Tap-to-read word lookups
Tap a Japanese or Chinese word to see how to read it and what it means. The app also shows furigana, pinyin, and conjugation breakdowns as part of the lookup flow.
Toku Reader - 読
Toku Reader - 読 is an iPhone app for reading Japanese and Chinese with tap-to-define lookups, reading support, and study tools. It works across texts, websites, videos, and podcasts, with offline core features and a free plan that includes 50 word lookups per day.
Overview
Toku Reader - 読 is an iPhone app for reading Japanese and Chinese with tap-to-define lookups, reading support, and study tools built around text, web pages, videos, and podcasts. It is listed on the App Store as free with in-app purchases.
The app’s main job is to let readers tap any word to see its reading and meaning, then continue without leaving the content they are studying. It supports furigana, pinyin, conjugation breakdowns, animated stroke order, radical breakdowns, and a dictionary tab with handwriting input and reverse search.
Toku also goes beyond single passages. The source says you can paste or import texts, PDFs, and multi-chapter EPUBs; browse websites with readings added in place; watch videos with interactive subtitles; and listen to podcasts with a tappable transcript.
The app emphasizes local processing. The page says tokenization, dictionaries, OCR, and reviews run on-device, and that the core experience works offline. It also states that reading, watching, and listening are free, with a free plan that includes 50 word lookups per day and an upgrade option for unlimited lookups.
Core features
Text, PDF, and EPUB reading
Import or paste text, including PDFs and multi-chapter EPUBs, and continue reading with per-chapter progress on long books.
Web reader with annotated text
Open real websites in a browser view that adds readings to the page, with tabs, history, and a distraction-free reading mode.
Video study with subtitles
Watch videos with interactive subtitles that can be searched and tapped line by line, with reading support built into the subtitle flow.
Podcast listening tools
Listen to podcasts with tappable transcripts, episode downloads, background play, sleep timer, skip silence, chapters, and a downloads manager.
Dictionary and review workflow
Use the built-in dictionary, handwriting input, English reverse search, Anki import, WaniKani sync, and spaced-repetition review deck to study words over time.
Common use cases
Studying written Japanese or Chinese
Paste a sentence, import a PDF, or open a multi-chapter EPUB and tap words as you go. Per-chapter progress and fast lookups make it suitable for long-form reading sessions.
Reading the web in context
Read articles in a browser view that adds readings directly onto the page. Tabs, history, and a clean reading mode help when you want to work through real websites instead of isolated snippets.
Learning from video content
Watch videos with interactive subtitles that can be tapped line by line. This is useful for learners who want to follow along, check meanings on the spot, and practice with subtitle-based reading support.
Listening and shadowing practice
Listen to podcasts with a tappable transcript, then use shadowing tools such as auto-pause, replay, and slow playback to practice speaking along with the audio.
Managing vocabulary review
Save unfamiliar words to the built-in review deck, import an Anki deck, or connect WaniKani so study progress stays organized inside a single reading app.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Covers multiple study modes in one app: reading, web browsing, video subtitles, and podcasts.
- Supports both Japanese and Chinese, including furigana, pinyin, and character breakdowns.
- Works offline for core functions such as tokenization, dictionaries, OCR, and reviews.
- Includes study tools beyond lookup, such as a review deck, Anki import, and WaniKani sync.
- Offers a free plan, with reading, watching, and listening available before upgrading for unlimited lookups.
Cons
- The App Store page does not provide a full pricing breakdown, so the exact cost of the upgrade is not visible in the source.
- Supported file types and import sources are only partially documented in the provided materials, so buyers may want to confirm details before depending on a specific workflow.
- The app currently has a very small review base on the App Store, with 3 ratings shown on the page.
FAQ
What does Toku Reader do?
The app lets you tap Japanese or Chinese words to see readings and meanings. It also includes furigana, pinyin, conjugation breakdowns, stroke order, a dictionary tab, review decks, and support for web pages, PDFs, EPUB books, videos, and podcasts.
Does it work offline, and is there a free plan?
The source says the core experience works offline, including tokenization, dictionaries, OCR, and reviews. Reading, watching, and listening are free, with the free plan allowing up to 50 word lookups per day and an upgrade option for unlimited lookups.
What kinds of content can I read or study in the app?
The app supports pasting text, importing texts, PDFs, and multi-chapter EPUBs, browsing websites with readings added to the page, watching videos with interactive subtitles, and listening to podcasts with tappable transcripts.
Can I use Anki or WaniKani with Toku Reader?
Yes. The source says you can save words to a built-in spaced-repetition review deck, import an existing Anki deck while keeping scheduling history intact, and connect a WaniKani account so progress stays in sync.
How much does it cost?
The App Store page lists the app as free with in-app purchases. The pricing details are not shown in the provided source, so only the presence of a free tier and upgrade option can be confirmed.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Education
- Platform
- iPhone
- Developer
- Darren Nah
- Availability
- Free with in-app purchases
- Languages
- English
- App Store rating
- 5.0/5 from 3 ratings
- Source domain
- apps.apple.com
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