How to Learn Japanese On Your Own (Fast!)

Summary

This video offers an in-depth guide for self-taught learners of Japanese, covering essential topics like building a strong foundation with 'Genki' textbooks and Andy's video guides. It emphasizes the importance of listening, speaking, and reading resources, introduces the Jarvis Translator 2 for real-time language assistance, and provides strategies for learning kana, kanji, and vocabulary. The video also suggests using 'Anki' flashcards, 'Satori Reader' for reading practice, and various podcasts for listening skills. It touches on the JLPT test system for setting learning goals and offers tips on mastering grammar, concluding with advice on writing kanji and the benefits of handwriting practice.

Takeaways

• 📚 The best way to start learning Japanese is by building a strong foundation in the basics such as everyday vocabulary, verb usage, and sentence structure.
• 📖 The 'Genki' textbooks are recommended for beginners due to their well-structured and practical content, with many libraries carrying copies.
• 🎥 There's a free video playlist by Tofugu's Andy that offers extensive guides for each chapter in Genki, which can be very helpful.
• 🚫 After completing the Genki curriculum, it's suggested to stop using textbooks and focus on listening, speaking, and reading resources.
• 📚 For those who prefer textbooks, the 'Motoko' series is recommended starting with level A2 B1, which includes free video guides and covers reading, listening, vocabulary, and grammar.
• 🔍 The Jarvis Translator 2 is a dedicated language translator device that can be beneficial for learning Japanese, offering high accuracy and ease of use.
• 📝 Learning the three writing systems of Japanese, Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji, is essential, with resources like Tofugu's free PDFs and Anki flashcard decks available for practice.
• 📚 'WaniKani' is a platform for learning Kanji, though it's not necessary if the focus is on speaking rather than reading.
• 📚 Vocabulary building is crucial and can be effectively done using Anki with flashcard decks like 'Japanese Core 2000' and 'J-Lap Beginner'.
• 🎧 Listening resources are abundant for learning Japanese, with podcasts like 'Nihongo Con Con' and 'Japanese with Shun' being beneficial at different levels.
• 📝 JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) provides a structured way to measure and improve Japanese language skills, offering clear goals and a sense of achievement.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is the best way to learn Japanese on your own, covering major topics to build a personalized learning plan.

What makes learning Japanese different from learning English according to the video?

Learning Japanese differs from English in almost every way, thus building a strong foundation in the basics such as everyday vocabulary, verb usage, and basic sentence structure is crucial for beginners.

Which textbooks are recommended for absolute beginners in learning Japanese?

The video recommends the Genki series as the best textbooks for absolute beginners due to their well-structured and practical content.

What is the significance of the free video playlist from Tofugu and how does it complement the Genki textbooks?

The free video playlist from Tofugu provides extensive video guides for each chapter in Genki, explaining every grammar point in detail with helpful examples, which enhances the learning experience.

What is the Jarvis Translator 2 and how can it assist in learning Japanese?

The Jarvis Translator 2 is a dedicated language translator device that can instantly translate phrases from the user's native language to the target language with high accuracy, aiding in language learning by providing quick translations.

How does the video suggest learning the three writing systems of Japanese?

The video suggests starting with Hiragana and Katakana as they are phonetic syllabaries, using free PDFs from Tofugu for quick memorization, and then moving on to Kanji, which are more complex and require gradual learning through context.

What are the recommended resources for building vocabulary in Japanese?

The video recommends using Anki with flashcard decks such as the Japanese Core 2000 deck and the JLab beginner deck for building vocabulary.

How does the Satori Reader app help with reading skills and vocabulary expansion?

The Satori Reader app provides a collection of short stories and dialogues voiced by Japanese actors, allowing users to tap on individual words or sentences for explanations and add new words to a flashcard system for review.

What are some of the listening resources mentioned for learning Japanese at different levels?

The video mentions resources like the Nihongo Con Con podcast for beginners, Japanese with Shun for high beginners, Yuu Noni Honto for intermediate learners, and various content for advanced learners based on personal interests.

What is the purpose of the JLPT test system in learning Japanese and how does it benefit learners?

The JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test) system provides standardized tests that range from N5 to N1, offering clear goals and specific learning objectives to help learners overcome plateaus and maintain motivation.

What are some tools and resources suggested for mastering Japanese grammar?

The video suggests using Takemichi's guide to Japanese grammar for beginners, Miku's Real Japanese YouTube channel for specific particles and word endings, and Imabi or Nongo Tootabi's playlists for advanced grammar.

How does the video address the importance of learning to write Kanji by hand?

The video mentions that while learning to write Kanji by hand is not essential for fluency, those who wish to do so can use a Fude pen, Ooshi notebook, and the textbook 'Remembering the Kanji' for proper stroke order and mnemonics.