JP Decoder Get the free app

JP Decoder · Real Japanese you can actually say

Can I actually say this in Japanese?

Get 30 real Japanese phrases with examples, audio, quizzes, and “Can I use this in real life?” notes. Free.

Free sample: 30 entries · Full version: 300 entries
We only use your email to send the free app and a few short learning emails. No spam, unsubscribe in one click. Privacy policy

Textbook Japanese vs real Japanese

Your friend texts

What do you reply?

Textbook

Correct. But to a friend, it sounds like a job interview.

Real life

“So true.” What friends really reply. Just not to your teacher or your boss.

Context decides

One word. Good or bad?

Every example comes with a one-line note on what the word means right there, and how you can tell.

This movie is insane. You have to see it!

Good · 絶対見て (“you have to see it”) makes it praise.

Wait, you lost your wallet? That’s bad!

Bad · A lost wallet is real trouble.

Honestly, it was amazing. I want to go again!

Good · また行きたい (“I want to go again”) tells you.

See how やばい works in all 30 free phrases.

Free sample app with audio and quizzes, sent to your email.

The entry page for やばい in the app: meaning, literal meaning and what it really means

Every entry tells you

Not just what it means. Whether you can say it.

Can I use this?

Real life OK, use with care, or avoid. A straight answer for every one.

Where & who

LINE, social posts, out loud, shops, work. Teens and 20s, or all ages.

Real examples

Lines people actually say, each with an “In context” note.

Say this instead

A realistic mistake next to the natural fix.

300 entries · 5 chapters

Five worlds of real Japanese.

01

Everyday Slang

80 entries

02

Japan Survival

70 entries

03

Anime Japanese

60 entries

04

Emotion & Reaction

50 entries

05

Don’t Say This

40 entries

Anime Japanese vs real Japanese

Cool in anime. Scary at work.

Don’t say

“Prepare yourself.” Fine as an obvious joke with friends. Said seriously, it sounds like a threat.

Say this instead

“I won’t lose next time!” Same fire, real-life friendly.

The app

Search, listen, quiz, and know what sounds natural.

  • —Clear audio for every example, at natural speed or slow
  • —Spaced-repetition cards and a listening mode
  • —Quizzes: meaning, usage, “Can I use this?”
  • —Furigana on every kanji, romaji under every line
  • —Opens in your browser. No account, nothing to install
The Today screen: today’s deck, study mode and progress
Examples for やばい with furigana, romaji, English and In context notes

Try 30 real phrases free first.

Same app as the full version. No card needed.

Pricing

Try it free. Keep the full app forever.

Launch week: $29 instead of $39 · first 100 learners

One-time payment. No subscription, no monthly fees. Pay once and it’s yours.

Free Sample

$0

  • 30 real phrases
  • The app with audio and quizzes
  • Sent to your email
Get it by email

Full App Launch price

$39$29 one-time

  • Pay once, keep it forever. No subscription.
  • All 300 entries
  • “Can I use this?” for every one
  • Clear audio for every example
  • Opens on Gumroad, progress saved
  • Printable PDF included
Get the full app

Founder Pack

$59 one-time

  • Everything in the full app
  • The next 100-entry pack when it’s released
Get the Founder Pack

Questions

Is it a subscription?+

No. You pay once and the full app is yours to keep. No monthly fees, no renewals. Updates to the 300 entries are included.

What’s in the free sample?+

30 entries from all five chapters (6 from each), with the same app, audio, examples and quizzes as the full version, plus a PDF.

Do I need to read kanji?+

No. Every kanji has furigana and every example has romaji and English.

Does it work on my phone?+

Yes. The free sample opens in any browser. The full app opens on Gumroad with the Play button and saves your progress. Use one tab at a time.

Is the audio recorded by native speakers?+

No. It’s clear synthesized Japanese, checked for correct readings. You can play it slowed down too.

What do you do with my email?+

We use it only to send you the free app and a short series of emails about learning real Japanese, plus occasional news about the app. We never sell it or share it for advertising. Every email has a one-click unsubscribe link. Details are in our Privacy Policy.

Can I get a refund?+

Yes. Email us within 30 days of your purchase and we’ll refund you in full. Payments are processed securely by Gumroad; we never see your card number.

Who makes this

Made by native Japanese speakers. Including Japanese teachers.

A small team in Japan. We write every entry and every example ourselves, and check how people really talk now, not how a textbook says they should.

A note from the team

The question we hear most from learners is “Can I actually say this?” Textbooks almost never answer it. So we made the thing we wished we could hand them: real Japanese, with an honest answer for every phrase.
— The JP Decoder team, Japan

Real Japanese, decoded.

Learn the Japanese people actually use. Know when to use it, when not to, and what to say instead.