Introduction
The Japanese writing system is one of the first challenges that beginners encounter when learning the language. Comprised of three distinct scripts – hiragana, katakana, and kanji – the system might seem daunting at first. However, with the right resources and approach, you can learn to master these scripts with ease. This blog post will guide you through the best resources available to tackle each of these writing systems.
Understanding the Japanese Writing System
Before diving into resources, let’s briefly understand what hiragana, katakana, and kanji are and how they are used in the Japanese language.
- Hiragana: Hiragana is a phonetic script used to write native Japanese words, grammatical particles, and to provide phonetic readings for kanji characters. It consists of 46 basic characters.
- Katakana: Like hiragana, katakana is a phonetic script, but it’s primarily used to transcribe foreign words, onomatopoeic sounds, and for stylistic purposes. It also consists of 46 basic characters, mirroring hiragana sounds but with different symbols.
- Kanji: Kanji characters were borrowed from Chinese and are used to write most nouns, verb stems, and adjective stems. Each kanji has one or more meanings, and one or more readings.
Resource 1: Japanesepod101
Japanesepod101 is a fantastic online platform that provides comprehensive lessons for each writing system. Their lessons come in video format, which is especially helpful when trying to understand stroke order and shape. A detailed review of Japanesepod101 can be found here.
Resource 2: Tofugu’s Guide to Learning Hiragana and Katakana
Tofugu, a popular Japanese culture and language learning blog, has a detailed and beginner-friendly guide for learning both hiragana and katakana. The guide includes charts, mnemonic techniques, and links to practice quizzes and worksheets.
Resource 3: Real Kana
Real Kana is a free online platform for practicing hiragana and katakana. You can customize your practice sessions by choosing which kana to include, and the site provides a variety of typefaces to help you get familiar with how kana might appear in different contexts.
Resource 4: Anki
Anki is a flashcard app that uses a spaced repetition system. There are many pre-made Anki decks that you can use to practice and remember hiragana, katakana, and even basic kanji.
In the next part, we’ll delve deeper into resources focused on mastering kanji, arguably the most challenging part of the Japanese writing system. Stay tuned!
Resource 5: Remembering the Kanji by James Heisig
This book is a popular choice for learning kanji. Heisig’s method focuses on learning the writing and meaning of kanji first, leaving the readings for later. This approach might seem counterintuitive, but many learners have found success with it. By associating each kanji with a unique English keyword and story, you can remember the thousands of characters you’ll encounter.
Resource 6: WaniKani
Created by the team at Tofugu, WaniKani is a web application that teaches kanji using radical components and mnemonics, similar to Heisig’s method. It also includes vocabulary to help reinforce kanji readings. WaniKani’s approach is systematic, breaking down complex kanji into manageable parts and using spaced repetition to ensure you remember them.
Resource 7: Anki and Kanji Study
Anki, as mentioned in Part 1, is a flashcard app that also contains numerous decks for studying kanji. Kanji Study is another app specific to kanji learning. It allows you to study by JLPT level, school grade, or create your own custom sets. It also features multiple choice quizzes, fill-in-the-blank tests, and writing practice.
Resource 8: Kanji Alive
Kanji Alive is a free web application designed to help learners study and understand the 1,235 kanji taught in Japanese schools. It provides examples of kanji used in context, audio examples, stroke order animations, and related vocabulary.
Resource 9: Japanesepod101 Kanji Lessons
Japanesepod101 doesn’t just provide lessons on hiragana and katakana, but also offers an extensive series on kanji. Their lessons help you understand the meaning, writing, and pronunciation of kanji, making it a comprehensive tool for your learning journey.
Conclusion
Learning to read and write Japanese can seem like a daunting task. However, with a structured approach and the resources provided in this guide, it can be a rewarding experience. By learning hiragana, katakana, and kanji, you are not only equipping yourself with the skills to communicate effectively, but also unlocking a deeper understanding of the Japanese culture.
Remember, the key to success in mastering Japanese writing systems lies in consistent practice and patience. Happy studying!
