Explain My Answer Is Now Free on Duolingo

Explain My Answer Is Now Free on Duolingo

Duolingo just unlocked one of its most useful learning features for everyone, and it quietly changes how effective free language practice can be.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

January 3, 2026

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If you have ever answered a Duolingo question correctly but had no idea why, you already know the frustration. 

You move on, you keep your streak, but the underlying rule never quite clicks. 

For years, the fix was locked behind a paid tier. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Explain My Answer is Now Free on Duolingo.

Duolingo’s “Explain My Answer” feature is now free, and it reshapes how the app teaches rather than just tests.

Feature Explanation

Explain My Answer is a contextual learning tool inside Duolingo that appears after you answer a question. 

When tapped, it breaks down why your answer worked or did not, using plain language explanations tied directly to the sentence you just saw.

Instead of generic grammar lessons, Duolingo explains the rule at the exact moment your brain is ready for it. 

That timing matters. Cognitive science consistently shows that feedback delivered immediately after an attempt is retained far better than delayed explanations.

Previously, this feature was restricted to Super Duolingo subscribers. 

According to Duolingo’s own announcement, it is now available to free users across supported platforms, with ads still present but explanations fully accessible.

This is not a cosmetic change. 

It turns Duolingo from a repetition engine into a guided learning system.

What You’ll Gain

• Why this matters immediately.
• Understand why an answer works, not just whether it is right.
• Learn grammar rules naturally, without separate study sessions.
• Reduce repeated mistakes caused by pattern guessing.
• Make free Duolingo feel meaningfully closer to a tutor experience.

Step-by-Step Instructions

iOS

1. Complete a lesson question in the Duolingo app.
2. Tap Explain My Answer after your response.
3. Read the explanation and examples.
4. Dismiss and continue the lesson.

credit: Duolingo

fig. 1 - Duolingo 'Explain My Answer' Example

Note:

• Explain My Answer is available in Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and Korean.
• Free on iOS, and coming soon to Android.

Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Improves learning quality without increasing time spent.
2. Eliminates guess-and-repeat frustration.
3. Makes free Duolingo viable for serious learners.
4. Especially helpful for grammar-heavy languages.

Cons

1. Only available for select languages and iOS.
2. Explanations vary in depth by language and sentence.
3. Ads still interrupt the learning flow for free users.
4. No offline access to explanations.

Feature Access

• Who gets it: Free and paid users
• Platforms: iOS (Android soon).
• Subscription required: No
• Rollout status: Free starting January 1, 2026

Score

Criterion Score (0–10) Justification

Value 9

Turns free Duolingo into a true learning tool rather than a drill app.

Usability 8

Appears exactly when needed with no configuration required.

Wow Factor 7

Not flashy, but quietly transformative for learners.

Total: 24/30 👍 Good

This closes the gap between free and paid language learning more than any recent Duolingo change, rivaling basic grammar explanations in paid competitors.

Key Takeaways

Duolingo’s biggest weakness was never content, it was context. 

Making explanations free removes that weakness for millions of learners. 

If you use Duolingo regularly and have not noticed this feature yet, it is worth checking today.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Explain My Answer.
• Platform(s): iOS (Android soon).
• Quick Benefit: Understand grammar at the moment you make a mistake.
• Access Type: Free.

Try It Yourself

Open your next Duolingo lesson and tap Explain My Answer after every question today. 

Notice how much less guessing you do. 

Share this tip with your family or team, leave a comment on OneCoolTip.com, and subscribe to the One Cool Tip newsletter so you never miss a useful upgrade like this.

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Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.

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