Learning Japanese can be a fun and exciting journey. It helps you understand a rich culture, connect with people from Japan, and enjoy a language with unique characters. The best part is you don’t have to spend much money to get started. Many free online resources exist for all levels, from beginners to advanced learners.

Getting Started Learning Japanese Online for Free

Starting a new language (or starting again) can feel like a steep, overwhelming mountain that’s impossible to traverse, however, apps can be a great way to make language learning much less intimidating. Tackling any huge goal, like getting fluent in another language (or climbing Mt. Everest), takes breaking things down into actionable steps which is what many apps do very well! 

Instead of a vague and rather overwhelming goal like “get fluent in Japanese”, apps instead break down the language into different categories such as:

  • Hiragana ひらがな
  • Katakana カタカナ 
  • Food & Drinks
  • Hobbies
  • Etc.

Each of these steps are achievable and, therefore, more rewarding which helps motivate you to continue learning. So we picked out some of the best free apps and tools at doing just that! 

We could only name a few so if you’re interested in discovering more apps hand-picked by professional teachers, please check out our blog, Top 30 Apps To Learn Japanese in 2025.

Best Free Apps to Kickstart Your Japanese Learning Journey (A great way to start learning or improve your Japanese)

Duolingo

Duolingo Logo
Image by Duolingo

Duolingo is a fantastic free app that uses gamified lessons to introduce hiragana, katakana, kanji, and grammar in a user-friendly way. The app uses fun interactive lessons, quizzes, and daily challenges to engage users and incentivize them to gain points and level up making learning feel like a game. 

Duolingo is perfect for beginners, providing a solid foundation in vocabulary, grammar, and basic sentence structure. It motivates learners to study regularly by encouraging them to maintain their ‘streaks’ by sending reminders to finish daily lessons and offering rewards for maintaining long streaks. This feature helps in developing a consistent language-learning routine. Check out our complete review of Learning Japanese with Duolingo here.

We recommend using duolingo in conjunction with other memorization apps to ensure material sticks. The games allow for great exposure but they can sometimes be solved by using logic rather than gained language abilities.

Drops

Logo for Drops, an online japanese learning app using gamified lessons
Image from Drops

Drops is a language learning platform and app that also uses gamified lessons to drill and memorize vocabulary. The platform uses pretty illustrations as visual associations with new words. This method is supposed to help you more easily remember and recall new vocabulary. Like Duolingo, the app also uses daily reminders and a level up system to motivate users to form daily habits of practicing the target language. 

The app also offers listening practice with audio of native speakers saying phrases clearly and easy to understand for learners. It is another app that is great for accompanying other studying methods such as flash card apps, classes, or watching T.V. Shows and dramas.

Dr. Moku

Logo for Dr.Moku, an online japanese learning site
Photo By Dr. Moku

Dr. Moku is a free app that prides itself on pioneering Japanese character memorization through mnemonic learning tricks. Its interactive lessons use recognizable shapes and visualizations that look similar to the character, forcing your brain to make associations and therefore, remember more effectively. 

The app uses this method to help students study and recall hiragana, katakana and kanji. It also has a phrase book of over a thousand Japanese words and phrases to assist users with practicing conversations. 

Anki

Logo for Anki, a flash card study app
Image by Anki

Anki may not be a gamified app with everything already at your fingertips but it is a powerful flashcard app that is very effective in reinforcing vocabulary. From personal experience, this app helped me get through tests and even interviews in Japanese. The app uses spaced repetition to help learners memorize vocabulary, phrases and kanji efficiently. 

This app pairs well with duolingo or drops due to its high customizability. Just add words you learnt into a deck and the app will help you reinforce them into memory by using intervals of repetition. The app determines when to repeat the card again based on how you rate your understanding out of these 4 categories: EasyGoodHard, or Again.

Numerous pre-made decks are available for Japanese learners, covering everything from basic vocabulary to advanced kanji. From my own experience and the opinion of professional teachers, this simple app is a great tool to add to your study arsenal. 

Memorization is essential in your learning journey; find Easy Ways to Remember Japanese here, and make your learning simple with Anki.

Memrise

Logo for Memrise, a flashcard app with functions to learn Japanese online
Photo By Memrise

Memrise is an excellent app especially when combined with gamified learning apps like Duolingo and Drops. It offers spaced repetition flashcards to solidify your memory. The app helps learners retain information by combining video clips featuring native speakers, interactive quizzes, and mnemonic devices.

The free version includes access to substantial content, making it a valuable tool for vocabulary building and listening practice.

Language Exchange Apps 

Once you have accumulated enough vocabulary (you actually don’t need too much), you’re ready to take on the next step of learning Japanese: jumping into Japanese conversation. However, you need to find a conversation partner and the good news isーthere are apps and platforms designed to match language exchange partners all for free! 

Hello Talk

Logo for HelloTalk, a language exchange app
Photo by Hello Talk

HelloTalk is a language exchange app that connects you with native Japanese speakers who want to learn a language from you as well. The app connects you to natives of your target language who want to learn your native language in exchange. You and your partner can text, voice and video to learn and teach each other. The text function even lets your language partner make corrections to texts you wrote.

Tandem

Logo for tandem, an app that allows users to exchange language learning including Japanese for free.
Photo by Tandem

Tandem is another language exchange app that matches you with a partner who wants to learn a language from you while you learn your target language from them. Most of the functions are similar to Hello Talk but Tandem offers a separate tutoring service and each app offers different features for paid subscriptions. 

Online Materials and Resources

There are some wonderful websites and apps that prove to be a very useful resource. They can help you get started on your language journey, provide study materials, and/or be a convenient place of reference when needing some help wrapping your head around confusing aspects of Japanese. These are some of our favorite online materials and resources that are free to use.

Tae Kim’s Guide To Learning Japanese

Brand Logo for Tae Kim's guide to learning Japanese online
Photo By Tae Kim’s Guide

Tae Kim’s Guide is an extraordinary resource and prides itself for cutting through all the noise to break down the Japanese language to its fundamentals. It argues that most traditional textbooks make decisions behind your back and use the closest English equivalent to make things easier to understand for beginners but ends up leading to more confusion later. 

So, Tae Kim’s Guide uses easy to understand explanations, examples and dialogues to thoroughly ensure you understand how Japanese works inside and out. It’s a very useful resource to frequently refer to when you are stuck and having trouble understanding specific concepts, grammar, etc. in Japanese.

Imabi

Brand logo for Imabi
Photo by Imabi

Imabi is an extensive resource that offers detailed lessons on Japanese grammar, vocabulary, and writing. The site is well-organized, with lessons categorized by difficulty level as well as specific topics. Imabi is particularly useful for intermediate and advanced learners seeking in-depth explanations and examples. 

Like Tae-Kim’s Guide, Imabi boasts giving users access to resources that are meant to ensure you thoroughly understand the concepts. You can also provide feedback directly to the creator of the site.

Tofugu

Logo for Tofugu, a Japanese online learning platform
Image by Tofugu

Tofugu offers a variety of free resources, including guides on learning hiragana and katakana, comprehensive articles on Japanese culture and language, and tips for effective learning.

Tofugu’s content is well-researched and quite engaging due its humorous presentations, making it a great resource for learners looking for information and entertainment.

Coto’s Blogs

Coto Japanese Academy

Coto Japanese Academy not only provides a variety of Japanese classes for students of all levels, but we also have tons of free guides, tips, resources, and blog lessons. Our blogs and other free online resources contain detailed explanations and infographics to help you remember and understand Japanese thoroughly. These are meant to aid in your studies as well as be used as stand alone materials to teach you something new.

We also have guides discussing how Anime can actually help you learn Japanese and other amusing topics surrounding Japanese culture, travel and daily life. Explore our catalogue of blogs here

Translation Apps

DeepL

Google translate is very convenient and useful but for anyone studying Japanese long enough, you probably noticed it spits out translations that can be rough around the edges. It’s not very good at translating more complicated sentences and even gets single words wrong depending on context. 

So, DeepL fills in that gap by using a more advanced AI designed by linguists to understand the nuances in human language. This allows the app to produce substantially more accurate translations and is more efficient at translating much longer text. 

Chat gpt

Chat gpt is one of the most advanced language learning AI’s ever created making it a very accurate translator that understands linguistic nuance and an incredibly useful tool for learning and studying Japanese. You can get creative and use it for just about anything you need like for double checking things you wrote, as a messaging partner to practice conversation, or for asking questions about certain Japanese concepts. 

The options are seemingly endless, however, keep in mind, Chat gpt is far from perfect and would never replace the human intuition of a native speaker. So, for the best guidance to achieve the most natural and fluent Japanese, online classes with a professional teacher might prove to be the most effective. 

Online Japanese Lessons, Courses, & Study Tools (Paid)

While free resources are a great way to start learning, Paid Japanese courses & study tools are often considered the most efficient way to learn Japanese Online. If you’re serious about improving your conversational skills, grammar, and kanji reading, these top-rated online Japanese lessons, courses, and apps will help you become fluent quicker. 

Online Japanese Classes & Tutors (Live Lessons & Speaking Practice)

Coto Online Japanese Classes – Flexible & Personalized Learning

A Coto Academy Teacher waving at their laptop while in a video call.

Coto Academy offers real-time, interactive online Japanese classes, taught by professional native Japanese teachers. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine advanced skills, we offer flexible courses tailored to your learning goals and schedule.

Why Choose Coto Academy’s Online Japanese Classes?

  • Comprehensive Course Options: Over 60 courses designed for all proficiency levels, from beginner to advanced.
  • Personalized Learning: Choose from private or small-group lessons for a more tailored learning experience.
  • Flexible Schedule: Study anytime, anywhere—our teachers are available 24/7 to accommodate your schedule.
  • Specialized Tracks: Prepare for the JLPT, focus on business Japanese, or improve your conversational skills with our specialized courses.
  • Unique Point System: Mix and match courses based on your interests and goals, creating a fully customized learning path.

“Coto Online helped me improve my Japanese skills quickly and confidently. The flexible courses allowed me to focus on real-world conversations, which made it easier for me to live and work in Japan.”
— Camilo S.

Ready to Take Your Japanese to the Next Level?
Explore our detailed course offerings and find the perfect class for you with our Online Japanese Lessons.

Italki & Preply– Personalized Online Japanese Lessons with Native Tutors

Logo for Italki, an online language learning app that allows users to do online lessons in a variety of languages including Japanese
Image from Italki
Logo for Preply
Image from Preply

If you’re looking for one-on-one Japanese tutoring with native speakers, both Italki and Preply offer flexible and personalized lessons. These platforms connect you with Japanese tutors, allowing you to book lessons based on your schedule and learning needs. They are excellent choices if you want to focus on conversation practice, grammar, pronunciation, or JLPT preparation.

What do Italki & Preply have in common?

Wide selection of native Japanese tutors to match your learning style

Flexible scheduling – book lessons when it suits you

Affordable pricing – choose a tutor within your budget, but keep in mind that better and more experienced teachers will often be more expensive

Customizable experience – focus on conversation, business Japanese, JLPT prep, and more, just discuss with the teacher

Italki vs. Preply – Which One to Choose?

