How It All Works

The basic goal of Read The Kanji is to simply ask you, the user, to read a kanji compound and type in the answer. We believe that combining reading with the physical act of typing helps ensure that your kanji readings are perfect and helps fill in any missing gaps in your knowledge. We also strive to make Read The Kanji the most streamlined kanji study application out there, so we are constantly improving upon it. Here are just a few of the unique features that we have so far:

Javascript IME Pad

One thing which we've included is a Javascript IME Pad, which translates your keystrokes into Japanese as you type. With this, it's much easier to see the answer you are submitting, avoid romaji confusions, and type in Japanese without having to set up the IME pad on your home computer. This is especially difficult is you are using a computer where you do not have such control (at a library, for example).

Quiz Customization

Also, you can customize the quiz to show (or hide) whatever elements you don't want to see. By default, we all have all the elements turned on:

  • Big, easy-to-read kanji
  • English definitions
  • Japanese Sentence
  • English Sentence

However, you can freely add or remove these options as you wish. For example, if you want to remove the English definition to help you focus on studying just sentences, click the "prefs" menu option at the top, and under "Hide Quiz Elements", just check the definition element to hide it from view. The definition will then be hidden from view during the quiz, and moved to the top in the form of a yellow tab. If you run across a word whose definition you don't know, just click this yellow tab anytime to reveal it. The definition will still be hidden from view for subsequent words. This showing/hiding of elements allows Read The Kanji to customize to your own study habits.

Word/Kanji Info Popups

Also, during the quiz, try clicking on the word in question. You'll see a pop up of all of that word's kanji and details without completely giving away the answer, kind of like a small cheatsheet to help you remember. You can also click on the last word completed on the right hand side to reveal all the readings and sentences for that particular word.

Read The Kanji is great for reading practice and mastering kanji reading patterns, but because it uses actual Japanese sentences, it has the side benefits of helping with:
  • Learning new vocabulary
  • Benchmarking yourself for an upcoming JLPT test
  • Expose yourself to new grammar
  • Crazy awesome Japanese typing speed improvements
Read The Kanji is made by squarefour, a small New Orleans web design and development firm. Support us by telling your friends about Read The Kanji, or tweet about us to the entire world!

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