How I became fluent in Japanese | Kanji

Summary

In his first video, Tokuyu shares his journey to fluency in Japanese, emphasizing his seven years of self-study and success in passing the JLPT N1 exam. He breaks down the complexities of the language, focusing on the three writing systems: hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Tokuyu offers practical tips for mastering kanji through mnemonics, stroke order, and consistent practice. He stresses the importance of immersion and familiarizing oneself with the JLPT exam format. With humor and insight, he encourages viewers to embrace the challenge of learning Japanese, making it an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tokuyu has been studying Japanese for about seven years, mostly through self-study.
• 😀 The Japanese writing system consists of three parts: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.
• 😀 Hiragana and Katakana are the foundational alphabets, each containing 46 characters.
• 😀 Kanji characters, derived from Chinese, represent nouns, verbs, and adjectives; about 2,200 are essential for fluency.
• 😀 Breaking down kanji learning by JLPT levels helps manage the daunting task; starting with N5's 80 basic characters is recommended.
• 😀 Mnemonics can aid in memorizing characters; associating shapes with sounds enhances retention.
• 😀 Stroke order matters when writing kanji, as Japanese speakers can recognize differences in writing styles.
• 😀 Regular reading practice, especially using tools like Kindle and easy Japanese news apps, is crucial for immersion.
• 😀 Familiarizing oneself with the JLPT exam format is essential for effective preparation.
• 😀 Consistency and patience in studying kanji will lead to gradual improvement and mastery of the language.

Q & A

What is the purpose of Tokuyu's video series?

Tokuyu aims to share his journey of becoming fluent in Japanese, starting from no prior knowledge.

How long has Tokuyu been studying Japanese?

He has been studying Japanese for about seven years.

What is the JLPT and what levels does it include?

The JLPT, or Japanese Language Proficiency Test, is an official test recognized by the Japanese government, consisting of five levels from N5 (basic) to N1 (advanced).

What writing systems are used in Japanese?

Japanese uses three writing systems: hiragana, katakana, and kanji.

What are hiragana and katakana, and how are they used?

Hiragana and katakana are phonetic alphabets with 46 characters each. Hiragana is primarily used for conjugating verbs and grammar, while katakana is used for foreign words and onomatopoeias.

Why do many learners find kanji difficult?

Many learners find kanji challenging due to the sheer number of characters and their complex shapes, which resemble hieroglyphics.

How many kanji characters must one know to reach the N1 level?

To reach the N1 level, one must know about 2,200 kanji characters.

What study methods does Tokuyu recommend for learning kanji?

He recommends using mnemonics for memorization, practicing stroke order, studying radicals, and utilizing apps like Kanji Study or WaniKani.

What was Tokuyu's experience with the JLPT exams?

He failed the N2 exam due to slow reading speed but later passed the N1 exam after consistent practice and familiarization with the exam format.

How does Tokuyu suggest incorporating reading into kanji practice?

He suggests reading Japanese books and using easy news apps to enhance reading comprehension and recognize kanji in context.