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.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Learning Japanese: Textbooks and Resources

The script introduces the best way to self-study Japanese, emphasizing the importance of a strong foundation in basic vocabulary, verb usage, and sentence structure. It recommends the Genki textbooks for beginners, available in many US libraries, and highlights a free video playlist by Tofugu's Andy to supplement learning. The script also suggests moving away from textbooks after Genki to focus on listening, speaking, and reading. For those who prefer textbooks, the Moto series is recommended. Additionally, the Jarvis Translator 2 is introduced as a secret weapon for language learning, offering high-accuracy translations in various languages, including Japanese, Mandarin, and Arabic.

05:01

🌐 Vocabulary and Listening Skills for Japanese Learners

This paragraph discusses the use of Anki flashcards for vocabulary building, with specific decks recommended for beginners, such as the Japanese Core 2000 and the JLab beginner decks. It contrasts the formal and traditional approach of the former with the casual and slang-focused approach of the latter. The Satori Reader app is introduced for intermediate and advanced learners, offering native voice recordings, word/sentence explanations, and a built-in flashcard system. The paragraph also covers listening resources, starting with the Nihongo Con Con podcast for beginners and progressing to Japanese with Shun and Yuu Noni Honto for intermediate learners, emphasizing the importance of looking up unfamiliar words and phrases.

10:02

📝 Kanji, Grammar, and Writing Skills in Japanese

The script addresses the three writing systems of Japanese: hiragana, katakana, and kanji. It suggests using free PDFs from Tofugu and Anki decks for quick memorization of hiragana and katakana. For kanji, the Genki series is recommended for gradual introduction, with Wanconi as an alternative for focused learning. The importance of JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) is discussed, with advice on when to take these tests to maintain motivation. Grammar resources include Takemichi's guide for beginners and Miku's YouTube channel for specific particles and word endings. Advanced learners can use imabi and playlists from Nongo Tootabi. The paragraph concludes with the option to learn kanji writing by hand using a Fuda pen, ooshi notebook, and 'Remembering the Kanji' textbook, though it clarifies that this is not essential for fluency.

Keywords

💡Japanese Language

The Japanese language is the focus of the video, which aims to guide individuals on how to learn it independently. It is distinct from English in many aspects, including its writing systems and grammar. The script emphasizes building a strong foundation in the basics such as everyday vocabulary, verb usage, and sentence structure, which are essential for language acquisition.

💡Genki Textbooks

Genki textbooks are recommended in the script as the best resources for absolute beginners learning Japanese. They are well-structured, practical, and widely available in US library systems. The script mentions that these books, coupled with the free video playlist from Tofugu, provide an in-depth understanding of grammar and are instrumental in building a strong foundation in Japanese.

💡Listening, Speaking, and Reading Resources

After completing the Genki curriculum, the script suggests shifting focus from textbooks to listening, speaking, and reading resources. These resources are crucial for improving language proficiency by engaging with the language in a more dynamic way, as opposed to the static nature of textbooks.

💡Jarvis Translator 2

The Jarvis Translator 2 is introduced as a secret weapon for language learning. It is a dedicated language translator device that offers high accuracy and is designed to replicate spoken language. The script highlights its ease of use, instant translation capabilities, and the convenience of not requiring Wi-Fi or a cell connection, making it a valuable tool for language learners on the go.

💡Hiragana and Katakana

Hiragana and Katakana are two phonetic syllabaries in the Japanese writing system. The script emphasizes the importance of learning them quickly as they form the basis for reading and writing in Japanese. Free PDFs from Tofugu and Anki decks are suggested as resources for memorization and practice.

💡Kanji

Kanji represents the third writing system in Japanese, derived from traditional Chinese characters. Each kanji can have multiple readings, making it complex for learners. The script mentions that Genki textbooks introduce useful kanji in context, and Wanikani is recommended for those who wish to focus on kanji learning from the start.

💡Anki

Anki is a flashcard application highlighted in the script for building vocabulary. It allows users to create or use pre-made decks, such as the Japanese Core 2000 and JLab decks, which cater to different learning styles and language proficiency levels. Anki is praised for its effectiveness in helping learners memorize and review vocabulary.

