Kotatsu

The Furry Thing series

Japanese for Total Beginners || How and Where to Start Studying Hey guys, I’m going to try and answer my most commonly asked questions that I continuously receive in the next following weeks so if there’s anything you’d like answered feel free to submit your questions. I’m also going to try and find a new theme as a lot of you guys have mentioned that you’re unable to view my FAQ page while on your mobile devices so once I’ve found a good theme I’ll ask you guys to check it out so that you can let me know if it works or not! This post is going to be regarding how to study Japanese as a total beginner. The single most commonly asked question that I receive (and I get asked this at least once a week since starting my blog back in 2016) is something along the lines of “I’ve never studied Japanese before but I really want to, but I have no idea where to start.” so I’m going to try and answer this question today to the best of my abilities. WHAT SHOULD I LEARN FIRST? I recommend starting off with learning the kana system (hiragana and then katakana). While learning how to read, write, and recognise kana, you should also spend time learning how to properly pronunciate the kana. Learning Japanese pronunciation at this step will help you a great deal as you start progressing into learning the language. Once you’ve learnt kana you can move onto introducing basic grammar structures and basic vocabulary together. If you’re self-teaching I really recommend getting a textbook because most textbooks introduce grammar and vocabulary together in easy to understand ways. If you cannot afford to purchase a textbook there are PDFs floating around online and many websites that offer free Japanese lessons. Once you can use kana, understand some basic grammar and vocabulary, and are able to produce your own basic sentences, I would then introduce simple kanji. This would include numbers, days of the week, months, and the kanji version of some vocabulary you’ve learnt (such as 私・わたし／食べ・たべ). After that it’s just a matter of introducing new grammar, vocab, and kanji which will gradually increase in difficulty as you continue to progress through the language. SHOULD I LEARN GRAMMAR OR VOCABULARY FIRST? Vocabulary for me is mostly memorisation - memorising the meaning and the word/characters - and then simply applying the vocabulary to the grammar structure, which is why I like learning them together because I think that they tend to go hand-in-hand. HOW OFTEN SHOULD I STUDY JAPANESE? This really comes down to the individual as it depends on your own personal schedule and abilities. Some people ate able to study every single day and others can only do it a couple times, or just once a week. The key is finding a routine that works for you and keeping at it to the best of your abilities. They say it takes 21 days for something to become a habit. What works best for me is studying early in the morning after waking up and then I feel I can go about my day without any concerns. I have an entire tag dedicated to immersing yourself into the Japanese language so feel free to check it out.  WHAT’S A GOOD STUDY ROUTINE? I often get asked to provide specific details or give study routines regarding where to begin with studying Japanese so below is my recommendations on where to start. Hiragana:

Begin with learning the 5 vowels in Japanese (A, I, U, E, O) - learn how to read, write, pronounce, and recognise them.

Continue with learning vowels + consonants (K, S, T, N, H, M, R, Y, W) - learn how to read, write, pronounce, and recognise them.

Study the exceptions (SHI, CHI, TSU, FU) - Try to memorise these in particular as they can confuse beginners quite easily.

Katakana:

Study katakana similarly to how you studied hiragana beginning with vowels, and then moving onto consonants and focusing on the exceptions.

Try to create your own flashcards in order to memorise the characters.

There are also a number of apps designed to help you recognise and memorise hiragana and katakana characters as well as to test your knowledge on them.

Vocabulary + Grammar:

I would begin with learning basic expressions such as greetings and self-introductions. I’d use the information from this website to find basic expressions and greetings.

Once you’ve memorised some basic expressions you should move onto basic grammar and vocab. 

I learnt by using the Genki textbook so I recommend following their order of lessons, otherwise you can search on google for Japanese lessons to follow.

Make sure to study Japanese particles very seriously as they can often stump Japanese learners! Don’t be afraid to spend a long time studying them.

Kanji:

Once you’ve mastered kana and are comfortable with creating basic sentences in Japanese, I would start introducing kanji. As I mentioned before I would start with numbers, days of the week, months, and then kanji versions of vocabulary that you’ve already learned.