Italki includes a free language exchange feature, letting you practice with partners in addition to professional tutors. This makes it great if you want structured lessons combined with casual language practice.

Preply is more focused on structured lessons with tutors, making it a better choice if you want a more guided learning approach rather than casual conversation.

Pricing and flexibility: Italki allows one-off lessons or package purchases, while Preply operates on a subscription model, meaning you must use all your lesson credits within a set time or lose them. 

Group Lessons: If you prefer group learning, Italki offers this option, while Preply is strictly one-on-one.

Online Japanese Courses (Self-Paced & Interactive Learning)

If you’re looking at how to learn Japanese at your own pace, there are several excellent options available online. Whether you prefer structured lessons, interactive content, or audio-based learning, these platforms allow you to study whenever and wherever suits you. Below are some of the best online courses for learning Japanese at your convenience.

JapanesePod101 – Online Audio & Video Lessons 

JapanesePod101 offers a mix of audio and video lessons designed to improve your Japanese listening, speaking, and conversation skills. They offer some lessons for free, to get you started, but if you’re committed to learning Japanese, you might get more out of their premium subscription.  

Pimsleur Japanese – Learn Japanese Online through Audio-Based Lessons

Pimsleur Japanese focuses on audio-based learning, which is perfect for those looking to improve their Japanese speaking and listening skills. With interactive audio lessons, you can practice pronunciation and vocabulary at your own pace. Free trials are available to test out their proven method before committing.

Udemy – Learn Japanese with Structured Online Courses

Udemy offers affordable online Japanese language courses for beginners and advanced learners. This platforms allow you to learn Japanese online at your own pace. Udemy is known for its flexibility and offers one-time purchases for courses, meaning you have lifetime access to the materials after purchase.

Best Paid Japanese Resources and Study Aides

These tools are designed to help you improve different aspects of Japanese learning, from kanji memorization to grammar and reading comprehension. Depending on your goals, some of these will be more useful than others.

Wanikani – Kanji & Vocabulary

Logo for WaniKani, an online Kanji learning app
Image from Wanikani

WaniKani helps you learn kanji with an easy-to-follow method. It uses a smart system that helps you remember characters over time by showing them to you at the right moments.

This is a good option for anyone who wants to learn kanji quickly (and remember it).

BunPro – Japanese Grammar Made Simple

Logo for Bunpro, an online app for studying Japanese grammar
Logo from Bunpro

BunPro is an online grammar study tool designed for JLPT preparation. It provides step-by-step explanations, example sentences, and quizzes to reinforce learning. Great for those who want structured grammar practice.

LingQ – Reading & Listening with Native Japanese Content

Logo for LingQ
Logo from LingQ

LingQ provides real-world Japanese content, like news articles, podcasts, and YouTube videos. A great way to practice listening and reading using natural Japanese. 

Satori Reader – Guided Reading for Japanese Learners

Logo for SatoriReader, an online resource for Japanese reading practice
Logo from Satori Reader

Satori Reader offers Japanese stories for different levels of fluency, with interactive translations and grammar explanations. It helps learners improve reading fluency while understanding natural Japanese sentence structures in context.

Learn Japanese Online by Watching and Listening (Immersion)

Watching and listening to native content is one of the best ways to improve your understanding of a language. This is also true when it comes to learning Japanese. Whether you prefer YouTube videos, Podcasts, or Japanese TV shows, here’s a list of some good options to get you started on your Japanese learning journey. 

Best YouTube Channels to Learn Japanese Online

These YouTube channel recommendations provide structured lessons, grammar explanations, and real-world Japanese conversations to help you learn Japanese online effectively.

Learn Japanese – Coto Japanese Academy

Professional lessons by native teachers, covering everything from grammar and JLPT prep to conversational Japanese. Almost all of the videos are in Japanese, but there are subtitles available if you’re not that advanced yet.

Learn Japanese with JapanesePod101

Comprehensive lessons for all levels, including grammar, vocabulary, listening practice, and JLPT prep. 

Japanese Ammo with Misa 

Clear and detailed grammar explanations with natural examples. Good for learners who want to improve their understanding of Japanese sentence structure.

Nihongo no Mori

Focussed on JLPT preparation, particularly N3-N1, with in-depth grammar explanations and practical exercises.

That Japanese Man Yuta

Cultural insights and real-life conversations and interviews with native speakers providing learners with an authentic view of Japanese as it’s spoken daily.

Dogen

Focuses on Japanese pronunciation and intonation, with a humorous and educational approach to mastering natural-sounding Japanese.

Comprehensible Japanese

Uses simple Japanese stories and explanations to help you understand basic Japanese clearly and approachably.

Speak Japanese naturally

Offers real-life, casual conversations in vlog style.

If these are not quite what you’re looking for, please look at our earlier blog about YouTube channels for more inspiration, here.

Best Podcasts for Learning Japanese

One way to make it even easier to incorporate Japanese Learning into your daily routine is by listening to podcasts. Perfect for when you’re going to work or simply just can’t keep looking at your screen. Here’s some suggestions for podcasts that might help you to learn Japanese online while you’re on the go.

Coto Radio (by Coto Japanese Academy)

A fully Japanese podcast for foreigners covering cultural topics, daily life in Japan, and language explanations. Episodes are often in an interview or conversation style. A good mix of learning practice and cultural learning. 

Many popular YouTube channels offer podcast versions of their content. If you already have a YouTube channel that you like, check to see if they have a podcast! Some of the ‘YouTube’ creators that we mentioned above, JapanesePod101 and Japanese Ammo with Misa, also have podcast versions where they cover similar content but adapted for listening only. Some other notable mentions include:

Nihongo Con Teppei

Teppei speaks slowly and clearly, helping beginners and intermediate learners build a solid foundation in everyday Japanese

Learn Japanese with Masa sensei

A structured learning podcast that explains grammar, expressions, and useful phrases in an easy-to-follow way. 

Let’s Learn Japanese from Small Talk

Casual, unscripted conversations between native speakers help learners get used to spoken Japanese in real life. 

Bilingual News

A bilingual duo that has conversations about recent news articles in both Japanese and English, offering a mix of language exposure and updates on current events around the world. 

Learn Japanese Online through T.V. Shows, Movies, And Music

If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to improve your Japanese, watching TV shows and movies and listening to Japanese music are a great addition to your study routine. While it’s not the fastest or most effective method on its own, it can still help with understanding the language. It is best to include this in addition to other ways of learning. Please be careful when learning from anime. While it’s a good tool for listening practice, much of the language used in anime is exaggerated and often seen as extreme or simply rude in actual conversations. But overall, you can still learn a lot from any medium you use. 

Pro tip: Use a subtitle/learning plugin like Language Reactor (formerly known as: Language Learning with Netflix) while watching for a better understanding and to enhance your learning experience.

How To Make The Most Of Learning Japanese Online

Using Both Free Resources And Online Japanese Classes 

Using online classes in conjunction with the plethora of online resources, apps, and games out there is a great way to expedite your Japanese learning. Especially when starting out, it can feel like a steep learning curve, so real teachers are trained to help you set realistic targets to reach for effective progress. Plus, most apps and online resources have already done the same thing, but a teacher may help you navigate where to go first, depending on your goals. 

For instance, by going to online classes a teacher may point out that you are having trouble with particles which is an area you can focus on when referring to online resources or using an app like Duolingo or Anki. By the way if you are having trouble with particles, check out our blog: Japanese Particles Explained.

Free resources and online classes are an excellent way to learn Japanese since you are exposing yourself to the language more and more often. But there are proven methods that really solidify your language learning abilities.

Shadowing and Immersion Methods

Learning Japanese online offers limitless opportunities, but optimizing your approach can make all the difference. By combining structured apps, interactive websites, and engaging media like anime and TV shows, you can create a well-rounded learning experience.

Use the Immersion Method Effectively

To accelerate fluency, surround yourself with Japanese as much as possible. Change your phone’s language settings, follow Japanese social media accounts, and listen to native speakers daily. Passive exposure helps reinforce vocabulary and natural sentence structures.

Master Pronunciation with the Shadowing Technique

Shadowing—repeating sentences immediately after native speakers—improves pronunciation, rhythm, and listening skills. Practice with podcasts, dramas, and YouTube videos, mimicking speech patterns and intonations.

Stay Consistent and Engaged

The key to mastering Japanese online is consistency. Set daily goals, use a mix of learning tools, and make studying enjoyable. By integrating immersion and shadowing into your routine, you’ll transform passive exposure into active learning, bringing you closer to fluency.

In Conclusion

Learning a language doesn’t require going to a physical classroom (although that setting can help), and there are countless resources you can use online. There are plenty of beginner-friendly guides or apps you can use to start, and there are communities out there that genuinely want to help. 

If you want to start learning online today, the best place to start is by consulting a professional teacher who can help you set your goals and recommend online resources that are best for you. 

Whether you are interested in online classes or if you are in/planning to go to Japan already, check out our course catalogue or fill out the form below!

FAQ

Time will vary based on your goals, study methods, and consistency. Generally, reaching conversational proficiency may take 1-2 years of dedicated study/exposure, while achieving advanced fluency will take longer.


Online courses and tutoring services are the most effective for teaching the ins and outs of Japanese grammar. There are also a variety of websites with interactive lessons and materials that are excellent resources to reinforce Japanese grammar.


Yes, you can definitely learn Japanese online for free as there are a plethora of resources available including Game Apps, Learning Websites (Tae Kim’s learning guide), Language Exchange Apps (Hello Talk, etc.), and Japanese Media (podcasts, youtube, T.V. Shows, etc.).


Yes, joining online communities can provide support and motivation:

  • Reddit’s r/LearnJapanese: A subreddit where learners share resources, ask questions, and engage in discussions
  • Language Learning Forums: Participate in forums dedicated to Japanese language learners to exchange tips and experiences.
  • Social Media Groups: Join Facebook groups or Discord servers focused on learning Japanese to connect with fellow learners

Engaging with these communities allows you to share experiences, seek advice, and find language exchange partners, enhancing your learning journey.


There are a variety of resources available but the most effective methods would have you actually practice the language. Language Exchange Platforms, Online Tutoring Services (Italki, Preply, etc.), and Japanese Media (T.V. shows, youtube, etc.) are all amazing resources for practicing Japanese.


Yes, achieving fluency in Japanese through online learning is possible. Consistency, dedication, and utilizing a variety of resources—such as interactive lessons, language exchange platforms, and immersive content like Japanese media—are key to success.

Want to study Japanese with us?

Once you get the hang of basic Japanese grammar structure, you will want to form more complex sentences. After all, you’re not going to master the Japanese language by just learning how to say “それはいぬです” (that is a dog). What happens if you want to say that the dog is cute? Or short? Or friendly? This is where Japanese adjectives come in: to make you express more, rather than just stating the obvious. (Sure, that is a dog, but what about it?)

