Looking for a fun way to improve your Japanese enunciation? Japanese tongue twisters, or hayakuchi kotoba (早口言葉), are short, challenging phrases that help train your tongue, improve fluency, and boost confidence when speaking. Try one a day and make it part of your study routine — yes, even while performing your oral hygiene routine !

Hayakuchi kotoba (早口言葉), which translates to “fast mouth (hayakuchi) words (kotoba).” Just like Japanese slang, learning these tongue twisters is a fun and exciting way to practice speaking the language. Specifically, it helps condition you to make that Japanese pronunciation you’ve wanted to nail. You can make it your daily routine to repeat one tongue twister daily. That’s right — we want you to start saying “Kono kugi wa hikinukui kugi da” while brushing your teeth and doing laundry. Totally normal stuff. 

There are many popular tongue twisters in English — let’s not forget the classic “She sells seashells by the seashore” — but what about Japanese tongue twisters? We’ve organized these Japanese tongue twisters in their order of difficulty. It’s time to try these tongue twisters to track your trek. (See what we just did there?)

Whether you’re a complete beginner or already enrolled in lessons at Coto Academy, adding a daily tongue twister to your study routine is a great way to level up your speaking skills.

Practicing tongue twisters is an effective and fun way to train your mouth muscles and improve pronunciation.

Easy Japanese Tongue Twisters – Warm-Up Twisters

These few Japanese tongue twisters are relatively easy to master. You need to be careful of the sudden consonant changes and those few repetitive consonants. Otherwise, their shorter length helps beginners and aspiring tongue-twister-enthusiast to catch their breath. 

1. 生麦生米生卵

Pronunciation: namamugi namagome namatamago

Hiragana: なま むぎなまごめなまたまご

English Translation: Raw wheat, raw rice, raw egg. 

2. 坊主が屏風に上手に坊主の絵を書いた

Pronunciation: bouzu ga byoubu ni jouzu ni bouzu no e o kaita

Hiragana: ぼうずがびょうぶにじょうずにぼうずのえをかいた

English Translation: The monk skillfully drew a picture of a monk on a screen

3. 赤巻紙, 黄巻紙, 青巻紙 

Pronunciation: akamakigami, kimakigami, aomakigami

Hiragana: あかまきがみきまきがみあおまきがみ

English Translation: Red scroll, yellow scroll, blue scroll

4. バスガス爆発 

Pronunciation: Basu gasu bakuhatsu

Hiragana: バスガスばくはつ

English translation: Bus gas explosion

5. ブタがブタをぶったのでぶたれたブタがぶったブタをぶった。

Pronunciation: buta ga buta o butta node butareta buta ga butta buta o butta.

English Translation: The pig beat the pig. Therefore, the beaten pig beat the beater pig.

6. 赤パジャマ黄パジャマ茶パジャマ

Pronunciation: aka pajama, ki pajama, cha pajama

Hiragana: あかぱじゃま　きぱじゃま　ちゃぱじゃま

English Translation: Red pajamas, yellow pajamas, and brown pajamas

Intermediate Japanese Tongue Twisters – Tongue Gym Level

Is rolling your tongue for the above phrases too much of a breeze? We’ll bump up the difficulty a notch. These tongue twisters are only getting longer, with more repetitive and similar consonants.

Getting used to the rhythm of Japanese through tongue twisters is a great start — but don’t stop there! Here are 48 useful Japanese phrases you can actually use in real conversations to reinforce your speaking confidence.

7. この釘は引き抜きにくい釘だ 

Pronunciation: kono kugi wa hikinuki nikui kugi da

Hiragana: このくぎはひきぬきにくいくぎだ

English Translation: This nail is difficult to pull out.

8. 李も桃、桃も桃、李も桃も桃のうち。

Pronunciation: sumomo mo momo, momo mo momo, sumomo mo momo mo momo no uchi.

Hiragana: すもももももももももも、すもももももももものうち。

English translation: A Japanese plum is a peach, a peach is also a peach, and both Japanese plums and peaches are a kind of peach. 

9. 蛙ぴょこぴょこ三ぴょこぴょこ合わせてぴょこぴょこ六ぴょこぴょこ

Pronunciation: Kaeru pyokopyoko mipyokopyoko awasete pyokopyoko mupyokopyoko

Hiragana: かえるぴょこぴょこみぴょこぴょこあわせてぴょこぴょこむぴょこぴょこ

English translation: The frogs jump, three (times) jump, together jump, six (times) jump.

10. バナナの謎はまだ謎なのだぞ

Pronunciation: banana no nazo wa mada nazo na no da zo

Hiragana: ばななのなぞは、まだなぞなのだぞ

English Translation: The mystery of the banana is still a mystery

11. 鹿もカモシカも鹿の仲間, しかしアシカは鹿ではない 

Pronunciation: shika mo kamoshika mo shika no nakama, shikashi ashika wa shika de wa nai

Hiragana: しかもかもしかもしかのなかま、しかしあしかはしかではない

English Translation: both the deer and the antelope are part of the deer family, but surely the sea lion is not a deer

12. 飲むなら乗るな、乗るなら飲むな。

Pronunciation: Nomu nara noru na, noru nara nomu na.

Hiragana: のおむならのるな、のるならのむな

English Transaction: If you drink don’t drive, if you drive don’t drink.

13. 親亀の上に子亀、子亀の上に孫亀。

Pronunciation: Oyagame no ue ni kogame, kogame no ue ni magogame.

Hiragana: おやがめのうえにこがめ、こがめのうえにまごがめ。

English Translation: The parent turtle is the child turtle, and the child turtle is the grandchild turtle.

Hardest Japanese Tongue Twisters – Twisted Tongue Mastery

These tongue twisters require more focus and practice. Still, even if you don’t speak any Japanese, that doesn’t mean you can’t try out some of these!

These tongue twisters are a great way to train your articulation, but real progress comes from regular exposure to natural spoken Japanese. If you’re ready for a challenge, try listening to the Bilingual News podcast, where the hosts casually switch between Japanese and English — perfect for intermediate learners!

14. タコベルのタコは高くなかった

Pronunciation: takoberu no tako wa takakunakatta

Hiragana: タコベルのたこはたかくなかった。

English Translation: Taco Bell’s tacos aren’t expensive at all.

15. にゃんこ、子にゃんこ、孫にゃんこ、ひ孫にゃんこ。

Pronunciation: nyanko, konyanko, magonyanko, himagonyanko.

Hiragana: にゃんこ、こにゃんこ、まごにゃんこ、ひまごにゃんこ。

English translation: Kitty, kitten, grand-kitten, great-grand kitten.

16. シャンソン歌手、新春シャンソンショー

Pronunciation: Shanson kashu, shinshun shansonshu.

Hiragana: しゃんそんかしゅ、しんしゅんシャションシュー

English Translation: Chanson singer, New Year chanson show.

