★ 397
August 2026
Apache-2.0
Translation & language
What it does
Look up words while you read — novels, visual novels, anything with selectable text — with verb deconjugation so inflected forms resolve to their dictionary entry, pitch-accent display when you add a suitable dictionary, and custom word and name lists of your own. Supports a wide range of dictionary formats and lets you tune size, colour, opacity and hotkeys for almost everything. Windows, .NET Desktop Runtime 10 or later; dictionaries are sourced separately. Apache-2.0.
Summary based on the project's own description. The Japanese page has a fuller beginner guide: setup difficulty, what to prepare, and a step-by-step start.
Screenshots & visuals
Before you start
- Setup difficultySome setup needed
- Command lineNot required
- API keyNot required
- Sends data onlineNo
Judged automatically from the project's own metadata. Always confirm on the official page.
JL FAQ
- Is JL free?
- Yes. It runs on your own machine, so there is no usage-based cost either.
- Do I need to install anything or write code to use JL?
- You install it like a normal desktop app. No command line involved.
- Does JL work on a phone?
- No. It needs a computer.
- Does JL support Japanese?
- Yes, Japanese is supported.
- Can I use JL commercially?
- The licence is Apache-2.0, which permits commercial use. Conditions such as keeping the copyright notice still apply, so read the licence text before shipping it inside something.
How it compares
The conditions that decide whether you can actually use it, side by side.
| Tool | Command line | API key | Sends data out | Phone | Commercial use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JL (this page) | Not needed | Not needed | No | No | Yes |
| YomiNinja | Not needed | Not needed | No | No | Yes |
| RTranslator | Not needed | Not needed | No | Yes | Yes |
| Translate Web Pages (TWP) | Not needed | Not needed | Yes | No | Yes |
"Sends data out" means your input is uploaded to someone's server. Pick "No" when the material cannot leave your organisation.