Vokabulo is unlike any other vocabulary app that you have ever worked with.
Don't take my word for it. Give it a try and decide for yourself. It's completely free to explore.
Is Vokabulo for you?#
Learning a foreign language takes time and no advertisement that promises you fluency in three weeks will change that. Only a regular and constant effort will get you there. But who said that this can't be an enjoyable experience?
Vokabulo was built by expats and professionals who have experienced this approach themselves many times and wanted to come up with a better way.
This is how Vokabulo was born.
Vokabulo looks great on iPhone too — but the screenshots in this guide use iPad, since the larger screen makes each feature easier to see.
We have made Vokabulo so easy to use, you shouldn't need to read this.
But if you enjoy finding the hidden gems, here's the quick setup.
Download Vokabulo from the Apple App Store.
Try Vokabulo for free for as long as you like with one language pair and up to 75 words.
To go beyond that, a subscription costing less than one espresso per week unlocks the full app (prices may vary by geography but it’s never more than an espresso!)
If you love language learning as much as we do, it would be great to have you as a Pro member.
Vokabulo uses advanced AI tools that create ongoing operating costs, so subscriptions help support the product and future improvements.
If you are signing up, you’ll breeze through a quick setup.
We just need to know your native language, the one you want to master, and a few bits of information that help us improve.
Sign in or sign up with your Apple or Google ID. It’s the smoothest way in. Face ID handles the security, so there are no codes to type in.
Prefer to use your email? No problem.
Vokabulo is passwordless. Enter your email address, and we’ll zip a six-digit code to your email inbox. Type it in, and you’re in.
Once your languages are set and you have signed in, Vokabulo will prepare a sample set with colloquial expressions in your learning language. This only takes a few seconds.
After that you’ll land on the Home screen and you are ready to go.
The sample set will be your starter pack to quickly understand Vokabulo.
If you would like to explore the settings, tap on the Vokabulo logo top left on the Home screen.
Now is actually a good time to replace the logo with your own image. Just click on the camera icon next to the left Vokabulo logo.
You can fill your library in five ways:
Vokabulo is packed with power-user shortcuts and hidden gems. Stick around and explore these docs to unlock the full potential.
The Home screen gives you an instant overview of the languages you are learning and your daily progress.
The language coach only gets to work when you have made significant progress on your language pair and will be updated once there is relevant activity from your side.
Language cards#
The language card below acts as a snapshot of your journey. At a glance, you’ll see:
Your personal vocabulary headquarters.
This is where you add, edit, tag, search, and review everything you want to learn.
Whether you’re reading a book, watching a video, listening to a podcast, or exploring an antique market in a foreign city, Vokabulo is ready to capture the moment.
Vokabulo is the fastest way to turn a fleeting thought into a permanent vocabulary card, complete with context and translation.
Icons at a glance#
Enter a new word#
To add a word, tap the plus (+) button in the top right corner.
You only need to do half the work. Type or paste a word (or phrase) into the relevant field,
and hit Translate. Vokabulo will start thinking.
Vokabulo will not just provide the translation, the gender of the original word (the "f." pill, if nouns have genders in your learning language) but also a context sentence which tells you how to use this word in a conversation.
Hit the green checkmark top right and the word will be saved to your personal word list.
If you want to save a full sentence you saw somewhere, enter it in the Context field below. If it’s just a word, use the fields at the top.
The example sentences vary between easy and rather sophisticated based on the proficiency level that you have specified. If you find them too easy or too hard, change your level in Settings und Languages.
Why context matters#
A word without context is like a fish out of water - it doesn't survive long in your memory.
That's why Vokabulo is about learning with context (an example sentence). Context clarifies the meaning, triggers better recall, and ensures you don't just know the word, but know how to use it.
Limits of AI#
Vokabulo runs on the latest, most powerful AI language models.
AI is a brilliant co-pilot, but it’s not infallible.
It handles 99% of cases very well, but it can occasionally trip over slang, ambiguity, or very rare meanings.
Treat the AI as a capable assistant, not an unquestionable authority. If a translation feels off, trust your gut: refine the context, edit the result, or try again with a clearer prompt.
Vokabulo has a backup AI for translations that is triggered automatically if the primary one is unavailable.
Not happy with a translation? Tap the round arrow button next to the green checkmark to re-roll the dice. Tapping it again cycles back to the first result. (Note: If you can't see the round arrow, then only one AI is currently available).
Edit words#
Your collection is yours. You can edit entries anytime to tweak translations, fix spelling, or refine the context.
Just tap on a word to open the edit dialog.
Share words#
Want to share your vocabulary with a friend or tutor? You can share individual words, an entire tag straight from the Tag Filter menu (long press), or use the bulk selection tool to pick exactly what you want to send.
Sharing works via Airdrop, email, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. and happens directly on the server.
