Almost 128 million people speak the Japanese language as their primary language. Recently, many non-natives have taken an interest in this East Asian language and are trying to learn it for unknown reasons. The following are some of the reasons why people learn the Japanese language.
Japanese can be learned in quite a few ways if you are on the path to learning it. Even though there are very few free learning sites or books available, you can still find them. To help you learn the Japanese language for free, we have compiled a list of free resources for learning the language so that you can have access to them.
Top 10 Free Resources To Learn Japanese Kanji
PODCAST AND AUDIO LESSONS
- JapanesePod101
Beginners will benefit greatly from this audio-based Japanese language resource. Start practicing speaking Japanese immediately by listening to our free podcast on JapanesePad101. It also has a YouTube channel with free content you can access. Lessons range from beginner to advanced and offer JLPT preparation courses, and some advanced lessons may require a subscription fee at some point.
- NHK world easy Japanese
For a beginner, this course includes 48 audio and text lessons. NHK, Japan’s national broadcaster, created it. After a dialogue or expression, a well-detailed explanation follows. Designed for people who live in Japan, this course is a great introduction to the Japanese language for anyone moving to Japan.
- Learn Japanese pod
Beginners who want to learn useful Japanese phrases and vocabulary will find this book an excellent choice. Because each conversation is explained in English, some people consider this to be the best Japanese language podcast.
- Japanese listening advanced (JLA)
This podcast encourages Japanese language learners to brush up on their speaking skills. Listening to this podcast daily can help you improve your language skills. To assist those who find it difficult to understand any part of the conversation, downloadable scripts in Japanese with English translations are available.
- YouTube Japanese language lessons
Video is undoubtedly a great way to learn anything, including languages. You can find free, easy, educational content on learning the Japanese language on YouTube. The Japanese language can be easily learned through a few YouTube channels. Starting with beginner-level topics and progressing to topics that cater to intermediate and advanced learners, you can find various topics on these channels. Here are some Youtube channels with insightful Japanese language content:
- Learn Japanese
- JapanesePod101
- Easy languages
- Chop
- That Japanese Man Yuta
- Japanese Ammo with Misa
- Puni Puni japan
- Learn Japanese pod.
- FREE JAPANESE LANGUAGE APPS
- Duolingo
Japanese vocabulary and Grammar are also taught in this popular language-learning app. The platform is gamified, making learning enjoyable and easy. In addition to learning Japanese in a fun way, this app is also useful for travelers.
- Busuu
You can learn a variety of languages with this app, including Japanese. With over 150 courses, it is an excellent platform for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners. To prevent going back to the introductory stage and repeating what you already know, this test measures the level of knowledge of intermediates and advanced learners. Pay for a 3, 6, 12, or 24-month subscription may be necessary to get a better learning experience, and a 12- or 24-month subscription is recommended for a full learning experience.
Websites that teach Japanese for free
- Learn Japanese free.com
This website offers free access to lessons without requiring registration. There is no gamification on this site, but it provides simple explanations that are easy to understand. The course is designed for beginners and consists of 28 lessons and special vocabulary lessons. Due to its mostly text-based nature, it is recommended for those who learn best from such materials.
- MLC Japanese
Despite being a real-life school in Tokyo, they share most of their resources online, so anyone can learn from anywhere. The website does not have all the information required to provide a free full course. You can find many examples and printable worksheets on this website, so if you’re looking for more help in your learning process, you can get it from the available resources.
- Anki
According to the software’s description, it has powerful and intelligent flashcards that help you retain specific languages. It is an efficient way to keep track of things and remember them. Audio, videos, and images are used in the program to make a person more fluid in the language they are learning. To better understand Japanese, go to this app and use their techniques of memorizing the subject. Especially for Japanese language Kanji, the algorithms and tools.
- Tae Kim’s Guide
Rather than focusing on the language, this handbook primarily focuses on Japanese Grammar. Through the guide, enthusiasts can learn more about the Japanese language intuitively and rationally. It explains how they teach Japanese Grammar not in English but by making a person understand it in Japanese. The guide also supports some Japanese text, so even your device should be able to read it. With options such as pdf downloads, paperbacks, iOS apps, and Android apps, you can learn Japanese from the comfort of your own home.
- Imabi
Readers can find information about Japanese Grammar on this simple website. Learn the language most easily and simply through the mini-lessons the site’s creators have provided. Their explanations are accompanied by many well-informed examples and help a person fully understand the language and grammar. It is also divided into beginner, intermediate, and expert levels so that one can choose according to their level of knowledge. Along with well-informed explanations, examples accompany each lesson.
- Tagaini Jisho
It is one of the best and, most importantly, free Japanese dictionaries for looking up Japanese and Kanji words. For the convenience of readers, the lookup tool is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. Using the dictionary, the learner can train entries they want to memorize and follow the process. A small booklet can also be printed, or entries you don’t review can be listed. This online dictionary also displays stroke order animations for more than 6000 Kanji symbols. An app is useful for learning Japanese on your device if you’re interested in doing so.
