(The Fundamentals of Studying Japanese)
Do you want to study Japanese but don’t know where to start? Here are some simple steps you can take.
1. Learn Hiragana and Katakana
Hiragana （ひらがな）and Katakana (カタカナ) is the foundation that makes up Japanese, the last being Kanji （漢字, lit. Chinese Characters）. Without knowing both Hiragana and Katakana, you won’t be able to read Japanese text as they do not use Romaji. Each Hiragana and Katakana represent a syllabary.
You can learn both using mnemonics, stories that help you remember facts. I highly suggest checking Tofugu’s guide on Hiragana. You should be able to place them in a few hours to a few days. After learning both, you can read Japanese, but not everything yet.
2. Learn the first 100 Kanji
Kanji （漢字) is the Japanese version of Chinese Characters. While you can read media in Hiragana and Katakana, it’s difficult to figure out what word it is since many use the same reading.
Kanji consists of the Onyomi （音読み, lit. Sound Reading or Chinese Reading) and Kunyomi (訓読み、lit. Native Japanese Reading for a Kanji).
One big mistake is to memorize the Kanji and all the readings. Instead, learn the meaning of each character and primary readings and learn vocabulary with it.
There are several ways to learn Kanji, whether through a textbook like Genki or other beginner Japanese textbooks, a method like Remembering the Kanji or Kanji in Context, or an app like WaniKani. Select a way that you are most comfortable learning them.
Know at least 100 of the most common Kanji before learning basic Japanese grammar.
3. Get an SRS Flashcard App
SRS (Space Repetition System) is a powerful tool that allows you to remember facts, including vocabulary and Kanji. It automatically spaces out reviews of learned cards until you finally know them well enough. There are many to choose from, as seen in the Study Resources section. Anki is the most popular, and there are many pre-made decks for vocabulary and Kanji for textbooks like Genki, Tobira, and Quartet made for that app. Also, WaniKani uses a version of SRS as well.
If Anki is too complicated, there is also Kitsun, KaniManabu, and Memrise. You should add the vocabulary you discover to the deck. Also, learn and review every day, even on holidays.
4. Start Studying Basic Japanese Grammar
While some believe that textbook Japanese is wrong, it provides a foundation. But, of course, language is not math, and there are a few things that textbooks don’t cover in real-life conversations and native media.
However, if you know the basics, you will pick these differences up quickly.
The best place to start is to use Genki I and II. Why Genki? While the textbook is suited more for a classroom setting, it’s still suitable for self-study given the vast number of resources such as Youtube videos explaining the lessons. Also, you can do the exercises electronically.
For each lesson, you should do the reading passage and study the vocabulary through an SRS app. Then read over the grammar points or watch Youtube videos explaining these points and do the exercises through the workbook or electronically. (See Study Resources Page)
If textbooks don’t suit you, you can try BunPro, which allows you to study Japanese grammar through an SRS system.
After a few lessons, you should start studying Kanji through the method you selected in step 2.
5. Immersion and Learning Intermediate Japanese Grammar
Once you have finished Genki I and II, you should know a good amount of Kanji, vocabulary, and grammar points. Then, you can either go onto Intermediate Japanese textbooks with Quartet or Tobira. Or, you can start immersing yourself in native media (Anime with Japanese subtitles, manga, light novels, video games, podcasts, etc.) at your appropriate level of Japanese knowledge. and pick up the grammar points yourself.
For most people, completing Intermediate Japanese will make immersion easier as you learn more grammar points, which will help you understand native material more quickly.
Also, continue learning new Kanji and vocabulary, including the ones you discover to strengthen your knowledge.
The Study Resources page has a list of places where you can obtain native Japanese materials.
That is all the basic steps you need to take, but theres more!
We share tips and tricks, along with reviews of native Japanese Manga and Light Novels on our blog in Japanese. Go and check it out.