Show HN: A simple web app to memorise Hiragana (app.tolearnjapanese.com)

4 points by bryanhogan 7mo ago ↗ HN

I made this web app because I wanted to learn Hiragana myself. I have used Anki a lot for language learning, but there are some things I dislike with it. I wanted a more gradual introduction of new characters. To be able to focus and get into a flow state more easily. No Spaced Repitition algorithm, instead memorise them as quickly as possible, to then be able to use them, the best way to remember things.

Instead of a binary pass/fail, every character goes through a 4-stage "session funnel" in a single sitting:

1. Matching: Simple pair matching to introduce characters and sounds.

2. Recognition: See Hiragana → Select Romaji.

3. Listening: Hear Audio → Select Hiragana

4. Writing: Hear Audio → Type the character

It's built using Svelte. A SvelteKit project but with a static build, plan is to use Capacitor to make Android and iOS versions of it.

Let me know what you think :)

2 comments

[ 0.94 ms ] story [ 19.4 ms ] thread

rook_line_sinkr 6mo ago ↗

Thank you, I really needed this, I have been postponing doing a refresher for some time.

If I could make a feature request: It would be awesome if there were a "no hearing" mode where the listening exercises can be switched off.

For accessibility reasons, and for when I'm on a train and forgot my headphones, or (purely hypothetical ;) ) at a social event where I just want to do something else while still appearing present ':D

rook_line_sinkr 6mo ago ↗

Minor bug: If I select most of the non-dakuten, non-handakuten, non-combined letter categories and select only matchups, it generates an enormous number of test pages.

I'm some 240 pages in, and the progress bar seems to have stopped moving at about 20%.

I don't really mind training "forever", but I guess motivation is higher with regular status reports.

If you could link to the source code, please? Then I may have a look at the code soon, and I'll make it a proper bug report and maybe submit a PR.

Thanks again! Makes my 2h train ride right now quite a bit more enjoyable :)