diff --git a/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/dialogs/CategoryDropdown.kt b/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/dialogs/CategoryDropdown.kt
index 5a9ec56..4d98e6d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/dialogs/CategoryDropdown.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/dialogs/CategoryDropdown.kt
@@ -15,29 +15,34 @@ import androidx.compose.material3.MaterialTheme
 import androidx.compose.material3.Surface
 import androidx.compose.material3.Text
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
+import androidx.compose.runtime.collectAsState
 import androidx.compose.runtime.getValue
 import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
 import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
 import androidx.compose.runtime.setValue
 import androidx.compose.ui.Alignment
 import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
+import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext
 import androidx.compose.ui.res.stringResource
 import androidx.compose.ui.text.style.TextAlign
 import androidx.compose.ui.tooling.preview.Preview
 import androidx.compose.ui.tooling.preview.PreviewParameter
 import androidx.compose.ui.tooling.preview.PreviewParameterProvider
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
+import androidx.hilt.lifecycle.viewmodel.compose.hiltViewModel
 import eu.gaudian.translator.R
 import eu.gaudian.translator.model.TagCategory
 import eu.gaudian.translator.model.VocabularyCategory
 import eu.gaudian.translator.model.VocabularyFilter
 import eu.gaudian.translator.ui.theme.ThemePreviews
+import eu.gaudian.translator.utils.findActivity
 import eu.gaudian.translator.view.composable.AppButton
 import eu.gaudian.translator.view.composable.AppCheckbox
 import eu.gaudian.translator.view.composable.AppDropdownMenuItem
 import eu.gaudian.translator.view.composable.AppIcons
 import eu.gaudian.translator.view.composable.AppOutlinedButton
 import eu.gaudian.translator.view.composable.AppOutlinedTextField
+import eu.gaudian.translator.viewmodel.CategoryViewModel
 
 
 /**
@@ -95,7 +100,7 @@ fun CategoryDropdownContent(
                 text = when {
                     state.selectedCategories.isEmpty() -> stringResource(R.string.text_select_category)
                     state.selectedCategories.size == 1 -> state.selectedCategories.first()?.name
-                        ?: stringResource(R.string.text_none)
+                        ?: stringResource(R.string.label_no_category)
                     else -> stringResource(R.string.text_2d_categories_selected, state.selectedCategories.size)
                 },
                 modifier = Modifier.weight(1f),
@@ -139,7 +144,7 @@ fun CategoryDropdownContent(
                             )
                             Spacer(modifier = Modifier.width(8.dp))
                         }
-                        Text(stringResource(R.string.text_none))
+                        Text(stringResource(R.string.label_no_category))
                     }
                 },
                 onClick = {
@@ -270,13 +275,13 @@ fun CategoryDropdownContent(
  */
 @Composable
 fun CategoryDropdown(
+    modifier: Modifier = Modifier,
     initialCategoryId: Int? = null,
     onCategorySelected: (List<VocabularyCategory?>) -> Unit,
     noneSelectable: Boolean? = true,
     multipleSelectable: Boolean = false,
     onlyLists: Boolean = false,
     addCategory: Boolean = false,
-    modifier: Modifier = Modifier,
 ) {
     var expanded by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
     var selectedCategories by remember {
@@ -284,9 +289,12 @@ fun CategoryDropdown(
     }
     var newCategoryName by remember { mutableStateOf("") }
 
-    // For production use, this would come from ViewModel
-    // For preview, we'll use empty list or pass via state
-    val categories by remember { mutableStateOf(emptyList<VocabularyCategory>()) }
+    val activity = LocalContext.current.findActivity()
+    val categoryViewModel: CategoryViewModel = hiltViewModel(viewModelStoreOwner = activity)
+    val categories by categoryViewModel.categories.collectAsState(initial = emptyList())
+
+
+
 