It is completely effortless, no files need to be exchanged. Just a link that is valid for seven days. And with Airdrop there isn't even a link.
Long press on a word opens the Share dialog.
Pronunciation#
Vokabulo uses high-quality voices to make listening and repeating feel natural, not robotic.
Select your favorite voice individually for each language in Settings - Voices.
Search & Duplicates#
The search bar hunts through words, context fields, and even tags.
Search is smart enough to handle umlauts and accents for you. Type “Madchen,” and we’ll find “Mädchen.”
Vokabulo also keeps an eye out for duplicates. If you try to add a word that’s already in your collection (even in a slightly different form), we’ll flag it so your list stays clean.
Bulk actions#
Need to manage a whole list at once? Tap Select to enter bulk mode. You can pick specific items or select all.
This is perfect for:
Using Tags#
Tags are the fastest way to turn a chaotic list into a system.
Think of tags as smart folders.
Default tags#
Going into "binge mode"? You can set a Default Tag in Settings.
This means every new word you capture gets tagged automatically. Perfect for when you're reading a novel or watching a series and want to capture 50 words without tapping "Add Tag" 50 times.
Use the three dots icon top left to quickly change default tags.
Filter by tags#
You can filter your main list by one or multiple tags.
This makes it easy to review only the vocabulary relevant to what you're doing right now.
When a filter is active, the filter button turns red. Don't forget to tap "Clear" when you want to see your whole collection again.
Tag management#
Long-press an active tag filter to manage it.
Note: To make the delete dialog appear, you have to select the tag first. This is meant as a safety feature.
From here, you can rename the tag or delete all words associated with it (great for cleaning up temporary imports).
Sorting#
To see your collection in a new light, try switching up the sort order by tapping twice on the tab:
Quick Tip#
Wrong language? If you accidentally started typing a French word while your input was set to English, no stress. You can switch the language pair directly inside the add/edit dialog without leaving the screen.
Collecting words is fun, but making them stick is where the magic happens.
Vokabulo uses a smart Spaced Repetition System (SRS). It calculates roughly when you’re about to forget a word and brings it back for review around that moment.
This means you spend less time on words you already know and focus on the ones that need attention. When you don’t have enough words due on a given day, Vokabulo tops up your session with other words, so you always have something to practice.
The No-Cheat Philosophy#
A Quiz is not a test. It’s a memory training.
There are no points for "winning" a flashcard session, and nobody is watching. Cheating by peeking at the answer only cheats your future self.
The 5 levels#
Every word in your collection climbs a ladder of stages. Each time you get a word right, it moves up a stage and waits longer before it’s due again:
This dynamic system keeps your study load sustainable as your vocabulary grows: easy words drift far into the future, while tricky words keep circling back until they stick.
The intervals decide when a word is due. To keep your sessions from running dry, Vokabulo may occasionally show a word a little before it’s technically due, prioritizing the words closest to needing review. Answering correctly simply resets the word’s timer, so nothing is lost.
How to study#
You can start a session in two ways, depending on your mood:
Set a preset for study in the session to immediately start a session with your preferred tag filter and quiz settings. To change your presets, tap the three-dot menu in the top left.
Filters & Focus#
Want to prep for a specific situation? You can filter your study session by Tags (e.g., "Business," "Travel") or Levels (e.g., "New words only").
The Swipe Mechanics#
If you’ve ever used a dating app, you already know how to use Vokabulo. Start a session. Tap the card to reveal the answer.
This is about tracking your personal journey. Swipe left honestly. The app isn’t judging you; it’s adjusting the algorithm to help you learn faster.
Pause & Edit#
Interrupted? Tap the countdown timer at the top to pause your session.
Spotted a typo? If a card looks wrong or the context is confusing, don't just skip it. Long-press the upper text on the card to open the editor right there in the session. Fix it, save it, and keep flowing.
Pronunciation#
Building "silent vocabulary" (words you can read but not speak) is a common trap. Avoid it by tapping the Speaker icon to hear the word spoken by our high-quality AI voices.
Can't hear anything? Check if your phone is silently connected to your AirPods in the other room! You can change the sound output by tapping on the icon in "Hands-Free Mode".
Display options#
You can customize the flashcard experience in Settings:
Hands-Free Mode#
Can't look at your screen? Turn on Hands-Free Mode in the Quiz Setup to study using only audio and voice commands. It's perfect for reviewing vocabulary while driving (be careful!), walking, or doing chores.
Study Reminders#
In Study Settings, you can turn on a reminder that is sent at a time you choose.
The Streak system#
Motivation, engineered.
Streaks are powerful, but life happens. Vokabulo’s streak system is designed to reward consistency while protecting you from the frustration of losing everything due to one busy day.
Daily Goal#
To keep your streak alive, you must complete at least 10 cards for your active languages before midnight.