17. 暖かくなかったから、暖かい服を使った

Pronunciation: Atatakakunakattakara, atatakai fuku o tsukatta

Hiragana: あたたかくなかったから、あたたかいふくをつかった。

English transaction: Because it wasn’t warm, I used warm clothes.

Notice that the word atatakai (warm) is heavily modified? This is because Japanese i-adjectives conjugate themselves. To learn more about this, visit our guide to Japanese adjectives. 

18. 右目右耳 右耳右目

Pronunciation: Migime migi mimi migi mimi migi me

Hiragana: みぎめみぎみみみぎみみみぎめ

English translation: Right eye, right ear, right ear, right eye

19. 隣りの客はよく柿食う客だ 

Pronunciation: tonari no kyaku wa yoku kaki kuu kyaku da

Hiragana: となりのきゃくはよくかきくうきゃくだ

English translation: The guest next door eats a lot of persimmons

20. この竹垣に竹立て掛けたのは竹立て掛けたかったから、竹立て掛けた

Pronunciation: kono takegaki ni take tatekaketa no wa take tatekaketakattakara , take tatekaketa

Hiragana: このたけがきにたけたてかけたのはたけたてかけたかったから、たけたてかけた

English Translation: I laid this bamboo against the bamboo fence because I wanted to lay bamboo against it

21. 裏庭には二羽, 庭には二羽鶏がいる

Pronunciation: ura niwa ni wa niwa, niwa ni wa niwa niwatori ga iru

Hiragana: うらにわにわにわにわにわにわにわとりがいる

English Translation: There are two chickens in the backyard and two chickens in the front yard

22. 東京特許許可局長

Pronunciation: toukyou tokkyo kyokakyokuchou

Hiragana: とうきょうとっきょきょかきょくちょう

English translation: Director of Tokyo Patent Licensing Bureau

23. トラをとるならトラをとるより鳥をとれ、鳥はおとりにトラをとれ。

Pronunciation: Torawo torunara torawo toru yori toriwo tore, toriwa otorini torawo tore.

Hiragana: とらをとるならとるとらをとるよりとりをとれ、とりはおとりにとらをとれ。

English Translation: Instead of catching the tiger, catch a bird and use the bird as bait to catch the tiger.

Here are some other tongue twisters for you to try out!

Think you’ve mastered these tongue twisters? Time to put it to the test!

Join a conversation class at Coto Academy and impress your teachers with your smooth pronunciation.
🧠✨ From Tokyo to your living room, we’ll help you speak Japanese like a pro — one hayakuchi kotoba at a time!

FAQ

Do Japanese have tongue twisters?

Yes! Japanese has many tongue twisters, called 早口言葉 (hayakuchi kotoba), which literally means “fast mouth words.” They’re often used for fun or language practice.

What is the hardest Japanese tongue twister?

One of the most famous and challenging is: 生麦生米生卵 (Namamugi namagome namatamago) – “Raw wheat, raw rice, raw eggs.” Its repetitive sounds make it tricky, even for native speakers!

Are tongue twisters useful for learning Japanese?

Yes! Practicing hayakuchi kotoba helps improve your pronunciation, rhythm, and mouth agility, making your spoken Japanese clearer and more natural.

What are some easy Japanese tongue twisters for beginners?

Try this one: 赤巻紙青巻紙黄巻紙 (Aka makigami, ao makigami, ki makigami) – “Red scroll, blue scroll, yellow scroll.” It’s fun, colorful, and great for practicing the “k” and “m” sounds.

Japanese swear words are those, while you don’t use that much, super fun to know; especially if you’ve got a good basis of Japanese under your belt, but you need to know them to avoid them, too.

Profanity is always frowned upon in most cultures, and Japanese people are known to be one of the most polite and respectful societies. That is to say, the things you learn in anime might not be best practiced in real life. You don’t want to go around the streets in Tokyo saying, “ばか (baka)!”.

It’s rare for strangers to use Japanese cursed words or slang casually. In fact, even if you’re friends with a Japanese person, you still need to be cautious about throwing a swear word, even if it’s mild.

That is to say, don’t really swear in public, or in general. Still, these are fun Japanese swear words to know, and we can’t blame you for wanting to learn. And it’s not like you can never say these. Around your friends, go for it, but with someone you don’t really know, maybe watch your tongue.

1. 馬鹿 (Baka): Stupid

The Japanese word baka (ばか) basically means “fool” or”idiot”. Depending on the tone and situation, it can range from a playful “dummy” to a harsh insult that stings.

The kanji is 馬鹿. 馬, meaning “horse” (uma), and 鹿, which means “deer” (shika). You might also see it written in katakana as バカ.

お前はバカなの？
Omae wa baka na no?
Are you stupid?

2. アホ (Aho): Stupid

Aho means idiot or stupid. If you watch a lot of anime, you probably know another way to call someone an idiot, 馬鹿 (Baka), so what’s the difference between both? While the two share the same meaning, アホ is more commonly used in the Kansai region, where it can range from playful teasing to outright insults, while 馬鹿 is used more in the Kanto region. Funnily enough, this results in either being more offensive in the region they’re used less.

In contrast, in the Kanto region, アホ feels harsher, and 馬鹿 is the preferred term for calling someone stupid.

お前、アホちゃう？
Omae, aho chau?
Are you an idiot?

3. ブス (Busu): Ugly Woman

Busu is an extremely ugly woman, and it is used specifically for women to insult their physical appearance, it’s a cruel and offensive term. It’s not the word you should use to a stranger — unless you want to crush their self-esteem.

It’s a demeaning term, so even if you intend to joke around, consider how people might feel about it.

The male version of ブス (Busu) is ブ男 (Buotoko). When someone mutters “busu” or “buotoko” under their breath, you’ll know the meaning and possibly how to react.

お前、ブスだよ。
Omae, busu da yo.
You’re ugly

4. 畜生 (Chikusho): Damn It!

Chikusho (ちくしょう) is an exclamation usually used out of frustration. It’s similar to saying “Damn!” or “Damn it!” in english. Sometimes, the translation goes, “For Christ’s sake!” It also has meaning outside of as an exclamation, that being “Beast” or “Brute”.

You don’t direct this Japanese swear word to someone. Rather, you use it when facing an unfortunate event or anything remotely inconvenient.

ちくしょう、パンクだ！
Chikushou, panku da!
Damn it! I’ve got a flat (tire)!

5. 黙れ (Damare): Shut up!

Like the phrase うるさい (Urusai), damare is used to say “Shut up!” The word is stemmed from the Japanese verb 黙る (damaru), which means “to be quiet.” However, this is the Japanese command form used to express strong orders or demands.

Unlike using ください (kudasai) or お願いします (onegaishimasu), which is closer to a request or soft demand, this command form is not exactly polite.