- Forvo
There are several ways to read Kanji in the Japanese language, which can be found on Forvo. This application also allows one to find new words and their meanings. Like a comprehensive and informative English dictionary, Forvo is a language program that can assist you. Additionally, you can listen to the native accented pronunciation of each word. You can search for almost all Japanese dialects in the program, which has an extensive database.
- Easy Languages
Japanese daily life is podcasted on this YouTube channel. As they roam around Japan, the hosts interview a variety of people. It is very interesting to watch when people speak their native language. You can learn quite a few Japanese phrases from the channel cam regularly. This series can also learn more about Japanese culture and language. You would learn the dialect more naturally if you practiced what you learned from the videos.
- NHK Japanese
Designed to meet your need to learn the Japanese language, this website is beautifully curated. Through colorful visuals, the animated website provides information on all Japanese aspects focusing on language as its central aspect. NHK, a new Japanese distributor, has created a unique and simple way for its viewers to learn the Japanese language. In an educational series, most of the Japanese syllables are taught simplistically. Their online tutor sections claim that one can learn the language in approximately 48 weeks.
- Matcha
This online magazine can be a great resource if you are looking for free Japanese reading material online. There are a lot of articles about Japanese culture, food, and travel on this website; as mentioned on the website, by reading the Japanese content. Practice daily to read this kind of stuff for learning the Japanese language.
Is there an order in which I should learn Kanji
Reading the text is impossible if you cannot read Kanji. Studying Kanji will help you solve reading comprehension problems, even if you don’t study it. In reading comprehension, Kanji appear in greater quantities as the JLPT Level increases since more Kanji are to be learned. When you can’t read or understand Kanji, you won’t be able to comprehend the sentence itself, so you’ll often use difficult vocabulary, so it’s worth studying it. What you learn at the company is used daily. If you do not learn Kanji, it may cause problems in your daily life. In this respect, I think studying Kanji myself is best. There are five things you should do below:
- The definition of Kanji is the first point we need to understand
Learning a new Kanji begins with understanding its meaning. It is important to understand Kanji properly since they often have multiple meanings. In addition, let’s examine the example sentences that include the Kanji to learn how to use it.
- Let’s know how radicals and Kanji are composed.
Knowing the radicals and composition of Kanji is one way to make it memorable. For example, the Kanji “綺麗” appears difficult and complex at first glance. However, if you disassemble it one by one, you can see that there is a Kanji called 大 and a Kanji called an inclusion. It is possible to see that such difficult Kanji and Kanji that seem hard to remember are composed of Kanji you already know. You should take apart any Kanji that you think is difficult to remember or difficult to learn, and keeping it in mind should be easier.
- Using only one Kanji Textbook at a time
Studying various texts is a mistake many students make. The main text should be limited to one book, and supplementary texts should be multiple, but doing Kanji drills simultaneously will reduce the learning efficiency. It is not something I would recommend. If you find a text readable and easy to understand, buy it. It is recommended to unify the teaching materials used because it will be easier to input, and you can objectively measure your progress. Also, the order of the Kanji questions varies depending on the teaching material, so it is recommended to stick to one book.
- Come on, let’s read this together.
Although reading is not recommended for memorizing a large amount of Kanji in a short period, it is very effective for leaving it in long-term memory. When you look at the Kanji in the text, you will naturally know how to use them, so reading and learning Kanji is the easiest way to get into your head. As you read a book, your vocabulary naturally increases because you use various words. Additionally, reading comprehension will improve, leading to better results in the national language.
- Keeping the stroke order in mind
Concentrating on the stroke order won’t be able to remember Kanji‘s meaning and usage, so it’s not very effective to remember just the stroke order. Even if you only vaguely remember the Kanji, if you remember the stroke order together, your body will automatically remember it, so you can write it. It will happen. Therefore, it is also important to study while referring to this.
How can I learn Kanji on my own?
Here are some details about the specific learning method:
In the next section, I will explain how the learning process works.
- Using Kanji, you can’t remember, write them 20 times each.
Let’s begin by dividing the Kanji you need to memorize into 20-30 pieces.
This way, you can go around more quickly if you do too much.
Your next step should be to write the new Kanji five times on your notebook or piece of paper. Try calling each one in your head as soon as that’s done.
Once the check is complete, test your ability to write. Try increasing the number of times you write in the second week if you find that you don’t remember much when you take the test. When one of you says, “I remembered it unexpectedly,”
You can move on to the next range of Kanji after reviewing the Kanji that I couldn’t write. I would like you to check your writing of all of the Kanji from 1 again once you have studied the Kanji for the range of Kanji you will study on that day.
Therefore, I believe that we will be able to point out the difference between “Kanji who is good at” and “Kanji who is not good at.” The best way to improve your Kanji skills is to practice writing it 5 to 10 times in case you are not good at it. Moreover, you can mark the document for later review so you can go back to it when you have time.
Step 2: Let your voice be heard.
Although the writing work is primarily useful for memorizing stroke order and shape, it is also recommended to read it aloud if you want to concentrate on the meaning and reading. It is important to remember okurigana while adjusting the strength of your voice when you are writing because you may not be able to remember it properly. Your ears also store information when you speak, making it easier for your brain to process.