If you search “Kanji lessons” on google you’ll come across some useful websites like this one.

After this you just have to continue building up your grammar, vocab, and kanji knowledge. Resources: PDFs -

Genki I Textbook

Genki I Workbook

Genki I Answer Key

Genki II Textbook

Genki II Workbook

Genki II Answer Key

Genki I + II and MP3 files

Japanese For Busy People 1

Japanese For Busy People 2

Japanese For Busy People 3

Japanese For Busy People Workbook

Japanese Pronunciation -

Learn Japanese Pronunciation in 14 Minutes

Introduction to Japanese Pronunciation

Top 5 Japanese Pronunciation Mistakes to Avoid

Charts -

Hiragana Chart

Katakana Chart

Hiragana + Katakana Chart Combined

Apps -

Anki (flashcard app)

Memrise (learn Japanese)

imiwa? (dictionary app)

Learn Japanese (introduces phrases and vocab)

Learn Japanese by Mindsnacks (increases vocab)

Hello Talk (talk with native speakers)

TenguGo Kana Hiragana Katakana (introduces kana system)

Kana Quiz (test your kana knowledge)

Website -

Tae Kim’s Guide to Japanese (Study Guide + Lessons)

Jisho (online dictionary)

JapanesePod101 (Japanese lessons)

Remember the proofreader we had to let go because she never did anything and then decided to delete all of our files when she was cut?

Well, she’s out there again, and I’m warning everyone, please do not take her in.

She used a fake name of Emma this go around, and it was contacted through our WP.

There’s are the two emails she provided us with when trying to join again.

[email protected]

List of 188 Japanese particles with meaning / usage

は (wa)Indicantes the topic of a sentence

か (ka)At the end of a sentence indicating a question

が (ga)Indicates the subject of a sentence

に (ni)Indicates a location

の (no)Indicates possession

は (wa)Indicates a contrast between 2 items

に (ni)Indicates time or frequency

へ (e)Indicates direction

を (wo/o)Indicates the direct object of a verb

と (to)Used to connect and list up multiple items

や (ya)Used to connect and partially list up multiple items

など (nado)Used with や (ya) to partially list up multiple items

も (mo)means “too”, “either”, “also”

も (mo)both…and…, neither…nor…

に (ni)Indicates the indirect object of a verb

に (ni)Indicates the surface of a object where some action takes place

で (de)Indicates the location of an action

と (to)Together with

の (no)Indicates an apposition

から (kara)Indicates a starting point in time or place

より (yori)Indicates a starting point in time or place but more formal than kara (20)

まで (made)Indicates a limit on time, space or quantity

くらい (kurai)Indicates an approximate amount

ほど (hodo)Indicates an approximate amount

ばかり(bakari)Indicates an approximate amount

で (de)Indicates a means or material

か (ka)Indicates a choice or alternative

を (wo/o)Indicates a point of departure

を (wo/o)Indicates a route of a movement/motion

に (ni)Indicates a point of arrival

に (ni)Indicates an entering motion

に (ni)Used together with a verb to express a purpose

と (to)Used when quoting someone

と いう (to iu)Indicates the name of something

とか (toka)“something like”

で (de)Indicates a limit or scope

と (to)Indicates a comparison

より (yori)Indicates a comparison

より (yori)Indicates superlative

くらい (kurai)Indicates a comparison

ほど (hodo)Indicates a comparison in a negative sentence

か (ka)someone, something

も (mo)“nothing”, nobody”, nowhere” if used with an interrogative word

に (ni)Used with a verb to indicate a change or choice

をする (wo/o suru)Expresses an occupation or position

でも (demo)Indicates emphasis

でも (demo)Together with an interrogative word it means “anything”, “anyone”, any time”

で (de)Indicates a cause or a reason

から (kara)Indicates a source such as a giver, a cause or material

に (ni)Indicates a person who gives something or who provides a service

は (wa) + が (ga)Indicates the relation between an object / subjects and a verb or adjective