This Japanese swear word is often interchangeable with うるさい (urusai), but they mean two different things — with the same implication. うるさい is a Japanese adjective that means “noisy.”

If you hear someone say this, it’s more to passively shut someone up: “You’re noisy! (So shut up)!” They will typically take it as a sign to tone it down.

だまれ, on the other hand, is much more of a command, so it is much more impolite to use it.

だまれ、このやろう！
Damare, kono yarou!
Shut up, you bastard!

6. どけ (Doke): Get out of my way!

Similar to だまれ, どけ (doke) is a Japanese command form from the verb どく, which means to step aside or move out of the way. When you’re pissed off and have to make the people move out of your path, you might lash out and say, “Get out of my way!”

It’s an extremely rude way of ‘asking’ someone to make way for you, and you shouldn’t use it in normal circumstances — like when you’re trying to get out of a packed train car.

どけ、邪魔だよ！
Doke, jama da yo!
Move, you’re in my way!

7. ふざけるな (Fuzakeru na): Don’t Mess With Me!

Any Japanese verb with a “na” な on the end is usually taken as an aggressive negative command of “don’t”.

ふざけるな comes from the phrase ふざける (fuzakeru), meaning to mess around. When used with な, it becomes a negative command, telling someone to stop messing around. It has since been translated to mean either “Stop messing around/with me”, or the more direct “Screw off”. The more casual version of this is the shortened ふざけんあ (Fuzakenna) often used in anime or informal settings.

ふざけるな、マジで！
Fuzakeru na, maji de!
Don’t mess with me, seriously!

8. うざい (Uzai): Annoying!

The word うざい, stylized as ウザイ (uzai), is short for うるさい (urusai), which means “noisy”, and うざったい, which means “annoying”. If you’re the type who gets annoyed at the slight public disturbance, you can use this for a not-so-subtle diss.

Think of this word as the English equivalent of saying that someone is being a pain in the ass.

If you want to stress the swear word more, you can end the word ウザイ (uzai) with a long ‘e’: ウゼェー (uzee)!

田中先生がウザくない？
Tanaka-sensei ga uzakunai?
Isn’t Tanaka-sensei a pain in the ass?

9. クソ (Kuso): Shit!

Kuso means “Poo”. Much like chikushou, it is used as an exclamation out of anger. While it can be used independently, it also sees a lot of use with other words. In these cases, it is used as an adjective. For example クソガキ (kusogaki), meaning “Shitty brat”.

クソ！なんでこうなるんだ？
Kuso! Nande kou narun da?
Shit! Why does this always happen?

10. お前 (Omae): You

These are both very rude ways of saying “you” in Japanese. In anime, particularly the shounen genre, male characters may use this second-person pronoun. It’s often translated as “bastard”, but most people wouldn’t really say it in real life.

This is similar to another word not on this list 貴様 (きさま), another rude way of saying “You,” which is commonly used in anime but never in real life.

Omae can be considered a rude way to refer to someone. It used to be considered honorific, but that was a long time ago. Of course, real life is not like anime, so try not to use it with just anyone.

お前が言うな.
Omae ga iu na.
Look who’s talking.

11. 手前 (てめえ/Temee): You (Bastard)

Not necessarily a Japanese swear word, but it is a very rude word that is hardly used by anyone in real life, though it can be commonly found in Japanese media like manga and anime.

Fictional characters use it to address others when they are angry, as it is considered less rude than in real life.  

手前、何様のつもりだ？
Temee, nani-sama no tsumori da?
Who do you think you are, bastard?

12. 死ねえ (Shinee): Go Die!

Another swear word very popular in anime, しねえ means ”Die!” or “Go die!” Can’t get much worse than that. Of course, because it’s so commonly used, it’s kind of lost its severity, making it a fun word to throw around among friends.

Again, make sure not to use it against anyone you don’t know too well.

死ねえ、もう我慢できない！
Shinee, mou gaman dekinai!
Die, I can’t take it anymore!

13. やろう (Yarou)

Yarou technically just means ”Guy” (gender). It’s commonly used towards men and as a way to refer to someone.

As a Japanese swear word, it usually doesn’t stand alone. Rather, you’ll pair it with other words like baka or kuso. ばかやろう(baka yarou). You should not use やろう (yarou) to address women, as the usage would be wrong.

だまれこのやろう 
Damare konoyarou
Shut up you bastard!

14. くたばれ (Kutabare) : Drop Dead / Go to Hell

This is one of the stronger insults in Japanese, used to express extreme anger. It’s far more intense than common words like baka (idiot) or damare (shut up). This phrase isn’t something you’d hear in everyday conversation but might appear during heated arguments or in dramatic movie scenes. Its use is rare, but when it’s said, the intention is clear: the speaker is furious.

It’s used only in extreme situations, usually when someone loses control and wants to lash out verbally.

くたばれ、この野郎！ 
Kutabare, kono yarou!
Go to hell, you bastard!

15. ばばあ (Babaa) / じじい (Jijii) : Grumpy Old Woman / Cranky Old Man

These words are used to insult older people, with babaa directed at women and jijii at men. In a culture where elders are usually treated with respect, using these words can be particularly offensive. While they might be used jokingly in anime or manga, in real life, they’re more likely to upset or insult someone.

Often spoken in frustration or anger. These words are also common in fictional works to portray rude or rebellious characters.If you’re a fan of Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away, you might recognize the character Yubaba. Her name cleverly incorporates ばば (baba), which is a nod to ばばあ (babaa), meaning “old woman.” While it’s not intended as an insult in the film, her personality: stern, controlling, and a bit unpleasant, ties into the connotations of the word. This is an example of how language can be used creatively in storytelling without the usual negative implications

16. カス (Kasu) : Scum / Worthless Person

Kasu is a deeply insulting term that likens someone to residue or waste, which is its literal meaning. It’s often used to demean someone’s character, implying they have no value. This word is not just offensive, it carries a lot of weight when spoken, so it’s best avoided altogether.

Usually heard in heated arguments, where emotions run high, and the speaker intends to seriously insult someone.

あのばばあ、また文句ばかり言ってるよ。 
Ano babaa, mata monku bakari itteru yo.
That old hag is complaining again.

17. ボケ (Boke) : Fool

Boke (ボケ) means “fool” or “idiot.” It’s often used humorously in conversations, but it can also come off as an insult depending on the tone.
In a more casual sense, it’s often paired with other words, like ボケナス (bokenasu), which means “stupid eggplant.”

お前、ボケてんの？ 
Omae, boketen no?
Are you being stupid?

18. くさい (Kusai) : Smelly

Kusai (くさい) means “smelly” or “stinky.” It can be used to describe something that literally smells bad or as an insult to say someone reeks.
This term can also imply someone has a figurative stench, like being shady or suspicious.