💡Satori Reader App

The Satori Reader app is recommended for intermediate and advanced learners to improve reading skills and expand vocabulary. It offers a collection of short stories and dialogues with native voiceovers, tap-to-translate functionality, and a built-in flashcard system for effective language learning.

💡Listening Resources

Listening resources such as the Nihongo Con Con podcast and Japanese with Shun are suggested in the script for learners at various levels. These resources help learners practice listening comprehension and familiarize themselves with the natural flow of spoken Japanese.

💡JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test)

The JLPT is a series of standardized tests mentioned in the script that assess and certify Japanese language proficiency. The script suggests that taking the JLPT can provide clear goals and motivation for learners who may experience a plateau in their language acquisition.

💡Grammar

Japanese grammar is acknowledged as notoriously difficult in the script, especially for English speakers due to differences in syntax, particles, and honorific speech. Resources like Takemichi's guide and Miku's YouTube channel are recommended for learners to clarify grammar concepts and improve their understanding.

💡Writing Kanji

While not essential for fluency, learning to write kanji by hand is discussed in the script. It suggests using a Fuda pen, Ooshi notebook, and 'Remembering the Kanji' textbook for those who wish to practice writing kanji, focusing on stroke order and mnemonics.

Highlights

The best way to learn Japanese on your own is introduced, covering major topics to build a personalized learning plan.

Core learning in Japanese requires a strong foundation in basics such as everyday vocabulary, verb usage, and sentence structure.

Genki textbooks are recommended for beginners due to their well-structured and practical content, widely available in US libraries.

Free video playlist by Tofugu's Andy provides extensive guides for Genki chapters, enhancing understanding of grammar.

After completing Genki, focus shifts to listening, speaking, and reading resources rather than textbooks.

Moto series textbooks are suggested for those who prefer continued textbook learning, starting from level A2 to B1.

Jarvis Translator 2 is highlighted as a secret weapon for learning languages, offering high-accuracy translations in various languages.

The Jarvis Translator 2's ability to replicate spoken language and provide instant translations is emphasized.

Learning Hiragana and Katakana quickly is essential and can be aided by free PDFs from Tofugu and Anki decks.

Kanji learning is gradual and contextual, with resources like Wanikani suggested for focused study.

Anki is recommended for building vocabulary with community-created decks like Japanese Core 2000 and JLab Beginner.

Satori Reader app is praised for its comprehensive approach to improving reading skills and vocabulary for intermediate learners.

Nihongo ConE and Japanese with Shun podcasts are recommended for immersive listening practice at different levels.

Yuu Noni Hongo podcast is highlighted for its wide-ranging topics and entertaining host, beneficial for intermediate learners.

JLPT tests are discussed as useful for setting clear goals and motivating learners to progress.

Takeki's guide and Miku's YouTube channel are recommended for understanding Japanese grammar at beginner and intermediate levels.

Imabi grammar database and Nongo Tootabi's playlists are suggested for advanced grammar study.

Writing Kanji by hand is not essential for fluency, but resources like Fuda pen, Ooshi notebook, and 'Remembering the Kanji' are provided for those interested.

The video concludes by emphasizing the value of the Japanese language and the resources provided for self-study.

