Kotowaza Quiz: Idioms

「一寸の虫にも五分の魂」— could you explain that, not just recognise it? Japanese proverbs and four-character idioms are easy to half-know. You have seen the phrase, you have a vague sense of it, and then someone asks and the words do not come. Kotowaza Quiz drills 972 of them, one four-choice question at a time, with the reading and an example sentence behind every answer. ■ Please read this first: the content is Japanese The interface is available in English, but every entry — the phrase, its reading, its meaning and the example sentence — is written in Japanese. This app is for people who already read Japanese, or who are studying towards it. If you cannot read Japanese yet, the questions will not be usable. ■ 972 entries across four categories Proverbs 252, Four-Character Idioms 301, Classical Idioms 125, Idiomatic Phrases 294. From the ones taught in school to the ones adults are expected to know. ■ Two ways to be asked "What does this phrase mean?" shows the phrase and four meanings. "Which phrase fits this meaning?" turns it around, so recognising a meaning is not enough — you have to recall the phrase itself. Mixed shuffles the two. ■ The reading and an example, on every answer Each answer opens an explanation: the phrase, its reading in kana, its meaning, and a sentence that uses it. Seeing the reading matters — it stops you memorising a phrase you cannot actually pronounce. The 125 Classical Idioms also cite their source, such as the Shiji, the Han Feizi or the Zhuangzi. ■ Sets of 10, 20 or 30 Pick the length. Ten questions take a few minutes, so one set fits into a commute or a queue. ■ 30 achievements Streaks, perfect sets, lifetime totals, per-format and per-category mastery, and playing on consecutive days. ■ Your record is kept Accuracy per category, lifetime questions and correct answers, best streak, and recent play history. Weak categories show up as numbers rather than a feeling. ■ Two colour themes A light Aqua and a deep Navy. Every colour is chosen per theme, so text stays readable either way. ■ One reminder a day A nudge at 8 PM and 8 AM on alternating days. Turn it off in Settings if you would rather not have it. ■ Works offline Everything is stored on your device. No account, no sign-in, and every feature works with no connection. ■ What is included - Proverbs: 252 - Four-Character Idioms: 301 - Classical Idioms: 125 (every one cited) - Idiomatic Phrases: 294 Total: 972 ■ About ads The app is free, supported by a banner at the bottom of the screen and a full-screen ad after every second set. We ask permission to use your device identifier to make ads more relevant. Declining changes nothing about what you can use.