How to read Japanese light novels in the original (raws), with translation
“Raws” are Japanese originals that have no official translation yet. Most readers use one of three tools: a machine-translation browser extension, a pop-up dictionary such as Yomitan, or a fan translation next to the original. Machine translation mixes up names and honorifics from one chapter to the next; a pop-up dictionary explains one word at a time, so long sentences stay hard; and a fan translation has to exist first.
LightNovelLingo puts the original and the translation together: every Japanese sentence has its translation right underneath, and you can open word-by-word glosses when you want to learn. Here is how.
1. Get the text
Use files you legally own: DRM-free EPUB, or TXT, Word or text-based PDF. For web novels, save chapters as TXT. We do not provide book downloads or help remove DRM; DRM-protected EPUBs are detected and refused.
2. Import
Sign up, choose “Import a book” on the home page and pick the file. EPUBs are converted in your browser and the file is never uploaded; chapters follow the table of contents and furigana and illustration pages are dropped. Imported books are visible only to you.
3. Fix the names first (Find names)
On the preview page, tap “Find names”. It lists the people, places, organisations and terms in the book with suggested translations, using the names of the published translation where the model knows them. Edit anything you like; the whole book is then translated with that list, so a name never changes halfway through.
4. Choose how to read
Story mode shows the original and a full translation only, for when you just want to follow the plot; it uses roughly a quarter of the credits of the learning mode (an estimate). Read-and-learn adds a short meaning under each word or phrase, and glosses for words you keep seeing fade out. You can switch at any time.
5. Read
Kanji have furigana and vertical text is available. Tap any word for its meaning in that sentence, or tap the play button to hear the sentence. Words you look up are saved.
Try a public-domain book first
No account needed: these Japanese classics come with English glosses and are free to read.
The writers of Bungo Stray Dogs → · Browse the library →
FAQ
Is it free?
Library books are free. Your own imports use credits: sign-up gives 50 pages and a daily check-in adds 10 more; story mode stretches that much further. You can also add your own API key in Model settings and not use platform credits.
Can other people see my books?
No. Imports stay in your account and browser and never enter the public library.
Which languages?
The original can be Japanese, English, Korean, French, German and more; glosses and translations can be English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and others.
How accurate is the translation?
Translations and glosses are generated in context by AI models. They are readable but can be wrong, especially with puns and dialect. A name list keeps names and terms consistent.
Does it work for Korean or Chinese web novels?
Yes: choose the original language and your own language when importing.