Documentation

Getting Started

Fluent helps you build a personal dictionary and remember its terms with spaced repetition. During a review, you type each answer in both translation directions.

Your dictionary is stored on your Mac and syncs with iCloud when available.

First Launch

Fluent guides you through creating your first deck. Choose:

  • A deck name.
  • The language you want to learn.
  • The language you already speak.

Choose the correct language pair so AI suggestions use the right languages.

Create or Edit a Deck

Open Fluent › Settings or press ⌘ + ,, then select Languages. From here, you can create a deck, rename it, change its language pair, or configure its optional fields.

Deck management in Fluent Settings.

Each deck can have its own settings:

  • Verb aspect — Adds perfective and imperfective options for verbs. This is especially useful for Slavic languages.
  • CEFR level — Adds an A1–C2 field to each term. You can set it yourself or let AI estimate it.
  • Pronunciation — Adds a pronunciation field to each term. Choose General, IPA, Pinyin, or Romaji.

Deleting a deck also deletes all terms in that deck.

AI Assistance

Fluent can suggest a translation, grammar details, pronunciation, and example contexts for a term.

To enable AI assistance:

  1. Open Fluent › Settings and select AI.
  2. Choose Google Gemini or Apple.
  3. Enter your Gemini API key and select Save.

When adding or editing a term, select the sparkle button to generate a suggestion. Always check AI-generated information before saving it.

Google

To use Google you have to create an API key in Google AI Studio. Google may restrict access based on your region, age, or account verification. See supported regions for current availability.

When you use Google, the term and related text are sent to Google for processing. Google also receives information such as your IP address. Google’s Privacy Policy applies.

Your Gemini API key is securely stored in your Mac’s Keychain.

Apple

If you use macOS 27.0 or later, Fluent can use Apple’s Private Cloud Compute to suggest translations and related details.

No authentication is required. Usage limits may apply depending on your iCloud plan.

Apple’s Privacy Policy applies.

Friends

The Friends feature lets you privately share your score with friends through iCloud. Your score is based on the number of terms you add and reviews you complete.

Scores reset automatically at midnight UTC.

Your terms and review history are never shared with your friends.

Contact

When contacting me for ideas or problems, please include:

  • Your macOS version.
  • Your Fluent version.
  • What you expected to happen.
  • The steps needed to reproduce the issue.

Contact support