Learn Japanese by reading: real classics with notes under every word
You want to read a Japanese story, but looking up kanji and unfamiliar words can make it hard to follow the plot. Even when you know the words, a long sentence or an older expression can still leave you unsure.
LightNovelLingo puts word-by-word notes and a sentence translation alongside the original Japanese. You can tap a word for an explanation and check readings for kanji. Notes gradually decrease as you read. The public-domain books in the library are free to read in your browser.
1. Start with a short work
Check the difficulty labels in the library and try a short story or fairy tale first. The Spider’s Thread is a shorter commitment than a novel. These are original texts, so even a short work may contain difficult language.
2. Choose how much help to show
Use the original with word-by-word notes and sentence translations when you want to read closely. You can also show just the original and sentence translations to follow the story, and switch as you go.
3. Look up a word when you get stuck
Tap a word for an explanation in context and use the kanji readings when needed. Notes gradually decrease as you read. AI-generated notes and translations can be wrong, so check the surrounding text if something seems odd.
4. Make room for the next session
Set a reading plan that fits your week and check in after reading. When you finish a book, you can generate a share card to mark what you have read.
Try a story, or start a novel
These are original Japanese works. The library includes the full text of Botchan; try an opening before deciding what to continue.
Japanese short reads for beginners → · Browse the library →
Questions before you start
Is it free?
The public-domain books in the library are free to read. Importing your own EPUB, TXT or PDF needs an account and credit. Signing up gives you pages, and daily check-ins let you claim more.
Do I need an app or an account?
You can try the library in your browser without downloading an app or registering. You need an account to import your own books.
How does this compare with graded readers?
Graded readers use language chosen for a particular level. These are original works, not graded adaptations, so vocabulary and grammar can be harder and sometimes dated. A short story is a smaller starting point; word notes and kanji readings provide help along the way. If you are starting from zero, learn some basic vocabulary and grammar alongside your reading.
How is it different from browser translation?
Browser translation is useful for getting the meaning of a page quickly. Here, word-by-word notes, readings and sentence translations stay with the original, and you can tap words for explanations while reading.
Why are the books old?
The public library uses public-domain works, so most are older books. They can contain expressions you would not hear in everyday conversation today. You can also import an EPUB, TXT or PDF you have the right to use.