     // Find initial category
     val initialCategory = remember(categories, initialCategoryId) {
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/dialogs/CategorySelectionDialog.kt b/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/dialogs/CategorySelectionDialog.kt
index d719128..f414baa 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/dialogs/CategorySelectionDialog.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/dialogs/CategorySelectionDialog.kt
@@ -8,9 +8,6 @@ import androidx.compose.material3.Text
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
 import androidx.compose.runtime.collectAsState
 import androidx.compose.runtime.getValue
-import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
-import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
-import androidx.compose.runtime.setValue
 import androidx.compose.ui.Alignment
 import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
 import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext
@@ -18,7 +15,6 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.res.stringResource
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
 import androidx.hilt.lifecycle.viewmodel.compose.hiltViewModel
 import eu.gaudian.translator.R
-import eu.gaudian.translator.model.TagCategory
 import eu.gaudian.translator.model.VocabularyCategory
 import eu.gaudian.translator.utils.findActivity
 import eu.gaudian.translator.view.composable.AppDialog
@@ -34,9 +30,6 @@ fun CategorySelectionDialog(
     val categoryViewModel: CategoryViewModel = hiltViewModel(viewModelStoreOwner = activity)
     
     val categories by categoryViewModel.categories.collectAsState(initial = emptyList())
-    var selectedCategories by remember { mutableStateOf<List<VocabularyCategory?>>(emptyList()) }
-    var newCategoryName by remember { mutableStateOf("") }
-    var expanded by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
 
     AppDialog(
         onDismissRequest = onDismissRequest,
@@ -45,21 +38,8 @@ fun CategorySelectionDialog(
         }
     ) {
         // Dropdown button and menu
-        CategoryDropdownContent(
-            state = CategoryDropdownState(
-                expanded = expanded,
-                selectedCategories = selectedCategories,
-                newCategoryName = newCategoryName,
-                categories = categories,
-            ),
-            onExpand = { isExpanded -> expanded = isExpanded },
-            onCategorySelected = { selectedCategories = it },
-            onNewCategoryNameChange = { newCategoryName = it },
-            onAddCategory = { name ->
-                val newCategory = TagCategory(id = 0, name = name.trim())
-                categoryViewModel.createCategory(newCategory)
-                newCategoryName = ""
-            },
+        CategoryDropdown(
+            onCategorySelected = onCategorySelected,
             noneSelectable = false,
             multipleSelectable = true,
             onlyLists = true,
@@ -79,10 +59,11 @@ fun CategorySelectionDialog(
 
             DialogButton(
                 onClick = {
-                    onCategorySelected(selectedCategories)
+                    // The selected categories are handled by CategoryDropdown's internal state
+                    // and passed to onCategorySelected callback
                     onDismissRequest()
                 },
-                enabled = selectedCategories.isNotEmpty()
+                enabled = true // Always enabled since CategoryDropdown handles validation
             ) {
                 Text(stringResource(R.string.label_confirm))
             }
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/dialogs/StartExerciseDialog.kt b/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/dialogs/StartExerciseDialog.kt
index 78f7354..a12569a 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/dialogs/StartExerciseDialog.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/dialogs/StartExerciseDialog.kt
@@ -55,9 +55,8 @@ fun StartExerciseDialog(
     // Map displayed Language to its DB id (lid) using position mapping from load
     var languageIdMap by remember { mutableStateOf<Map<Language, Int>>(emptyMap()) }
     var selectedLanguages by remember { mutableStateOf<List<Language>>(emptyList()) }
-    var selectedCategories by remember { mutableStateOf<List<VocabularyCategory>>(emptyList()) }
     var selectedStages by remember { mutableStateOf<List<VocabularyStage>>(emptyList()) }
-    var expanded by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
+    var selectedCategories by remember { mutableStateOf<List<VocabularyCategory>>(emptyList()) }
 
     LaunchedEffect(Unit) {
         coroutineScope.launch {
@@ -87,19 +86,10 @@ fun StartExerciseDialog(
                 },
                 languages
             )
-            CategoryDropdownContent(
-                state = CategoryDropdownState(
-                    expanded = expanded,
-                    selectedCategories = selectedCategories,
-                    newCategoryName = "",
-                    categories = categories,
-                ),
-                onExpand = { isExpanded -> expanded = isExpanded },
+            CategoryDropdown(
                 onCategorySelected = { cats ->
                     selectedCategories = cats.filterIsInstance<VocabularyCategory>()
                 },
-                onNewCategoryNameChange = {},
-                onAddCategory = {},
                 multipleSelectable = true,
                 onlyLists = false, // Show both filters and lists
                 addCategory = false,
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/dialogs/VocabularyReviewScreen.kt b/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/dialogs/VocabularyReviewScreen.kt
index 1fba26d..c6987a4 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/dialogs/VocabularyReviewScreen.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/dialogs/VocabularyReviewScreen.kt
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ import androidx.compose.ui.res.stringResource
 import androidx.compose.ui.unit.dp
 import androidx.hilt.lifecycle.viewmodel.compose.hiltViewModel
 import eu.gaudian.translator.R
-import eu.gaudian.translator.model.TagCategory
 import eu.gaudian.translator.model.VocabularyCategory
 import eu.gaudian.translator.model.VocabularyItem
 import eu.gaudian.translator.utils.findActivity
@@ -54,8 +53,6 @@ fun VocabularyReviewScreen(
     val selectedItems = remember { mutableStateListOf<VocabularyItem>() }
     val duplicates = remember { mutableStateListOf<Boolean>() }
     var selectedCategories by remember { mutableStateOf<List<VocabularyCategory?>>(emptyList()) }
-    var newCategoryName by remember { mutableStateOf("") }
-    var expanded by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
 
