Learning Japanese for Beginners: A Comprehensive Guide
So you want to learn Japanese but aren't quite sure where to start? It's one of the more difficult languages for native English speakers, with three writing systems, tons of Japanese vocabulary, and pronunciation that might feel a bit unnatural at first. However, learning a new language requires practice, and Japanese will require dedication, commitment, and a lot of hard work. This guide provides a structured approach to learning Japanese, designed to help beginners navigate the complexities of the language and build a solid foundation for fluency.
Time Commitment and Expectations
Experts believe that it can take anywhere between 400 and 600 hours to reach basic Japanese fluency. To reach the first milestone (beginner level), it will likely take about four to six months of consistent studying. This is specifically for individuals who are starting from scratch and have no prior Japanese lessons or introductions. Anyone who tells you learning a language is going to be easy is either misinformed or trying to sell you something. And eventually, after the honeymoon phase of learning wears off, progress feels slower. You burn out. Sh*t hits the fan. Instead, you need to do things the hard way (i.e.
Finding Your Learning Style
Japanese courses aren't for everyone, so if you want to get started on your path toward fluency one of the best ways is to figure out what works for you. Some people like Japanese textbooks, while others prefer flashcards or podcasts.
Mastering the Writing Systems
Japanese uses three writing systems: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.
Hiragana and Katakana: The Kana Alphabet
The kana alphabet represents sounds used in the spoken language, similar to letters in the English alphabet. Hiragana and katakana are both part of the kana alphabet. Hiragana contains 46 characters and is used for native Japanese words and grammatical elements. Katakana also has 46 characters and is primarily used for foreign words, names, and onomatopoeia.
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To help you study, try using flashcards, writing each character repeatedly, or making some mnemonic devices. And remember, consistency is key.
Kanji: Logographic Characters
Kanji characters are logographic and more complex. They represent whole words or concepts and have different readings depending on context. While Hiragana and Katakana are essential for beginners, introducing basic Kanji early can be beneficial and rewarding!
Pronunciation: A Phonetic Language
Japanese is phonetic, meaning words are pronounced exactly as they are written. This makes pronunciation relatively straightforward compared to other languages. There are five vowels in Japanese, and they're the same as in English: a, i, u, e, o. Most consonants are similar to English but may have slight variations. In Japanese, each consonant is paired up with a vowel to form a different "letter" in the alphabet.
Grammar Basics
Japanese grammar is very different from English, and it has only two tenses: past and non-past (present and future). In addition to the writing system, Japanese learning requires you to understand some common particles and what they mean. Particles are small words that indicate the grammatical function of the previous word. They are crucial for constructing sentences correctly.
Building Vocabulary
Next, start growing your vocabulary by learning some common words. Japanese numbers are also a great way to learn as a beginner! Start with 1 to 10 and grow from there.
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Cultural Immersion
Understanding the cultural context enhances language learning and makes it more meaningful, so try to do what you can. Learn all about Japanese customs and social etiquette, including bows, business card traditions, and the importance of removing shoes. If you have Japanese friends, ask them questions or see if you can join them in celebrations and traditions.
Utilizing Resources for Beginners
Podcasts
Podcasts are another excellent way to improve listening skills and expose yourself to natural speech when learning Japanese as a beginner.
Reading Materials
Reading Japanese books and manga can also be a great way for beginners to learn the language. Manga, with its vivid illustrations and engaging storylines, provides visual context that helps learners understand and remember new vocabulary and expressions. Japanese books, especially those written for children or language learners, use simple sentences and basic vocabulary, making them accessible to beginners.
Anime
For more visual learners, Japanese anime is a fun way to immerse yourself in the language. Anime has diverse genres and relatable characters, providing a rich source of real-life conversational Japanese. The spoken language in anime often includes various dialects, slang, and casual speech, offering learners a broad perspective on how Japanese is used in different contexts.
