Hi! It’s me, Sensei!
Living in Japan, do you ever have these troubles (Trouble)?
- You can’t read the Kanji on letters in your mailbox (Post / Posto / ポスト).
- You don’t know how to use products at the supermarket.
- You want to send a LINE to your company boss (Boss / Joushi / 上司), but you don’t know the correct honorifics (Keigo).
It’s okay if Japanese is difficult. Smartphones have convenient “Translation Apps (Honyaku App / 翻訳アプリ).”
This time, I will introduce 2 apps you must install if you work in Japan.
1. Translate what you see! “Google Translate”
First up is “Google Translate,” which everyone knows.
The strongest feature of this app is “Camera Input.”
If there are “Kanji you can’t read” on letters from the City Hall (Shiyakusho / 市役所), gas bills, or food labels at the supermarket, just hold your camera over them and they will turn into your country’s language.
If you use the “Real-time translation” feature, Japanese will change to English or Vietnamese on the screen without even pressing the shutter.
It’s also convenient when looking at menus at restaurants (Restaurant / Resutoran / レストラン)!
Google Translate (Free)
2. Write natural Japanese! “DeepL Translate”
“Google Translate” is convenient, but when you create long sentences, the Japanese sometimes becomes strange.
When making a report to your boss or writing important emails, “DeepL” is recommended.
AI (Artificial Intelligence) creates very natural and polite (Polite / Teinei / 丁寧) Japanese for you.
- When Reading ➡ Google Translate (Camera is convenient!)
- When Writing ➡ DeepL (Sentences are natural!)
DeepL Translate (Free version available)
⚠️ Important Advice: Don’t rely too much on apps!
These apps are “God Apps (Kami App / 神アプリ),” but if you leave everything to apps every day, your Japanese skills (Nihongo Noryoku / 日本語能力) will not improve at all.
You won’t remember Kanji, and you won’t acquire grammar.
Please use apps strictly for “checking answers (Kotae-awase / 答え合わせ).”
- First, try reading or writing by yourself.
- Use the app only for parts you don’t understand.
Repeating this process will make you grow.
If you want to “become better at Japanese!” or “pass N3 or N2!”, let’s establish a habit of studying properly instead of just relying on apps.
To use translation apps outside (SIM Card)
Finally, something very important.
To use translation apps at supermarkets, City Hall, or when you are out, Internet (Data connection) is necessary.
Do you have a SIM card that suits you so you can use your smartphone even in places without Wi-Fi?
If you feel “My current SIM is expensive” or “I don’t have enough data capacity,” it might be better to switch to a cheaper and easier-to-use SIM.
Summary: Let’s use convenient tools “wisely”
The Language Barrier (Kotoba no kabe / 言葉の壁) becomes lower if you use apps.
However, what overcomes it is “your own power” and “preparation.”
Please prepare translation apps and an internet environment that connects anytime, anywhere, and enjoy your life in Japan more!
