Learn Japanese,
one word 言葉 at a time.
Translate, save, and practice Japanese vocabulary with a warm little companion that keeps you going.
Download on the App Store
Why I built Paw-San
I started learning Japanese the way most people do: apps that gamify everything, flashcard decks with thousands of words I'd never use, and textbooks that made me feel like I was back in school.
None of it stuck. What actually helped was looking up words I encountered in real life, writing them down, and coming back to them later. The problem was, there was no tool that made that loop feel easy.
So I built Paw-San. You type a word, a phrase, or even a full sentence. Paw-San breaks it down: the Japanese, the reading, the meaning, example sentences, and pronunciation you can actually hear. If it's useful, you keep it. If you want to practice, you can have a small conversation using your saved words.
There's no streak counter. No leaderboard. No guilt. Just a simple place to collect the Japanese that matters to you and revisit it when you're ready.
The name comes from a little cat paw mascot that sits in the corner of the app. Paw-San. It felt right for something small, warm, and a little playful.
I hope it helps you the way building it helped me.
Smart Translation
AI-powered analysis that gives you readings, meanings, part of speech, JLPT level, and example sentences.
Voice Input
Speak a word or sentence and Paw-San transcribes and translates it. Great for words you hear but can't type.
Vocabulary Shelf
Every translation becomes a card you can keep. Build your own personal Japanese dictionary over time.
Small Talk Practice
Chat with Paw-San using your saved words. Each message shows an interlinear breakdown so you learn while you read.
Natural Pronunciation
Hear every word and sentence spoken naturally. Choose from multiple voice styles with premium ElevenLabs voices.
Camera & Photo Scan
Point your camera at Japanese text or pick a photo. Paw-San extracts and translates the text for you.