Yomitan icon

Yomitan

An open-source pop-up dictionary that helps you read web pages in a language you are learning.

Reviewed by Xplorekit's independent developer · Last checked · How we choose

Add to Chrome Open source · Chrome Web Store · Source

Why it's a strong pick

Yomitan gives language learners instant lookups on the page they are reading. It is open source under GPL-3.0, and its code is public on GitHub. It uses Manifest V3, Chrome's current extension format. Its latest release, 26.9.8.0, came on 18 September 2026. It replaces Yomichan, which was sunset on 26 February 2023, per the README.

What it does

The README says Yomitan turns your browser into a tool for building language literacy, by helping you read texts that would otherwise be too difficult. It shows a pop-up definition window as you read. It supports many languages, with Japanese first. It ships with no dictionaries, so you import the ones you want.

Key features

  • Pop-up definitions. Look up words as you read.
  • Pronunciation audio. Native audio, with custom audio sources.
  • Kanji diagrams. See stroke-order diagrams.
  • Anki cards. Create flashcards through AnkiConnect.
  • Dictionary formats. Import several formats, including EPWING through a separate tool.
  • Search page. Use a custom search page.

Who it's for

Yomitan is for language learners who read on the web and want instant lookups. It started with Japanese, and the README says it now supports many languages. It is a dictionary for learners, not a full-page translator.

What permissions does Yomitan ask for?

Its source template lists storage, clipboardWrite, unlimitedStorage, declarativeNetRequest, scripting, offscreen and contextMenus, with clipboardRead and nativeMessaging as optional. It asks for access to all sites. We read the build template, not the built manifest, so check the install prompt before you add it, and compare it with this list.

Does Yomitan collect my data?

We found no privacy statement from the developer. Dictionaries are stored in your browser, and the optional Anki and native-messaging features talk to apps on your own computer. That is our inference from the permissions. We could not read the developer's privacy policy when we checked; read it before installing.

Do I need to import dictionaries?

Yes. Yomitan ships with none, so you import the ones you want before lookups work. Setup takes some minutes. The project site, yomitan.wiki, has the steps, and we did not read it in full. Plan for that setup time before you first use it, because the pop-up shows nothing until a dictionary is imported.

Is Yomitan a translator?

No. It is a pop-up dictionary for learners, so you look up words and phrases while you read. For whole-page translation, see KISS Translator in this category. The two do different jobs and work well side by side. Yomitan helps you read a language, while KISS Translator turns a page into your own language.

FAQ

Is it open source? Yes, under GPL-3.0.

Does it replace Yomichan? Yes. The README says Yomichan was sunset in 2023.

Does it work with Anki? Yes, through AnkiConnect, per the README.

Good to know

Import one dictionary first and test it on a page you know. Add more later, since each import uses browser storage. Expect some setup time before the first useful lookup.

Other translation tools to compare

Yomitan is one of 11 picks in our translation tools guide:

  • Google Translate: Google's own extension for translating selected text in a popup. Whole-page translation is built into Chrome now.
  • DeepL: DeepL's own browser extension. Free for selected text, with full-page translation on the paid Pro plan.
  • Immersive Translate: Bilingual translation for web pages, PDFs and video subtitles. The original text stays next to the translation.
  • OpenL Translate: One extension for selected text, bilingual web pages, a sidebar for longer text and image translation. Free plan with daily limits.
  • TWP - Translate Web Pages: An open-source, free page translator from an individual developer. It translates pages in place with the engine you pick.
  • Mate Translate: A translator and dictionary in one extension, from Gikken. Free to install, with a paid tier.
  • Simple Translate: Translate selected or typed text on any page with Google Translate or the DeepL API. Open source.
  • Read Frog: Open-source AI page translator that works with the providers you connect using your own API keys.
  • XTranslate: Translate words, selections and full pages with Google, Bing or an AI provider you add with your own API key.
  • KISS Translator: Shows translations beside the original text on any page, with many engines to choose from. Open source.

This is a third-party extension, not built or maintained by Xplorekit. We link to the official Chrome Web Store listing — install and permissions are entirely between you and the extension's own publisher.