Japanese adjectives aren’t just used to describe physical appearance or behavior. They’re used as quantifiers — to express emotions and detail dimensions. They’re used to modify a noun. While they function similarly to English, the grammar rules of Japanese adjectives are a little bit complex, too.

This will be a self-study guide on Japanese adjectives, complete with example sentences. We’ll talk you through the two kinds of adjectives and how to use them, but if you want to get more support and direction from native instructors, we suggest you take a look at our online Japanese course.

Before we go further into the article, note that this article will mostly use hiragana, so prior knowledge of them is a must. If you’re still learning them, don’t worry — take a look at our hiragana chart to review them.

Also check out our video explaining い-adjectives and な-adjectives!

Tyes of Japanese Adjectives (And How to Use Them)

Japanese adjectives are categorized into two: な-adjectives and い-adjectives. Their main function is to describe nouns, but these adjectives can also be transformed into nouns themselves.

The easiest way to separate な-adjectives and い-adjectives is by checking the adjective’s ending. More precisely, if the word ends with い or not. Of course, this is a rule of the thumb, but there are exceptions you need to note as well. What you need to note are the grammar particles and changes (to past, negative or past-negative forms) — what’s required to join an adjective to a noun.

We’ll be introducing a few Japanese vocabularies, so make sure you know all the basic Japanese words before moving forward. We have like, a hundred of them (yes, literally).

To know all the Japanese adjectives, check out the 100 most common adjectives we’ve collected.

japanese i adjective

い-adjectives in Japanese

The い-adjective is easy to identify: they end in い and are written in hiragana. Some い-adjectives might also have a double い (いい), but its stem form will usually stay the same regardless of the form it takes.

In this case, we’ll be using the example 高い (たかい), which means high (height) or expensive (price). Briefly, this is how you will transform an い-adjective into different tenses and forms.

FormKanjiHiraganaMeaning
Positive (Present)高いたかいHigh
Negative (Present)高くないたかくないNot high
Positive (Past)高かったたかかったWas high
Negative (Present)高くなかったたかくなかったWas not high

Present Tense for I-adjectives

To express an い-adjective in the present tense, simply let it take its original stem form and add an 〜い (already joined). A tricky thing to keep in mind is that the Japanese language doesn’t recognize present and future tense. Rather, they consider it one. Take a look at the sentence below.

今日の天気はいいです。
きょうのてんきはいいです。
The weather is nice today.

明日の天気はいいです。
あしたのてんきはいいです。
The weather (will be) nice tomorrow.

Negative (Present) Tense for I-adjectives

To make a present-tense い-adjective negative, replace the 〜い with 〜くない

さむ → さむくない

今日は寒くないです。
きょうはさむくないです。
It is not cold today.

Past Tense for I-adjectives

To express an い-adjective in the present tense, you must omit the 〜い from the word’s stem form and join it with a 〜かった.

たか → たかかった

あの車が高かったです。
あのくるまがたかかったです
That car was expensive.

Negative (Past) Tense for I-adjectives

For this, similar to negative and past adjectives, you can change the 〜い with a new conjugation, which is a combination of くない and かった: くなかった.

たか → たかくなかった

Exceptions and What You Need to Know for I-adjectives

Remember what we say about stem forms for adjectives will stay the same regardless of the form and tense it takes? There’s one exception to the rule: the Japanese adjective いい (good; well).

Why? The word, in its kanji form, is written 良い, which can also be read as よい (yoi). When it’s in a positive and present tense, you can use either one and it’ll be as fine (although よい has a more formal sound to it). However, when you want to transform the word to negative or past tense, the stem word becomes よ instead of い

FormKanjiHiraganaMeaning
Positive (Present)良いよい;いいGood; well
Negative (Present)良くないよくないNot good
Positive (Past)良かったよかったWas good
Negative (Present)良くなかったよくなかったWas not good


The same thing can be said with かっこいい. When it becomes a negative form or past tense, the stem changes to よ. Instead of かっこいくない, change it to かっこよくない.

One last thing: also it seems like it, きれい (pretty or clean) and きらい (hate or dislike) is actually a na-adjective even though the word ends with, so be careful!

野菜がきらくない。
Yasai ga kirakunai.
I don’t hate vegetables. (Wrong)

野菜がきらいじゃない。
Yasai ga kirai ja nai.
I don’t hate vegetables. (Correct)

Casual Form for I-adjectives

For the polite form of い-adjective, you will need to add the auxiliary verb of です. For negative and past adjective forms, follow the same conjugational transformation as well.

FormCasual FormPolite formMeaning
Positive (Present)よいよい;いいですGood; well
Negative (Present)よくないよくないですNot good
Positive (Past)よかったよかったですWas good
Negative (Present)よくなかったよくなかったですWas not good

Making it a casual form is easier; simply remove the です and leave it as it is. However, note that this only applies when the adjective is put at the end of the sentence.

A lot of Japanese people will even shorten the adjective and omit the . For example, when talking with friends in a good mood, people will say すげー instead of すごい to express something amazing, or うまー instead of うまい to compliment a very delicious meal.

japanese na adjective

な-adjectives in Japanese

Unlike い-adjectives, you can’t modify conjugations in な-adjectives directly to express tense or form. Instead, think of them as nouns (although they’re not, so be careful). This is because the way you modify its value is the same as how you would with nouns. What you want to do instead is to change the auxiliary verb of the whole sentence or phrase:です、ではありません、 でした or ではありませんでした.

The way you can identify a な-adjective is by looking at the particle attached to it: な. For example, 元気人・げんき人, which means a healthy (or happy, depending on the context) person. A lot of people find な-adjectives to be easier to learn because of their simple (and easy modification) rule.

Like い-adjectives, you can put a  な-adjective before a noun. When you do so, the adjective-noun combination becomes the subject.

Adjective + + Noun + です | ではありません | でした | ではありませんでした

You can also put a な-adjective at the end of a sentence. When that happens, the form is like this:

Adjective + です | ではありません | でした | ではありませんでした

In this case, we’ll be using the example 元気, which means happy or healthy. Briefly, this is how you will transform an な-adjective into different tenses and forms.

Present Tense for Na-adjectives

The most basic form of な-adjectives — meaning, positive value in the present tense — is followed by the auxiliary verb of です (polite) or だ (casual). Keep in mind that, similar to い-adjectives, present and future tense uses the same form. To describe a noun, you need to put the particle な in the middle of the adjective and the noun (hence, it’s called na-adjective). Take a look at the example below.

FormKanjiHiraganaMeaning
Positive (Present)元気だげんきだHealthy; lively
Negative (Present)元気じゃないげんきじゃないNot healthy; lively
Positive (Past)元気だったげんきだったWas healthy; lively
Negative (Present)元気じゃなかったげんきじゃなかったWas not healthy; lively

好きな人は田中さんだ。
すきひとはたなかさん
The person I like is Tanaka-san.

As we mentioned before, the conjugation rules for な-adjectives are the same as nouns, so even when the adjective is put at the end of the sentence, you will still use だ.

田中さんが好きだ。
たなかさんがすきだ
I like Tanaka-san.

Negative (Present) Tense for Na-adjectives

Similarly, too conjugate the auxiliary verb to get to the negative form for な-adjective, add 〜じゃありません. You can also use 〜ではありません that has the same meaning (negative value), but sounds more polite and is usually used in written Japanese.

To make it casual, you can shorten it into 〜じゃない or 〜ではない.

あのウェイターはお客さんに親切ではない。
あのウェイターはおきゃくさんにしんせつではない
That waiter is not kind to guests.

あまり歌っていなくて、カラオケが上手じゃない。
あまりうたっていなくて、からおけがじょうずじゃない
Because I don’t sing so much, I’m not good at karaoke.

You can also put a negative な-adjective before a noun.

元気じゃない人はカフェに入れません。
げんきじゃないひとはカフェにはいれません。
Unhealthy people are not allowed to enter the cafe.

Past Tense for Na-adjectives

To indicate that something was true before (and is not now), you will need to add だった (casual) or でした (polite) at the end of the sentence or phrase with a な-adjective.

あの歌手は有名な人だった。
あのかしゅはゆうめいひとだった
That person was once a famous singer.

子供の頃、お風呂が嫌いだった。
こどものころ、おふろがきらいだった
When I was a kid, I hated taking a bath.

Negative (Past) Tense for Na-adjectives

As with previous Japanese adjective modification, to make a Na-adjective negative and in the past tense, simple add じゃありませんでした or ではありませんでした

You can make it more casual by just transforming the auxiliary verb like this:

じゃありませんでした  → じゃなかった
ではありませんでした → ではなかった

この街は静かじゃなかった。
このまちはしずかじゃなかった
This town wasn’t peaceful (before).

リノベーションの前に、ホテルはきれいではありませんでした。
リノベーションのまえに、ホテルはきれいではありませんでした
Before the renovation, the hotel wasn’t pretty.

Casual Form for Na-adjectives

We’ve touched up how to change polite forms to casual forms for な-adjective, but we’ve made a table to sum it all up.

FormCasual FormPolite Form
Positive (Present)元気だ元気です
Negative (Present)元気じゃない元気じゃありません
Positive (Past)元気だった元気でした
Negative (Present)元気じゃなかった元気じゃありませんでした

Exceptions and What You Need to Know for Na-adjectives

You can immediately modify な-adjectives into a negative value, past tense — or both and join it with a noun. However, keep in mind that this is only applicable if you use casual auxiliary verbs.

Here are a few examples:

元気じゃない人
Genki ja nai hito. (Correct)

元気じゃありません人
Genki ja arimasen hito. (Wrong)

元気だった人
Genki datta hito. (Correct)

元気でした人
Genki deshita hito. (Wrong)

Another thing to keep in mind is an exception: the Japanese adjective おなじ・同じ. Even though it is technically a な-adjective, you will have to remove the な when you combine it with a noun.

君は僕と同じな背の高さです。(Wrong)
きみはぼくとおなじせのたかさです
You are as tall as I am.

君は僕と同じ背の高さです。(Correct)
きみはぼくとおなじせのたかさです

Learning to use and modify Japanese adjectives can be tricky, especially with the exceptions and grammar rules to remember. However, mastering the distinction between い-adjectives and な-adjectives will help you add more color and detail to your sentences.

Once you’ve learned some Japanese adjectives, we recommend practicing them with immersive Japanese listening conversations. Our Japanese podcasts are a great way to do this. Additionally, the NHK World Japan Audio Shows offer excellent listening practice for learners at any level.

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Studying Japanese doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you’re starting out or advancing, with the right class, becoming confident in speaking is easier than you think.

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FAQ

What’s the difference between い-adjectives and な-adjectives?

い-adjectives directly modify nouns and change form based on tense, while な-adjectives require the particle before a noun and use auxiliary verbs to change tense.

Can I use い-adjectives and な-adjectives interchangeably?

No, they follow different grammatical rules. Make sure to use them appropriately based on the sentence structure.

What are the exceptions to na-adjectives?