Practice Speaking Daily
Speaking Japanese daily is another essential tip for beginners learning Japanese. Practice not only improves fluency but also builds confidence in using Japanese in real-life situations. Regular conversation helps reinforce grammar rules, sentence structure, and vocabulary learned through textbooks or other study methods.
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Connecting with Native Speakers
Finally, connecting with a native Japanese speaker can be invaluable for learning the language. Interacting with a native speaker provides firsthand exposure to authentic pronunciation, intonation, and natural conversational patterns that textbooks and language learning apps may not fully capture. So, how can you connect with a native Japanese speaker if you're not living in the country? Luckily, there’s an app for that! Tandem offers a unique language learning experience that will help you improve your Japanese while learning how and when to use new words in everyday life. All you need to do is download the app, sign up, and find a native speaker of your target language. Once you match, you’ll begin communicating through language exchange and one-on-one teaching.
A Structured Method for Learning Japanese
This method for learning Japanese starts at the very beginning. This guide assumes you have zero knowledge of the Japanese language and guides you through each step. It covers reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The goal is to reach Japanese fluency as directly as possible. There are no tests or quizzes to take. You don't have to move at the speed of the slowest learner in your group. Just keep in mind that because of this, some steps may seem counterintuitive. They may even seem slow compared to other methods, but everything has been carefully selected to get you to the finish line faster and more efficiently.
Foundational Steps for True Beginners
This section is for the true beginner. You know little-to-no Japanese. Maybe a "konnichiwa" here and a "baka" there. Carefully completing this section is going to be necessary if you want to avoid the thing that takes down most learners: the intermediate wall. Instead, take your time on these foundational steps.
Learning Hiragana
Hiragana is Japan's version of the alphabet. It is one of three Japanese writing systems you need to learn to be able to read. The ability to read hiragana is going to be a prerequisite for most beginner Japanese textbooks and resources. It's the first thing you learn in a traditional classroom. Most Japanese classrooms spend an entire month learning how to read and write hiragana. That's too long! Instead of writing out each hiragana character over and over to memorize them, use a guide and you may be reading hiragana later tonight.
It's important to note that this guide is going to teach you how to read hiragana and not how to write it. This has a purpose! While it is important to learn how to hand write Japanese eventually, right now it will slow you down immensely with very little payoff. Remember: You're not in a class. You don't have to move at the speed of the slowest 10%. In order to complete this section and move on, you need to get to the point where you can read all of the hiragana. Even if you're slow, as long as you can recall each character, as well as the contractions, without cheating, that's enough.
Good pronunciation starts with hiragana. While hiragana alone won't teach you everything, it is the key to understanding how and why Japanese words sound the way they do. It will also help you get the foundation you need for a native-sounding accent. For the remaining 20%, we wrote a guide covering the basics of Japanese pronunciation. Once you've finished learning how to read hiragana, go though that section again, but this time read about "Important Differences" as well. This section will cover all of the sounds that don't exist in English, giving you a head start. With pronunciation, it's best to put the time and work in now, at the beginning. Don't ignore it because it's hard.
Installing a Japanese Keyboard and Typing in Hiragana
First, you need to install a Japanese keyboard. Luckily, you don't have to buy a special piece of hardware or computer to do this thanks to a type of software called an IME (input method editor). You can add an IME onto almost any kind of computer, phone, or operating system. After you’re done installing, it’s time to learn how to actually type. Assuming you are able to read hiragana, typing in hiragana is surprisingly straightforward. Once you feel confident in your typing abilities, including trickier things like contractions, small tsu, and dakuten, move on to the next section.
