Onomanabi
Takeshi Nogi Education iPhoneiPadiPod touch
Onomanabi is a free Education app for iPhone and iPad by Takeshi Nogi. Requires iOS 16.4. Updated October 1, 2026.
- Price
- Free
- on the App Store
- Size
- 93 MB
- Age 4+
- Updated
- Oct 1
- 2026 · v1.1.17
Screenshots
About Onomanabi
Stop translating. Start feeling. Onomanabi teaches Japanese onomatopoeia — the sound and mimetic words (giongo and gitaigo) that carry nuance no dictionary translation captures. The kana themselves move, so you feel the difference before you read the explanation. Built for intermediate-to-advanced learners (JLPT N3–N1) and Japanese teachers alike. WHY ONOMATOPOEIA "Doki-doki." "Zaa-zaa." "Kira-kira." Japanese is full of words whose real meaning lives in a feeling, not a translation. Onomanabi makes that feeling visible. FEEL IT THROUGH MOTION Every word moves in its own way — spinning, bouncing, stretching, trembling — so you feel the difference between "zaa-zaa" and "para-para" instead of just reading about it. USAGE MAPS Each word sits on a map of nearby words, with axes chosen for the subject: soft to hard for textures, negative to positive for feelings. COMPARISON MODE (PREMIUM) Tap a nearby word on the usage map and the comparison opens right below, with a native note on the decisive difference — the nuance dictionaries flatten out. QUIZZES THAT STICK Multiple quiz types (4-choice, typing, comparison) with mistake-prioritized, spaced-repetition review. LEVELS & COLLECTION A guided six-level path and word-collection progress, plus a daily word to keep you coming back. FOR TEACHERS A category- and level-organized reference for a subject most textbooks barely cover. FREE TO START Levels 1–2, part of the dictionary, and usage maps are free — no account needed. Your progress and reviews are saved on your device. The dictionary, quizzes, and reviews work offline. PREMIUM (ONE-TIME, NOT A SUBSCRIPTION) - 1,500+ words - Levels 3–6 - Comparison mode and comparison quizzes - No further payments, ever Japanese nuance isn't something you translate. It's something you feel. Start with today's word.
What’s new
Version 1.1.17 · Updated October 1, 2026
Polished usage maps and comparison details, and aligned navigation for a clearer learning experience.
App privacy
The developer, Takeshi Nogi, reported these privacy practices to Apple.
Data Linked to You
The following data, which may be collected and linked to your identity, may be used for the following purposes:
- Purchases: Purchase History
- Usage Data: Product Interaction
- Contact Info: Email Address
- Identifiers: User ID
Used for: Analytics, Product Personalization, App Functionality
Alternatives to Onomanabi
Looking for apps like Onomanabi? Here are 6 similar apps on the App Store. The highest rated is NihonGO Dominos (5.0/5), and 5 of the 6 are free to download.
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Yamato Match
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NihonGO Dominos
5.0
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| App | Rating | Price | Last updated | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onomanabi | – | Free | October 1, 2026 | |
| Yamato Match | – | Free | Oct 2, 2026 | Compare |
| ippun: kanji match & reading | – | Free | Jun 1, 2026 | Compare |
| NihonGO Dominos | 5.0 / 5 (2) | Free | Aug 27, 2026 | Compare |
| Keigo Pro | – | 4.99 USD | Mar 24, 2026 | Compare |
| Voikerchat - Speak Japanese | – | Free | Sep 7, 2026 | Compare |
| Bravissimo Italian | – | Free | Sep 7, 2026 | Compare |
Compare Onomanabi with the top alternatives: ratings, updates, ASO score and keyword gaps →