# Jisho Japanese Dictionary API
> Japanese-English dictionary data via the open Jisho.org API (no key). The search endpoint queries the dictionary for words and kanji compounds and accepts English, romaji, kana or kanji as input; each entry carries its Japanese writings (word + reading), English senses with parts of speech and usage tags, JLPT level and a common-word flag, with an optional filter for common words only. The word endpoint returns the single best — preferably common — match for a keyword, ideal for quick look-ups and language tools. Real dictionary data straight from Jisho, cached briefly for speed — no key. 3 endpoints. Ideal for language-learning apps, furigana and reading helpers, vocabulary tools and Japanese NLP enrichment.

## Authentication
All requests require your oanor API key in the `x-oanor-key` header. Get one at https://www.oanor.com/developer/keys.

```bash
curl -H "x-oanor-key: oanor_live_…" "https://api.oanor.com/jisho-api/..."
```

## Pricing
- **Free** (Free) — 6,200 calls/Mo, 2 req/s
- **Basic** ($9/Mo) — 82,500 calls/Mo, 8 req/s
- **Pro** ($29/Mo) — 545,500 calls/Mo, 20 req/s
- **Mega** ($89/Mo) — 2,680,000 calls/Mo, 50 req/s

## Endpoints

### Dictionary

#### `GET /v1/search` — Search the dictionary

**Parameters:**
- `keyword` (query, required, string) — English, romaji, kana or kanji to look up Example: `cat`
- `common` (query, optional, string) — Set to 1 to return only common words
- `limit` (query, optional, string) — Max results (default 20, max 50)

**Example:**
```bash
curl -H "x-oanor-key: $KEY" \
  "https://api.oanor.com/jisho-api/v1/search?keyword=cat"
```

**Response:**
```json
{
    "data": {
        "count": 20,
        "total": 20,
        "words": [
            {
                "jlpt": [
                    "jlpt-n5"
                ],
                "slug": "猫",
                "tags": [
                    "wanikani15"
                ],
                "senses": [
                    {
                        "info": [],
                        "tags": [],
                        "see_also": [],
                        "parts_of_speech": [
                            "Noun"
                        ],
                        "english_definitions": [
                            "cat (esp. the domestic cat, Felis catus)",
                            "feline"
                        ]
                    },
                    {
                        "info": [],
                        "tags": [],
                        "see_also": [],
                        "parts_of_speech": [
                            "Noun"
                        ],
                        "english_definitions": [
                            "shamisen"
                        ]
                    },
                    {
                        "info": [],
                        "tags": [],
                        "see_also": [],
                        "parts_of_speech": [
                            "Noun"
                        ],
                        "english_definitions": [
                            "geisha"
                        ]
                  
…(truncated, see openapi.json for full schema)
```

#### `GET /v1/word` — Best match for a keyword

**Parameters:**
- `keyword` (query, required, string) — The word to look up; returns the best (preferably common) match Example: `water`

**Example:**
```bash
curl -H "x-oanor-key: $KEY" \
  "https://api.oanor.com/jisho-api/v1/word?keyword=water"
```

**Response:**
```json
{
    "data": {
        "word": {
            "jlpt": [
                "jlpt-n2"
            ],
            "slug": "水分",
            "tags": [],
            "senses": [
                {
                    "info": [],
                    "tags": [],
                    "see_also": [],
                    "parts_of_speech": [
                        "Noun"
                    ],
                    "english_definitions": [
                        "water",
                        "liquid",
                        "fluid",
                        "moisture",
                        "humidity",
                        "sap",
                        "juice"
                    ]
                },
                {
                    "info": [],
                    "tags": [],
                    "see_also": [],
                    "parts_of_speech": [
                        "Wikipedia definition"
                    ],
                    "english_definitions": [
                        "Moisture"
                    ]
                }
            ],
            "japanese": [
                {
                    "word": "水分",
                    "reading": "すいぶん"
                }
            ],
            "is_common": true,
            "attribution": {
                "jmdict": true,
                "dbpedia": "http://dbpedia.org/resource/Moisture",
                "jmnedict": false
            }
        },
        "keyword": "water"
    },
    "meta": {

…(truncated, see openapi.json for full schema)
```

### Meta

#### `GET /v1/meta` — Spec

**Example:**
```bash
curl -H "x-oanor-key: $KEY" \
  "https://api.oanor.com/jisho-api/v1/meta"
```

**Response:**
```json
{
    "data": {
        "service": "jisho-api",
        "endpoints": {
            "GET /v1/meta": "This document.",
            "GET /v1/word": "The single best (preferably common) match for a keyword (keyword=).",
            "GET /v1/search": "Search the dictionary (keyword=, common=1, limit=). Accepts English, romaji, kana or kanji."
        },
        "description": "Japanese-English dictionary data via the open Jisho.org API: search words and kanji compounds with Japanese writings (word + reading), English senses, parts of speech, JLPT level and a common-word flag; or fetch the single best (preferably common) match for a keyword. Real dictionary data, no key."
    },
    "meta": {
        "timestamp": "2026-06-08T09:48:52.156Z",
        "request_id": "abad1eeb-101e-48b4-afd6-35b4b21e60c7"
    },
    "status": "ok",
    "message": "Meta",
    "success": true
}
```


---
Marketplace page: https://www.oanor.com/api/jisho-api
OpenAPI spec: https://www.oanor.com/api/jisho-api/openapi.json