Learning Kanji Early
In this Japanese learning method, you're going to learn to read kanji characters very early. The most difficult thing about learning Japanese is kanji. At least, that's what people say. But trying to save it or brush it off until later isn't going to help you learn Japanese. Almost everything uses kanji, making it one of the most important aspects of learning this language. A lot of a beginner’s time when using a textbook is spent looking up kanji and vocabulary. This takes your focus away from the grammar you're trying to learn and makes progression slow and frustrating. Learning (some) kanji and vocabulary first makes learning grammar a lot faster and, more importantly, easier. Kanji leads to vocabulary, vocabulary aids communication, and grammar is like the glue that holds vocabulary together. Without vocabulary there's nothing for the grammar glue to stick to and everything gets messy. Like hiragana, we have a way for you to learn kanji that's way more effective than the traditional methodology (rote memorization). Thanks to that, it won't be as difficult as everyone says. It may even gasp be a pleasure to learn! This kanji-vocabulary-first route will get you to the point where you can use Japanese quickly. It feels slow at first, but soon you will rocket past your fellow Japanese learning compatriots. You'll also be able to get over that "intermediate wall" easier and quicker than if you were to use a traditional method. If you're on board with this philosophy, you need to start at the very beginning: understanding what kanji is and how it's used.
*Important note about this section: You should start to learn katakana (the next section) at the same time as this step. "Beginning Kanji & Stockpiling Kanji Knowledge" will take 1-3 months.
Defining "Learning Kanji"
Okay, so it's time to actually learn kanji. Let's define what "learn kanji" means before you get started. When I say "learn kanji" I mean learn the kanji’s most important (English) meaning(s), and their most important (Japanese) reading(s). As you know from reading about on'yomi and kun'yomi, some kanji have a lot of readings. And, unfortunately, English meanings are just translations and can't always match the Japanese meaning one-to-one. That means there can be many correct English meanings for a single kanji that you'll need to deal with. We'll narrow those down so you only learn the most important meanings and readings first-the ones used 80-90% of the time. As you learn kanji you will also learn vocabulary that use those kanji. Not only will this help solidify those kanji concepts in your mind, but it will also be where you learn the remaining kanji readings. By the end of this guide, your goal is to know around 2,000 of the most important kanji as well as 6-7000 vocabulary words that use them. Your goal should be to learn 20-30 kanji and ~100 vocabulary words that use those kanji (and only those kanji) each week. If that seems like a lot, don't worry: there is a method for memorization that will speed things up considerably.
Learning Katakana Simultaneously
Learning katakana is about the same as learning hiragana, with a few Shyamalanian twists. You should get to the point where you can read all of the katakana, however slowly, by the time you start unlocking vocabulary in WaniKani (or by the time you start vocabulary in your own kanji method). Although katakana words won't show up a lot right from the start, there are enough to make it worthwhile.
Note: Katakana tends to give learners more trouble than hiragana. This is because it seems to be used less than hiragana and kanji, especially at the beginning stages. Later on, katakana will appear more frequently, but for now simply being able to read katakana is enough. There will be plenty of opportunities to get better at it-just know that reading katakana may not come as quickly as it did with hiragana. And that's okay. Katakana is similar to hiragana in many ways, and thanks to this, learning how to type it should be fairly easy. There are a few differences to figure out, but you will be able to apply your hiragana knowledge to it and progress quickly.
Note: Make sure you keep working on your kanji! If you’re using WaniKani, just do your reviews as they become available. It's important to make this a habit. Because WaniKani is a spaced repetition system there must be spaces between reviews. Longer and longer ones, in fact (though it will depend on how well you're doing). Do your reviews on time and you’ll get through this initial "slow" phase in a week or two. That's a drop in the bucket compared to your entire Japanese-learning career, so try to be patient.
Typing in Kanji
Before starting this step, make sure you can read a handful of kanji. Twenty or thirty will do just fine. Typing in kanji is a little more complicated than typing in hiragana or katakana, but it still follows similar rules. Learn how to type in kanji using the kanji section of our guide then read to the end. Now you know how to type everything there is to type in Japanese (that is, unless you count kaomoji)! If you can type in English, typing in Japanese is surprisingly easy. To continue using this typing knowledge, you'll need to know more kanji and vocabulary. This is an important time in terms of pronunciation too. Make sure you consciously mimic the vocabulary audio. Think about pitch accent as you do it. With this kanji knowledge (and good pronunciation, to boot!), grammar is going to come quickly to you. You won't be spending your grammar study time looking up every other word. Instead, you'll be able to focus solely on grammar, and you'll know the contents of 80% of every sentence you see for the first time. When you say these sentences out loud, you won't be tripping over your tongue because you'll already be intimately familiar with Japanese sounds and pronunciation.
