Many people who want to learn Japanese often wonder, “Where should I start?” Japanese has unique characters and grammar, but if you follow the right methods, you can learn efficiently. In this article, we will introduce eight easy and effective ways for beginners to study Japanese.
8 Recommended Methods for Studying Japanese
1. Clarify Your Purpose
The way you study Japanese will vary depending on your goal. For example:
- To be able to have simple conversations while traveling
- To enjoy Japanese anime and manga in the original language
- To use Japanese for work
- To live in Japan and master daily conversations
- To gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and history
By clearly defining your purpose, you can maintain motivation. Set specific and achievable goals to experience a sense of accomplishment.
2. Learn Hiragana and Katakana
The foundation of Japanese is Hiragana and Katakana. Mastering these will make it easier to learn vocabulary and phrases.
- Hiragana (あいうえお…): The basic script used in most Japanese words.
- Katakana (アイウエオ…): Used mainly for foreign words and emphasis, often appearing in loanwords from English.
Practice writing and use apps or flashcards to reinforce your learning. Writing helps in memorizing the character shapes effectively.
3. Learn Basic Words and Phrases
Memorizing common phrases will be useful when speaking.
- こんにちは (Hello)
- ありがとう (Thank you)
- これ、いくらですか？ (How much is this?)
- すみません、もういちど おねがいします (Excuse me, could you say that again?)
- おなまえは なんですか？ (What is your name?)
Use smartphone apps and flashcards to expand your vocabulary gradually. Writing down commonly used words in a notebook can also be beneficial.
4. Get Used to Japanese Sounds
Listening practice is essential for improving your comprehension skills.
- Watch Japanese anime and dramas
- Listen to Japanese podcasts or YouTube channels
- Enjoy Japanese music
- Listen to Japanese news (e.g., NHK News Easy)
Even if you don’t understand at first, regular exposure will help your ears adapt. Watching videos with subtitles is a great way for beginners to practice listening.
5. Learn Basic Grammar
Japanese grammar differs from English, but understanding basic rules makes sentence construction easier.
- Subject + Predicate (わたしは がくせい です): The basic structure of Japanese sentences.
- Particles (は, が, を, に, etc.): Essential for correctly conveying meaning.
- Verb Conjugations (たべる → たべます → たべたい): Frequently used in daily conversations.
Use beginner-friendly grammar books or online courses to gradually build your understanding. As your grammar knowledge improves, so will your reading, writing, and speaking skills.
6. Practice Speaking
The most important part of learning a language is speaking. Even if you’re not in Japan, you can still practice speaking through these methods:
- Use language exchange apps (HelloTalk, Tandem, etc.)
- Take online lessons with a Japanese tutor
- Make Japanese friends through apps and engage in conversations
- Practice shadowing (repeating what you hear)
Start with simple self-introductions and gradually expand your conversation skills. Don’t worry about making mistakes—practicing speaking will boost your confidence in Japanese.
7. Practice Reading and Writing
To truly master Japanese, reading and writing are just as important as speaking.
- Read simple Japanese books and news (e.g., NHK News Easy)
- Write a diary (even one sentence per day is fine!)
- Post on social media in Japanese
Reading enhances vocabulary and grammar understanding, while writing improves your ability to express thoughts in Japanese.
8. Consistency is Key!
Learning Japanese is not something you can achieve overnight. It’s essential to study little by little every day.
- Expose yourself to Japanese for at least 10 minutes daily
- Track your learning progress using apps or a notebook
- Enjoy the process by incorporating games and anime
By making Japanese study a habit, you will see continuous improvement.
Conclusion
In this article, we introduced eight recommended methods for beginners to start learning Japanese:
- Clarify your purpose
- Learn Hiragana and Katakana
- Learn basic words and phrases
- Get used to Japanese sounds
- Learn basic grammar
- Practice speaking
- Practice reading and writing
- Be consistent
Find the methods that suit you best and enjoy learning Japanese!
At Torazou Japanese Online School, we specialize in teaching Japanese at beginner and lower-intermediate levels. Our highly qualified teachers, selected based on their experience, provide structured lessons with additional tools such as vocabulary lists and assignments to help you study effectively.
No enrollment fee! With a 3-month reservation at $245, the monthly cost comes to just $80 for two sessions per week. We also offer an early bird discount, which may provide savings of over $10 depending on the duration. Our group lessons have a maximum of 8 students. Feel free to compare us with other schools! If you’re interested in learning Japanese, please feel free to contact us.