お前、くさすぎるよ！ 
Omae, kusa sugiru yo!
You stink too much!

19. きもい (Kimoi) : Gross

Kimoi (きもい) is slang for “gross” or “creepy.” It’s short for 気持ち悪い (kimochi warui), meaning “disgusting.”
This word is often used casually among friends but can be offensive depending on the context.

あいつ、本当にきもいね。
Aitsu, hontou ni kimoi ne.
That guy is really gross.

What’s Next after Japanese Swear Words? Learn to speak conversational and formal Japanese with Coto Academy!

Japanese insults and swear words offer a fascinating glimpse into the culture’s approach to language, importance of respect, and expression. While some of these words might seem mild or playful in the right context, others carry serious weight and should be avoided unless you fully understand their impact.

Whether you’ve heard them in anime or come across them in real life, knowing their meanings helps you better navigate conversations and avoid potential misunderstandings. So, if you’re learning Japanese, remember: it’s not just about the words you say, but also how and when you use them. If you’re ready to dive deeper into Japanese language and culture, why not take a class with us and learn the right way to express yourself?

FAQ

How insulting is baka?

Baka means “fool” or “idiot,” and how insulting it is really depends on how and where it’s used. In casual, playful conversations, it’s often harmless, but if said with a harsh tone, it can definitely offend someone.

Is kuso a curse word?

Yes, kuso means “shit” and is considered a mild curse word. It’s often shouted when frustrated, like saying “damn it!” in English, or combined with other words for insults.

Is it rude to say oi in Japanese?

Yes, oi is a pretty rude way to get someone’s attention. It can come across as aggressive or impatient, so it’s not something you’d use in polite situations.

What is a rude word for “you” in Japanese?

Words like omae, temee, and kisama are all considered rude ways to say “you.” They’re mostly used in arguments or seen in anime and are not appropriate for polite settings.

Does the f word exist in Japanese?

Not exactly. There isn’t a direct Japanese equivalent of the F-word, but phrases like kutabare (go to hell) or kuso (shit) come close in terms of intensity.

Is the middle finger rude in Japan?

Yes, the middle finger is considered rude in Japan, especially if it’s used in an aggressive or confrontational way. While it might not have the exact same cultural weight as in Western countries, it’s still seen as disrespectful, so it’s best to avoid using it.

What is yabai?

Yabai is a super versatile slang word. It can mean anything from “awesome” to “terrible” or even “risky,” depending on the tone and situation.

Why are there so many Japanese insults in anime?

Anime exaggerates language for drama or humor. A lot of these words are rarely used in real life, but they make characters stand out or add tension to stories.

How do you politely express frustration in Japanese?

Instead of swearing, you can say things like taihen (this is tough) or mou yappari (ugh, I knew it) to vent your feelings without offending anyone.

Japanese tongue twisters are called hayakuchi kotoba (早口言葉), which translates to “fast mouth (hayakuchi) words (kotoba).” Just like Japanese slang, learning these tongue twisters is a fun and exciting way to practice speaking the language. Specifically, it helps condition you to make that Japanese pronunciation you’ve wanted to nail. You can make it your daily routine to repeat one tongue twister daily. That’s right — we want you to start saying “Kono kugi wa hikinukui kugi da” while brushing your teeth and doing laundry. Totally normal stuff.

There are many popular tongue twisters in English — let’s not forget the classic “She sells seashells by the seashore” — but what about Japanese tongue twisters? We’ve categorized these Japanese tongue twisters in their order of difficulty. It’s time to try these tongue twisters to track your trek. (See what we just did there?)

Easy Japanese Tongue Twisters

These few Japanese tongue twisters are relatively easy to master. You need to be careful of the sudden consonant changes and those few repetitive consonants. Otherwise, their shorter length helps beginners and aspiring tongue-twister-enthusiast to catch their breath.

1. 生麦生米生卵

Pronunciation: namamugi namagome namatamago

Hiragana: なま むぎなまごめなまたまご

English Translation: Raw wheat, raw rice, raw egg. 

2. 坊主が屏風に上手に坊主の絵を書いた

Pronunciation: bouzu ga byoubu ni jouzu ni bouzu no e o kaita

Hiragana: ぼうずがびょうぶにじょうずにぼうずのえをかいた

English Translation: The monk skillfully drew a picture of a monk on a screen

3. 赤巻紙, 黄巻紙, 青巻紙

Pronunciation: akamakigami, kimakigami, aomakigami

Hiragana: あかまきがみきまきがみあおまきがみ

English Translation: Red scroll, yellow scroll, blue scroll

4. バスガス爆発

Pronunciation: Basu gasu bakuhatsu

Hiragana: バスガスばくはつ

English translation: Bus gas explosion

5. ブタがブタをぶったのでぶたれたブタがぶったブタをぶった。

Pronunciation: buta ga buta o butta node butareta buta ga butta buta o butta.

English Translation: The pig beat the pig. Therefore, the beaten pig beat the beater pig.

6. 赤パジャマ黄パジャマ茶パジャマ

Pronunciation: aka pajama, ki pajama, cha pajama

Hiragana: あかぱじゃま　きぱじゃま　ちゃぱじゃま

English Translation: Red pajamas, yellow pajamas, and brown pajamas

Intermediate Japanese Tongue Twisters

Is rolling your tongue for the above phrases too much of a breeze? We’ll bump up the difficulty a notch. These tongue twisters are only getting longer, with more repetitive and similar consonants.

7. この釘は引き抜くい釘だ

Pronunciation: kono kugi wa hikinukui kugi da

Hiragana: このくぎはひきぬきにくいくぎだ

English Translation: This nail is difficult to pull out.

8. 李も桃、桃も桃、李も桃も桃のうち。

Pronunciation: sumomo mo momo, momo mo momo, sumomo mo momo mo momo no uchi.

Hiragana: すもももももももももも、すもももももももものうち。

English translation: A Japanese plum is a peach, a peach is also a peach, and both Japanese plums and peaches are a kind of peach.

9. 蛙ぴょこぴょこ三ぴょこぴょこ合わせてぴょこぴょこ六ぴょこぴょこ

Pronunciation: Kaeru pyokopyoko mipyokopyoko awasete pyokopyoko mupyokopyoko

Hiragana: かえるぴょこぴょこみぴょこぴょこあわせてぴょこぴょこむぴょこぴょこ

English translation: The frogs jump, three (times) jump, together jump, six (times) jump.

10. バナナの謎はまだ謎なのだぞ

Pronunciation: banana no nazo wa mada nazo na no da zo

Hiragana: ばななのなぞは、まだなぞなのだぞ

English Translation: The mystery of the banana is still a mystery

11. 鹿もカモシカも鹿の仲間, しかしアシカは鹿ではない 

Pronunciation: shika mo kamoshika mo shika no nakama, shikashi ashika wa shika de wa nai

Hiragana: しかもかもしかもしかのなかま、しかしあしかはしかではない

English Translation: both the deer and the antelope are part of the deer family, but surely the sea lion is not a deer

12. 飲むなら乗るな、乗るなら飲むな。

Pronunciation: Nomu nara noru na, noru nara nomu na.