Transcripts

in this video I'm going to show you the

best way to learn Japanese on your own

we're going to cover each of these major

topics so that you can build a learning

plan that meets your goals and needs

core learning Japanese differs from

English in almost every way so when you

first start learning you'll want to

build a strong foundation in the basics

everyday vocab how to use verbs basic

sentence structure things like that and

the best way to build that understanding

is by using the gky textbooks there are

dozens of Japanese textbooks out there

but in my opinion these two are the best

for absolute beginners they're well

structured they're practical and most

Library systems in the US carry at least

a handful of copies so you can save some

of that hard-earned dough but there's

yet another good reason to use the gkey

series and it's this free video playlist

from tokini Andy Andy is a fantastic

Japanese teacher and he's created

extensive video guides for each chapter

in genkei he explains every grammar

point in detail and offers lots of

helpful examples and by the way I'll put

links to everything I'm talking about in

the description box below so I would

recommend that you get the gany books

and then follow along as you watch the

videos by the time you finish the series

you'll basically have completed two

years of college level Japanese

Su once you finish the Ganky curriculum

I would personally recommend that you

stop using textbooks altogether and

instead focus on the listening speaking

and reading resources that I'll talk

about later in this video however if

you're the type of person who likes

using textbooks great for you I would

recommend the Moto series starting with

level A2 B1 this book again there are

tons of options to choose from but I

like mototo because at the lower levels

every textbook comes with a free video

guide and it's a good mix of reading

listening vocab and grammar now before

we move on I want to share with you guys

my secret weapon for learning Japanese

the Jarvis translator 2 it's a dedicated

language translator and it's awesome

here's how it works you fire up the

device select your native language and

your translation language I use the

Jarvis and translator for Japanese

Mandarin and Arabic but there are

actually 108 different languages and

dialects to choose from and it's super

easy to use you tap here say a phrase in

English and within a half second the jt2

will translate that phrase into your

target language where is the nearest

pharmacy translations are 96% accurate

which is very high and unlike Siri or

Google translate the jt2 is designed to

replicate spoken language the way people

really talk to one another and I like to

use this device in two ways if I'm

listening to a podcast or watching a

show and I hear a phrase that I don't

understand I hit this red button repeat

the

phrase

juki artificial snow and there it is I

get an instant translation and number

two if I'm speaking with someone in

Japanese either in person person or

online and I'm doing that thing like H

how do I say uh I'm allergic to

cats and obviously there are tons of

other uses if you're traveling if you're

doing business if you're making new

friends from around the world the Jarvis

translator 2 makes communication much

easier and it comes pre-loaded with 2

years of free mobile data worldwide so

you don't need Wi-Fi you don't need a

cell connection you just turn it on it

connects automatically and you're good

to go the battery lasts around 10 days

on standby and works for 6 hours of

continuous use so you'll have plenty of

time to translate anything you need to

On The Go the Jarvis and translator 2 is

currently available on Amazon and I'll

link to the page in the description box

below if you want to boost your Japanese

speaking skills or your skills in any

language it's a fantastic tool learning

Kan and kanji as you might be aware

Japanese has three writing systems

hiragana Katakana and kanji let's start

with hiragana and Katakana because

they're both phonetic syllabaries

kakik Co and as you'll see it's helpful

to learn them as quickly as possible

fortunately these free PDFs from tofugu

will help you memorize both these forms

in a matter of days and if you want some

extra practice I'll link below to this

free Ani deck as well kanji on the other

hand are based on traditional Chinese

characters they are most definitely not

ftic and most kanji have at least two

different readings for instance this

character can be pronounced ni he or be

depending on the word now don't be

scared off by that because the gy series

does a very good job of gradually

introducing useful kanji in context and

if you use the vocab and reading

resources that I'll talk about in just a

moment you'll learn all the kanji you

need over time that said if you want to

focus on kanji from the get-go I would

suggest using the website Wan coni it's

a very well-designed platform and it's

pretty comprehensive but if your

ultimate goal is to speak Japanese and

not just read it I personally don't

think it's worth the effort building

vocab if you've seen some of my other

videos you'll know that I'm a big fan of

using Anki to build vocabulary it's free

on your laptop or mobile browser and the

Ani Community has created some

phenomenal flashcard decks for Japanese

learners for beginners my favorites are

the Japanese core 2000 deck and the jlab

beginner deck but as you can see they're

very different the Japanese core deck is

pretty traditional and leans into more

formal speech similar to what you'd find

in a classroom setting but if you plan

on taking the jlpt exams which we'll

talk about a little later in this video

using this deck is a great way to

prepare for the first two levels jlpt 5

and four the jlab deck on the other hand

is completely different it uses Snippets

of real anime audio to teach more casual

and sometimes very slanging

Japanese whether or not you love anime