While most な-adjectives follow a consistent rule, there are a few notable exceptions to keep in mind:

  • きれい (kirei) – Meaning “pretty” or “clean,” this adjective ends with い but is still considered a な-adjective. It requires the particle when used before a noun (e.g., きれいな花 – a pretty flower.
  • きらい(kirai) – Meaning “hate” or “dislike,” this adjective also ends in い but functions as a な-adjective. It uses the particle when modifying a noun (e.g., きらいな食べ物 – a disliked foods.
  • おなじ (onaji) – Meaning “same,” this adjective is usually a な-adjective, but when modifying a noun, the particle is often omitted (e.g., 君は僕とおなじ背の高さです – You are the same height as me.
  • だめ (dame) – Meaning “no good” or “unacceptable,” this adjective doesn’t require when used before a noun in many cases (e.g., だめなこと – “a bad thing”).

In this article, we will cover:

What does こんにちは (Konnichiwa) mean?
When do I use おはよう (Ohayou) then?
What about こんばんは (Konbanwa)?

What does こんにちは (Konnichiwa) mean in Japanese?

Konnichiwa 「こんにちは」 is one of the first words you learn in Japanese.  Often times, on social media posts, you may see it spelled as 「こんにちわ」.  However, as you may have learned in your studies, the correct spelling is actually 「こんにちは」.

「こんにちは」is usually written in hiragana, but if you write it in kanji, it’s「今日は」, which can also be read as 「きょうは〜, kyo wa〜」 .  This directly translates to “today is ~ ”.  Originally, people often greeted each other with 「今日は天気が良いですね、kyou wa tenki ga ii desune- Today, the weather is nice.」or「今日は暑いですね、kyou wa atsui desune- Today, it is hot.」.  Over time, people began to shorten their greetings by cutting off the latter portions, eventually resulting in 「こんにちは, konnichiwa」.

What Part of Speech is Konnichiwa?

At times, people ask me, “What part of speech is 「こんにちは, konnichiwa- good day」?  Is it a noun? Greetings, including 「おはよう,ohayo- good morning」,「こんにちは, konnichiwa- good day, 」, and「こんばんは, konbanwa- good evening」are not nouns, but interjection s. Interjections are words which we use when our hearts are stirred.

For example, the 「わぁー。」in「わぁー。きれいだなぁ。Waa-, kireidanaa- Waa, it’s so beautiful!」, and the 「あっ。」in「あっ。宿題を忘れた。 Aa, shukudai o wasureta- Aa, I forgot my homework!」are interjections. Therefore, greetings are words which encompass the stirring of our hearts when we meet someone, and the feeling of wanting to communicate with the people we meet.

Other Greetings Besides Konnichiwa

When do I use おはよう (Ohayou) then?

Well then, everyone, at what time do you change your greeting from 「おはよう, ohayo- good morning」to「こんにちは, konnichiwa- good day」? This is quite a difficult question! There is actually no fixed rule.  The television and radio station NHK, which uses the most correct Japanese in Japan, states that “The greeting「おはよう,ohayo, good morning」is generally acceptable until 9:00 am.

However, you should be cautious when using it after 9:00 am.” In addition, a famous Tokyo hotel states that “For guests, we use 「おはようございます, ohayogozaimasu- good morning (polite)」until around 10:30 am, and after that we use 「いらっしゃいませ, irasshaimase- welcome」.

What about こんばんは (Konbanwa)?

konbanwa good evening in japanese

How about the transition from 「こんにちは, konnichiwa- good day」to「こんばんは, konbanwa- good afternoon」? This is actually even more difficult!
NHK states that “「こんばんは,konbanwa- good afternoon」is generally used after the sun has gone down and it gets pretty dark. It is better not to use it when the sun is still out.” In short, when you transition greeting is dependent on the season. For me, I think in the summer I switch greetings around 7:00 pm, and in the winter around 5:30 pm.

Japanese greetings allow you to communicate with the people you meet, while also keeping the seasons and time in mind. However, do you ever think that the greetings used by some store clerks in Japan are a little too obnoxious? I think those type of greetings might just be the requirements of the store manual and perhaps aren’t the most sincere.

After having learned all of these, why not try putting these to use by greeting people over the phone? Or, if you have a friend that you haven’t met in awhile, why not try using “Hisashiburi” with them!

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FAQ

What does "Konnichiwa" mean in English?

“Konnichiwa” is a common Japanese greeting that translates to “Hello.” However, the most appropriate English equivalent can vary depending on the time of day.

When do you use "Konnichiwa"?

“Konnichiwa” is a versatile greeting used in various situations. It’s a polite way to greet someone, especially when meeting someone for the first time or addressing someone of higher status. While it can be used at any time of day, it’s more commonly used as a general greeting.

What's the difference between "Ohayō" and "Konnichiwa"?

“Ohayō” means “Good morning” and is primarily used in the morning. “Konnichiwa” is a more general greeting, but “Ohayō” is considered more appropriate in the morning.

What's the difference between "Konbanwa" and "Konnichiwa"?

“Konbanwa” means “Good evening” and is primarily used in the evening. “Konnichiwa” is a more general greeting, but “Konbanwa” is more appropriate in the evening.

Omoshiroi is a Japanese word that means many things. It can be used to describe something as “Interesting, Amusing, Fascinating, Funny, Enjoyable, Entertaining, Fun” and more!
The Kanji for Omoshiroi is written as 面白い and in Hiragana as おもしろい.
Omoshiroi is an I adjective, and it’s a JLPT N5 Level Vocabulary word – so chances are, you will encounter it very early in your Japanese learning.

Example Sentences using Omoshiroi (面白い)

The term is primarily used to either mean Interesting or funny.
It’s hard to describe exactly how you draw the line between when and how to use it. In English, it would be similar to someone telling you, “You’re interesting.” So, this phrase could mean several things depending on the tone of voice you use.
Omoshiroi in Japanese is very similar – depending on the tone of voice that you are using, it can change the meaning of the sentence entirely.

その本は面白いと思います。

  • sono hon wa omoshiroi to omoimasu
  • I think that book is interesting.

トランプはとても面白い。

  • Toranpu ha tottemo omoshiroi
  • Playing cards is very fun!

あなたは面白い人です

  • Anata wa omoshiroi hito desu
  • You are a funny person.

ピアノを弾くことは面白い

  • Piano wo hiku koto wa omoshiroi
  • Playing the piano is fun

そのアニメはとても面白いです。

  • Sono anime wa tottemo omoshiroidesu.
  • That anime is very interesting

When NOT to use Omoshiroi

One important thing to note is that you should not use it to describe tragic events. Just like when speaking English, there is a time and a place for certain words. Describing an unfortunate situation or a tragic event with this word could be seen as very rude or strange.
Friend 1: “Did you see a large fire in an apartment building?”
Friend 2: “That’s funny!” <—- See how this is inappropriate?
So, for example, you would not say that a very sad movie is Omoshiroi. You could—and some people do—but you really have to know how to use the word appropriately to avoid creating uncomfortable situations for the people with whom you are speaking Japanese.
For a general rule of thumb, think of it as a word meant to describe interesting, amusing, entertaining, and fun things.
So, for interesting things with a sad or bad component, skip it!

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How do you use Omoshiroi in Japanese?

Here are some examples:

Interesting: この本はおもしろい。 (Kono hon wa omoshiroi.) – This book is interesting.

Fun: この映画はおもしろい。 (Kono eiga wa omoshiroi.) – This movie is fun.

Funny: あの人のジョークはおもしろい。 (Ano hito no jōku wa omoshiroi.) – That person’s jokes are funny.

Are Omoshiroi and Tanoshii the same?

While both “omoshiroi” and “tanoshii” can be used to express enjoyment, there is a subtle difference:

Tanoshii: Emphasizes the feeling of happiness or pleasure.

Omoshiroi: Emphasizes the quality of being interesting or entertaining.

Are there other words that can be used instead of Omoshiroi?

Yes, there are other words that can be used depending on the context:

Fascinating: 魅惑的 (miwakuteki)

Exciting: 興奮する (kōfun suru)

Hilarious: 腹を抱えて笑う (hara o kakaete warau)

Ganbare (頑張れ) or ganbatte (頑張って) is a Japanese phrase that means “Come on!” “Let’s go!” or “Go for it!” in English. It means “Do your best,” and it can be used to cheer for your favorite team during a sporting event.

If you want to know more about using those words in Japanese, watch the YouTube video below, and read our full guide!

Meaning of Ganbare, Ganbatte and Ganbarimasu

FormJapaneseRomajiUsage / Meaning
Dictionary FormがんばるganbaruBase form: “to do one’s best” / “to persist.” Used in casual, non-conjugated contexts.
Polite FormがんばりますganbarimasuPolite present/future tense. “I will do my best.” Used in formal situations.
Te-formがんばってganbatteTe-form: Used to request or connect sentences. Also used to cheer someone on.
Imperative (Casual)がんばれganbareCasual command: “Do your best!” Often used to cheer someone informally.

The Japanese word for ganbare, ganbatte and ganbarimasu is based on the same Japanese verb: ganbaru.

頑張る is a very commonly used Japanese verb that means to do one’s best

Ganbaru combines the kanji 頑 (stubborn, firm) and 張 (to stretch or extend).

So in a literal sense, 頑張る conveys the idea of stretching yourself to your limit or pushing through something with effort and determination.

The Spirit of Ganbare or Ganbatte in Japanese Culture

Although a seemingly simple term, ganbare, ganbatte, or their other modifications have roots in Japanese culture and a view on perseverance and determination, you’ll hear it chanted in sports competitions and anime series, mostly to encourage the other party to do their best and never give up, no matter how hard the challenge.

Saying those words isn’t just preserved for special occasions, though. From a young age, Japanese people are exposed to ganbatte through various mundane activities: doing homework, studying for a test, or fighting with friends.

The word ganbare is ingrained in almost every stage of life in the Japanese community. As you grow old, you’ll face even more significant problems, like finding a job, overcoming a hard breakup, or confronting a problem at work. In the end, the spirit of ganbatte reminds individuals in Japan that even in times of great hardship, you need to trust your ability.

Japanese Kanji and Writing for Ganbare or Ganbatte

The Japanese word for ganbatte originated from the verb 頑張る (read as ganbaru), which means “to do your best” or “to work hard.” However, people tend to follow the first definition more in many social contexts more. The Japanese kanji 頑 (gan) means “tough” or “stubborn”, while the last character 張る (haru) means “to be prominent”.

Ganbare vs Ganbatte

How did it turn to ganbare or ganbatte? The term ganbatte (頑張って) is the conjunctive form of 頑張る. Ganbatte is the shortened form of てください, which is to turn a plain Japanese verb into a polite command or request: “I would ask you to (verb).”

The longer version of ganbatte is ganbatte kudasai (頑張ってください), but this might sound a bit too formal if you’re speaking to your friends or close family members. This is why sometimes people just opt to say “ganbatte”. It can be written in kanji as 頑張って, in hiragana as がんばって, or in katakana as ガンバッテ.

