Jsho is a free, offline Japanese dictionary application for Android developed by Richard L. It uses the open-source JMDict dictionary database and provides multi-radical kanji search, pitch accent information, conjugation tables, and direct export to AnkiDroid for vocabulary review.
In-Depth Explanation
Platform: Android (Google Play: `ric.Jsho`). 1,000,000+ downloads; 4.5 stars with over 8,000 ratings. Free with optional ads. Offline-capable; all dictionary data stored on device. Last updated October 2025.
Jsho is built on JMDict, the widely used open-source Japanese-multilingual dictionary maintained by the Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group (EDRDG). This gives it the same underlying word list as browser tools such as Jisho.org, with the advantage of full offline access on mobile.
Search Methods
The app supports multiple kanji lookup methods: text input (kanji, hiragana, katakana, or romaji), multi-radical search (select multiple radicals to narrow down an unknown character), stroke count filtering, and SKIP pattern entry. This makes it practical for looking up characters encountered in the wild — in a book, on a sign, or in a game — without internet access.
Dictionary Content
Each entry includes English definitions, part of speech, common usage markers (common/uncommon), JLPT level tags, pitch accent notation, example sentences (from the Tatoeba corpus), and verb conjugation tables for verb and adjective entries. Kanji entries include stroke order diagrams.
AnkiDroid Integration
Words and phrases can be exported directly to AnkiDroid — the Android version of the Anki spaced repetition flashcard application — allowing learners to add vocabulary encountered during dictionary lookup directly into their review queue without manual card creation.
History
Jsho is an independent, community-oriented application built on open-source lexical resources. Its use of JMDict places it in the same family as Jisho.org and other JMDict-based tools. The app has been available on Android for several years and reached one million downloads while remaining free and ad-supported — a model that keeps it accessible to learners globally. The developer has maintained the application through regular updates despite it being a solo independent project.
Common Misconceptions
“Jsho is the same as Jisho.org.”
Both use the JMDict database, so their core word lists overlap significantly, but they are independent products with different interfaces, features, and search capabilities. Jisho.org is a web-based browser tool; Jsho is a standalone Android app with offline capability, pitch accent display, and AnkiDroid export — features not available in the standard Jisho.org interface.
“The dictionary requires an internet connection.”
Jsho stores all dictionary data locally on the device. All core functions — word search, kanji lookup, conjugation tables — work fully offline.
Social Media Sentiment
Jsho is frequently mentioned on r/LearnJapanese as the go-to recommendation for Android learners seeking a lightweight, offline Japanese dictionary. It is typically cited alongside Anki because of the AnkiDroid export feature, which fits well into sentence-mining workflows. The free price point and offline capability are the most commonly cited advantages. Some users prefer apps with more integrated learning features (such as SRS within the dictionary app itself), but Jsho’s focused dictionary functionality is generally well-regarded. No significant controversy is associated with it.
Last updated: 2026-05
Related Terms
See Also
Research
- Richard L. (n.d.). Jsho — Japanese Dictionary [Mobile application]. Google Play Store (`ric.Jsho`). https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ric.Jsho
Summary: Primary source for all app-specific details including developer, feature set (JMDict database, multi-radical search, pitch accent, conjugation tables, AnkiDroid export), offline capability, and download and rating figures. Verified May 2026.
- Breen, J. (2004). JMDict: A Japanese-multilingual dictionary. In Proceedings of the Workshop on Multilingual Linguistic Ressources (pp. 71–79). COLING 2004.
Summary: Documents the JMDict open-source Japanese dictionary project — the database that underlies Jsho and other dictionary tools — describing its structure, coverage, and the collaborative editorial model that maintains its accuracy and breadth.
- Nation, I. S. P. (2001). Learning Vocabulary in Another Language. Cambridge University Press.
Summary: Establishes that dictionary consultation combined with deliberate review — such as adding looked-up words to spaced repetition flashcard systems — substantially improves retention compared to passive encounter alone, supporting the use of Jsho’s AnkiDroid export feature as part of a vocabulary acquisition workflow.