TOPIC
Getting Started
Orientation posts for learners just beginning with Japanese.
11 articles
How to memorize kanji: learn words, see the parts, and stop collecting readings
How to memorize kanji: learn each one inside a word, break it into parts, use the sound hints, and review with spaced repetition. 10 practice questions.
How to type in Japanese: the IME, the space bar, and the っ nobody can find
Set up Japanese input on Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android, then learn the four keystrokes that trip everyone up: ん, っ, ー and choosing the right kanji.
How to write your name in Japanese: katakana, sound by sound
Foreign names go in katakana and follow the sound, not the spelling. How to convert your name, the rules that decide ー and ッ, and why kanji names are a trap.
JLPT levels explained: N5 to N1, the pass marks, and which one to take
What N5 through N1 certify, the official pass marks and section minimums, and how to pick the level worth sitting — from a teacher who preps students.
How to study Japanese by yourself: what actually works, from a teacher who watches it fail
Build a practical Japanese self-study routine with kana, grammar, listening, and speaking exercises, plus ways to spot gaps and get useful feedback.
Japanese numbers 1–100: the building rule, and the three numbers that have two readings
Learn to build Japanese numbers from 1 to 100, handle alternate readings for 4, 7, and 9, understand the 10,000 unit, and start counting objects.
Japanese writing systems: why three scripts, and what each one is telling you
Hiragana, katakana, and kanji each do a different job inside one sentence. Learn what every script signals and how to start reading Japanese today.
What actually happens in a first Japanese lesson
See what happens in a first Japanese lesson, from introductions to speaking practice, with useful phrases and a clear plan for your next step.
Hiragana, katakana, kanji: which to learn first, and how long each takes
Learn hiragana first, katakana next, and kanji through useful words. I explain the order, study-time estimates, common mistakes, and reading practice.
How long does it really take to learn Japanese?
The Foreign Service Institute number is 2200 hours, but ordinary conversation arrives far sooner. See what each stage costs and how to reach it faster.
What language apps cannot teach you about Japanese
Learn what Japanese app drills leave out, from choosing polite speech to repairing misunderstandings, and practice turning familiar words into conversation.