Nihongo Apps VI · Tiếng Việt

Hiyoko

For complete beginners

Learn Japanesefrom zero.

Hiyoko takes you from your first Hiragana to N1 in 3–4 minute rounds on iPhone and iPad, with Hiyo the chick cheering you on every day.

See what’s insideComing soon to theApp Store

Hiyoko · Japanese from zero

A small step every day, with Hiyo along for the ride.

Hiyoko is a Japanese app for beginners on iPhone and iPad: an N5 to N1 path in 3–4 minute rounds, native-speaker audio for vocabulary, stroke-by-stroke writing, and reviews that arrive on time.

5levels from N5 to N1
3–4minutes per round
2streak shields for missed days
  1. Hiyoko path map at N5
    Path

    One N5 → N1 path, one small round at a time

    Go from Hiragana and Katakana through N5, N4, N3, N2 and N1. Each round has at most 4 new words and a clear stopping point; Continue combines due reviews, a new round and optional extra practice.

  2. A meaning question inside a round
    Vocabulary

    New words, spoken by native speakers

    Every word comes with native-speaker audio, example sentences and quick checks inside a 3–4 minute round.

  3. Word-matching game
    Games

    Play and remember

    Two short games to review words, plus review cards that arrive when you are close to forgetting.

  4. Weekly League leaderboard
    League

    A weekly League

    Earn XP alongside other learners to keep your streak moving. The League requires sign-in.

  5. Hiyo's wardrobe
    Wardrobe

    Raise Hiyo your way

    Complete daily quests, keep your streak, and dress Hiyo in hats, scarves and glasses.

Small details that help it stick.

FingerApple PencilHiragana · Katakana · Kanji

Write every stroke, get scored

Practise Hiragana, Katakana and kanji: write each stroke, get a score and see what to practise next. On iPad, write with Apple Pencil.

Pitch accent on the word card

Both are read はし, but the pitch differs. The high-low line right on the word card helps you sound more natural.

Topic courses and conversations

Learn by situation, with native-speaker audio and illustrations. All Topic courses are included in Pro+.

Graded listening and short reading

Listen at N5 and N4 at normal or slow speed; the transcript and translation appear only after you answer. Read short passages with optional furigana and romaji.

2 streak shields

Remember longer, keep your streak

Every card has a named memory stage and a next review date; after a few days away, Hiyoko asks for just a few cards before you continue. Everyone gets 2 shields that cover missed days, and each used shield returns after 7 days.

Speak and take dictation

Practise Kana, kanji, dictation and speaking with Hiyo. Speech recognition runs on device.

Dress up Hiyo

In the app, you unlock hats, scarves and glasses for Hiyo with the grain you earn by studying.

Pro

Hiyoko Pro and Pro+

Pro extends the Path; Pro+ includes Pro and every Topic course. Pro+ comes as 3 months, 1 year or lifetime.

Start with the free content. Prices are shown in the app before you buy.

Study with peace of mind

A place to learn, not a place to be tracked.

  • No ads

    Neither Hiyoko nor Ganba shows ads. Nothing interrupts your session.

  • Private by default

    No tracking across other companies’ apps or websites, no advertising identifier and no third-party advertising SDKs.

  • Progress on your device

    No account needed to learn; sign in with Apple or Google only if you want to sync. Ganba offers downloadable packs for offline study.

  • Made in Vietnam, open to everyone

    English and Vietnamese interfaces and bilingual explanations for learners everywhere.

Ganba

N5–N1 test prep

Ready to test yourself?

Once you have a foundation, Ganba lets you sit N5–N1 mock tests and see an estimated score.

Discover Ganba
Reading question in exam mode

Frequently asked questions

How are Hiyoko and Ganba different?

Hiyoko teaches Japanese from zero with a lesson map, games and Hiyo the chick. Ganba is for when you want to sit N5–N1 mock tests, see estimated scores and read explanations.

Which app should I start with?

If you are still learning Hiragana and Katakana, or have studied for only a few months, start with Hiyoko. If you already have a foundation and an exam coming up, Ganba shows you where you stand.

Are the apps on the App Store yet?

Both are getting ready for release on the App Store: Hiyoko for iPhone and iPad, Ganba for iPhone. This page will link to them as soon as they are available.

Are they free?

Yes. Each app has a free way to learn. Pro unlocks more content and tools; prices are shown in the app for your App Store region.

Do I need an account?

No. You can start right away; Apple or Google sign-in is optional for syncing progress. Hiyoko’s weekly League requires sign-in.

How do I delete my account and data?

In the app, open Settings → Account. Each app’s privacy policy has step-by-step instructions.