Hiragana: のおむならのるな、のるならのむな

English Transaction: If you drink don’t drive, if you drive don’t drink.

13. 親亀の上に子亀、子亀の上に孫亀。

Pronunciation: Oyagame no ue ni kogame, kogame no ue ni magogame.

Hiragana: おやがめのうえにこがめ、こがめのうえにまごがめ。

English Translation: The parent turtle is the child turtle, and the child turtle is the grandchild turtle.

Hardest Japanese Tongue Twisters

These tongue twisters require more focus and practice. Still, even if you don’t speak any Japanese, that doesn’t mean you can’t try out some of these!

14. タコベルのタコは高くなかった

Pronunciation: takoberu no tako wa takakunakatta

Hiragana: タコベルのたこはたかくなかった。

English Translation: Taco Bell’s tacos aren’t expensive at all.

15. にゃんこ、子にゃんこ、孫にゃんこ、ひ孫にゃんこ。

Pronunciation: nyanko, konyanko, magonyanko, himagonyanko.

Hiragana: にゃんこ、こにゃんこ、まごにゃんこ、ひまごにゃんこ。

English translation: Kitty, kitten, grand-kitten, great-grand kitten.

16. シャンソン歌手、新春シャンソンショー

Pronunciation: Shanson kashu, shinshun shansonshu.

Hiragana: しゃんそんかしゅ、しんすんシャションシュー

English Translation: Chanson singer, New Year chanson show.

17. 暖かくなったから、暖かい服を使った

Pronunciation: Atatakakunakattakara, atatakai fuku o tsukatta

Hiragana: あたたかくなかったから、あたたかいふくをつかった。

English transaction: Because it wasn’t warm, I used warm clothes.

Notice that the word atatakai (warm) is heavily modified? This is because Japanese i-adjectives conjugate themselves. To learn more about this, visit our guide to Japanese adjectives.

18. 右目右耳 右耳右目

Pronunciation: Migime migi mimi migi mimi migi me

Hiragana: みぎめみぎみみみぎみみみぎめ

English translation: Right eye, right ear, right ear, right eye

19. 隣りの客はよく柿食う客だ 

Pronunciation: tonari no kyaku wa yoku kaki kuu kyaku da

Hiragana: となりのきゃくはよくかきくうきゃくだ

English translation: The guest next door eats a lot of persimmons

20. この竹垣に竹立て掛けたのは竹立て掛けたかったから、竹立て掛けた

Pronunciation: kono takegaki ni take tatekaketa no wa take tatekaketakattakara , take tatekaketa

Hiragana: このたけがきにたけたてかけたのはたけたてかけたかったから、たけたてかけた

English Translation: I laid this bamboo against the bamboo fence because I wanted to lay bamboo against it

21. 裏庭には二羽, 庭には二羽鶏がいる

Pronunciation: ura niwa ni wa niwa, niwa ni wa niwa niwatori ga iru

Hiragana: うらにわにわにわにわにわにわにわとりがいる

English Translation: There are two chickens in the backyard and two chickens in the front yard

22. 東京特許許可局長

Pronunciation: toukyou tokkyo kyokakyokuchou

Hiragana: とうきょうとっきょきょかきょくちょう

English translation: Director of Tokyo Patent Licensing Bureau

23. トラをとるならトラをとるより鳥をとれ、鳥はおとりにトラをとれ。

Pronunciation: Torawo torunara torawo toru yori toriwo tore, toriwa otorini torawo tore.

Hiragana: とらをとるならとるとらをとるよりとりをとれ、とりはおとりにとらをとれ。

English Translation: Instead of catching the tiger, catch a bird and use the bird as bait to catch the tiger.

If you want to practice some more tongue twisters here you have some with audio!

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Ready to learn Japanese? Join Coto Academy’s in-person or online Japanese courses. We want to hear more from you. Sign up to get a free level assessment and lesson consultation.

FAQ

What are Japanese tongue twisters?

Japanese tongue twisters, or 早口言葉 (hayakuchi kotoba), are phrases that are challenging to pronounce quickly due to similar or repetitive sounds. They are used to practice and enhance pronunciation skills in Japanese.

How can practicing tongue twisters benefit Japanese language learners?

Practicing tongue twisters helps learners improve their pronunciation, enunciation, and fluency. It trains the mouth and tongue muscles to produce Japanese sounds more accurately and quickly, leading to clearer speech.

Can you provide examples of common Japanese tongue twisters?

Certainly! Here are a few examples:

• 隣の客はよく柿食う客だ (となりのきゃくは よく かきくう きゃくだ)
  Tonari no kyaku wa yoku kaki kū kyaku da
  Translation: “The customer next to me often eats persimmons.”
• 生麦生米生卵 (なまむぎ なまごめ なまたまご)
  Namamugi namagome namatamago
  Translation: “Raw wheat, raw rice, raw egg.”
• 赤巻紙青巻紙黄巻紙 (あかまきがみ あおまきがみ きまきがみ)
  Akamakigami aomakigami kimakigami
  Translation: “Red scroll, blue scroll, yellow scroll.”

How often should I practice Japanese tongue twisters?

Practicing for just 5-10 minutes daily can lead to significant improvements in pronunciation and fluency.

Are Japanese tongue twisters used in educational settings?

Yes, Japanese children often learn tongue twisters as both educational tools and games to enhance their language skills.

Can tongue twisters help with accent reduction in Japanese?

Yes, regular practice of tongue twisters can help train your mouth muscles to produce authentic Japanese sounds, aiding in accent reduction.

Are there different difficulty levels in Japanese tongue twisters?

Yes, Japanese tongue twisters range from simple phrases to complex sentences, allowing learners to progress from easy to more challenging expressions as their skills improve. ​

How can I effectively practice Japanese tongue twisters?

To practice effectively:

• Seek Feedback: Practicing with native speakers or language partners can provide valuable corrections and tips.
• Start Slowly: Begin by pronouncing the tongue twister slowly to ensure correct pronunciation.​
• Gradually Increase Speed: As you become more comfortable, try to say it faster while maintaining accuracy.​
• Repeat Regularly: Consistent practice helps in mastering the sounds and improving fluency.​
• Record Yourself: Listening to your pronunciation can help identify areas that need improvement.

Getting stuck in a study rut is a big no-no for Japanese learners, but there is a way to combat that. A great, supportive teacher, for example. A well-structured self-study plan. A reliable textbook (like the Nihongo Fun and Easy and Minna no Nihongo). But knowing how to learn Japanese with Anki might be the one thing that takes your studies to the next level.