が (ga)Connects two sentences with the meaning “but…”

を (wo/o)Used with an verb expressing emotions, it indicates the cause of this emotion

で (de)Indicates a state / condition of something

で (de)Limits numbers

だけ (dake)Indicates a limit on things or amounts

だけ (dake)Indicates a limit on an action or state

で (de)Indicates the time of completion or expiration of something

でも (demo)Following a noun, means “or something like this”

も (mo)Emphasizes in a positive or negative way

でも (demo)Indicates two or more items as an example of a larger list

ばかり (bakari)Indicates that an item, state or action is a single one

ばかり (bakari)Indicates an action was just completed

ところ (tokoro)Indicates that an action takes place, just took place or is about to take place

が (ga)Indicates the subject of subordinate clause when it is different from the subject of the main clause

から (kara)conjunction meaning “after” or “since”

ながら (nagara)Indicates that an action is happening simultaneously

が (ga)Indicates the subject of a relative clause

の (no)Indicates the subject of a relative clause

から (kara)Used as a conjunction and indicates a cause or reason

ので (node)Indicates a strong reason

の (no)Indicates a modified pronoun

の (no)Used to nominalize verbs & sentences

なら (nara)Used as a conjunction and indicates a supposition or condition

なら (nara)Indicates a topics and is used as an alternative to wa (No.1)

と (to)Indicates a condition that results in an inevitable outcome

ば (ba)Used as a conjunction to express a probable results

ばいい (ba)“all you have to do…”

ば (ba)Used to enumerate two or more actions or states

たら (tara)Used as a conjunction, indicates a supposition or condition

たら (tara)Used as a conjunction to indicate that one action takes place before the action described in the main sentence

ところ (tokoro)Used as a conjunction to indicate a condition that brings about a discovery

ても (temo)a conjunction meaning “even if”

ても (temo)Used with a set of contrasting verbs and adjectives

ても (temo)Together with an interrogative word it means “no matter what/where/who”

ては (tewa)Indicates a condition which will bring a negative conclusion

のみ (nomi)Indicates a limit (similar to だけ　dake)

まで (made)“even”, used to emphasize

さえ (sae)“even”, used to emphasize

さえ (sae)“if only” or “as long as”

のに (noni)“although”, “in spite of the fact that”

ながら (nagara)“although”, “though”, “but”

とか (toka)Indicates that a list of two ore more things or actions is not exhaustive

たり (tari)List of two or more actions in no particular sequence

たり (tari)Indicates actions or states that alternate

のに (noni)Indicates a purpose or function

のです (no desu)Asks for an explanation or reason

きり (kiri)Indicates a limit to an amount

きり (kiri)Indicates the last time a certain incident occured

とも (tomo)Used with numbers and counters to mean “both” or “all”

ながら (nagara)Used with numbers and counters to mean “both” or “all”

しか (shika)Used with a negative verb to indicate limits on conditions or quantities meaning “only”

しかない (shika nai)used with a verb meaning “to have no choice but to”

し (shi)Used as a conjunction, indicating two or more actions or states

し (shi)Used as a conjunction indicating a reason

とも (tomo)Indicates inclusion

に (ni)Indicates the one acting or the one acted upon

か (ka)Indicates uncertainty about something

か (ka)Indicates uncertainty about a state or reason

だの (dano) Indicates two or more items or actions of a longer list (similar to toka とか)

だの (dano)Indicates a pair of opposite actions or states

など (nado)“something to the effect”

やら (yara)Indicates two or more items of a longer list

やら (yara)Indicates uncertainty

ても (temo)Indicates an approximate limit with the meaning of “at the most”

とも (tomo)Indicates an approximate maximum or minimum

は (wa)Indicates that a number is the higher or lowest limit

と (to)Emphasizes a number in a negative sentence

など (nado)Indicates examples

くらい (kurai)Expresses an extent of an action or condition similar to ぐらい gurai

ほど (hodo)Indicates the extend of an action or condition

ほど (hodo)“the more… the more…”

