Learning Japanese can be a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience. There are many different reasons to learn Japanese: an interest in Japanese culture, wanting to watch anime without subtitles, plans to travel or work in Japan, and more.
Mastering the Japanese language opens up a world of new possibilities. In this article, we’ll discuss the best methods, resources, and tips to learn Japanese effectively.
Why Learn Japanese?
As briefly mentioned in the introduction, everyone has their own reason for wanting to learn Japanese. But let’s look at the facts! Japanese is spoken by approximately 125 million people in Japan. Learning Japanese has several benefits:
- Cultural enrichment: Access Japanese media such as literature and films, or gain the opportunity to have conversations with native speakers.
- Career opportunities: Japan is one of the largest economies in the world, and companies often value employees who speak Japanese. Japanese people themselves typically don’t speak a second language — not even English.
- Travel experiences: A visit to Japan becomes much richer if you speak the language, even at a basic level. As mentioned above, most Japanese people don’t speak English. If you really want to explore Japan, speaking some Japanese is truly helpful!
How to Effectively Learn Japanese?
Step 1: Understand the Basics of the Japanese Language
Japanese is quite different from most Western languages in both grammar and writing. The first step is to understand the basic structure of the language.
Sentence Structure in Japanese
- Subject-Object-Verb: Unlike Dutch or English, which use Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order, Japanese follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) structure.
- Particles: Japanese sentences use particles (like は, が, を) to indicate the role of words in a sentence, such as subject, object, etc.
Japanese Scripts: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji
- Hiragana: The basic alphabet used for grammatical functions and words that don’t have Kanji.
- Katakana: Used for loanwords from other languages, like “television” → テレビ (terebi). Many Japanese loanwords are of Dutch origin, like beer → ビール (biiru), which can be an advantage when learning vocabulary.
- Kanji: Characters borrowed from Chinese, each with its own meaning and multiple pronunciations. For example, “I” → 私 (watashi).
Step 2: Learn the Scripts
An essential part of learning Japanese is mastering the three writing systems. This is often the most challenging, but also one of the most essential steps in the learning process.
How to Start Learning Hiragana and Katakana?
- Writing Practice: Practice writing each character to better remember it.
- Apps and Websites: Use apps like Anki flashcards or websites like Tofugu for practice.
- Our Hiragana & Katakana learning package: This package contains everything you need to master Hiragana and Katakana — from pronunciation to Anki flashcards!
The Challenge of Kanji
Kanji is the most difficult of the three scripts. Learning Kanji requires consistency and patience:
- Start with basic Kanji: Learn the most frequently used Kanji in everyday life. You’ll find these in textbooks like Genki. You can also Google 'N5 Kanji'. N5 is the lowest level of the official Japanese language proficiency test (JLPT).
- Learn in context: Try learning Kanji within words instead of in isolation.
- Use mnemonics: Many learners use memory tricks to help remember the meanings and readings of Kanji.
Step 3: Basic Grammar and Sentences
Once you’ve mastered the writing basics, it’s time to dive into grammar and simple sentences.
Grammar Structures
- Verb Conjugations: Learn different verb forms like past tense, negative form, etc.
- Basic Sentences: Start with simple expressions, such as greetings ("こんにちは", konnichiwa) and questions ("これは何ですか？", Kore wa nan desu ka?).
Time and Commitment
Learning Japanese requires daily practice, but with dedication and the right resources, you’ll see steady progress.
Step 4: Use Resources and Tools
To learn Japanese effectively, use a variety of resources and tools to practice and deepen your understanding.
Textbooks and Courses
- Genki I & II: Popular beginner textbooks used in many language schools. At www.leer-japans.nl, we use the Genki books.
- Minna no Nihongo: Another widely used textbook that helps build your skills.
Online Resources
- Duolingo: A popular app to learn the basics of Japanese.
- WaniKani: A fantastic tool for learning Kanji using flashcards and mnemonics.
Media and Immersion
- Anime and Dramas: Watching Japanese shows and anime without subtitles can boost your listening skills.
- Music and Podcasts: Listen to Japanese music or podcasts to get your ears used to the language.
Step 5: Practice and Interaction
One of the best ways to learn Japanese is to actively communicate with others.
Language Exchange
Look for language exchange partners, online or in person, to practice conversational skills. This helps not just with the language itself, but also with understanding cultural context.
Japanese Cultural Events
Attend Japanese cultural events like film festivals, language clubs, or workshops. These are great for practicing the language and meeting fellow learners.
Conclusion
Learning Japanese is a challenging but deeply rewarding journey. By following a structured approach and using the right tools, you can master this fascinating language.
With dedication and regular practice, you'll soon find yourself gaining confidence and expanding your communication skills. Ganbatte (good luck)!
