How to Study Japanese
A systematic approach to mastering Japanese writing
Your Japanese Journey
Follow this roadmap to efficiently learn Japanese characters
Learning Japanese is a marathon, not a sprint. This curriculum is designed to take you from complete beginner to advanced level systematically. The estimated timeline assumes studying 1-2 hours daily, but your pace may vary. Remember: consistency is more important than speed!
Step 1: Master Hiragana
Start with the basic Japanese phonetic alphabet. Hiragana consists of 46 characters representing all sounds in Japanese. Learn to read and write these characters as they form the foundation of Japanese literacy.
Practice HiraganaStep 2: Learn Katakana
Katakana is the second Japanese phonetic script used primarily for foreign words. Like Hiragana, it has 46 basic characters. Learning Katakana will allow you to read loan words and foreign names in Japanese.
Practice KatakanaStep 3: Understand Kanji Radicals
Kanji radicals are the building blocks of kanji characters. Learning these components will help you recognize patterns and remember kanji more effectively. There are about 214 traditional radicals, but learning the most common ones will give you a strong foundation.
Study RadicalsStep 4: JLPT N5 Kanji
Begin your kanji journey with the 100 basic kanji required for the JLPT N5 level. These are the most fundamental characters used in everyday Japanese. Master both reading and writing these characters.
Study N5 KanjiStep 5: JLPT N4 Kanji
Progress to the ~300 kanji needed for JLPT N4. This level includes more complex characters and compounds that will expand your reading capabilities significantly.
Study N4 KanjiStep 6: JLPT N3 Kanji
Take on the ~600 kanji for JLPT N3. At this level, you'll be able to read most everyday materials with the help of a dictionary. Your vocabulary will expand significantly.
Study N3 KanjiStep 7: JLPT N2 Kanji
Study the ~1000 kanji required for JLPT N2. This level approaches business Japanese proficiency and will allow you to read most newspaper articles and novels with occasional dictionary use.
Study N2 KanjiStep 8: JLPT N1 Kanji
Master the ~2000 kanji needed for JLPT N1, the highest level of Japanese language proficiency. At this level, you'll be able to read almost any Japanese text and understand nuanced expressions.
Study N1 KanjiCongratulations on Your Journey!
By now, you've mastered the core of written Japanese. Remember that language learning is a lifelong journey. Continue to practice reading authentic materials, writing, and conversing with native speakers.
Study Tips
- •Use spaced repetition systems (SRS) like Anki to reinforce your memory
- •Practice writing characters by hand to improve recognition and retention
- •Study in short, frequent sessions rather than long cramming sessions
- •Read Japanese content at your level to see characters in context
- •Use mnemonics to help remember complex kanji
- •Track your progress to stay motivated and see how far you've come