jidoujisho

jidoujisho is an Android language-learning suite that brings video playback, reading, dictionary lookup, and flashcard creation together. It plays local media, YouTube videos, Jellyfin streams, and direct URLs; learners can select subtitle or paragraph text to look up words. Reading options include offline books in the embedded ッツ Ebook Reader and manga processed with Mokuro. Users can export cards with the current image and audio to AnkiDroid, and edit card fields before export. AnkiDroid is also required for installation. The app works with Yomichan, Migaku, and ABBYY Lingvo DSL dictionaries, but does not include dictionary data; Yomichan dictionaries using structured-content are unsupported. Other listed services include ChatGPT, Bing image search, Forvo, JapanesePod101 audio search, and example sentences from Massif, Tatoeba, and ImmersionKit. WebSocket support allows use with texthookers for games, visual novels, and other content. Japanese and English are officially supported; support for other languages depends on dictionaries and search algorithms. jidoujisho is free and open source under the GNU General Public License 3.0, and requires Android 7.0 or above.

jidoujisho combines media, reading, dictionary lookup, and card creation for Android language study. Its language support and AnkiDroid requirement are worth checking before installing.

It suits Android learners who want to study with video, books, or manga and make AnkiDroid cards from their material. Official language support is for Japanese and English.

jidoujisho brings together media playback, reading, word lookup and flashcard making in a single Android study workflow. It is a better fit for learners who want to build their own immersion routine than for anyone seeking a ready-made course or content library.

Its main strength is the path from a subtitle or passage to a dictionary entry and an AnkiDroid card. That convenience comes with setup requirements: you supply compatible dictionaries and media, and you need AnkiDroid installed.

Overview

As free, open-source software under the GNU General Public License 3.0, jidoujisho connects several self-directed study activities. You can play or read material, look up unfamiliar words, then export cards with the current image and audio, editing card fields before export. The workflow is compelling if you already have study materials and want to turn them into review cards; it is less suited to learners who expect bundled dictionaries or hosted media.

Key features

• Media and subtitles: Play local media, YouTube videos, Jellyfin streams and direct URLs, with support for video, audio and subtitle content. Tap or drag across subtitles to look up words. External subtitle formats include SRT, ASS and SSA, but image-based PGS subtitles are unsupported. The app does not host media, so you need to bring your own.
• Reading: Read books offline with the embedded ッツ Ebook Reader, or manga processed with Mokuro. Supported content also includes EPUB, HTMLZ, HTML manga and song lyrics. This makes the app useful for learners who want reading in the same toolkit as video study, though manga requires processing with Mokuro.
• Dictionary lookup: The app supports Yomichan, Migaku and ABBYY Lingvo DSL dictionary formats, but does not bundle dictionary data. Yomichan dictionaries using structured-content are unsupported. Compatibility is therefore a practical prerequisite, not a minor detail: learners need their own usable dictionary files.
• Card creation and integrations: Export cards to AnkiDroid with the current image and audio, and adjust fields before sending them. Other listed integrations include ChatGPT, Bing image search, Forvo and JapanesePod101 audio search, plus example sentences from Massif, Tatoeba and ImmersionKit. WebSocket support enables use alongside texthookers for visual novels, games and other content.
• Language coverage: Japanese and English are officially supported. Other languages may work depending on dictionary format and search-algorithm support, so learners studying another language should check compatibility before building a workflow around the app.

Pricing

Free — free. The free plan includes the free, open-source Android app, with offline access, transcripts or captions, and supported video, audio, subtitle and reading formats. There is no free trial because the software is free. There are no paid tiers to compare, but the practical costs are setup and dependencies: you need compatible dictionary data, media of your own and AnkiDroid for card export.

Platforms

jidoujisho is for Android 7.0 or above. Installation is through a GitHub APK selected for the device’s architecture, and setup requests file-storage permission and permission to interact with AnkiDroid. There is no iOS version; platform differences, file permissions, third-party services and distribution requirements are blockers to a feature-parity port. Learners on iPhone or iPad will need another option.

Who it's for

Choose jidoujisho if you study Japanese or English on Android, already manage your own media and dictionaries, and want a direct route from immersion content to AnkiDroid cards. It also suits learners who value offline reading and want video, reading and lookup together. Look elsewhere if you need an iOS app, bundled media or dictionaries, or reliable support for a language outside the officially supported pair.

The project invites users to seek help through its issue trackers, Discord or email, and welcomes contributors. Development alternates between active changes and periods focused on daily-use maintenance, so update frequency may vary.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Subtitle and passage lookups feed into editable AnkiDroid cards with image and audio, keeping several study steps in one workflow.
• Pro: Media playback and offline book reading cover a broad set of learner-chosen material without a subscription.
• Con: Dictionary data and media are not included, so learners must bring compatible files and sources.
• Con: AnkiDroid is required for card export, and installation requires Android 7.0 or above; iOS users cannot use the app.
• Con: PGS subtitles and Yomichan structured-content dictionaries are unsupported, which can rule out otherwise suitable media or dictionary setups.

Alternatives

• LingQ is worth considering if you want an Android, iOS, web or browser-extension option with a free membership that includes 20 saved words and phrases, 5 imported lessons and 1 audio playlist. Its Free plan is capped at those amounts.
• Lute is another free option if you prefer software installed locally, with no limits and support for Android, Linux, macOS, Windows, web and self-hosted use.
• Readlang is an alternative for readers who want a language-learning app available on Android, iOS, web and as a browser extension.
• Beelinguapp may suit learners looking for stories and news with a glossary and flashcards on Android or iOS; free users can switch languages only during their first 30 minutes.
• E-clair is another Android and iOS option, with a free plan that limits collections and monthly transcription of your own audio, while podcast episodes are handled more generously.
• SpeakAccent is an iOS alternative with a free plan for one learning language, a native-language podcast player and limited translation and study.
• OpenKoto is a free, open-source alternative for iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows.
• Gravity is an alternative with Android, iOS and macOS support and paid plans.

Verdict

jidoujisho is a strong choice for Android learners who want to turn their own video, books and other immersion material into dictionary lookups and AnkiDroid cards without paying for the software. Its connected workflow is the reason to choose it; the need to supply compatible dictionaries and media, plus the Android-only and AnkiDroid requirements, are clear reasons to look elsewhere.