You might wonder: ganbatte is not a loanword that the Japanese language takes, so why can we use katakana? This is because katakana emphasizes things, especially on signs, advertisements, or texts. Examples are gomi (ゴミ) and megane (メガネ), each meaning trash and glasses, respectively. When you type ガンバッテ, it shows you want the reader to pay attention to your words of encouragement.

It may also be said as “ganbatte ne”( 頑張ってね) or “ganbatte yo” (頑張ってよ) for more emphasis on overcoming the task at hand.

You can also add ね or よ for more emphasis.

頑張ってね!
Ganbatte ne!

頑張ってよ!
Ganbatte yo!

Ganbare (がんばれ), on the other hand, stems from the same verb, but it’s in a command form. The verb conjugation changes action in solid commands, and it’s less polite than saying ganbatte kudasai (がんばってください),

The Best Time to Use Ganbare or Ganbatte

Ganbare has a positive connotation; you need to use it with empathy and without being flippant or joking, which could be seen as insensitive.

  • A coworker or friend is taking an exam or a test
  • A friend is playing in a sporting match or running a marathon
  • A friend will do something difficult, like asking someone to marry them.
  • A friend has expressed a worry about a big event or challenge that they have coming up.

Inappropriate Situations to Use Gabare or Ganbatte

Despite the versatility of ganbare and ganbatte, there are some situations where it’s far from appropriate. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to face your vulnerability. When someone is facing genuine trouble, read the room and show empathy. Saying, “Let’s do our best!” to someone having a hard time can make us sound tone-deaf and insensitive instead.

Here are a couple of situations where saying ganbare or ganbatte is not advisable.

  • A friend has had something tragic happen to them or their family
  • A friend is expressing a deep level of sadness or worry

Video Transcript

頑張れ!頑張れ!
Ganbare! Ganbare!
Ganbare! Ganbare!

皆さん、「頑張れ」この言葉聞いたのことがあすか?
Minasan, “ganbare” koto kotoba kiita no koto ga arimasuka?
Hi everyone, have you heard the word “ganbare” before?

「頑張れ」は試合毛ていると応援する時に使う言葉です。
“ganbare” wa shiai geteiru to ouensuru toki ni tsukau kotoba desu
When people are at a sporting match and they are supporting their team, they will use this word!

例えば、野球の試合を呼びに行きます好きな選手が出ています。
Tatoeba, yakyuu no shiai o yobini ikimasu suki na senshu ga deteimasu
For example, next time you go to a baseball game and your favorite player appears,

「頑張れ!頑張れ!」
“ganbare! ganbare!”
You can scream “Ganbare! Ganbare!”

ラグビーやサッカーのワールドカップオリンピックでも「頑張れ頑張れ」と応援することができます。
Ragubi ya sakka no Warudokapu orinpikku demo “ganbare ganbare” to ouensuru koto ga dekimasu.
You can use the word to support your team at the Rugby and Soccer World Cup, and the Olympics.

「頑張れ」この言葉は「頑張って」や「頑張ってください」よりも
“ganbare” kono kotoba wa “ganbatte” ya “ganbatte kudasai” yori mo
The word “ganbare” is similar to “ganbatte” or “ganbatte kudasai.”

強いの言葉です。
tsuyoi no kotoba desu.
But it has a stronger meaning.

すこし、男っぽくて強い言葉なので試合を応援する時に使います。
Sukoshi, otokoppokute tsuyoi kotoba nano de shiai o ouensuru toki ni tsukaimasu.
It’s a very manly word that you can use to support your team during a sporting match.

試合はワクワクドキドキしますね、ですから女の人も試合の時は「頑張れ」と言ってもいです。
Shiai wa waku waku doki doki shimasune, desukara onna no hito mo shiai no toki wa “ganbare” to itte mo idesu.
When you get excited during a football match or a baseball game and you want to support your team, women can also use “ganbare”.

「頑張って」この言葉は色々なシチュエーションでいろことができます。
“Ganbatte” kono kotoba wa iro iro na tsuchinoeshion de iro koto ga dekimasu.
“Ganbatte” is a word that can be used in many different types of situations.

例えば、友達がこーいます「あ、明日試験があるんだ」
Tatoeba, tomodachi ga koiimasu : “a, ashita shiken ga arunda.”
For example, when your friend tells you: “Ugh, I have an exam tomorrow.”

「頑張って!」
“Ganbatte!”
“Do your best!”

「あ、明日彼女にプロポーズするんだ」
“a ashita kanojo ni puopozu surunda”
“I’m going to propose to my girlfriend tomorrow.”

「頑張って!」
“Ganbatte!”
“Do your best!”

「頑張って」はカジュアルの表現なので家族や恋人友達に使ってください。
“Ganbatte” wa casuaru no hyougen nanode kazoku ya koibito tomodachi ni tsukatte kudasai.
“Ganbatte” is a casual expression that you can use when talking to family and friends.

最後に、もう一つ「頑張ります」を紹介します。
Saigo ni, mou hitotsu “ganbarimasu” o shoukai shimasu.
Finally, we have one more word to introduce: “ganbarimasu.”

「頑張ります」はいつ使うのでしょうか?
“ganbarimasu” wa itsu tsukau no deshouka?
When should we use “ganbarimasu”?

そうれでは説明します。
Sourede wa setsumenshimasu.
Let’s break it down.

実は私来年の3月に東京マラソンに出ます。
Jitsu wa atashi rainen no sangatsu ni toukyou maranson ni temasu.
I will really be running the Tokyo marathon next year in March.

そのことを先輩や他の先生に言うと先輩や他の先生はこう言いました「え~すごいね。頑張ってね!」
Sono koto wo senpai ya hoka no sensei ni iyuto senpai ya hoka no sensei wa kouiimashita: “e~ sugoi ne. Ganbatte ne!”
So my coworkers, and other more senior teachers, told me: “oh wow, do your best (good luck)!”

その時私はこう言います「ありがとうございます、頑張ります!」
Sono toki watashi wa kouiimasu: “arigaritou gozaimasu, ganbarimasu!”
At that time, I replied by saying: “Thank You so much, I will try my best!”

「頑張ります」は自分より上の人
“Ganbarimasu” wa jibun yori ue no hito
“Ganbarimasu” is used when people that are above me,

例えば、上司や先輩の人が頑張ってねと
tatoeba joushi ya senpaino hito ga ganbattene to
like my boss or my senior coworkers tell me to do my best.

応援してな時に
ouen shitenatoki ni
When they show their support

「はい、頑張ります」と答えます。
“hai, ganbarimasu” to kotae masu.
I can answer them by saying: Yes, I will try my best!

はい、皆さん、今日のビデオはここまです。
Hai, minasan, kyou no bideo wa koko made desu.
Okay, everyone! That is all for today’s video.

皆さんは日本語の勉強頑張っていますね!
Minasan wa nihongo no benkyou ganbatte imasune!
Everyone, you’re all doing your best to learn Japanese!

皆さん、頑張って!
Minasan, ganbatte!
Everyone, do your best!

もし質問があったたら、是非このコメントに残してください。私たちが答えられるかもしれません。
moshi shitsumon ga atta tara, zehi kono komento ni nokoshite kudasai. Watashitachi ga kotae rareru kamoshiremasen.
If you have any questions, please share them in the comment section. We might answer them!

それでは皆さん、頑張ってね!
Sorede wa minasan, ganbatte ne!
So then, everyone, go for it/do your best!

Start taking Japanese lessons and learn Ganbare, Ganbatte, Ganbarimasu and more!

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FAQ

What is the difference between ganbatte and ganbaru?

Ganbare is a command form, which has a stronger imperative tone. Ganbatte is the shortened version of ganbatte kudasai, which is more or a request and therefore sounds less demanding.

What is the original word for ganbare and ganbatte?

Ganbare and ganbatte comes from the word ganbaru (頑張る) or ganbarimasu (頑張ります), which means “do your best”

There’s a running joke among foreigners living in Japan: when they encounter something they don’t understand in a Japanese conversation, they will say, “そうです (Sou desu)!” But why is that? Think of そうです and its other variations as sort of a safety net. The concept here is that sou desu expresses affirmation, which accompanies almost all statements.

今日、めっちゃ暑い!
Kyou, meccha atsui!
It’s really hot today!

そうですね!
Sou desu ne!
That’s right!

あの子はお母さんに怒鳴っていた。失礼ですね。
Ano ko wa okaasan ni donatte ita. Shitsurei desu ne.
That boy was shouting at his mom. He’s rude, isn’t he?

そうですよね…
Sou desu yo ne…
You’re right…

In other words, to say that we use そうです (sou desu) in a lot of situations is an understatement. It’s definitely on the top list of phrases that Japanese people — and learners — like to say, falling just behind hai (はい) and sumimasen (すみません). It has a lot of variations too, ranging from formal to casual forms. In terms of use, the different endings of そうです and intonations affect the implication of this phrase. Generally, however, they’re used to confirm or ask about the way things are.

When someone says “sou desu ka” or “sou desu” as a response, what exactly does it mean? Let’s look at some examples. At the end of this article, we hope you know how to use them — and understand why sou (そう) in Japanese will be one of the most useful words you’ll learn. 

This article will use hiragana. If you’re still learning them, don’t worry. Take a look at our hiragana chart to review them.

そうです (Sou Desu): That’s right. 

Let’s start with its most basic form: そうです. The expression is used to affirm a statement said by your conversation partner. It can both be a fact or an opinion. そうです (sou desu) means “It is so” or “That’s right.” Sometimes, it can also mean a simple “yes”. 

In this case, そうです is used as a positive affirmation to express that you agreed with what your partner said. As this article progresses, そうです and its variation can often be a subtle way to disagree. 

In casual speech, you can leave off です (desu) and just say そう (sou). Generally, you’ll hear people partner this word with other ways to say “yes” in Japanese, like hai (はい) or un (うん).

Let’s take a look at the example below. 

田中さんは学生ですね。
Tanaka-san wa gakusei desu ne.
Tanaka-san is a student, right. 

はい、そうです。
Hai, sou desu.
Yeah. That’s right. 

Sometimes, we can also use そうだ (sou da). This is also the informal version of そうです. だ (da) is the informal copula です (desu). 

昨日雨が降ったから、洗濯物が濡れちゃった。
It rained yesterday, so the laundry got wet. 

そうですか。残念ですね。
Sou desu ka. Zannen desu ne.
That’s right. It’s such a shame!

When you’re talking with your friends, you can omit the desu and da and repeat the word そう. This is usually to show excitement.

このコーヒー、めっちゃおいしいよ!
Kono koohi, meccha oishii yo!
This coffee, it’s really good! 

そうそうそう!
Sou sou sou!
Yeah, yeah, yeah!

そうですか (Sou Desu Ka): Is that so?

The か addition is a question particle you would often hear, like お元気ですか. This is partially true.  However, you need to know that the interpretation of そうですか depends on the intonation. 

The first one is a falling intonation at the end. This indicates an understanding of a situation as if you are saying, “Is that so,” in a flat tone.  With flat intonation, it’s closer to “I see.”

