Show HN: A language app where you act out words with phone sensors to learn them

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Forget flashcards.<br>Learn languages<br>by doing.

Immersive stories when you have time.<br>Quick training when you don't.

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FEATURED IN<br>What people are writing about Sensonym

Settle in Berlin<br>The best apps to learn German

“Sensonym takes a genuinely different approach to vocabulary learning. Instead of tapping through flashcards or dragging words into blanks, Sensonym maps every word to a physical interaction with your phone.”

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Your Daily German<br>Learning and Movement

“What if instead of tapping a button to reveal a translation, you shook your phone to learn 'earthquake,' blew into the mic for 'wind,' tilted the screen for 'pour,' or smiled at the camera for 'happy'?”

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Why Sensonym<br>Flashcards fade. Chatbots can't move you. Gamified apps measure streaks, not memory.

Sen·so·nym<br>/ˈsɛnsoʊnɪm/

noun<br>1.A revolutionary language learning method where physical senses create permanent word associations

2.The phenomenon of remembering vocabulary through embodied experiences rather than rote memorization

Etymology<br>Portmanteau of sensor (Latin sensus "to feel") + synonym (Greek syn "together" + onyma "name")

Examples<br>"After using Sensonym, I can't forget 'adelante' because my body remembers tilting forward."<br>"The Sensonym method uses phone sensors to create unforgettable vocabulary anchors."

See also<br>embodied cognitionkinesthetic learningmulti-sensory encoding

40+<br>Unique Interactions

15+<br>Phone Sensors

10<br>Languages

175+<br>Words to Learn

🇪🇸Spanish🇫🇷French🇩🇪German🇹🇷Turkish🇮🇩Indonesian🇲🇾Malay🇰🇷Korean🇨🇳Chinese🇯🇵Japanese🇬🇧English

How It Works<br>Story ModeTraining Mode<br>Immersive narratives that make words stick

01

Choose Your Adventure<br>Pick a story that grips you. Sci-fi thrillers, spy mysteries, survival tales.

02

Live The Story<br>Your phone becomes your controller. Tilt, touch, speak to survive.

03

Remember Forever<br>Physical actions create permanent memories. No flashcards needed.

Powered by Your Phone's Sensors<br>15+ sensors. 40+ unique interactions. Endless possibilities.

CAMERA<br>smile at camera<br>find colors<br>take selfie

MOTION<br>tilt to drink<br>shake phone<br>walk 10 steps

SOUND<br>clap hands<br>say 'shhh'<br>blow into mic

TOUCH<br>pinch to zoom<br>long press<br>swipe patterns

DEVICE<br>plug charger<br>face down<br>screen off

LIGHT<br>cover camera<br>flashlight on<br>find darkness

TIME<br>daily reminder<br>speed challenge<br>wait period

SYSTEM<br>take screenshot<br>share content<br>notifications

Choose Your Story<br>Every story is a language journey. Every interaction teaches you words you'll never forget.

TURKISH DRAMAMYSTERYROMANCE<br>BEGINNER•1-2 HOURS•33 words

BOSPHORUS BLUE<br>Istanbul. A century-old yalı on the water. A locked room. Three days before the bulldozers arrive.

Day 1 - The Yalı<br>“The ferry cuts through grey water. Three days. Then the house is gone.”

Photograph the yalı • Sip your çay • Listen through walls<br>Words You'll Learn<br>teawaittogether

ADVENTUREEXPLORATIONCULTURE<br>BEGINNER•1-2 HOURS•26 words

FIRST WORDS<br>Shipwrecked on an uncharted Pacific island. No shared language with the people who find you. Three days to learn enough to leave.

Day 1 - Landfall<br>“Salt in your lungs. Sand beneath your fingers. The wave came from nowhere.”

Tilt to drink • Smile to greet • Walk to follow<br>Words You'll Learn<br>waterfriendfollow

THRILLERSPYHISTORICAL<br>BEGINNER•1-2 HOURS•30 words

THE COURIER<br>Berlin, 1963. Nazi gold certificates that could fund the Fourth Reich. Every shadow hides death.

Day 1 - The Drop<br>“Friedrich slides the envelope across. A sniper's bullet. Glass shatters.”

Listen for secrets • Hide in darkness • Stay silent<br>Words You'll Learn<br>listendarknesssilence

SCI-FIMYSTERYSURVIVAL<br>BEGINNER•1-2 HOURS•21 words

POLARIS<br>Arctic research station. Everyone vanished. Something ancient wakes beneath the ice.

Day 1 - First Contact<br>“My name is Maya. I've been alone for 72 hours. Everyone else... they just vanished.”

Rotate to find signals • Tilt to navigate • Wipe to survive<br>Words You'll Learn<br>connectforwardemergency

MORE ON THE WAY<br>New stories every month<br>Each one written from scratch around a real place, a real feeling, and a different set of sensors. Get notified when the next one lands.

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Training Library<br>Quick vocabulary wins through targeted physical interactions. Your daily learning companion.<br>69Words<br>•8Lessons<br>•30sPer Word

DAILYALL LEVELS60+ WORDS<br>INSTANT•30 SECONDS

WORD OF THE DAY<br>New word every 24 hours. A unique sensor interaction every time.

Today's Challenge<br>“One new word daily. Never the same interaction twice.”

Smile detection • Shake to reveal • Tilt to learn<br>Key Features<br>daily reminderstreak trackingrandom interactions

COLLECTIONBEGINNER48 WORDS<br>BEGINNER•2-5 MINUTES

ESSENTIALS<br>Must-have words for daily life. Greetings, actions, time, descriptions.

Collection Overview<br>“5 focused lessons. Each word matched to a unique sensor interaction.”

Selfie greetings • Walk to learn • Time gestures<br>Lesson...

words learn phone word sensors sensonym

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