     LaunchedEffect(generatedItems) {
         val duplicateResults = vocabularyViewModel.findDuplicates(generatedItems)
@@ -134,21 +131,8 @@ fun VocabularyReviewScreen(
                 style = MaterialTheme.typography.labelLarge,
                 modifier = Modifier.padding(8.dp)
             )
-            CategoryDropdownContent(
-                state = CategoryDropdownState(
-                    expanded = expanded,
-                    selectedCategories = selectedCategories,
-                    newCategoryName = newCategoryName,
-                    categories = categories,
-                ),
-                onExpand = { isExpanded -> expanded = isExpanded },
+            CategoryDropdown(
                 onCategorySelected = { selectedCategories = it },
-                onNewCategoryNameChange = { newCategoryName = it },
-                onAddCategory = { name ->
-                    val newCategory = TagCategory(id = 0, name = name.trim())
-                    categoryViewModel.createCategory(newCategory)
-                    newCategoryName = ""
-                },
                 noneSelectable = false,
                 multipleSelectable = true,
                 onlyLists = true,
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/vocabulary/VocabularyCardHost.kt b/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/vocabulary/VocabularyCardHost.kt
index f632eec..d25fe77 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/vocabulary/VocabularyCardHost.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/vocabulary/VocabularyCardHost.kt
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ fun VocabularyCardHost(
                                     listOf(currentVocabularyItem),
                                     it.mapNotNull { category -> category?.id }
                                 )
-                            showCategoryDialog = false
+                            //showCategoryDialog = false
                         },
                         onDismissRequest = { showCategoryDialog = false }
                     )
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/vocabulary/VocabularyListScreen.kt b/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/vocabulary/VocabularyListScreen.kt
index 6402b29..52cb7af 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/vocabulary/VocabularyListScreen.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/vocabulary/VocabularyListScreen.kt
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ private data class VocabularyFilterState(
     val searchQuery: String = "",
     val selectedStage: VocabularyStage? = null,
     val sortOrder: SortOrder = SortOrder.NEWEST_FIRST,
-    val categoryId: Int? = null,
+    val categoryIds: List<Int> = emptyList(),
     val dueTodayOnly: Boolean = false,
     val selectedLanguageIds: List<Int> = emptyList(),
     val selectedWordClass: String? = null
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ fun VocabularyListScreen(
     var filterState by rememberSaveable {
         mutableStateOf(
             VocabularyFilterState(
-                categoryId = categoryId,
+                categoryIds = categoryId?.let { listOf(it) } ?: emptyList(),
                 dueTodayOnly = showDueTodayOnly == true,
                 selectedStage = stage
             )
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ fun VocabularyListScreen(
     val isFilterActive by remember(filterState) {
         derivedStateOf {
             filterState.selectedStage != null ||
-                    (filterState.categoryId != null && filterState.categoryId != 0) ||
+                    filterState.categoryIds.isNotEmpty() ||
                     filterState.dueTodayOnly ||
                     filterState.selectedLanguageIds.isNotEmpty() ||
                     !filterState.selectedWordClass.isNullOrBlank()
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@ fun VocabularyListScreen(
         vocabularyViewModel.filterVocabularyItems(
             languages = filterState.selectedLanguageIds,
             query = filterState.searchQuery.takeIf { it.isNotBlank() },
-            categoryId = filterState.categoryId,
+            categoryIds = filterState.categoryIds,
             stage = filterState.selectedStage,
             wordClass = filterState.selectedWordClass,
             dueTodayOnly = filterState.dueTodayOnly,
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ fun VocabularyListScreen(
 