部長が、明日までに報告書を出すようにと…
Buchou ga, ashita made ni houkoku-sho o dasu you ni to…
The manager wanted you to submit the report by tomorrow… 

そうですか。わかりました。
Sou desu ka. Wakarimashita.
Is that so? I understand. 

Said with rising intonation, sou desu ka means closer to “Is that so?” The rising intonation makes it a question, which is often used in sentences to indicate doubt or ask for assurance. It can also be a response to something surprising, like saying, “Really?”

聞きましたか?田中さんが会社を辞めるそうです。
Kikimashitaka? Tanaka-san ga kaisha o yameru sou desu!
Have you heard? Tanaka-san quit the company!

えぇ?そうですか?
Ee? Sou desu ka?
What? Really?

 In casual Japanese, you can use そうか (sou ka) instead.

Because of this, そうですか can be used to express a different opinion or disagreement indirectly. Because you are not explicitly rejecting their statement, Japanese people will often find this a more polite way to keep a conversation going. 

今日の試験、簡単だったよ!
Kyou no shiken, kantan datta yo!
Today’s exam, was easy!

そうですか。難しかったと思うんですけど。
Sou desu ka. Muzukashikatta to omoun desu kedo.
Is that right? I thought it was hard, though…

“Sou desu ka?” is a general response to any new information and doesn’t have to necessarily imply any doubt about what was just said.

そうですね (Sou Desu Ne): That’s Right/Let Me See…

When said with a neutral intonation, the ね (ne) at the end of そうですね adds a layer of assurance to the confirmation.

雪の日は、温かいお茶が一番ですね。
Yuki no hi wa, atatakai ocha ga ichiban ii desu ne.
When it’s snowing, warm tea is the best, right?

そうですね。私もそう思います。
Sou desu ne. Watashi mo sou omoimasu.
That’s right. I think so too. 

You will also notice that Japanese people say sou desu ne with a long intonation. This is usually to show that they are considering how to respond to your comment. Generally, そうですね (sou desu ne) is used when agreeing with a statement.

In casual speech, そうだね can be used instead of そうですね, such as between friends.

最近、暗くなるのが早いね。
Saikin, kurakunaru no ga hayai ne.
Recently, it’s been getting dark fast. 

そうですね。もうすぐ冬ですね。
Sou desu ne. Mou sugu fuyu desu ne.
That’s right! It’s going to be winter soon!

そうですよ (Sou Desu Yo): That’s Right

Adding よ (yo) to yield そうですよ also adds a layer of affirmation of the fact to the listener. Unlike そうですね), which can sometimes be a way to express consideration,  そうですよ can also give authority to the speaker.

そうだよ is the casual form of そうですよ and can be used among friends and people of equal status.

ケーキには大量のカロリーが含まれています。
Keeki ni wa tairyou no karorii ga fukuma rete imasu.
The cake contains high amount of calories. 

そうですよ。食べ過ぎてはいけません。
Sou desu yo. Tabesugitehaikemasen.
That’s right. You can’t eat too much.

One thing to note is that the combination of そう and よ softens the way of affirmation. For example, if you replace the example sentence above with そうでね, you’ll find that it sounds more masculine (in this case, it doesn’t mean strictly men use them). 

そうですよ: That’s right

If そうですね expresses a firm agreement and そうですよ shows softer agreement, then the combination of ね and よ is a gentler way to show strong agreement. In conclusion, the variants, including yo and ne, all express agreement with what the other person just said.

ね and よ are added onto the sentence そうです to create a feeling of “Don’t you think so?” and “Definitely!” or “Absolutely!”  It’s more economical in Japanese to convey the sentiment with そうですよね or, more informally, そうだよねー.

Conclusion

“Sou desu” is a very versatile Japanese phrase, but we’re just scraping the surface of Japanese culture. Learning the Japanese language that you can use in real life can be tricky. Coto Academy offers lessons from beginner to advanced if you want to earn more.

What is Sou Desu?

そうです (sou desu) means “It is so” or “That’s right.” Sometimes, it can also mean a simple “yes”. 

How do you use "Sou desu ne"?

When you agree with what the speaker said, the best way to show your agreement is by saying, “Sou desu ne”.

What is the casual form of そうです (sou desu)?

The various forms of そうです (sou desu = (things are/in) that way) are used in many ways, in formal and casual forms. In the casual register, you can simply say “Sou” or “Sou da”.

How do you use "Sou desu"?

Sou desu is used to give affirmation to a statement said by your conversation partner. As a question with a rising intonation, it also means, “Is that so?”

What is the meaning of Sou Desu Ka?

“そうですか (sou desu ka)” translates to “Is that so?” or “I see.” It’s often used when responding to new information to show understanding or acknowledgment. It can express surprise, interest, or simply that you’re taking in what was just said.

If you’re an auditory learner, you might notice that you like to listen to educational podcasts to improve your Japanese listening skills.

Do you hate when people give you written directions? Do you often talk to yourself? Auditory learning is just one of the main methods that people use to learn new information; as the name suggests, auditory learners process information best when they can listen to it.

While you might already know what learning method suits you best, finding out how to apply this method in real life is often harder. What do auditory learners do to learn? And how can you use this knowledge to improve your Japanese?

Keep reading to see some Japanese learning strategies for auditory learners — and tips for making the Japanese language go in one ear and stay there!

 Jump to:

What is an Auditory Learner?

As mentioned earlier, auditory learners learn best by hearing information, but there’s more to it than that. Many auditory learners find it helpful to talk things out, express emotions through their voice (using pitch, tone, and volume), and tend to be very descriptive.

Others are easily distracted by sounds, enjoy dialogues and plays, and are great at remembering names. Additional characteristics include being musically gifted, quickly recalling the way things sound, and being able to pick up on social cues in speech.

Finally, talking to oneself and preferring classrooms where discussion is encouraged is also common.

By answering questions about different scenarios, you can see how you usually learn information and how this corresponds to a particular learning style.

Many people also use multiple learning styles so that you may discover a new aspect of yourself! If you are also a visual learner, you can check out our guide for visual learners here.

If you’re definitely an auditory learner, keep reading to learn how you can use this style to make your Japanese learning much easier and more effective!

Strategy 1: Record Information

No, we don’t just mean taking notes (though that is also really good)! If you learn best by hearing, you should try to listen to the information as often as possible; repetition is a key factor in making new ideas stick in your mind.

As a result, try to audio-record information whenever you can – record your lectures, record yourself reading the lessons out loud, and record practice conversations. Then listen to these recordings as often as possible – during a walk, driving to work or school, or just doing tasks around the house!

The more times you hear the information, the more likely it is to stick with you.

You can use a voice memo app, such as Apple’s Voice Memo app, Alice (which also automatically transcribes your recordings), or Tape-a-Talk (for Android).

Strategy 2: Listen Carefully

This is probably the most obvious of our strategies! If you learn best by hearing, you need to have a purpose in your listening—you can’t just listen passively.

It can be easy to let your mind wander during lectures or to get distracted by other sounds, but being intentional with your attention can make all the difference. One way to do this is to take notes on the taught topics.

Another way is to pay attention to how people are speaking. What tone are they using? What speed are they talking at? What does this say about the subject they are talking about?

You can also listen better by reducing the number of distractions around you; try sitting in quiet areas, sitting closer to your teacher, staying away from doors and windows (where sounds come in from outside), or using noise-canceling headphones when listening to recorded information.

If you prefer to listen to music while studying, avoid music with lyrics (as this can divert your attention from your lesson).

By the way, did you know that Coto has several podcasts, including Coto Sounds, Coto Radio, and Coto Hajime? Here are some episodes you can start with!

Strategy 3: Find Japanese Audio Resources

While we already talked about recording and listening to your lectures and notes, it’s also a good idea to find other resources that will allow you to practice hearing and understanding Japanese.

One of the best ways to do this is to find Japanese podcasts. JapanesePod101 is a great option for learners of all levels; when listening to Japanese speech, you can choose your learning level and speech speed, get word lists and line-by-line breakdowns for each episode, and even record yourself speaking the lesson to practice your pronunciation!

Learn Japanese Pod offers Japanese mini-lessons; you can listen to the whole lesson or just the dialogues, see the Romanji and English transcriptions, and even join their discord server!

The Japanese Page offers a variety of different podcasts – language lessons, listening practice, Japanese stories – whatever you think is interesting!

Aside from podcasts, using the audiobook version of your textbook (if it is available) is also a good idea; you could listen and follow along in your book at the same time!

You can also use Radio Garden, a free site that allows you to listen to radio stations all over the globe, to tune into Japanese talk shows and music.

If you’re a fan of Japanese anime or film, try watching a scene with the subtitles on; then, rewatch the same scene without the subtitles and try to pay attention to the dialogue.

As long as you are learning something new and having fun while doing it, you can’t go wrong with these options! 

Strategy 4: Talk Things Out

This may sound counter-intuitive at first, to talk rather than to listen. However, talking about what you’re learning (either to yourself or with others) and hearing the information spoken out loud is very helpful; many auditory learners find it helpful to process information by speaking about it.

This may look like reading aloud, discussing material with friends or teachers, or sounding out vocabulary. You can also talk through given problems and rephrase lessons in your own words.

Participating in class discussions is also important; if you don’t feel comfortable speaking up, you can always whisper your answer to yourself or take notes about what everyone else is saying. (Don’t be afraid to ask questions, though!)

If you want to talk with native speakers, the language exchange app HelloTalk, which connects you to Japanese people learning English, is a great place to start; you can text, send voice messages, call, or video chat!

If you prefer talking in person, why not attend a Japanese language exchange event and talk with a partner? Check out our list of language exchange events in Tokyo here or search in your area at Meetup!

You can also use talk-to-text apps to have these verbal exchanges written down in text format. Some of the best options for these are Notta (which can also sync to Notion), Just Press Record (only available for Apple users), and Speechnotes (which works on PCs).

Strategy 5: Don’t Neglect Other Ways of Learning

It might be tempting to focus solely on listening and not put much effort into other learning methods. However, these are still important ways for you to review lessons and understand what is being taught.

You still need to read your textbook, take notes, make flashcards, practice writing kana and kanji, read in Japanese, and so on.

Once you do these things, you can use the strategies above to really cement them in your mind – reword your notes, say your flashcards out loud, or discuss kanji with others, for example. The main point is to use listening as a tool, but not your only tool!

Additional Tips on Japanese Learning Strategies for Auditory Learners

– Try using rhymes and other mnemonics to help you remember vocab or grammar points.

– Using songs or different sounds to remember information can be really helpful; try making a song that lists all of the week’s vocab items, for example! Or, you can check out other songs on YouTube, such as this one for hiragana!

– Many auditory learners can also associate songs with different topics. When you study, try listening to different music for different topics. (For example, classical music for grammar and lo-fi for vocabulary!)

– When studying, reciting information with your eyes closed can help to reduce distractions and help you focus on what you are saying.