it's a fantastic resource and if your

ultimate goal is to use Japanese for

everyday conversation

I think this is the better deck for most

beginners just don't go to Tokyo and

start saying things

like that's not going to be a good look

once you've got a handle on common

vocabulary you can also move on to the

Japanese core 6000 deck or the jlab

intermediate decks but in my opinion the

better option at this level is to use

the Satori reader app which is a

terrific resource for both intermediate

and advanced Japanese students basically

it's a collection of short stories and

dialogues each with their own style and

tone but there are three elements that

makes sat Tor reader genius in my

opinion one every segment is voiced by

Japanese actors so you can listen to and

then model native

pronunciation two you can tap on

individual words or complete sentences

to get an exact explanation of what

you're reading or hearing and three it

has a built-in flashcard system so you

can quickly add new words that you come

across to your long-term review list now

look sat Tory reader is for absolute

beginners but once you finish say all of

Yankey level one I highly recommend it

for boosting your reading skills and

expanding your vocabulary listening

resources Japanese has excellent

listening resources for Learners at

every level and once you reach chapter

five or so in gkey you should absolutely

check out the nihongo cone podcast this

is an immersive Japanese podcast there's

basically no English but the host speaks

very slowly and repeats himself

regularly so that even beginners can

start to make sense of the language

nongo cone has hundreds of episodes but

once you're at a high beginner level you

can also move on to Japanese with Shun

which is ever so slightly faster shunan

also reviews Advanced words at the end

of each episode which is very helpful

for building your vocabulary at the

intermediate level you should absolutely

be listening to yuu Noni hongo which is

one of the best podcasts for language

Learners that I've ever come across it's

free the topics are wide ranging and

most importantly Yu usan is a very

entertaining host with a great sense of

humor which makes it fun to listen to

long term for advanced Learners your

options are practically Limitless so

seek out content that appeals to you and

make a habit of looking up words and

phrases that you don't recognize look

them up where you ask well my favorite

Japanese dictionaries are g.org which is

a free website or shirish show which is

a free app they're both high quality and

comprehensive and they give plenty of

useful example sentences if however you

want to scan a Define kanji with your

phone's camera you can use Yoma which is

also excellent but costs around $30 the

jlpt test system as I mentioned earlier

there's a series of standardized tests

for Japanese Learners called the

jlpt the tests range from Level N5 which

requires that you know about 800 words

and 100 Kani all the way up to N1 for

which you'll need to know about 10,000

words and 2,000 kanji in order to pass

and if that sounds like a lot it is is

so should you take the jpts are they

worth it yes eventually because at some

point you'll probably find that your

Japanese starts to plateau and that for

whatever reason you're not really

motivated to keep learning and that's

when the JL pts are really useful in my

opinion because they give you clear

goals and lay out the specific things

you need to learn in order to reach

those goals so why not follow jlpt from

the beginning because in my opinion

there's so much more rich and

interesting material out there look you

don't want to learn Japanese just to

pass a test you want to learn it for the

culture the people

shingin whatever it is let your interest

guide you and take the tests when the

time is right mastering grammar Japanese

grammar is notoriously difficult for

English speakers for a number of reasons

syntax particles honorific speech etc

etc and you'll probably have all kinds

of questions about grammar especially

early on and when that happens I would

recommend using take Kim's guide to

Japanese grammar this is basically a

comprehensive free guide that breaks

down all the essentials of Japanese

grammar it's simple and straightforward

and it will probably answer about 90% of

your questions as a beginner and you can

also check out the YouTube channel Miku

real Japanese the host has tons of

useful videos that cover specific

particles and word endings in Japanese

so if you're struggling with say the te

form or how to use neit versus Deb this

is a great resource at a more advanced

level you can also use imabi which is a

free grammar database or these free

playlists from nongo tootabi that cover

jpt N3 N2 and N1 level grammar but FYI

tabian teaches exclusively in Japanese

so be ready now look as you continue to

listen and speak and read you'll develop

an intuitive sense for Japanese grammar

over time so I want to be clear that

explicitly studying grammar rules does

not need to be a part of your learning

routine but of course if you're feeling

lost it can be helpful to seek out

explanations writing contrary to what

some hardcore students of Japanese might

tell you learning to write kanji by hand

is not an essential part of becoming

fluent in Japanese reading kanji yes but

you could absolutely build that muscle

without learning to write by hand and in

fact you can use a phonetic keyboard on

your phone or laptop to type kanji

pretty easily that said if you're set on

learning to write by hand I would

suggest investing in a Fuda pen again

ooshi notebook and this textbook

remembering the kanji which will teach

you proper stroke order and offers

helpful pneumonics for remembering the

various forms and there you have it

everything you need to learn Japanese on

your own it's a demanding language for

learners but well worth your time and

effort if you have any questions or

comments please let me know and as

always thanks for watching