だけ (dake)“as… as…”

だけ (dake)“the more… the more…”

と (to)“about to do something”, “trying to do something”

と (to)“even if…”, “whether… or not”

なり (nari)“either…”, “whether…or”

なり (nari)“anything”, “anyone”, “any time”

こそ (koso)Emphasizes the word preceding it

こそ (koso)Emphasizes a reason or a cause

ては (tewa)Expresses repetition of an action

に (ni)Joins two or more nouns to indicate a list of items

に (ni)Connects two or more items to indicate a matching or a contrast

にしては (ni shite wa)Indicates a generally agreed upon standard

にとって (ni totte)Indicates an effect or value of a person or thing

について (ni tsuite)“about”, “concerning” something or someone

とも…とも (tomo… tomo)“can’t say whether… or…”

が (ga)“even if”, “whether… or not”

は (wa)Emphasizes contrasting elements

として (toshite)Indicates status, capacity or function

として (toshite)Provides emphasis in a negative sentence

ばかりでなく(bakari de naku)“not only… but also”

だけ (dake) used to express “not only…but also”

のみ (nomi)used to express “not only…but also”

なり (nari)“as soon as”

146がはやいか (ga hayai ka)“as soon as”

やいなや (ya ina ya)“as soon as”

かないうちに (ka nai uchi ni)“no sooner had”, “hardly had”

ばかり (bakari)Indicates the only action left to do

ばかりに (bakari ni)Emphasizes a reason or cause

すら (sura)Emphasizes in the meaning of “even”

など (nado)Expresses a humble attitude towards an item

とも (tomo)“no matter what”, “even if”

ともあろうひと (tomo aroo hito)To express that someone did something not to be expected

どころか (dokoro ka)“far from”, “not to mention”

だけに (dake ni)Indicates a cause or reason

までもない (made mo nai)“there is no need to…”

ものの (mono no)“but” or “although”

ところで (tokoro de)“even if”

けれども (keredomo)Connects 2 sentences meaning “but” or “although”

けれども (keredomo)Indicates a preliminary remark

が (ga)Used to soften a statement or refusal

けれども (keredomo)Indicates a desire

ね (ne)At the end of a sentence to confirm a statement

ね (ne)At the end of a sentence to soften a request or suggestion

ね (ne)At the end of a sentence to indicate a reason or cause

ねえ (nee)At the end of a sentence to indicate emotion

よ (yo)At the end of a sentence to state a strong conviction

よ (yo)At the end of a sentence to articulate a request or suggestion

かしら (kashira)At the end of a sentence to express uncertainty, a request or a question and mainly used by women

かな (kana)At the end of a sentence to express uncertainty, a request or a question and mainly used by men

な (na)At the end of a sentence and used by men to confirm a statement

な (na)At the end of a sentence to express a prohibition, used by men

なあ (naa)At the end of a sentence to express emotion, used by men

なあ (naa)At the end of a sentence to express a desire

の (no)At the end of a sentence to express a question or soften a command, used by women

わ (wa)At the end of a sentence to soften a statement, used by women

さ (sa)At the end of a sentence to indicate slight emphasis, used by men

こと (koto)At the end of a sentence to indicate emotion, used by women

こと (koto)At the end of a sentence to express a suggestion or invitation, used by women

もの (mono)At the end of a sentence to express a reason or excuse

とも (tomo)At the end of a sentence to express an assertion

ものか (monoka)At the end of a sentence to express a negative determination, used by men

や (ya)At the end of a sentence to soften a statement, request or suggestion, used by men

たら (tara)At the end of a sentence to indicate a suggestion or proposal

やら (yara)At the end of a sentence to indicate a rhetorical question with a negative implication

ぜ (ze)At the end of a sentence to add for to sentence, used by men

It’s amazing how someone can teach themselves a whole new language by themselves. I self-studied Japanese and never used a textbook. There are so many resources for learning, online and free. You can learn just using the online or free resources listed here and beyond. But where do you start?

