AI Language Explainer for Anki

Generate AI-powered explanations for language learning with high-quality text-to-speech audio

This Anki add-on helps language learners understand vocabulary words in context by generating explanations of target words using OpenAI's models AND relevant audio.

✨ Features

🧠 Intelligent Explanations

• Automatically generates contextual explanations for target words based on an example sentence and usage.
• Choose any OpenAI text model (eg, GPT-4.1, GPT-4o, GPT-3.5) for accurate, beginner-friendly explanations
• Customizable prompts to match your learning style and level

🎵 High-Quality Audio Generation

• Multiple TTS Engines: Choose from VoiceVox, AivisSpeech, ElevenLabs, or OpenAI TTS
• Voice Preview & Selection: Listen to samples and choose your preferred voice for AivisSpeech and VoiceVox
• Adjustable Speed: Adjust the speed of OpenAI TTS with a slider
• Batch Processing: Generate audio for multiple cards at once

⚙️ Flexible Configuration

• Works with any note type (fully configurable fields)
• Tabbed settings interface for easy organization
• Option to disable text generation or audio generation or
• Hide UI elements

🚀 User Experience

• One-click generation during card review
• Batch processing from the browser
• Comprehensive error handling and logging

📥 Installation

1. Install the add-on through Anki's add-on manager
2. Configure settings by going to Tools > AI Language Explainer > Settings
3. Set up your note type and field mappings
4. Add your OpenAI API key under the Text Generation tab
5. Choose your preferred TTS engine (optional)

⚡ Quick Setup

1. Basic Configuration

• Note Type: Select your card type (e.g., "Sentence Mining", "Vocabulary")
• Input Fields: Map your target word and sentence fields
• Output Fields: Set where explanations and audio should be saved
• OpenAI API Key: Enter your API key for text generation

2. Audio Setup (Optional)

VoiceVox (Free, Japanese-focused)

1. Download and install VOICEVOX
2. Start VOICEVOX before using the add-on (runs on http://localhost:50021)
3. Test connection and select preferred voice in settings

AivisSpeech (Free, Japanese-focused)

1. Download and install AivisSpeech Engine
2. Start the engine (runs on http://127.0.0.1:10101)
3. Load voices and select default in the add-on settings
4. Download additional voices from AivisHub

ElevenLabs (Premium, Multilingual)

1. Create an account at ElevenLabs
2. Get your API key and voice ID
3. Enter credentials in the TTS settings

OpenAI TTS (Premium, Reliable)

1. Use the same OpenAI API key as text generation
2. Choose from available voices (alloy, echo, fable, etc.)
3. Adjust the speed between 0.5x to 3x in 0.1x intervals

🎯 Usage

During Review

1. Review your card as normal
2. Click "Generate explanation" button when answer is shown
3. Wait for text generation and audio synthesis to complete
4. New content appears automatically on your card

Batch Processing

1. Open the Anki browser
2. Select cards you want to process
3. Go to Edit > Batch Generate AI Explanations
4. Monitor progress and review results

🛠️ Requirements

• Anki: Version 2.1.50+ (tested with Anki 25+)
• OpenAI API Key: With sufficient credits
• Internet Connection: For API calls
• TTS Engine (optional): Choose from supported engines for audio generation

🔧 Troubleshooting

Common Issues

My cards keep failing to generate. Why?

This could be because,

• Your OpenAI API Key has expired.
• You ran out of OpenAI API credits.
• Your prompt is misconfigured. Remember that {sentence} and {word} should both be in lowercase. It's case sensitive. There should be no other {x} in your prompt.

The audio did not generate. Why?

If you're using VoiceVox or AivisSpeech, you must ensure you have it running in the background.

If you're using ElevenLabs or OpenAI TTS then sure you have an internet connection.

Why cards fail to generate in bulk after a few cards. Why?

If you recently made an OpenAI Developer account then your rate limit will be low for the first few days. I'd recommend waiting a few days and only generating a few cards at a time.

Debug Information

Check these files in your add-on directory for detailed error information:

• debug_log.txt - General operation logs
• crash_log.txt - System crash information

🎓 Learning Resources

Want to learn more about effective language learning?

Check out Matt vs Japan's Immersion Dojo for advanced language learning theory and community support.

📝 License

This project is open source. See the repository for license details.

🤝 Contributing

Found a bug or have a feature request? Please open an issue on the GitHub repository.

Happy language learning! 🌍📚