3rd Step: Visually check the whole process
Make sure to check your work with your eyes at the end if you have not learned to write and read yet.
It will be enough to just do this work, so it will remain in my memory for some time. It is recommended that you take this step only if you are familiar with writing and reading Kanji correctly. It has little effect if you skip the previous step and just try to remember it by looking at it.
Please do it based on your visual inspection of Kanji to confirm you remember it correctly. Since this work can be done without going to the desk, please take advantage of the travel time between meetings.
How long does it take to learn one Kanji?
The Japanese language can seem crazy intimidating to native English speakers, and it seems like there are thousands of characters! Learning can be repetitive and tedious is a big reason students drag their feet. Do you need that much time if you focus?
It usually takes about one to one and a half years to learn 2000 Jouyou Kanji if you go at a steady pace, and Kanji lists in N1 follow a similar timeline. Let’s see how fast you can learn the Kanji, and then we’ll get it out of the way!
In order to test foreigners’ language skills, the Japanese government conducts the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test). The Japanese government conducts the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) to test foreigners’ language skills. There are five test levels ranging in difficulty, with N1 being the hardest and the level required for fluency.
The N1 is a popular measure because passing it means you are considered fluent enough to conduct business in Japan. A resume or transcript looks great and is what employers look for when hiring overseas staff.
How Many Kanji Should You Learn Per Day for a beginner?
Consider learning 2100 kanji. You may feel intimidated by this. You can achieve your big goal more easily if you break it down into smaller steps.
Here are some numbers you might be surprised by if you want to learn 2100 kanji:
- Taking 100 kanji a day will take over 20 days to learn all of them.
- It will take you over 20 days to learn all 2100 kanji if you learn 100 daily.
- In under three months, you can learn all 100 kanji if you learn 20 a day.
- It takes about seven months to learn all the Kanji if you learn ten a day.
- All of the Kanji can be learned in 500 days (less than two years) if you learn just four Kanji a day.
Many people are surprised to learn that these learning periods are shorter than expected! Generally, we overestimate our short-term capabilities while underestimating our long-term capabilities.
As a result, you can learn all the Kanji you need relatively quickly by learning only a few Kanji a day (eating the kanji elephant).
How many Kanji do you need to know to be fluent?
For most new learners, Kanji are usually considered the hardest part of learning Japanese. Kanji is also considered to be the most difficult part of Japanese by many native speakers. The result may be that you are having difficulty determining what needs to be learned.
Interestingly, the Japanese government stipulates that literates must know 2,136 joyo kanji to qualify. You will be able to comprehend 99% of what you read with this amount of Kanji. Therefore, you will be able to understand 99% of everything you read in the Japanese language.
What is the minimum number of Kanji you need to be fluent? I’m not sure how to answer this question. The truth is, we do not have a clear answer to this question due to the fact that it is entirely dependent on what you need.
Learning Kanji is not necessary for someone who only wants to speak Japanese. The pictographs in Kanji it is only useful for reading. Therefore, you can speak Japanese fluently and enjoy your stay in Japan without understanding Kanji. It applies to every language in the world, too. Speaking a language fluently without being able to write or read a single word in the same language is possible. You will, however, have difficulty reading anything in Japanese because of this.
Should I learn Kanji first before Grammar?
Have you recently begun learning Japanese? Do you want to improve your understanding of this language? It is likely that you would be concerned about whether you should learn Kanji or Grammar first. There is indeed no thumb rule that dictates which one you should learn first. Depending on your choice, learning model, and needs, everything depends on you.
You should first learn Hiragana and Katakana, then start learning Grammar and basic Kanji simultaneously. It is easier to write and speak if you know Grammar, while writing and reading if you know Kanji. When you learn Grammar, you can form your sentences and understand how words interact, which will help you learn harder Kanji.
It is said that Kanji has little meaning to a learner without vocabulary, while others say that learning Kanji earlier is much more beneficial. Learning basic Grammar allows the vocabulary patterns to fall into place much more easily.
When learning Japanese in an academic setting, you will also learn Kanji. I started my first-year Japanese classes like this, starting with simple Kanji, then learning katakana and hiragana. In addition to learning online or by yourself, you can also do this.
When Should You Start Learning Kanji?
When should you start? Would it be better to jump in right away? Before you take the plunge, should you get your bearings with speaking? Let’s examine both pros and cons to understand which works best for you based on your unique situation and learning style.
Learn hiragana; then you should learn katakana, and start learning Kanji simultaneously with Grammar.
It is also possible to do this while learning online or on your own. As a guide, you can start with N5 and work your way up. Considering the order in which you will probably be learning words, the words on the lists work pretty well.
This method helps you solidify the relationship between words and characters in your head. Learning as you go can help you pace things and get the simple characters down since Japanese characters have multiple pronunciations. As you learn, you’ll also start noticing similarities between characters with similar radicals (whether meaning or pronunciation).
According to many people I’ve talked to, reading and writing are the most difficult parts of Japanese, and I don’t think that’s necessary if you learn the characters and your vocabulary words. As a result of studying Kanji, I find reading easier than speaking.