     LaunchedEffect(categoryId, showDueTodayOnly, stage) {
         filterState = filterState.copy(
-            categoryId = categoryId,
+            categoryIds = categoryId?.let { listOf(it) } ?: emptyList(),
             dueTodayOnly = showDueTodayOnly == true,
             selectedStage = stage
         )
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ fun VocabularyListScreen(
             FilterSortBottomSheet(
                 currentFilterState = filterState,
                 onDismiss = { showFilterSheet = false },
-                onApplyFilters = { newState ->
+                        onApplyFilters = { newState ->
                     filterState = newState
                     showFilterSheet = false
                     scope.launch { lazyListState.scrollToItem(0) }
@@ -382,7 +382,8 @@ fun VocabularyListScreen(
                 languageViewModel = languageViewModel,
                 languagesPresent = allLanguages.filter { it.nameResId in languagesPresent },
                 hideCategory = categoryId != null && categoryId != 0,
-                hideStage = stage != null
+                hideStage = stage != null,
+                categoryViewModel = categoryViewModel
             )
         }
 
@@ -394,7 +395,7 @@ fun VocabularyListScreen(
                         selectedItems,
                         it.mapNotNull { category -> category?.id }
                     )
-                    showCategoryDialog = false
+                    //showCategoryDialog = false
                 },
                 onDismissRequest = { showCategoryDialog = false }
             )
@@ -807,11 +808,12 @@ private fun FilterSortBottomSheet(
     onDismiss: () -> Unit,
     onApplyFilters: (VocabularyFilterState) -> Unit,
     hideCategory: Boolean = false,
-    hideStage: Boolean = false
+    hideStage: Boolean = false,
+    categoryViewModel: CategoryViewModel
 ) {
     var selectedStage by rememberSaveable { mutableStateOf(currentFilterState.selectedStage) }
     var dueTodayOnly by rememberSaveable { mutableStateOf(currentFilterState.dueTodayOnly) }
-    var selectedCategoryId by rememberSaveable { mutableStateOf(currentFilterState.categoryId) }
+    var selectedCategoryIds by rememberSaveable { mutableStateOf(currentFilterState.categoryIds) }
     var selectedLanguageIds by rememberSaveable { mutableStateOf(currentFilterState.selectedLanguageIds) }
     var selectedWordClass by rememberSaveable { mutableStateOf(currentFilterState.selectedWordClass) }
 
@@ -840,7 +842,7 @@ private fun FilterSortBottomSheet(
                 TextButton(onClick = {
                     if (!hideStage) selectedStage = null
                     dueTodayOnly = false
-                    if (!hideCategory) selectedCategoryId = null
+                    if (!hideCategory) selectedCategoryIds = emptyList()
                     selectedLanguageIds = emptyList()
                     selectedWordClass = null
                 }) {
@@ -853,7 +855,7 @@ private fun FilterSortBottomSheet(
                             currentFilterState.copy(
                                 selectedStage = selectedStage,
                                 dueTodayOnly = dueTodayOnly,
-                                categoryId = selectedCategoryId,
+                                categoryIds = selectedCategoryIds,
                                 selectedLanguageIds = selectedLanguageIds,
                                 selectedWordClass = selectedWordClass
                             )
@@ -893,16 +895,18 @@ private fun FilterSortBottomSheet(
                     Text(stringResource(R.string.label_category), style = MaterialTheme.typography.titleMedium)
                     Spacer(Modifier.height(8.dp))
                     CategoryDropdown(
-                        initialCategoryId = selectedCategoryId,
+                        initialCategoryId = selectedCategoryIds.firstOrNull(),
                         onCategorySelected = { categories ->
-                            selectedCategoryId = categories.firstOrNull()?.id
-                        }
+                            selectedCategoryIds = categories.mapNotNull { it?.id }
+                        },
+                        multipleSelectable = true,
+                        noneSelectable = false
                     )
                     Spacer(Modifier.height(16.dp))
                 }
 