Learning Grammar
Being a beginner of anything is great. At this point, you have a strong base of kanji and vocabulary. If you are using WaniKani, you should be at level 10 or above. If you are doing kanji on your own, or using another resource, you should know the most common meaning and reading of around 300 kanji and 1,000 vocabulary words. If you are using a resource that only teaches you the meaning of a kanji (and not how to read it), that doesn't count. With this assumption about your knowledge in place, we're going to go through some options for how you can learn Japanese grammar. This includes using a textbook as well as creating your own grammar program from scratch. We offer some of our own material as well. Most likely, you'll end up doing a hybrid of the above. No matter what you choose, your foundation of kanji, vocabulary, and pronunciation will make everything much easier.
Expanding Vocabulary Beyond Kanji Studies
You will learn a lot of vocabulary purely from your kanji studies. As long as you have a good kanji system in place, you shouldn't worry too much. However, you will definitely need to learn all of the words that do not use kanji too. In the beginning, this will largely be grammatical things, and words that don't use kanji, from your textbook. It's time to learn how and when to introduce vocabulary words from outside your kanji studies into your study routine. You need to be able to record and store these words so that you can study them later. You also need a good system to handle and process these words. At your currently level, most of the new words you encounter will probably be hiragana or katakana-only words. Once you start reading more and more Japanese, the number of new words you encounter will increase, so being able to keep track and add these to your routine becomes even more important. For now though, your goal is to develop a habit of collecting, processing, and studying vocabulary that is unfamiliar to you.
Collecting New Vocabulary
Most likely, you will find most of the vocabulary that you want to learn in your Japanese textbook (we'll cover that really soon!). As I mentioned earlier, these might be words that don't have kanji, or maybe they're words that you didn't learn in WaniKani. Once you've found some words that you want to learn you need to collect them. How you do this doesn't matter as much as actually doing it. Put them in a spreadsheet, a tool like Evernote or OneNote, or just write them down on a piece of paper. There are plenty of list-apps and pieces of paper out there, so it's going to be difficult for me to say what you should use. I'm partial to Evernote and have my own processes built up there. And Airtable is a great spreadsheet app for people who don't think in math. Whatever you use, make sure it's easy for you. Figure out what makes sense and make it work.
Processing New Vocabulary
The next step is processing. I'd recommend you create a habit where every day, week, or month (it depends on how much new vocabulary you want to introduce to your routine) you go through this list and put them into your SRS of choice. What is an SRS? If you've been using WaniKani, you've been using a "Spaced Repetition System" (a.k.a. SRS) this whole time! But you'll want to use something else for the vocabulary you find out in the wild.
Habit Formation and Continued Learning
Habit generally means 3-6 weeks of doing something regularly. It’s (finally!) time to start learning grammar. If you followed this guide to the letter, you’re probably 2-4+ months into your Japanese studies. If it's more than that, don't worry about it. We all go at our own speeds and the important thing is that you kept moving forward. You should know around 300 kanji and 1,000 Japanese vocabulary words, and your pronunciation should be getting better, or at least you're being conscious about improving it. Let's start by internalizing a philosophy. This means that each new thing you learn should be a 20% (or smaller) incremental step. Most people go into a textbook with zero knowledge and …
Additional Resources
There are many online tools such as online dictionaries that will help you read and watch Japanese books, comics, and movies. There are also sites that will help you connect with native Japanese speakers for language exchange as well as other sites that will help with correcting your writing.
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