pronunciation and grammar later
Learning from Games
Best Gaming Tips
- Screenshot dialogue boxes immediately - don't let text disappear
- Use Sentence Explainer for RPG story dialogue to understand complex narratives
- Save game menus and interface text to learn specialized gaming vocabulary
- Practice Speaking with AI about your favorite game characters and storylines
- Use Content Reader to import game guides and walkthroughs in Japanese
Game-Specific Strategies
- JRPGs: Focus on party member dialogue and battle commands
- Visual Novels: Take your time with emotional scenes for cultural context
- Mobile Games: Screenshot event notifications and limited-time content
- Strategy Games: Learn military and tactical vocabulary through unit descriptions
- Life Simulation: Practice daily conversation through character interactions
Learning from Anime & Drama
Best Anime Learning Tips
- Screenshot subtitles during emotional or funny scenes for cultural context
- Record audio of interesting dialogue and practice pronunciation with Speaking feature
- You can lay down on the couch, put on an Anime and record the lines to get explanations
- Use Sentence Explainer for complex grammar patterns you hear repeatedly
- Ask Personal Tutor about cultural references and Japanese humor
- Practice role-playing anime character conversations with Speaking AI
Content-Specific Strategies
- Slice of Life: Focus on daily conversation patterns and casual speech
- Historical Drama: Learn formal language and traditional expressions
- Comedy: Understand Japanese humor, puns, and wordplay
- Romance: Practice emotional expressions and relationship vocabulary
- Action/Shonen: Learn intense expressions and determination phrases
Learning from Manga & Books
Best Reading Tips
- Start with manga you already know for context clues
- Screenshot any sentence and get detailed explanations of all the words, grammar, particles, and so on.
- Use Reading Helper (Furigana) for kanji-heavy pages
- Screenshot individual panels and ask about visual storytelling elements
- Import your ebooks into Content Reader for easy text selection
- Practice reading aloud and check pronunciation with Speaking feature
Reading Strategies
- 4-koma Comics: Perfect for learning punchlines and short dialogue
- Shojo Manga: Focus on emotional expressions and relationship dynamics
- Seinen Manga: Learn mature vocabulary and complex sentence structures
- Light Novels: Use Content Reader to import and study detailed descriptions
- News Articles: Screenshot headlines and practice formal Japanese
Learning While Traveling in Japan
Best Travel Tips
- Take photos of restaurant menus and learn food vocabulary before ordering
- Screenshot train station signs to understand navigation terms
- Practice common travel conversations with Speaking AI before your trip
- Use Smart Translator for emergency phrases and important communications
- Photo shop signs and packaging to learn about Japanese daily life
Situation-Specific Help
- Restaurants: Practice ordering, asking about ingredients, and payment
- Hotels: Learn check-in vocabulary and service requests
- Shopping: Understand size, color, and price-related terms
- Transportation: Master station announcements and ticket purchasing
- Sightseeing: Read information plaques and historical descriptions
- Emergency: Keep essential phrases ready in Smart Translator
Learning from Music & Social Media
Best Media Tips
- Screenshot song lyrics and learn about Japanese music culture
- Use Web Browser to navigate Japanese social media and news sites
- Practice conversation with Speaking Buddy and it will suggest how to keep the conversation going
- Ask the Sensei about slang and internet expressions you see online
- Screenshot viral posts and memes to understand current Japanese internet culture
Platform-Specific Strategies
- YouTube: Watch japanese content and take screenshots of subtitles or record the audio
- J-Pop Lyrics: Focus on emotional vocabulary and poetic expressions
- Twitter/X: Learn abbreviated writing and casual expressions
- YouTube Comments: Understand fan reactions and internet slang
- Instagram: Practice describing photos and lifestyle vocabulary
- TikTok: Learn current trends and youth expressions
Academic Study & JLPT Preparation
- Import your textbook PDFs into Content Reader for easy reference
- Use Sentence Explainer to understand complex grammar patterns
- Solve doubts with the Language Sensei
- Create conversation scenarios related to your study topics
- Use Reading Helper for difficult academic texts and research papers
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get the most out of Rakulingo?
Follow these key strategies:
- Start with content you genuinely enjoy (your favorite anime, games, etc.)
- Use multiple input methods - text, images, and audio for comprehensive learning
- Ask follow-up questions to deepen your understanding
- Practice regularly with the Speaking & Listening feature
- Keep your chats focused on specific topics or sentences
Why should I use OCR text instead of images?
OCR (Optical Character Recognition) text provides several advantages:
- Faster processing, giving you quicker responses
- More efficient with your usage limits, allowing for more interactions
When should I start new chats?
Start new chats when:
- Switching to a completely different topic
- Moving from one anime episode to another
- Changing from translation to grammar analysis
- The current chat becomes very long (20+ messages)
- You want the AI to "forget" previous context
How do I use the Speaking & Listening feature effectively?
For best results:
- Talk about anything you want, the AI will respond appropriately
- The AI will suggest you 3 possible ways to keep the conversation going
- You can listen and then check the transcript to see if you got it right
- Try role-playing with the AI, it's fun
- The AI can change emotions to make conversations feel more natural and fun
What's the difference between the Web Browser and Content Reader?
- Web Browser: Live browsing of Japanese websites with real-time AI assistance. Great for mangas, videos (youtube), news, social media, and online content.
- Content Reader: Import your own files (PDFs, ebooks, videos, images) for focused study. Perfect for textbooks, manga, and personal documents.
How should I use the Sentence Explainer?
The Sentence Explainer works best when:
- You focus on single sentences on at a time to get to the full paragraphs
- You ask specific follow-up questions about grammar points
- You want detailed particle and verb form explanations
- You're trying to really understand and learn rather than just translating
How reliable are Emma and Hana?
Like all AI systems:
- They can occasionally make mistakes
- Hana provides more accurate and detailed responses
- Use their suggestions as learning tools and verify important information when needed
- They're best used for learning and practice, not for critical translations
Can I learn from any type of Japanese content?
Yes! Rakulingo works with:
- Video content (anime, dramas, YouTube) - via screenshots and audio recording
- Text content (manga, books, websites, social media)
- Audio content (podcasts, music, conversations)
- Game content (dialogue, menus, instructions)
- Real-world content (signs, menus, packaging)
- Educational materials (textbooks, flashcards, exercises)
Important Notes
Remember for Best Results
- Keep conversations focused and start new chats for new topics
- Take advantage of all available learning modes
- Practice speaking regularly for pronunciation improvement
- Don't hesitate to ask follow-up questions for deeper understanding
Usage Guidelines
- AI responses should be used for learning and practice, not critical translations
- The powerful AI Hana has usage limits to ensure quality service
- Premium subscription unlocks Hana with much higher usage limits
- Always verify important information when needed