You’ve probably heard the buzz around Anki flashcards in the Japanese learning community. It’s a popular choice for not only Japanese students but also other language enthusiasts (Korean, Chinese, and other branches are possible).

There’s a catch when you want to learn Japanese with Anki, though: setting up the software takes time and a lot of confusion. And that’s what we’re here for — to guide you from your first step until you can run it through yourself. 

Don’t forget to check out:

• 10 Best Japanese Anki Decks to Learn Japanese in 2025
• 11 Game-changing Anki Add-Ons for Japanese Learning You Need

What’s Anki?

Anki is a free, open-source, spaced-repetition flashcard app. 

We know. Even that definition alone is enough to give anyone a headache. But in simple terms, think of it as an app to help you learn Japanese words and phrases easily — and in a shorter amount of time. The word ‘anki’ itself means memorization in Japanese (暗記 ・あんき).

Anki uses a technique called the spaced repetition system (SRS). The SRS forces you to revisit a word at different time frames over and over again until you remember it. It’s based on evidence that your brain does a better job of remembering stuff (say, Japanese slang or something funny) that is frequently seen or heard. As you encounter a vocabulary at spaced-out intervals, you’re conditioning your mind to actively memorize it. 

How Can Anki Help Me Learn Japanese? 

Glossing over all the details and features of Anki, the Anki works by cycling your flashcards in calculated frequencies. When you’re practicing Japanese with the app, it shows you a mix of new and old Japanese words.  As you get better at the older words, they’ll appear at longer intervals, allowing newer Japanese words to be introduced.

For example, when memorizing a new kanji, the card might appear every ten minutes, while the kanji you learned last week gets only reintroduced once a day. 

Besides the SRS, Anki works like other flashcard apps. Add-ons can also be added to customize your Anki experience. A few key concepts you need to know about Anki are listed below. 

Cards

A card is a pair of questions and answers, similar to what you’d find on a physical card. For example, you might see a piece of information (a question) on one side of the card. When you need the answer, you can click on the Show button. After confirming that you are correct, Anki will choose the next time to show you it again. 

Notes 

When you learn that “こんにちは” means “good afternoon”, you may want to create one card that shows “こんにちは” and asks you to remember “good afternoon” — and another card that shows you  “good afternoon” and asks you to remember  “こんにちは”. 

Q: Good afternoon
A: こんにちは
Page #1

In Anki, this information is called a ‘note’, and each piece of information is called a ‘field’. This type of note has three fields: Japanese, English, and Page. The note allows you to split the content of your cards and make edits in the future.

Decks

A deck is a group of cards. You can customize your deck and place cards on different decks to break apart your studies. You can also set the deck to show only the number of cards each day or how often they appear.

Installing Anki

The first thing to do when you want to learn Japanese with Anki is to download the software. You can download the program from their official website if you plan to use it on your PC devices (Windows, Mac or Linux). Double-click the package file (called .apkg) on a computer to import the flashcards to the desktop version. 

You can also open Anki on their web browser version if you don’t want to download them directly to your computer. You will need to sign up for a free account before you can use it. 

You can also download it on your phone. If you’re an Android user, you can download the free app under the name AnkiDroid. Computer installations, as well as Android and browser versions, are free. 

For iOS, the app is called Anki Mobile Flashcard, but it will cost you ¥3,060 ($24.99). You can work your way around it, though. If you use an iPad, you can open their AnkiWeb on Safari and read your flashcards with your device. You’re not technically downloading the app, but it is a free way to use Anki on iOS.

How to Set Up Your Anki Flashcards From Scratch

You can create new Decks by going to the home screen again and selecting “Create Deck.” You can name it however you like.

To get familiar, go to the home screen of the Anki app (we’re using the web browser version, so the interface might be different) and click “Add”. You’ll see “Type” on the top row (what type of cards you’ll create) and “Deck”. Set the Type to “Basic” so cards can be made automatically for each Note you add. For the “Deck”, choose the one you created (we’re choosing the “Default”). 

Other “Types” of cards you can make are the “Basic (and reversed card),” “Basic (and optional reversed card),” and “Basic (type in the answer).” The “Basic (and optional reversed card)” creates double cards, reversing the front and back sides. 

If you want to learn Japanese effectively with Anki, recalling the words in two different ways will be more effective in the long run. This is because you’ll be practicing remembering the same information—but with more associations, which leads to a stronger memory.

From here, you can type whatever information you want on the front and back of the flashcard. In the “Front” box, write your question. In this case, it’s usually the Japanese word, kanji, or grammar point. You can feel the question’s meaning on the “Back” form, which is technically the answer. 

Additional advanced options include adding images and audio, which demands more time (and effort) than could’ve been used for learning Japanese. Many shared decks already have them, so you can save time by downloading them. 

After that, click “Add” to put the card on your selected deck. Click on the “Deck” on the menu bar to review the cards you’ve created.

You can organize the content of your Anki decks depending on the difficulty, topic, context or language element (vocabulary, phrase, kanji, grammar — you name it). 

Where to Start Using Anki When You’ve Just Started Learning Japanese

If you’re starting to use Anki to learn Japanese, remember that there are three Japanese characters: hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Meshing them together in one card doesn’t help you learn vocabulary the fastest; it will overwhelm you. 

 Start with hiragana, then katakana, followed by kanji. You can spruce a sub-deck with certain characters only before you incorporate all three Japanese alphabets. 

Start with basic Japanese vocabulary before moving on to sentences and grammar structure. When you do want to incorporate verbs and longer phrases (after you’ve memorized enough words), make sure you’ve learned all verb conjugations and Japanese grammar rules. 

Downloading Anki Decks

The best way to start using Anki is to use pre-made decks. You can pick a few popular Japanese Anki decks and customize them (more of that later). Eventually, you’ll feel what you like and don’t like. For now, pick the one that suits you best. It might not be perfect, but it’ll let you get used to studying with Anki. 

On your home screen, head to “Get Shared Decks”. You’ll be directed to a new window, where you can select popular categories — including Japanese — and navigate the most popular decks created.  

Here are some of our favorite Japanese Anki decks for beginners. 

1. Japanese Core 2000 Step 01 Listening Sentence. This is the number one Japanese Anki deck you’d find on the search list. 2,000 Japanese words are put into one deck. The deck is fitted with 405 audios and 235 images, which helps with memorization. 
2. 80/20 Japanese Anki Flashcard Decks. There are three package files you’ll download. The content is the same, with the only difference being the characters displayed on the Japanese words and sentences: Kana-kanji-romaji; kana-kanji; and romaji. To use this deck, instead of searching online, you need to import the file. The flashcards are organized into decks and sub-decks based on their contents (user guide here). 
3. Core 2k/6k Optimized Japanese Vocabulary
4. All in One Kanji Deck. This is an all-in-one guide for kanji learning, beginning from N5 to N1. The deck includes English translations, reading (onyoumi, kunyoumi and nanori), number of strokes, example compound work and components of the kanji themselves. 
5. Nayr’s Core 5k (Revised). Nayr’s Core 5k is another popular shared deck, but keep in mind that some of the words overlap with the Core 2k/6k deck.

