2,215 words, up to grade 9
Core vocabulary from elementary school English through the third year of junior high, each with an example sentence and Japanese translation with furigana.
English vocabulary for ages 6–15
The more you play,
the more words stick.
Every right answer makes the screen and the music a little more festive. Mistakes never cost points, and gentle hints help every child finish the round.
The signature feature
Every answer turns
the party up!
Right answers earn sparkles, and the confetti, lights and music build up question by question until the final one sets off a full celebration. “One more round!” comes naturally.
1Starts calm
2Builds up
3Grand finale!
How it teaches
Questions that grow
with each word
A new word starts as a card. As it sticks, it comes back as a listening question, and finally your child spells it out. Words return just as they are about to be forgotten.
- 1CardSee the meaning, hear the word
- 2MeaningPick from four
- 3ListeningHear it, find it
- 4Fill-inComplete the example
- 5SpellingType it letter by letter
- 6Word orderBuild the sentence
Reviews are scheduled automatically by FSRS, an algorithm based on memory research.
Pronunciation
Have a listen
Every word and example sentence is recorded in a natural English voice and plays instantly, even offline.
☝︎ Tap a card
Little things that bring kids back
Mistake notebook
Missed words go to the notebook automatically. Words missed again and again are marked as weak spots, and the app drills the exact choices and letters that trip your child up.
Placement check
A 12-question check suggests the right starting level. You can also pick a level yourself.
An honest 100
Hints always lead to the answer, but the score rewards getting it right the first time — so a perfect 100 really means something.
Missions, stickers, calendar
Daily missions, login stickers and a streak calendar. Missed a day? A “rest-day eraser” keeps the streak alive.
Today’s story
Apple Intelligence writes a short English story with the words your child just learned, with a Japanese translation. Requires a device that supports Apple Intelligence.
Meet the buddies
Choose a favorite. Your buddy cheers every right answer and is there to encourage after a miss.
Give them a tap ☝︎
For parents
Made to hand to
your child with confidence.
Popotan is deliberately simple, so children can use it on their own.
Read the privacy policy →✕
No ads, free
No advertising, ever shown. All features are currently free.
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No account
No name, email or age to enter. Download and start.
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Data stays with you
Learning records are stored only on the iPhone and in your own iCloud, and are never sent to us or anyone else. No analytics or tracking tools.
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No outside links
No links to websites or social media and no chat inside the app.
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You decide on reminders
After the first round, the app asks whether to allow an early-evening (6 pm) reminder. Turn it off anytime in Settings.
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Private AI
“Today’s story” runs on Apple’s on-device model or Apple’s Private Cloud Compute. We never see the stories.
Questions
Is it free?
Yes. All features are currently free, with no ads.
What ages is it for?
Grade 3 of elementary school through the third year of junior high (about ages 8–15), in five stages: grades 3–4, grades 5–6, and junior-high years 1, 2 and 3. The placement check finds the right starting point. Adults brushing up are welcome too.
Does it work offline?
Yes. Word practice and pronunciation work fully offline. “Today’s story” may use the network depending on the device.
Which devices are supported?
iPhone with iOS 17 or later. “Today’s story” appears on devices that support Apple Intelligence when it is turned on.
What happens when we change phones?
If you are signed in to iCloud, just sign in with the same Apple ID on the new iPhone and the records come along. Two iPhones on the same Apple ID stay in sync automatically.
Start today,
with a buddy.
Rounds are short — perfect for a few spare minutes.