What is mixed Japanese–English reading?
Read Japanese and English sentences together in one text. Start with a short example to see how it works.
Read in the language you are learning
Choose a reading mode and paste text in its source language. Sign in with Google to generate your own reading, or try a sample without signing in.
Tap a sentence to switch between the original and translation. The slider controls the language you are learning.
Read English with Japanese support
Read original English and check meanings in Japanese
Learn English from Japanese
Mix English into Japanese text
Read three sentences in sequence
“今日は新しいカフェに行きました。The place was quieter than I expected. 窓際の席で本を開きました。” Even if a word in the English sentence is unfamiliar, the Japanese around it helps you follow the setting and events.
Tap a sentence to switch between the original and translation. The slider controls the language you are learning.
Compare amount and difficulty using the same text
These excerpts use the same sample. Changing the amount changes how many sentences are in English; changing difficulty changes the English wording.
20% English
今日は新しいカフェに行きました。 思っていたよりも静かな場所でした。 窓際の席で、読みかけの本を開きました。 It started to rain outside. 雨粒が窓を伝うのを見ながら、最初の数ページを読みました。
80% English
今日は新しいカフェに行きました。 It was quieter than I thought. At a table by the window, I opened the book I was reading. It started to rain outside. I watched rain run down the window and read the first few pages.
One sentence, two difficulty levels
Original Japanese 完璧には分からなくても、物語は少しずつ先へ進みます。
Easy
I did not understand everything, but the story moved forward little by little.
Standard
Even if I did not understand every detail, the story kept moving forward.
How it differs from parallel translations
Parallel translations show Japanese and English side by side. Mixed reading shows one language per sentence in a continuous text. Switch to the original Japanese when you want to check an English sentence’s meaning.
When an English sentence is hard to read
Read the surrounding Japanese first to understand the topic. If one sentence is still unclear, switch it to Japanese, check the meaning, and continue.
Try your own text
Start with a short Japanese text. If it feels difficult, reduce the amount of English or switch to Easy.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of text should I start with?
Start with a short text you know or a topic that interests you. Familiar context makes it easier to follow the story and approach the English sentences.
Should I look up every unfamiliar word?
Try following the overall meaning first. Check only unclear sentences in Japanese, and look up any words that interest you after reading.