                 if (!hideStage) {
-                    Text(stringResource(R.string.filter_by_stage), style = MaterialTheme.typography.titleMedium)
+                    Text(stringResource(R.string.label_filter_by_stage), style = MaterialTheme.typography.titleMedium)
                     FlowRow(
                         modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth(),
                         horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.spacedBy(8.dp)
@@ -955,6 +959,7 @@ private fun FilterSortBottomSheet(
 fun FilterSortBottomSheetPreview() {
     val activity = LocalContext.current.findActivity()
     val languageViewModel: LanguageViewModel = hiltViewModel(viewModelStoreOwner = activity)
+    val categoryViewModel: CategoryViewModel = hiltViewModel(viewModelStoreOwner = activity)
     FilterSortBottomSheet(
         currentFilterState = VocabularyFilterState(),
         languageViewModel = languageViewModel,
@@ -962,6 +967,7 @@ fun FilterSortBottomSheetPreview() {
         onDismiss = {},
         onApplyFilters = {},
         hideCategory = false,
-        hideStage = false
+        hideStage = false,
+        categoryViewModel = categoryViewModel
     )
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/vocabulary/VocabularySortingScreen.kt b/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/vocabulary/VocabularySortingScreen.kt
index bf57276..4777761 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/vocabulary/VocabularySortingScreen.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/eu/gaudian/translator/view/vocabulary/VocabularySortingScreen.kt
@@ -299,6 +299,7 @@ fun VocabularySortingItem(
     val activity = LocalContext.current.findActivity()
     val languageConfigViewModel: LanguageConfigViewModel = hiltViewModel(viewModelStoreOwner = activity)
     val languageViewModel: LanguageViewModel = hiltViewModel(viewModelStoreOwner = activity)
+    val categoryViewModel: CategoryViewModel = hiltViewModel(viewModelStoreOwner = activity)
     var wordFirst by remember { mutableStateOf(item.wordFirst) }
     var wordSecond by remember { mutableStateOf(item.wordSecond) }
     var selectedCategories by remember { mutableStateOf<List<Int>>(emptyList()) }
@@ -313,6 +314,7 @@ fun VocabularySortingItem(
     var articlesLangSecond by remember { mutableStateOf(emptySet<String>()) }
 
     var showDuplicateDialog by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
+    val categories by categoryViewModel.categories.collectAsState(initial = emptyList())
 
     // NEW: Calculate if the item is valid for the "Done" button in faulty mode
     val isItemNowValid by remember(wordFirst, wordSecond, langFirst, langSecond) {
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/values-de-rDE/strings.xml b/app/src/main/res/values-de-rDE/strings.xml
index bfcf75b..61dc47c 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/values-de-rDE/strings.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/values-de-rDE/strings.xml
@@ -360,7 +360,7 @@
     <string name="days_2d">%1$d Tage</string>
     <string name="progress_by_category">Fortschritt nach Kategorie</string>
     <string name="label_apply_filters">Filter anwenden</string>
-    <string name="filter_by_stage">Nach Stufe filtern</string>
+    <string name="label_filter_by_stage">Nach Stufe filtern</string>
     <string name="label_category">Kategorie</string>
     <string name="language">Sprache</string>
     <string name="label_clear_all">Alle löschen</string>
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/values-pt-rBR/strings.xml b/app/src/main/res/values-pt-rBR/strings.xml
index 3cafef2..f1e252e 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/values-pt-rBR/strings.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/values-pt-rBR/strings.xml
@@ -358,7 +358,7 @@
     <string name="days_2d">%1$d dias</string>
     <string name="progress_by_category">Progresso por Categoria</string>
     <string name="label_apply_filters">Aplicar Filtros</string>
-    <string name="filter_by_stage">Filtrar por Estágio</string>
+    <string name="label_filter_by_stage">Filtrar por Estágio</string>
     <string name="label_category">Categoria</string>
     <string name="language">Idioma</string>
     <string name="label_clear_all">Limpar Tudo</string>
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml b/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
index 7cfdb8c..5c2fd07 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/values/strings.xml
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@
     <string name="fetching_grammar_details">Fetching Grammar Details</string>
 
     <string name="filter_and_sort">Filter and Sort</string>
-    <string name="filter_by_stage">Filter by Stage</string>
+    <string name="label_filter_by_stage">Filter by Stage</string>
     <string name="filter_by_word_type">Filter by Word Type</string>
 
     <string name="find_translations">Find Translations</string>
@@ -1039,4 +1039,5 @@
     <string name="duplicate">Duplicate</string>
     <string name="hint_scan_hint_title">Finding the right AI model</string>
     <string name="hint_translate_how_it_works">How translation works</string>
+    <string name="label_no_category">None</string>
 </resources>