I want to learn Japanese?

Question

I want to learn how to read, write, and speak the Japanese language. I need some advice for where to begin, like should I start learning to speak, should I learn Kanji script? Also, where online can I find some free lessons pertaining to learning Japanese?

Answer 1

First off - anyone who tells you it is impossible to learn Japanese via Internet probably hasn't done their research. Lemme tell 'ya though, it is NOT gonna be easy. This will require vast amounts of work and research on your part, combined with daily review and lots of practise. The good news? It can be done, but only with the aid of classes to make sure you've got everything. I highly advise NOT going to classes at the beginning. Many will fill you with the beginner lies that make everything seem flowing and coherent - when it is much more complex than that (which, by the way, can totally mess you up later.. >_<) Teaching yourself though, can do the same thing if you don't do your research.

*ahem* Now that I've got that out in the open, what should you learn first?
1. The phonetics - nothing hard or complicated, just learn the kana chart's sounds. Get used to it; know the difference between what is Japanese and Chinese by listening.

2. KANA. Without a doubt. There are actually 3 scripts in Japanese - Hiragana (all curvy like this: ひらがな）
-Katakana (more angular, like this: カタカナ）, and -Kanji (the really complicated ones like these: 水、花、愛、桜、火、土、金）.

Please, do yourself a huge favour and stay AWAY from the romaji. Learn hiragana first, get it down pat, and then do the same with katakana. Romaji will just mess you up. Japanese is nothing like English.

3. Learn a bit about sentence structure and what not- here is something to look up: Subject Verb Object is the order of words in English. Subject Object Verb is the order of words in Japanese. English: I eat the appple. Japanese: I (the) apple eat. Take a look at pluralization in Japanese, (there aren't any articles in Japanese) and conjugating verbs.. just the basics.

4. Start learning a little on stroke order for Kanji. Look up the basics. Learn a little on kanji compounds, and readings. Makes sure to look up the meanings of each reading (on and kun), because they don't all mean the same thing. Also, look up the JLPT kanji (Japanese Language Proficiency Test). JLPT 4 is the lowest level.

5. Vocabulary!! You will have to do a lot of research on this one; make sure that the word you're learning really is what you think it is. It might not be. Try to start out with common phrases and easy words.

6. Crack into the copula, "desu". It doesn't always mean 'is'.

7. Look up adjectives, get them down, and then start learning adverbs. Finish up the basics on verbs.

8. Learn about the culture! Language is related to culture ^-^

9. When you get better, don't forget about slang!


Hmm... I think that's all for a start. But to address some previously mentioned issues...
1. Emmersion. I haven't done this, but if you have some prior knowledge of the language, this will help. The inability to communicate you will soon come to posses in that country might just drive you insane, so I'd advise waiting until you are good with the language. Good places to go though are AFS and Youth For Understanding (google 'em!), and don't spend 1/2 a year in Japan as a tourist =P Also, please consider hosting a student from Japan. My family did, and it was a wonderful experience. Both of those agencies are looking for hosts.

2. Classes - great if you get a good teacher, horrible if you get one that will give you beginner lies. After you're relatively good, try to get into a class that is a bit below your level - you'll see what I mean.


As for websites... there are many out there that will be of enourmous help. ^-^

http://www.saiga-jp.com/kanji_dictionary.html >>> JAPANESE KANJI DICTIONARY!!!! *dances* This thing has got nearly EVERYTHING!!! Even audio!!

http://www.csse.monash.edu.au/~jwb/wwwjdic.html >>> a J-E and E-J dictionary with examples, and so much stuff... this one is a must.

http://www.thejapanesepage.com >>> Amazing site. Has lessons, a form and many people who will be willing to help you.

http://www.timwerx.net/ >>> This is a great place. Check it out - lessons, although there is romaji.

http://www.japanese-name-translation.com >>> learn to write kana and kanji!!!

http://www.sabotenweb.com/bookmarks/language.html

http://www.kanjistep.com/

http://genki.japantimes.co.jp/self/self.en.html

http//www.freejapaneselessons.com

http://www.laits.utexas.edu/japanese/joshu/

http://www.jref.com/

http://www.learn-japanese.info/

Some of these sites have romaji, but they are still very good sites. If you can work around it, they will be some of your best resources.

Another thing - get yourself a Japanese-English dictionary. It will help you immensly. Buying yourself some Japanese books will be immensly helpful, even more so if they have the english translation. Get a textbook off ebay? Japanese for Busy People Kana (version 1) (the textbook) might help you out. Watching anime and Japanese tv shows/movies may help you with the pronunciation and hearing, but it won't, by any means, teach you the entire language. ^-^


Best wishes, and have fun!! ^-^

Answer 2

Learn to speak while you learn hiragana and katakana. Then after you have hiragana and katakana down, start studying kanji. Stay away from romaji, it will only set you back.

Don't try to learn Japanese online, for free, or through books. It's too complicated of a language. You need a teacher.

Answer 3

There are a ton of great free resources about, check out nihongogogo.tumblr.com for information and reviews about learning resources and methods.

Answer 4

learn hiragana and katakana first.
then, start using simple kanji.