Due to the difference in the writing system of Japanese and most other languages, it can be really difficult to learn the Japanese language. There are various ways you can explore to learn the language, and one of them is using Duolingo.
Foremost, you can definitely learn Japanese with Duolingo. The app is structured in a way that makes learning fun-filled, easy, and straightforward for everyone. However, you cannot have a good level of fluency when learning with Duolingo. Factually, your understanding of Japanese will only be equivalent to a beginner after completing Japanese learning on Duolingo.
If Duolingo has been introduced to you, you will probably have a lot of questions about this app. The most paramount ones will probably be – can I learn Japanese with Duolingo? Can I achieve the highest level of fluency with Duolingo?
Therefore, if you want to be an expert or would like to achieve a native-speaker level in Japanese, Duolingo is not for you.
What is Duolingo?
Duolingo is arguably the best and most commonly used app for learning different languages around the world. This app is particular designed to help you to learn Japanese and other languages such as English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, etc. Duolingo is available as a web application as well as Android and iOS apps.
Duolingo has over 300 million users in different countries and is known to be effective for learning various languages. It also offers a language certification option for learners.
The structure of Duolingo
Overall, the Japanese version of Duolingo has around 3,200 words. These words and phrases are useful for common day-to-day communication in any Japanese-speaking community. This word content should be enough to cover everything required to pass the JLPT N5, which is the least and easiest level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT0.
With some additional learning materials, Duolingo can also prepare you to take the JLPT N4. This means that the structure of Duolingo is suitable for beginners. However, any level more than N4, Duolingo will not be enough to help you pass it.
In addition, Duolingo covers all the important Japanese writing systems that you need. In other words, you will learn hiragana, katakana, and kanji when using this app. Therefore, it will assist you to immerse yourself in these systems to make it easier for you to understand the language.
Duolingo features most of the essential kanji characters that a beginner needs. So, by using Duolingo, you will be introduced to lots of new words. Also, you will practice the kanji characters with a card matching exercise. Similarly, the app requires you to repeat the words to help you memorize them.
Generally, the exercises you will find in Duolingo include:
- Translation
This exercise encourages you to translate from Japanese to another language and vice versa.
- Arrange the words
You need to rearrange a sentence that has been mixed up. Otherwise, you may have to choose the missing word and place it in the right place.
- Speak
This particular exercise is to help you to master how to speak Japanese.
- Matching pairs
You have to match varying kanji characters with their right pronunciation in hiragana. Sometimes, you may be required to match picture cards and the right words.
- Listen
The last exercise is the listening practice. You are to listen to a sentence and select the appropriate response.
Why you should try out Duolingo Japanese
If you are thinking about whether Duolingo is worth it or not, we will highlight some reasons to try out the app.
- It comes with great audio
The audio quality of sentences, words, and phrases in Duolingo is amazing. They are recorded by native speakers with an exceptional understanding of the language. Therefore, you can be certain that you will get the nuance, pronunciation, and cadence required to learn Japanese.
- It features useful phrases for everyday communication
Since Duolingo offers rudimentary lessons to learners, it has lots of useful phrases that can be useful for everyday communication. So, you can utilize this app for simple conversations.
- It promotes daily learning
Duolingo sends a daily reminder to users so that they will not fail to learn every day. Apart from encouraging daily learning, it also boosts your ability to memorize words, phrases, and sentences.
Challenges with using Duolingo
- Writing systems and grammar are not explained adequately
Duolingo doesn’t spend enough time explaining the writing systems and grammar of the Japanese language. Unfortunately, these two elements are crucial to learning Japanese. Hence, you may struggle a bit when using this app.
- Translating can be sometimes difficult
In general, Japanese contains several onomatopoeic phrases, cultural phrases, and grammatical structures that don’t have any direct equivalent in the English language. Based on how they are translated in Duolingo, you will have a hard time understanding them.
- No polite Japanese
The Japanese culture emphasizes politeness. Hence, there are lots of polite Japanese phrases and words. Unluckily, Duolingo doesn’t have these words and phrases. If you don’t understand them, you will not be able to go beyond the beginner level.
Who should use or shouldn’t use Duolingo?
If you are an N5 or N4 student, Duolingo is good for you as it will show you some of the things you need to learn. Busy people and casual learners can also utilize Duolingo. Also, if you are just a dabbler that wants to try out the Japanese language, this app is good for you.
However, intermediate and advanced learners will hardly gain anything from this language. Also, if you want to learn to write kanji well, Duolingo can never be enough for you.
Conclusion
As explained earlier, you can utilize Duolingo to learn the Japanese language. However, your understanding of the language will be limited to only the beginner level. By studying and understanding most of the things in the app, you will be able to communicate in basic Japanese but you can never achieve intermediate, expert, or native-speaker level.
So, if you really want to be good at Japanese, Duolingo is not for you.