Customizing Your Anki Flashcards and Decks to Optimize Learning Japanese

Downloaded Japanese Anki decks are a great background learning tool, but they shouldn’t be your primary way of learning. Rather, focus on making your deck that suits your learning style. After downloading and trying a variety of shared decks, filter the information you want. 

You can also add words you pick up from textbooks or manga. This way, they are easier to remember because they have context. Many people download the Core 6k, scrap the layout formatting, and start adding words. 

The cards are customizable. When a shared deck is imported, you can change what appears on the front and back of a card by clicking the “Edit” button. 

Deleting Unwanted Japanese Anki Decks

Many of our recommended Japanese Anki decks include several subdecks, which might seem excessive. To delete unwanted decks, click the setting button and select “Delete.”

Deleting Japanese Anki Flashcards

On the home screen (we’re showing the interface for the downloaded PC version as Anki’s browser version doesn’t support this feature), click to “Browse”. You’ll immediately see all the compiled cards, categorized based on decks and note types. 

Select the cards you don’t want, right-click, and choose “Delete.” The option might be hidden under the “Notes” subsection. 

Moving Japanese Flashcards to Another Deck

You might want to visit the cards again, one more time, or you’re unsure if deleting them is the right choice. Better safe than sorry, right? You can move the cards to an existing deck by navigating the card, right-clicking the list, and choosing “Change Deck.” Select the deck, and pick “Move Cards”.

You can also move it to a brand-new Deck. To do that, click the “Add” button, give it a name, and click “OK”. 

How to Edit Your Flashcards

When you encounter a card in a deck, you can immediately click “Edit”, and a new tab will appear. 

You can also return to “Browse” and input something new or additional to the card. 

Sharing Your Anki Decks 

Proud of your hard-earned, organized Anki decks? Boast it to the community by clicking the “Share” icon on the right side of your deck. Add a title, tag, and description before publishing it. You can also share it privately, too.  

Setting Limits and Goals for Anki Decks

You shouldn’t struggle to learn Japanese with Anki. The key to studying a new language is consistency, but not many of us can consistently do 30 new cards daily. Otherwise, you’ll get overwhelmed, keep forgetting yesterday’s Japanese vocabulary, kanji, or grammar points, and slow your progress.  

This is why it’s important to set your own goals and metrics by changing the default setting. To do so, select your deck and click on “Options” at the bottom. 

Daily Limits

You can set your daily limits of new cards and maximum reviews. For example, if the default 20 new cards a day is too many, simply decrease it to the ideal number.

New Card Intervals and Order

You may also want to change the sequences for new cards. For example, they make their appearances sequentially (oldest to newest) or randomly. You can change the interval for “Easy” from 4 to 2; the bigger the interval number is, the less it will frequently appear for every card you consider “Easy”. 

Setting a Timer

You can adjust the recall amount since Anki considers your ability to remember a card. If you can’t recall the answer within a set number of seconds, you will need to do another review. For this, you can change the timer—or even show it on screen every time a new question appears.

Tips When Setting Up Anki Flashcards 

1. Prioritize Japanese-to-English flashcards rather than English-to-Japanese. This way, you’ll be conditioned to think of the Japanese word first, not vice versa.
2. Add context to individual Japanese words. Context helps with recollection (hence, why it’s easier to remember casual phrases). It’s easy to misinterpret an English definition of a Japanese word without knowing the context. 
3. Practice, practice, practice. You can’t reap the full benefits of Anki if you open the app once a week. Make it a habit to spend some time reviewing. Whether 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or an hour, it’s better than not opening at all.

Conclusion

We hope we’ve covered everything you need to know to learn Japanese with Anki. We’ve said this before, but Anki is only a support tool, there to reinforce what you’ve learned. Don’t trick yourself into thinking it’s a primary learning source for the Japanese language. Watch dramas, variety shows, and YouTube channels, or read manga and light novels. When you encounter something new, you make an Anki card.

For additional instructions about using the various features of Anki, please also see the official Anki user manual.

Studying Japanese? Take Free Japanese Level Assessment Test

At Coto Japanese Academy (our Tokyo, Yokohama and online language school), we want you to learn the “real” conversational Japanese. For that, we want to hear more about your goal, preference and Japanese level.

Coto Japanese Academy is a unique Japanese Language School in Iidabashi, Tokyo and Yokohama. We offer relaxed and fun conversational lessons for all levels of Japanese learners. Coto Japanese Academy prides itself on its community atmosphere and fun lessons that focus on the creation of opportunities to speak and learn Japanese. If you are interested in studying Japanese in Tokyo or Yokohama, please visit our contact page.

When it comes to finding the best way to learn Japanese, many options are available, including studying abroad in Japan or taking online Japanese classes.

Both options have their unique advantages and disadvantages, and it’s essential to weigh them against your needs and preferences. 

Sometimes, we all need a little help sometimes in our Japanese learning. Textbooks, internet resources, and knowledgeable friends can all help immensely, but at times, we simply need a teacher to guide us through those trickier parts.

Ultimately, you should ask yourself: is it better for me to learn Japanese online, or abroad? Here at Coto Academy, we’ve put together this handy guide to eliminate that struggle for you.

Read on to find out which option could be the key to unlocking your Japanese potential!

To find a Japanese language school and get support from initial inquiry to visa application, contact us today!

Jump To:

• Studying Japanese Abroad: Pros
• Studying Japanese Abroad: Cons
• Studying Japanese Online: Pros
• Studying Japanese Online: Con

Learning Japanese Abroad in Japan: The Pros

You Get to Travel to Japan!

Perhaps the biggest benefit to studying abroad is the chance to travel! If you come to Japan, then you’ll be able to explore your local area and beyond during your studies.

Who wouldn’t want the chance to see famous sites like Mt. Fuji, eat authentic ramen, or sing karaoke? Japan has such a rich culture and history that you’ll never run out of things to do!

Aside from this, exploring Japan for yourself can also give you a boost of motivation for your Japanese learning; wouldn’t it be great to use your skills wherever you go?

Plus, Japan is a very safe country, so you can feel at ease during your travels.

Opportunities to interact with native Japanese speakers

Of course, as you travel around Japan, you also have the chance to interact with native Japanese speakers. Talking with native speakers gives you practice outside of the classroom and an opportunity to see how Japanese is used in real-life.