First, start with hiragana. There are many ways to learn it.

flashcards, or use quizlet to drill it into your head

Dr. Moku app ( has one for katakana too) I highly recommend this but $

hiragana quiz

hiragana alphabet game

hiragana writing sheet

tofugu hiragana

videos:

hiragana song

The Easiest Way To Learn Hiragana

Next, learn Katakana

Dr. Moku katakana app

katakana alphabet game

katakana writing sheet

tofugu katakana 

videos:

Japanese Alphabet Song - Study Hiragana katakana Chart - Learn to read japanese alphabet table

Learn ALL Katakana in 1 Hour - How to Write and Read Japanese

Next understand more about hiragana like long vowel sounds, muddied sounds, The Small や、ゆ、and よ, the small つ、the long vowel sound with Tae Kim.

Then more with katakana. Learn the long vowel sound and the small ア イ ウ エ オ with Tae Kim again.

Then additional sounds using whatever method helped you learn hiragana and katakana.

Done with all that?  Now, drop romaji. It’s dead to you. A little reluctant? Practice more.

Learn grammar next with vocab and kanji on the side. It’s hard to learn grammar without vocab and it’s hard to learn words without understanding some kanji. I know it’s tough but once you ride it out through grammar learning Japanese becomes much smoother and easier. It’s not as frustrating. It’s so fun.

Grammar

Tae Kims Guide to Learning Japanese

imabi

http://maggiesensei.com/

Vocab

memrise

JLPT N5 vocab list ( recommend learning other JLPT vocab later too)

learn the words in the grammar lessons too!

Write down new vocab you come across and make flash cards or quizlets to learn them

kanji

get a Japanese kanji book

tanoshiijapanese kanji lessons

my post on how I learn kanji

Tae kim’s kanji explanation 

Dictionaries

Dictionaries are helpful for vocab and kanji.

imiwa?

jisho

Japanese ( This is my main dictionary)

Download Japanese dictionary and Japanese-English dictionary on iPhone in settings, go to dictionary on settings

After all that just keep practicing. Go to your best free resource, your public library and find books in your level, watch videos in Japanese, read manga, watch a film in Japanese etc. 

Also, here’s a good masterpost that also lists other good masterposts and more.

Here’s some miscellaneous advice I want to give beforehand I really hope you'll take:

Try using the Japanese dictionary the most, not the Japanese-English one but the completely in Japanese definitions of words one. Use Japanese-English when you can’t understand the Japanese definition to help yourself. I found English words given to define Japanese words seem to be similar words or/and words the Japanese word is usually translated in. It’s hard to really understand the word exactly. To really understand the word I find myself having to read the Japanese definitions. This is literally what I give the most credit for my progress in Japanese. ( some good ones are kotobank and goo辞書 as well as the iPhone one.)

Learn loan words. Sometimes they aren’t used like the language it originally came from uses it.

Understand what radicals are so you use them to look up kanji. Lots of Japanese dictionaries let you look up by radical.

Practice stroke order. I mean my handwriting is messy but a least it’s legible and not as messy as it could be.

learn Dialects!

Some words use a couple different kanjis. Learn the nuances of using those different kanjis in the word.

Read news in Japanese

learn the culture. It’s impossible to learn Japanese without understanding the culture.

learn kanji by learning how its used and vocab. Here’s a post I made about that. It’s the same one above.

Change your phone into Japanese.

follow Japanese people’s accounts on social media, whether that’s here on Tumblr, Twitter or Instagram.

And lastly, Don’t lose yourself to discouragement. Keep going. I can’t tell you how good it felt to watch Jdrama completely in Japanese or read a whole adult novel in Japanese. I could see anyone getting there too. It takes time but it’s very possible.

Followers, feel free to recommend any resource in the notes:)

Japanese folk tales #54 - A jealous tortoise

Find my tales tagged here or visit my blog for both english and french versions.

Wish me to cover a special youkai or subject? Contact me, I’ll try to accommodate ^^❤️

Once upon a time, animals all talked and live together in what was to become Japan.

