When you study English, you often wonder:

  • “Is this natural?”
  • “Would a native speaker really say this?”
  • “Is there a better word?”

That doesn’t stop once you become a teacher. I still ask myself these questions all the time.

I teach English, but I’m also a language learner, just like my students. So I’d like to share some honest thoughts about dictionary apps—not marketing, just experience.

Why I Love Takoboto (for Learning Japanese)

First, a quick note about Japanese learning.

I absolutely love Takoboto. It’s one of the best-designed dictionary apps I’ve ever used.

What makes Takoboto special

  • Very learner-friendly
  • Clear information without feeling overwhelming
  • Handles conjugations well
  • Makes it easy to turn words into Anki flashcards
  • Smooth flow from “look up” → “study”

Unfortunately, there’s nothing quite like Takoboto for Japanese learners of English.

I really wish there were.

About LogoVista Dictionaries (Wisdom, Genius, etc.)

LogoVista dictionaries have a strong reputation for quality.

However:

  • They are extremely expensive
  • Most learners simply don’t need that level of investment

To be honest, I’ve never used them myself.

I don’t have money to burn, and I never felt they were necessary for my own learning. Because of that, I can’t really recommend them—or criticize them—fairly.

👉 If you’ve paid for one and use it regularly, I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts.

My Thoughts on Eijiro

I think Eijiro is terrific.

Pros

  • Very practical
  • Includes entries you won’t find in other dictionaries
  • Covers real-world English
  • Designed for Japanese learners

Cons

  • The ads are very intrusive
  • They can break your concentration

Even so, the content is excellent.

There are many times when Eijiro is the only place that has the phrase I’m looking for.

Weblio (This Is Where I’m Picky)

Weblio is extremely popular and easy to access.

That said, I’m not a big fan.

Pros

  • Free
  • Easy to use
  • Includes audio

Cons

  • Many example sentences sound unnatural
  • Often feel like direct translations from Japanese
  • Don’t always reflect how native speakers actually talk

It’s fine for checking meanings, but I don’t think it’s ideal for learning natural English usage.

So… What Should You Use?

You don’t need an expensive app to learn English well. What matters is this:

Don’t ignore things you don’t understand.

And:

Use a dictionary to think, not just to get an answer.

I still use dictionaries. I’m still learning.

If you’re studying English, we’re honestly doing the same thing— just at different points on the road. 🌟

Have a favorite dictionary app I missed? Tell me about it in our next lesson!