You’ll get exposure to slang, accents, casual speech, and even more aspects of Japanese! Actually using the language with others is crucial to becoming fluent, so this is an amazing opportunity. You may even make new friends who can show you around!

Going hand-in-hand with speaking to native Japanese users is the overall immersive experience of studying abroad. Many say that being in the country that uses your target language is the best for language learning, and they are correct!

By being in Japan, you are surrounded by Japanese everywhere you go; this means you are constantly learning! Whether it’s at the supermarket, train station, or an udon restaurant, you can use Japanese in different situations and pick up new words every day!

Meet people from all over the world!

Finally, you get to meet people from all over the world who are also learning Japanese. You can learn more about their cultures, travel together to different sites, and practice Japanese together! Studying abroad is a great way to make new friends and create unforgettable experiences with others.

If you’re considering studying Japanese in Japan, why not use Coto School Finder’s free support? Our student coordinators are here to help you choose the right school, get your student visa and start living in Japan. Contact us to start and get a free online consultation!

Studying Japanese Abroad: Cons

Application process is complicated

For many students, the process of applying for a student visa can be confusing and time-consuming, and it can be challenging to navigate the requirements and paperwork required. Additionally, the cost of studying abroad can be prohibitively high, including tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs.

If you currently have a job, you may have to quit, take a leave, or go remote. If you’re staying in Japan for longer than 3 months, you also need to get Japanese health insurance and register as a member of the area where you’re living.

You would also need to consider getting a new phone plan, make sure your passport is current, and check to see if you can use your credit card abroad. Trips like this certainly aren’t for the impulsive!

If you are using Coto School Finder, your student coordinator will let you know exactly what documents you will need and when’s the best time to submit them.

Studying abroad in Japan can be more costly

As with any sort of travel, studying Japanese in Japan is going to be more expensive. Not only do you need to pay for the classes themselves, but you also need to consider flights, accommodations, transportation, and spending money! (You have to get some cool souvenirs, after all!)

While it is possible to get a working visa, more than likely you would be getting a student visa when you come to study; you can only work part-time on a student visa, which means that you’re probably going to need most of this money up-front.

Dealing with homesickness

Depending on where you come to Japan from, you may be very far away from friends and family. Learning and exploring can be fun, but feeling homesick and lonely is also a reality that students have to face.

While this can push some people to go out and make new friends, this part of the experience can be overwhelming for some; you may just want to stay in your room or even go back home. You want your Japanese experience to be fun, but this simply isn’t the case for everyone.

Plus, if you do decide that you want to return home, it will take a while to get everything sorted (notifying your school and accommodation, buying plane tickets, etc) – meaning that you can’t leave right away.  

Culture Shock

You should be aware that you are going to stick out as an outsider – regardless of what you do. Japan is a notoriously homogenous society, and not knowing the social expectations and navigating new situations is going to mark you as an “outsider”. While this might not be a big deal for some students, it could make others uncomfortable.

Finally, while being in Japan is a great chance to practice with native speakers, this can be intimidating – especially if you’ve never used Japanese outside of the classroom before! You may feel embarrassed and hesitant to use your Japanese with others.

Of course, this can be overcome with practice and patience, but it is something to be aware of when coming to Japan for the first time.

 If you want to continue your education and get an actual degree while in Japan, you should check out our detailed list of pros and cons for that idea here.   

Studying Japanese Online: Pros

So, we’ve just finished going over some of the pros and cons of studying Japanese in Japan. What did you think? Are you ready to study abroad? If not, no worries – we still have your second option to consider: studying Japanese through online classes.

How is it different from going abroad? Is it a better or worse option for you? Keep reading to find out!

Online Japanese Classes are More Affordable

The first thing that may come to mind is that taking online classes is the cheaper option; you are definitely correct! With online classes, you don’t have to worry about getting plane tickets, finding a place to stay, or buying bus or train passes.

You can continue to stay wherever you are and just pay the class cost! This option is definitely the better one for someone on a tight budget.

Online Japanese Classes are More Convenient

Studying online is also more convenient. You can find courses that work with your current schedule, and you can do them from anywhere in the world!

You don’t have to quit your job or worry about visas. You can even choose the type of class you want – group classes, JLPT-focused, or even just 1-on-1 tutoring.

Plus, if you decide to keep taking online classes, you can simply sign up for the next one – with no stress about renewing leases, visas, or other taxing elements.

Thinking of learning Japanese online isntead? Study with Coto! We have a new online lesson portal that allows you to filter classes based on your level, intensity, preferred schedule, and class style! Visit our online course page to explore lessons and take our quiz to check which course would be right for you.

Better suited for people who are introverts

Studying online is also a great way to build confidence. Talking in a new language can be stressful, especially if you are giving a presentation or speech.

However, doing these things online can remove some of the stress – as your audience is on the screen, not right in front of you.

Online classes could be a great step to boosting your confidence using Japanese, especially if you are an introvert, and could eventually lead to you moving on to studying abroad in the future!

Studying Japanese Online: Cons

Not so immersive

Of course, studying online isn’t always perfect. If you choose this route, then you lose out on the immersive experience that studying abroad offers. You won’t get to use your Japanese with native speakers or in new and exciting situations.

The words you learn are limited to your textbook and whatever you decide to look up – not words that you may come across organically. You also lose out on traveling abroad and experiencing the Japanese language and Japanese culture firsthand.

This non-immersive environment also means that you can easily feel separated from the language and from those who use it, resulting in decreased motivation to learn. Japanese can start to feel like just another class, and not something you can use in real-life.

You may find yourself becoming lazier in your studies, not pushing yourself to get out of your comfort zone, and learning less than you would abroad.

Maintaining Lesson Quality

Another issue is the quality. While online Japanese programs put a lot of effort into their courses and make them just as good as in-person ones, others fall short of the mark.

It can be easy for online programs to rely too much on online resources (instead of focusing on excellent instruction) or to use outdated materials. The class quality also depends on the teacher; for some, it could be their full-time job or passion, but for others it might simply be a side-gig.

This would result in some putting less effort into the lessons that they teach, and thus, a lesser-quality learning experience for the students who take their classes. 

You Might Feel Isolated

Also, while many people do form online communities with their classmates, this can be hard to get started. Not meeting in person usually makes it harder to form genuine connections with others and, as a result, you may start to feel isolated in class. That definitely isn’t a good learning environment!

Conclusion

And that about sums it up! Choosing which option to go with can seem stressful, but if you look at what is realistic for you as well as what you want to do, you are bound to make a good choice.

You can’t go wrong with either of these options, as either way, you’ll still be learning Japanese and interacting with others with the same goals! Both will offer you a little bit of extra help to help you reach your Japanese goals.

No more searching Google or spending hours poring over your textbook in confusion; you’ll be able to get that help you need right away and keep on learning!

Are you ready now to take that next step on your Japanese-language learning journey?

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