They frolicked and played all across the hills, but also bickered and argued, loud and clear very much like humans do today.

Tortoise was one of those bitter creatures. Though his shell was sturdy, smooth amber and polished like a mirror, he longed for fur and long elegant limbs.

For @redsixwing , the recipes for Miso-Marinated Tofu for the Fried Miso Tofu ‘Cheese’ Sticks, from 豆腐de100品 (100 Tofu Dishes)! Science has no explanation, but this really does have a cheesy flavor. It fries well, but mostly I eat it on salads like this, or on its own with chili vinegar. The book also has a few other serving suggestions I want to try: Miso Tofu Caprese (with tomato, shiso, and olive oil) and Buttery Miso Tofu Potatoes (butter, leeks, and crispy onions).

Ingredients 300g firm tofu  (A) 3~4 tbsp miso of choice  (A) 1 tbsp cooking sake*  (A) 2 tsp mirin* Container (or ziplock bag or plastic wrap) 

*I’ve also had good results subbing lemon juice for one or both of the liquid ingredients. (1) Dry the tofu: wrap it in a dry paper towel, place a weight on top to press out the water, and let sit for 10 minutes. Repeat as necessary. 

(2) Whisk (A) marinade ingredients thoroughly. 

(3) Spoon a layer of marinade on the bottom of the container. Place tofu on top.

(4) Spoon remaining marinade over top and sides of tofu. Seal tightly as the tofu will release a lot of water. (If using plastic wrap, wrap it very tight.) 

(5) Let sit at least 24 hours*. Before serving, wipe away miso with a paper towel. 

International Cat Day calls for international cats. 

See 酒井抱一画帖 aka Sakai Hōitsu gajō [Sakai Hōitsu painting album] by Japanese artist Sakai Hōitsu (酒井抱一) of the Rinpa School for these kittes and more simple yet captivating images.

Took this list from www.JapanesePod101.com - check them out if you’re interested in learning more japanese and more lessons.

Absolutely.

全くその通り。  Mattaku sono tōri.

Maybe.

多分ね。  Tabun ne.

Yes, you’re right.

はい、正しいと思います。  Hai, tadashii to omoimasu.

I couldn’t agree with you more.

全く同感です。  Mattaku dōkan desu.

That’s exactly how I feel.

私も同じ考えです。  Watashi mo onaji kangae desu.

Exactly.

その通りです。  Sono tōri desu.

No doubt about it.

間違いありません。  Machigai arimasen.

You have a point there.

それは一理あると思います。  Sore wa ichiri aru to omoimasu.

I was just going to say that.

今、言おうと思っていました。  Ima, iou to omotte imashita.

I guess so.

そうだと思います。  Sō da to omoimasu.

Well, I’m not sure.

そうですね。ちょっと分かりません。  Sō desu ne. Chotto wakarimasen.

I don’t disagree with you.

間違っているとは思いません。  Machigatte iru to wa omoimasen.

If you say so.

そう言うのなら。  Sō iu no nara.

You’re wrong!

それは違います！  Sore wa chigaimasu!

I don’t think so.

そうは思いません。  Sō wa omoimasen.

I’m afraid I disagree.

賛成しかねます。  Sansei shikanemasu.

That’s not always the case.

必ずしもそうとは限りません。  Kanarazu shi mo sō to wa kagirimasen.

What do you think?

どう思いますか。  Dō omoimasu ka.

Can I add something here?

少し補足してもいいですか。  Sukoshi hosoku shite mo ii desu ka.

Let’s just move on, shall we?

次の議題に移りましょうか。  Tsugi no gidai ni utsurimashō ka.

I think we’re going to have to agree to disagree.

意見の相違は仕方がないと思います。  Iken no sōi wa shikata ga nai to omoimasu. I think we’re going to have to agree to disagree.

I agree.

賛成です。  Sansei desu.

Of course.

もちろんです。  Mochiron desu.

That’s true.

確かにそうですね。  Tashika ni sō desu ne.

I don’t agree. No.

8月の幻 / Fox