Milestone Checkpoints#
The safety net.
Most apps reset you to zero if you miss a day. Vokabulo doesn't.
We use Milestones. Once you reach a milestone, it becomes your new "Floor." Even if you break your streak later, you never drop below your highest achieved floor.
The milestones:
You reach a 65-day streak. You have passed the 50-day milestone. If you miss a day, your "Current Run" resets, but your total Streak Level only drops to 50, not 0. When you start again, you build back up from 50.
Streak Languages#
You decide which languages count. In Streak Management, toggle the switch for the languages you are seriously studying. Only these will drive your streak and leaderboard position.
Study Days & Pausing#
Customize your schedule:
Reset progress#
Need a fresh start? Maybe you took a long break or want to relearn the basics. You can Reset Progress in settings to set all words back to Level 0. (Warning: This cannot be undone!)
Scenes are designed to bridge the gap between "textbook fluent" and "real-life fluent."
Icons at a glance#
Microphone icon: Dictate your situation out loud instead of typing it.
What is a Scene?#
A Scene is a custom vocabulary list generated from a real-life scenario.
Instead of learning random words from a list, you describe what you want to be able to say. Vokabulo generates a focused set of vocabulary that matches that specific context.
It’s the difference between knowing the word for "car" and knowing how to explain "my rental car has a scratch on the bumper."
How to create a Scene#
Don't overthink it. Just describe the situation in natural language. Tell Vokabulo who you are talking to, where you are, and what the vibe is.
Use the microphone. It’s faster, and Vokabulo automatically cleans up your input text. Don't worry about "umms," "ahhs," or not sounding like a BBC presenter—just get your thoughts out.
There is a minimum length for the briefing because context matters: the more specific you are, the better the vocabulary will be. If you cannot press the big button yet, you will need to be more specific.
Generate & Save#
Hit Generate, and give the AI about 30 seconds (often it's much less than that) to work its magic.
Vokabulo usually produces around 25 relevant words (depending on how complex your briefing was).
Review the list, save the result to your collection with a dedicated tag (e.g., #DoctorVisit), and you’re ready to practice it just like any other set.
Tips#
- Iterate: You can run the same Scene again with slightly different wording to discover new angles. Tag them all the same way to build a larger collection around a particular topic.
Don't reinvent the wheel. Learn from the best.
Sets are vocabulary lists built around specific topics, situations, and use cases.
Think of them as the polished evolution of those messy vocabulary lists people swap in forums — structured, searchable, and added to your learning queue in one tap.
Textbooks are great for grammar, but they rarely teach you the specific vocabulary needed for your life - your job, your hobbies, or the specific dialect of the city you're visiting.
Sets fill that gap. The goal is simple: offer the best possible list for a specific topic, making it focused, practical, and immediately useful.
Make Vokabulo yours.
Tap the top left profile picture on the Home screen to open Settings. This is your control center for tweaking the engine under the hood.
Languages#
Manage the languages you are learning here.
We support specific dialects (e.g., US vs. UK English, Brazilian vs. European Portuguese, Mandarin vs. Cantonese). You select the variant here, but for clarity, the rest of the app just shows the main language name.
Flags are complicated. Not every language fits neatly into one country's flag. We suggest a default, but you can swap it for a globe or a different icon if you prefer.
Word Defaults#
Automate your word organization.
Set default tags here that automatically attach to every new word you capture.
Reading a novel? Set the book title as a default tag. Now you can capture 50 words without tagging them one by one.
Study#
Define presets for the Quick Study button on the home page.
Customize how your flashcards behave.
Streak#
Protect your progress.
Voices#
Your ears deserve the best.
We’ve found that a speed setting of 10% slower works very well.
Notifications#
Opens your notifications center.
Points & Badges#
View your points, level, badges/achievements.
Leaderboard#
Check your global ranking. Updated once a day.
Feeling shy? You can hide yourself from the leaderboard in the Privacy section.
Subscription#
Manage your Vokabulo subscription and billing details here. Thank you for your support!
User Account#
Your profile basics.
Privacy#
Incognito Mode: Toggle "No Leaderboard entry" if you prefer to learn in stealth mode.
Appearance & Help#
Support#
Stuck? Found a bug? Tap here to access our help center or contact us.
English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), and Italian.
Unlock the full potential of Vokabulo.
Home Screen#
Study#
User Settings#
Offline use#
No signal? No problem.
Capture Now, Translate Later: You can add words while offline. As soon as you reconnect, Vokabulo automatically fills in the translations.
Some features rely on external services and may have occasional outages — even the best apps do. You can see anything currently down on the System Status page.
Have a question, a feature request, or just want to say hi? Drop us an email at ilove@vokabulo.com.
Don't be a stranger. We would love to hear from you.