MARU: Learn Japanese Hiragana 4+

I don’t write app reviews. Over the years I’ve maybe written 5 at most. This one deserves a review. It simple, it’s perfect for what it is. You aren’t bogged down with ads because the developer is an amazing and generous person. Seriously, I appreciate you and your way of developing this app. You only get “punishment ads” if you get five questions wrong you get an ad. There are no time limits which the other similar apps tend to have. That is a huge turn off for me. I have dyslexia, it takes me a second to take everything in. Not having a time limit helps a lot.

I also enjoy the use of basic words. It would be nice for beginners if their translation was on there maybe even just in small font. Most of the words I already know but occasionally I forget and it would be nice to have a simple reminder. That honestly isn’t a big deal my one and only suggestion really is that it would be amazing if when given a word if in the answer section you had to pick each hiragana/katakan. Some what like a fill in the blank of that makes sense. Instead of just selecting the completed translation already spelled out in the answer box. Seriously though, this app is amazing and I really appreciate you for making it as clean and simple as possible.

I have been intimidated by the Japanese written language for many years. I have learned the spoken language on and off several times in my life and always lost steam because I figured, well, I will never learn to read or write Japanese anyway so what is the point. At age 43, and with a renewed interest in Karate, I am tackling the language once again. This time I intend to become fluent in the spoken language, and master both Hiragana and Katakana. I will worry about Kanji later, but am positive I can learn a few hundred...I mean, Japanese elementary school kids do right? So why not me? Anyway, this app is FANTASTIC for drilling the kana. I was AMAZED at how quickly I learned them all. I started this app yesterday and have already unlocked every row (you will see what I mean when you start using this app). And YES, it is true that this app is free and you only see ads if you make 5 mistakes. Then the mistake count is reset to zero. I have only seen like 3 ads so far, but now I know all of the Hiragana so probably will not see anymore ads while doing those drills. FINALLY AND PLEASE READ THIS: The drills build in complexity and soon you are recognizing words like Yakitori...I LOVE THIS APP!!!

I’m a total beginner learning the language on my own and trying to memorize both the Hiragana and Katakana charts. This app helped me memorize both. I like that it has a mini dictionary to let you know what words mean (I’m not too concern about definitions at the moment, I’m strictly focusing on learning each character). The helpful part about this app testing you with words is that it allows the app to throw multiple characters at the same time so that you can memorize multiple ones easier. Lastly, what I also love is that it won’t let you pass to other row of characters until you know the current row well enough. DOWNLOAD IT!

SUGGESTION TO DEVELOPER:

I like that you have the Hiragana and Katakana drills separate, BUUUTTT it would also be nice to have a third drill with a combination of both even if you don’t drill us including actual words. It can just be random characters thrown at us using combination of both Hiragana and Katakana. OR ... if you want, just use the same words but mix the spelling of the words using a combination of both Hiragana and Katakana. Thank you!