Japanese is considered the second hardest language for English speakers to master, but that does not have to put a stop on your dream of how to learn Japanese. Japanese is a widely spoken language in east Asia, which is also the home of some of the most developed countries in tech and tourism, so learning their language can open many new doors for you. To help you on your journey to learn Japanese, here is an easy step-by-step guide on how to learn Japanese:
Start by Learning the Alphabet #How to Learn Japanese
The best way to learn Japanese, especially for beginners, is to start learning the alphabets. Alphabets are the core pillars of any language, and in the case of Japanese, there are three basic writing systems or scripts that you need to learn: hiragana, katakana, and kanji.
Hiragana
Know how to learn Japanese – It is crucial to learn hiragana if you want to learn Japanese. Hiragana is usually used for native Japanese words that include 46 characters and 51 phonetic characters. Learning Hiragana is the basic building block to understanding how and why the Japanese words sound the way that they do.
Katakana
Katakana is very different from Hiragana as it is used for words that are taken from or derived from other foreign languages. These words are usually technical or scientific terms, and sometimes they are the names of plants and animals. In comparison, Katakana is said to be harder to remember than Hiragana, as it is not used as frequently. Although just being able to read katakana is considered enough for beginners, you can still learn katakana better with time by staying consistent in your practice.
Kanji
Kanji is made up of thousands of Chinese symbols that present entire words, ideas, or even phrases. This part of learning Japanese by yourself has acquired a name for being the hardest step to get through, but on the brighter side, it is one of the most critical aspects of learning Japanese because it enables you to understand, speak, and write simple Japanese.
Kanji is one of the most difficult steps to complete for English speakers, as English phrases and meanings are not always directly translated from Japanese words, which is one of the reasons why there are many correct English meanings for a single kanji word.
Practice Grammar
Learning and practicing grammar while learning a foreign language is one of the most important steps when trying to achieve fluency, and at times it is very hard. In order to master the Japanese language, you need to forget everything you learned from English grammar, the tenses, the formation of sentences, everything, as these two languages are grammatically very different. To name the most major changes, Japanese only has 2 tenses: past and non-past (present and future) as compared to English, which has past, present, and future with at least 2 more segregations in each of them. However, Japanese has two forms of speaking: polite, which is used for more respectful and formal conversation, and plain, which is used for casual communication.
Unlearning is just another step in the process of learning new things, and that is precisely what you are going to have to do when learning Japanese because Japanese has an entirely different writing system, which you might have even seen in manga. The Japanese script is either read from right to left or from top to bottom, unlike English, which is read from left to right.
Learn Some Keyphrases
One of the most frequently asked questions by Japanese learners is “how to learn Japanese fast?”And to answer that, the best way to learn Japanese is by starting to learn common words and phrases that are used in general conversation, like “hello,” “how do you do?” and “nice to meet you,” etc.
Learning these phrases will allow you to finally start conversing with native Japanese speakers, and to make sure you are understood by them, you need to make an effort to perfect your Japanese pronunciation. The best way to do this is by recording yourself saying phrases and then later correcting them. Although a tutor is highly suggested when trying to learn new pronunciation as learning new sounds is very difficult, you can still try and learn Japanese at home online.
Make a Schedule
Most of us have already thought of this or heard it at least a million times before, when trying to do anything at all, but this time it will surely help you- make a Japanese language learning schedule. In order to see good and early progress, you need to start being consistent and practice every day. It does not matter how much time you spend on it; what counts is if you make the time count. The language learning expert Berry Lewis believes that it takes about 400 to 600 hours to become fluent in any language, so even if you spend 15 minutes a day learning and practicing, make the most of that time.
Use Apps to Get Started
Language learning apps come in very handy when you start learning any language. Apps like Duolingo, Memrise, or Rosetta Stone are very basic apps for beginners to start learning simple Japanese phrases, vocabulary, and alphabets. These apps enable you to study wherever and whenever you want with a spaced repetition system.
Even though apps are great for enhancing your basic Japanese language skills, they should not be the only resource you use. Studying only on apps will help you grow, but not quickly. No app can ever substitute for real-life interactions. You should find an online learning partner or tutor that can ensure that you speak on a regular basis.
Make and Use Flashcards
Flashcards are perfect for language learners. It’s a card with information on either side of it. If you need to memorize a specific word in Japanese, you could write the word on one side and the translation in your known or native language on the other side. Doing this will enable you to learn that word faster and more efficiently.
If you are using flashcards for the first time, given below are some ways you can use them to their fullest:
Label items in your house in Japanese so you see them every day and eventually learn their names.
Regularly repeat words and quiz yourself.
Ask a friend to quiz you to see if you remember the words correctly.
You can purchase these flashcards online, or if you wish to save money, you could also make them on your own.
Chat online and have conversations with native speakers.
The best way to learn and be fluent in Japanese or any language is to go back to the first time you learned a language. No one ever taught you to speak your mother tongue; you just picked it up when your parents were speaking to each other. In the same way, speaking to a native speaker is the best way to learn a new language. For example, you can opt for a 1-on-1 video chat to find a language partner who speaks Japanese using your smartphone or computer. Given below are some of the tools you can try to connect with native speakers.
HelloTalk is a language exchange app where learners can quickly find and chat with native speakers.
LextTalk was the first social networking and chat app designed for language exchange.
MyLanguageExchange is a platform that will allow you to find partners you can talk to in order to improve your speaking skills with both native speakers and language learners.
Read Manga and Watch Anime
The Japanese language is very widely connected to its culture, and one of the best ways to learn Japanese culture is by reading. Mangas are famous and well known both in and out of the country; they have also become a very important part of pop Japanese culture.
Mangas are comics very famous for their unique art styles; they are basically novels with graphic representation that helps you grab a better context of the story. Almost everyone of us has heard of anime. Anime are cartoon movies that have unique art and drawing styles that will help you learn slang and improve your listening skills while also being entertained.
Learning Japanese might seem hard, but with the right steps, you can do it even all by yourself, start by learning the three basic scripts: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji then move on to practicing grammar and common phrases to help you speak and understand Japanese better. Make a study schedule and stick to it, even if it’s just a few minutes a day, you can also use apps and flashcards to help you remember words and phrases better, in order to improve fluency, talk to native speakers online to practice speaking. Finally, read manga and watch anime to learn more about Japanese culture and improve your language skills.
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