– Try role-playing with a friend or classmate to practice dialogues. How would a student communicate a message? How would a teacher? This can be a great way to incorporate Japanese societal etiquette into your practice!

– When taking notes, leave extra space for any realizations that may come about as a result of discussions.

– If you are taking a Japanese class, make sure to attend all of the lectures and discussion groups; being able to hear information in settings like these is very useful (especially if you have questions)! If there isn’t a discussion group already, consider making one! There will probably be other auditory learners in the class that would benefit from this as well.

– Don’t give up on forming new habits; it can be hard to stick to a new routine or a new learning strategy, but you will thank yourself in the end!

Conclusion        

Sometimes, when learning a new language, it seems like information comes in one ear and immediately goes out the other! It can be hard to recall exactly what you have learned, even if you regularly study.

Now that you have these new strategies, however, you will be much better equipped to hear that new information and keep it with you! You’ll be listening to and understanding Japanese like a pro in no time!

Still, keeping an ear out for extra learning opportunities? Why not check out courses at Coto Academy? By accommodating a variety of different learning styles and paces, these classes are sure to help you achieve your Japanese language goals!

What is an auditory learner?

Auditory learners learn best by hearing information; but, of course, there’s more to it than that. Many auditory learners find it helpful to talk things out, express emotions through their voice (using pitch, tone, and volume), and tend to be very descriptive.

Is HeloTalk a good app to practice Japanese?

If you want to talk with native speakers, the language exchange app HelloTalk, which connects you to Japanese people learning English, is a great place to start; you can text, send voice messages, call, or video chat!

How should I learn Japanese if I'm an auditory learner?

One of the best ways to do this is to find Japanese podcasts. Try role-playing with a friend or classmate to practice dialogues. Participating in class discussions is also important, and you can speak out loud when you are studying — as if reviewing something with a friend.

If you’re learning Japanese, you’ve probably heard of kanji — those intricate characters that make up a significant part of the written language. But with over 50,000 kanji characters, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and wonder if you’ll ever be able to read and write kanji.

The good news is that you don’t need to know all 50,000 characters to be able to read and write proficiently in Japanese. Mastering just a few hundred kanji can take you a long way. 

But how do you know which ones to focus on? In this ultimate guide to mastering kanji, we’ll explore the most commonly used characters, how to learn them efficiently, and tips for retaining and applying your newfound knowledge. 

If you need personalized advice or support, don’t hesitate to contact us directly.

What is kanji? 

Kanji is one of the three main scripts used in Japanese writing, along with hiragana and katakana. It consists of characters borrowed from the Chinese writing system, each representing a specific concept or idea. 

Why learning Kanji is important

Kanji is an essential component of the Japanese language. Unlike Hiragana and Katakana, which are phonetic scripts, Kanji is a logographic script that uses symbols to represent words or ideas. Japanese sentences can contain a mix of Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana, making it necessary to understand all three scripts to read and write in Japanese fluently.

Kanji is used extensively in Japanese literature, newspapers, magazines, and everyday communication. Kanji is also used in the names of businesses, streets, and buildings, making it an essential part of Japanese culture. Therefore, learning Kanji is crucial for anyone who wants to become fluent in Japanese.

But beyond that, as you improve your Japanese language skills, you’ll notice that reading texts with kanji is easier than just hiragana and katakana. Why? Kanji characters provide visual cues and help break the text into meaningful units. 

You must remember that, unlike English, written Japanese does not have spaces between particles or words. For example:

わたしはいぬがすきです。
Watashi wa inu ga suki desu.

Imagine reading a text in English like this:

Ilikedogs.

Not so readable, right? Now, if we change some of the hiragana into kanji, it would look like this:

私は犬が好きです。

Unlike hiragana or katakana, which consist of phonetic symbols, kanji characters have distinct shapes and visual patterns. Using kanji, written information can be conveyed more concisely than using only hiragana or katakana. This means you have a better chance of quickly grasping the overall meaning of a sentence.

How many kanji should you learn in a day?

The number of kanji characters you can learn daily will vary depending on various factors, including your learning style, available study time, and personal capabilities.

For now, we’ll reference the curriculum in Japanese classes. Most beginner to intermediate language classes will spend a section of the lesson learning 5 to 10 kanji characters per day

Now, this is different from more intensive classes, where you can expect to learn 20 kanji characters daily! Remember that the more advanced you get, the more complicated and less common the kanji will be, making learning even more difficult.

So it’s safe to say that learning around 5-10 kanji characters per day is manageable. Some people may be able to handle more, but most learners make the mistake of cramming as much kanji as possible before a test.

Our tip is: don’t do it. It’ll lead you to burnout, and you won’t be able to retain any of the new things you learned. It’s crucial to balance quantity with quality. Spending sufficient time to understand and retain each kanji’s meaning, readings, and stroke order is vital for long-term retention.

How many kanji do you need to know?

First, let’s use the number of kanji characters covered in each JLPT level.

For JLPT N5, which tests you on basic Japanese that you can often learn in a classroom environment, you’ll need to learn 100 kanji characters. If you learn 5-10 kanji per day, you’ll be able to reach your target in around 10-20 days.

For JLPT N4, you’ll have to learn additional 200 kanji characters — 300 kanji in total! Ideally, you can learn this in one to two months!

The JLPT N3 exam covers around 650 kanji. Of course, you do not have to know all of them to pass, but it’s impossible to predict which ones will be on the exam.

You’ll need to learn 1,000 kanji for JLPT N2, while it takes 2,000 kanji for JLPT N1!

By the time you are studying for the N1, you probably have already formed a solid study routine for Japanese kanji and vocabulary. Because the JLPT N1 tests you on a lot of kanji and vocabulary, it is most efficient to memorize the kanji based on its usage rather than its individual meaning and pronunciation. 

Now, to be considered fluent in Japanese, you need to know 1,500 to 2,500 kanji — roughly N2 or N1 level. 

While there are technically more than 50,000 kanji characters, there is something known as the joyo kanji  (常用漢字). Joyo kanji refers to a list of kanji characters that are designated as “regular-use kanji” by the Japanese government. The term “joyo” (常用) translates to “regular use” or “daily use.”

The current Joyo Kanji list was established by the Japanese Ministry of Education in 1981 and has undergone revisions since then. The list originally consisted of 1,945 kanji characters, but it was expanded to 2,136 characters in 2010. These characters are taught in Japanese schools and are considered fundamental for literacy in Japan.

8 steps to learning Kanji effectively

1. Learn basic Japanese words and writing systems first

If you are taking a beginner-level Japanese class, don’t expect the teachers to dive straight into kanji on the first day! Learning basic Japanese words and the writing systems of hiragana and katakana is generally recommended before diving into kanji. Understanding hiragana and katakana is fundamental for reading and writing Japanese because they represent the phonetic sounds of the language.

Building a foundation of basic vocabulary is also important because it allows you to understand and communicate in Japanese even without kanji. Learning essential words, phrases, and grammar structures will help you develop a solid understanding of the language’s structure and enable you to form simple sentences.

Once you grasp hiragana, katakana, and basic vocabulary, you can gradually introduce kanji into your studies. 

2. Set realistic goals

While making studying kanji a daily habit is important, let’s not forget about setting achievable goals! Think about how quickly you want to master the approximately 2,200 kanji needed for “newspaper fluency.” Is it realistically feasible for you?

Let’s say you want to tackle this kanji challenge within a year. That means you’ll need to learn around six to seven new kanji daily.

Would you be able to spend every day learning the new kanji? What about days when you are on vacation or when you are sick?

If you can commit to learning new kanji every day, that’s absolutely fantastic!

However, if you feel that learning at such a pace might be too much, don’t worry! Consider extending your timeline to two years or finding a pace that suits you best. Remember, it’s not a race! The key is to find a balance that makes learning kanji a sustainable part of your life without overwhelming yourself.

3. Learn kanji radicals

Kanji radicals, also known as bushu in Japanese, are the building blocks or components that form kanji characters. Radicals are essentially smaller, standalone characters or elements within a kanji character. They can convey meaning, provide a clue about pronunciation, or serve as a semantic indicator.

Learning radicals helps you understand kanji characters’ structure, meaning, and connections. It provides a foundation for building your kanji knowledge and makes learning more accessible and enjoyable. Let’s break it down with an example:

Imagine you come across a new kanji character: 森 (mori), which means “forest.” It consists of three tree radicals (木) stacked on each other.

 By recognizing the tree radical, you can make an educated guess about the general meaning of the character. Since you know that 木 means “tree,” you can infer that 森 might have something to do with trees or a forest.

Here are some common Japanese radicals along with their meanings and example kanji characters:

RadicalMeaningExample KanjiMeaning of Example Kanji
人 (ひと)Person休 (やす)Rest
日 (ひ)Sun明 (あか)Bright
月 (つき)Moon朝 (あさ)Morning
木 (き)Tree林 (はやし)Woods
火 (ひ)Fire灰 (はい)Ashes
水 (みず)Water池 (いけ)Pond
山 (やま)Mountain岩 (いわ)Rock
口 (くち)Mouth唇 (くちびる)Lips
心 (こころ)Heart愛 (あい)Love
手 (て)Hand持 (も)Hold

4. Compounds

If radicals are the smaller components or building blocks within kanji characters, then compound words in Japanese comprise multiple kanji characters. 

That’s right: when kanji characters are combined, they create new words called kanji compounds or jukugo. It’s similar to how letters form words. With enough kanji knowledge, you can start understanding the meaning and pronunciation of these compound words!

Here’s an example: Let’s take the kanji characters “日” (which means “sun” or “day”) and “本” (which means “origin” or “book”). Individually, they have their meanings, but when you put them together, you get the word “日本” (pronounced as “Nihon” or “Nippon”), which means “Japan.”

An important thing for learners is not to abandon learning kanji compounds. For example, you might know the kanji 人 (hito, nin), but what happens when this character is combined with other kanji? They can be:

  • 二人: futari (two people)
  • 社会人: shakaijin (working adult)
  • 人間: ningen (humanity)

As you can see, when you are learning 1,000 kanji characters, you might also need to learn other mutations of the kanji compounds! By learning kanji compounds, you can understand and use a wider range of words in Japanese.

5. Practice writing kanji

Even if you are not a kinesthetic or visual learner, learning kanji is very much a visual aspect. We always find it more effective to practice writing kanji characters regularly to reinforce our understanding and muscle memory. Use grid paper or practice sheets that show the correct stroke order.

If you don’t have the time (or paper) to practice kanji on your desk, there are a lot of useful kanji learning apps like Kaizen that allow you to practice kanji strokes on your phone!

6. Learn the stroke orders

Learning the stroke order of kanji is useful for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures accuracy and legibility in your writing, as following the correct sequence and direction of strokes leads to consistent and clear characters. Secondly, understanding stroke order aids in character recognition and differentiation, as slight variations can distinguish between similar kanji. It also contributes to the memorization and retention of characters, as practicing stroke order reinforces visual and kinetic memory. Additionally, stroke order is important for calligraphy, enhancing the aesthetics and balance of your written kanji. Learning stroke order improves writing accuracy, character recognition, and memorization and contributes to the visual appeal of written kanji.

