Point of interest: How Should I Learn Japanese?

Japanese can seem like a tremendously complicated language for new learners. Undoubtedly the kanji, the characters originally imported from Japan used as the basis of the written language, makes learning Japanese a much more complex choice than languages closer to your native language without the additional learning requirement. However, it is by no means impossible to learn Japanese quickly and effectively, and in so doing gain entry to a rich and deep culture you would not otherwise be able to access.

We highly recommend that your first step is to learn hiragana. Knowing hiragana will enable you to use a much broader array of learning materials than otherwise. It will enable you to start pronouncing and learning words. Plus, you will most likely learn your first few words along the way. You should be able to get a decent grasp within a few days. The best way to learn hiragana is a combination of drawing and flashcards. Start with our hiragana introduction for more information and access to quick links to free drawing exercises and free flashcards.

Once you've learned hiragana, you should start learning words, basic grammar, and very common kanji in parallel. The best way to do this is to work through a lesson series that introduces the material gradually, and then practice the material along the way as much as you possibly can through flashcards, games, and other exercises. Here's our overview guide which will give you a lot more information on the steps to take. Once you're ready, start a Beginner Lesson.

Once you've made a start with the basics, your main challenge is going to be practice and motivation. Doing the practice is mainly a question of motivation, so to keep yourself motivated, you want to make your learning experience fun! One of the best ways to do that is to play games and set yourself challenges. That basic philosophy is what's behind our AI study recommendations, which will grow and learn as you do, introducing different tasks and trying to keep you motivated. You can check out the study recommendations on your Dashboard.

Japanese seems complicated, but it can be extremely rewarding. We have a lot more you can read about learning Japanese as and when you have the time - check out our how-to guides and some of our other learning articles. You may also like to follow your progress along on your personal mastery map.