7. Utilize flashcards or spaced repetition 

Learning to read kanji is just as important as learning to write them. One easy way to practice reading kanji is using smartphone apps like Anki or Flashcards Deluxe. These apps use a special technique called spaced repetition, which helps you remember kanji more effectively.

Here’s how it works: You can create your flashcards with kanji on one side and their meanings or pronunciations on the other. You can also make flashcards with sentences that include kanji or even try to write the kanji for words in your native language. The great thing about spaced repetition is that it learns from you. If you get a kanji right, it will show up less frequently. But if you struggle with a particular kanji, it will appear more often until you get the hang of it.

Using these apps makes learning kanji fun and personalized to your needs. Give it a try and see how your reading skills improve!

8. Incorporate a lot of reading 

You don’t have to be an advanced Japanese language student to start reading Japanese media.

If you’re an intermediate-level learner, try reading your favorite Japanese manga in Japanese. Thankfully, most of them use day-to-day Japanese, and the kanji are equipped with furigana. This gives you a good cushion to transition from reading in full hiragana and katakana to reading in kanji!

Websites, blogs, and social media platforms are excellent resources for finding Japanese texts to immerse yourself in. Explore topics that interest you, whether Japanese language, culture, or specific genres. Make your study sessions exciting by incorporating materials that you love.

If you prefer audiovisual content, websites like Crunchyroll offer cartoons and movies. Aim for kids’ anime and turn on the Japanese subtitles. You can watch and follow along to improve your listening and reading skills simultaneously.

NHK’s News Web Easy is another valuable resource. It provides simplified news articles in simple Japanese, allowing you to gauge your kanji level and practice reading in a real-world context.

Check out: 10 Most Difficult Kanji

Common mistakes to avoid when learning Kanji

Learning Kanji can be challenging, and beginners make some common mistakes. Here are some mistakes to avoid when learning Kanji:

1. Neglecting Stroke Order

Pay attention to the correct stroke order when writing kanji. Following the proper stroke order helps with character recognition and writing fluency. Skipping or altering strokes may make it harder to recognize and reproduce kanji accurately.

3. Focusing Solely on Memorization

Don’t approach kanji as mere memorization of individual characters. Understand the meaning, radicals, and components of kanji. Recognize how kanji are combined to form words and grasp their context and sentence usage.

4. Overlooking Context and Vocabulary

Kanji should be learned in context. Learning the meaning and readings of kanji characters without understanding their usage in words and phrases can limit your comprehension. Study vocabulary and phrases that incorporate the kanji to reinforce their practical application.

Ignoring Reading Variations: Kanji characters can be read multiple times, including on-yomi (Chinese) and kun-yomi (Japanese). Avoid assuming that a single kanji has only one reading. Pay attention to the context and usage of the kanji to determine the appropriate reading.

For example, let’s look at the kanji character for “book” (書)

Learning the individual kanji character is useful, but understanding that it represents “book” and is commonly used in words such as “library” (図書館) or “reading” (読書) provides important context for its usage.

5. Rushing Through the Learning Process

Kanji is a complex aspect of the Japanese language that requires time and consistent practice. Avoid rushing through large numbers of kanji without proper understanding or retention. Focus on quality over quantity and establish a regular study routine.

Avoid attempting to learn many kanji characters in a short period. Instead, focus on studying a manageable amount each day and reinforce your understanding through practice and review.

6. Lack of Review and Reinforcement

Regular review is crucial for retaining kanji knowledge. Without proper reinforcement, kanji characters can be forgotten over time. Incorporate review sessions and practice writing kanji to strengthen your memory and recognition skills.

This is also why it’s still good to do regular flashcard drills. Try to spend 30 minutes a day to drill the kanji you have learned previously!

Remember, don’t just review the kanji shape itself. Review both the meaning, kanji compounds, and different onyomi and kunyomi.

7. Not Using Various Learning Resources

Utilize a variety of resources to enhance your kanji learning experience. Combine textbooks, online resources, flashcards, mnemonic techniques, and even kanji games to reinforce your understanding and retention of kanji.

Conclusion

Learning Kanji can be challenging, but it can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience with a step-by-step approach. Start by learning the basics, including the radicals and strokes, and then move on to learning the Joyo Kanji characters. Remember to practice regularly, use online resources, and avoid common mistakes. Following these tips and tricks, you can become a Kanji master and open up new opportunities in Japan.

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Let us know how we can help you achieve your Japanese language target. If you’re unsure where you are, we provide a Japanese level check. 

FAQ

The number of kanji characters is extensive, but the commonly used ones range from around 2,000 to 3,000. However, it’s important to note that there are tens of thousands of kanji characters, including rare or historical ones.


The number of kanji required to be considered fluent can vary depending on the definition of fluency and the context in which you use the language. Generally, achieving a high level of fluency in Japanese involves learning a substantial number of kanji, typically in the range of 2,000 to 3,000 kanji, which is covered by the Joyo kanji list.


Joyo kanji refers to the list of kanji characters officially designated for everyday use in Japan. It consists of 2,136 kanji characters that are considered essential for daily communication, including reading newspapers, magazines, and general publications. The Joyo kanji list is frequently used as a benchmark for kanji proficiency and is an important reference for Japanese language learners.


Starting with a manageable number, such as 5 to 10 kanji per day, and gradually increasing the workload as you become more comfortable is a reasonable approach.

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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.

Japanese Tongue Twister namamugi namagome namatamago

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

japanese tongue twister akamakigami kimakigami aomakigami

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

japanese tongue twister basu gasu bakuhatsu

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

japanese tongue twister Pronunciation: buta ga buta o butta node butareta buta ga butta buta o butta.

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.

aka pajama, ki pajama, cha pajama japanese tongue twister

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.

kono kugi wa hikinukui kugi da japanese tongue twister

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.

 Kaeru pyokopyoko mipyokopyoko awasete pyokopyoko mupyokopyoko ja

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.

Japanese Tongue Twisters

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.

japanese tongue twister

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.

japanese tongue twisters

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.

Japanese Tongue Twisters

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

Japanese Tongue Twisters

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

Japanese Tongue Twisters

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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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.

Have you ever hoped to finally understand the lyrics to your favorite anime theme song or make Japanese friends? The key to unlocking the world of Japanese culture is through the language itself. With the abundance of online resources available, learning Japanese has never been more accessible and fun! Don’t have to spend time searching how to study Japanese; this is the only guide you need to know the best way to learn Japanese online.

Building the Foundation: Hiragana, Katakana, and Basic Vocabulary

Before tackling the kanji mountain, let’s focus on the essentials: hiragana and katakana. These two phonetic scripts are the gateway to understanding spoken Japanese and reading basic texts. Here are some resources to get you started:

Japanese Online Learning Apps and Websites

Duolingo

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Duolingo is a fantastic free app that uses gamified lessons to introduce hiragana and katakana in a user-friendly way.

Memrise

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Memrise is another excellent option, offering spaced repetition flashcards to solidify your memory.

Anki

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Anki is a powerful flashcard app that allows you to create decks or download pre-made ones specifically focused on Japanese vocabulary.

Check out some blogs we wrote regarding Anki!

Dr. Moku

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Dr. Moku provides free, interactive lessons with audio recordings for clear pronunciation.

Tofugu

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Tofugu offers a fun and engaging guide to hiragana and katakana, complete with mnemonics to help you remember those tricky characters.

Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese

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Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese provides in-depth explanations of grammar points, often accompanied by helpful vocabulary lists.

Deepen Your Learning: Grammar, Kanji, and Conversation

Now that you have a foundation in pronunciation and basic vocabulary, it’s time to delve deeper! Here’s how to tackle those all-important grammar structures, unlock the secrets of kanji, and practice speaking the language:

Online Japanese Courses

Coto Online

Coto has an online platform called Coto Online Japanese School, which provides online Japanese lessons in real-time. If you cannot attend the lessons, we also provide class recordings for you! We offer various courses which are taught by professional native speakers. We sure have a suitable Japanese class for any learning goal you have. Want to know more? Check here.

Other platforms like JapanesePod101 offer structured courses with video lessons, audio dialogues, and downloadable materials designed to take you from beginner to advanced levels.

Japanese Learning Apps and Websites

Wanikani

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Wanikani is a subscription-based service that uses a unique approach to make learning kanji fun and engaging.

HelloTalk

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HelloTalk is a language exchange app that connects you with native Japanese speakers. You can practice writing and speaking and even exchange cultural tips.

Italki

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Italki allows you to find online tutors for personalized Japanese lessons. This is a fantastic option if you want tailored feedback and guidance on your speaking skills.

Preply

Preply is for people who look for personalized learning and conversation practice with native Japanese speakers.

Beyond Textbooks: Embracing the Fun and Culture

Learning a language isn’t just about memorizing vocabulary lists – it’s about connecting with a culture. Here’s how to make your Japanese learning journey more engaging and immersive:

Anime and Manga

Watching anime (animation) or reading manga (comics) with Japanese subtitles is one of the best way to learn Japanese online to expose yourself to natural language in a fun context.

J-Dramas and Japanese Music

Dive into Japanese dramas or listen to your favorite J-pop artists. Pay attention to how phrases are used; don’t be afraid to look up unfamiliar words.

Podcasts

Coto has its podcast – Coto Sounds, where we teach you phrases you can use in different scenarios! Other options are podcasts like Nihongo con Teppei (Japanese with Teppei), which provide entertaining and informative content you can listen to while commuting or doing chores.

Staying Motivated: Tips for Long-Term Success

Learning a language is a marathon, not a sprint. Here are some tips to keep you motivated in the long run:

  • Set realistic goals: Take your time trying to learn everything at a time. Start with small, achievable goals and celebrate your progress along the way.
  • Find a study buddy: Partner with a friend who is also learning Japanese or join an online language learning community. Having someone to share your struggles and successes with can make a big difference.
  • Make it fun! Integrate Japanese learning into your hobbies. Watch anime, listen to music you love, or read manga on interesting topics.
  • Track your progress: Seeing how far you’ve come can be a powerful motivator. Keep a journal where you track your learning goals and achievements.
  • Reward yourself: Celebrate milestones in your learning journey. Treat yourself to a Japanese book, movie ticket, or even a trip to Japan (when the time is right) as a reward for your hard work.

Learning Japanese online opens a doorway to a fascinating culture, rich history, and incredible experiences. With the vast resources and this guide, we hope you have found the best way to learn Japanese online and have a successful Japanese learning journey.

You Might Be Wondering

Can you learn Japanese online for free?

Yes, you can! There are a lot of ways you can learn Japanese online for free. In this blog, we discussed Duolingo, a free platform. Coto’s blog also provides free study materials. Make sure to check them out!

Can I study JLPT online?

Yes, you can! Coto Online Japanese School provides JLPT courses to prepare for your JLPT exam! Coto also provides self-study courses for you to practice!

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