How to learn Japanese in the easiest ways - Japanese learning tips from a native polyglot 🇯🇵

Summary

This video offers a comprehensive guide for beginners on learning Japanese, emphasizing the importance of setting clear goals and tailoring the learning path accordingly. It covers various aspects, including listening, speaking, and kanji learning, and recommends using science-based study methods like spaced repetition and active recall. The video suggests utilizing digital tools like Muchimuchi for vocabulary and kanji practice, and highlights the value of consistent daily input and practice for effective language acquisition.

Takeaways

• 🎯 Start by defining your goal for learning Japanese as it will guide your learning path.
• 🗣️ If your goal is communication, focus more on speaking and listening skills, and less on kanji.
• 📺 For understanding anime, concentrate on listening skills by consuming Japanese content like anime, dramas, and news.
• 📚 Learning for business purposes might require a balance of listening, speaking, and writing skills.
• 🔍 Remember your goal during low motivation periods to stay focused and motivated in your language journey.
• 👶 Mimic the language acquisition process of a baby by doing an enormous amount of input through various Japanese media.
• 📚 Use science-based study methods like spaced repetition and active recall for effective vocabulary learning.
• 📱 Utilize language learning apps like Muchimuchi for flashcards, categorized vocabulary, and optimal timing for复习 (repetition).
• 📝 Practice speaking by summarizing and explaining content in your own words, even with an imaginary friend.
• 🖊️ For learning kanji, use digital flashcards and practice writing them out to reinforce learning.
• 📈 Avoid common mistakes like copying someone else's study plan and instead find a routine that fits your lifestyle and learning style.

Q & A

What is the most important step when starting to learn Japanese according to the video?

The most important step is defining your goal because it will determine the path you follow in learning Japanese.

Why is it unnecessary to learn kanji if you are only learning Japanese to communicate with family members?

In a conversation, you don't write kanji to another person, so focusing on speaking and listening skills is sufficient for communication.

What is the recommended approach for learning Japanese if your primary goal is to understand anime?

Focus on developing strong listening skills by consuming Japanese content like anime with an emphasis on understanding what is being said.

How can setting a clear goal help in maintaining motivation during language learning?

Setting a clear goal helps you remember why you started learning the language, which can be a source of motivation during days when you feel unmotivated.

What is the significance of doing an 'enormous amount of input' when learning a language?

Doing an enormous amount of input is similar to how babies learn languages by being surrounded by the language. It helps in gradually understanding the language through repeated exposure.

Why are space repetition and active recall effective methods for learning vocabulary?

Space repetition and active recall are effective because they mimic how our memories work, reinforcing the importance of information and helping it move into long-term memory.

What is Muchimuchi and how does it help in learning Japanese vocabulary?

Muchimuchi is a Japanese learning app that uses flashcards to study vocabulary, categorized by topics, and incorporates space repetition to optimize learning.

How can practicing speaking skills be beneficial even without native speakers around?

Practicing speaking skills can be beneficial by summarizing content in your own words, speaking to an imaginary friend, or using online services to converse with native speakers.

What is the role of kanji in learning Japanese, and is it necessary for everyone?

Kanji is an essential part of written Japanese, but it's not necessary for everyone. It depends on your goals; for example, if you're only watching anime, you might not need to learn kanji.

Why are digital flashcards more effective than physical ones for learning kanji?

Digital flashcards, like those in Muchimuchi, are more effective because they are pre-made, include audio, and provide examples, saving time and enhancing learning efficiency.

What common mistakes should be avoided when creating a study plan for learning Japanese?

Avoid copying someone else's study schedule, as everyone has different lifestyles and learning styles. Find a consistent routine that suits your daily life, even if it's just 10-15 minutes a day.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Starting Your Japanese Learning Journey

The speaker, a native Japanese speaker who grew up outside of Japan, addresses common questions about learning Japanese. They emphasize the importance of setting clear goals before beginning the language learning process, as different goals require different approaches. For instance, if the goal is to watch anime, one should focus on listening skills, while business purposes may require a balance of listening, speaking, and writing skills. The speaker acknowledges the challenges and struggles faced by language learners and offers insights into maintaining motivation and progressing in the journey.

05:01

🎧 Enhancing Listening and Vocabulary Skills

This paragraph delves into strategies for improving listening skills and vocabulary acquisition. The speaker suggests immersing oneself in Japanese content, such as videos, songs, dramas, and news, to achieve a high level of input, akin to how babies learn languages. They also introduce the concept of active recall and spaced repetition for efficient vocabulary learning, recommending the use of apps like Muchimuchi, which offers flashcards, categorized vocabulary, and a 'golden time' feature for optimal review intervals.

10:02

🗣️ Practicing Speaking and Mastering Kanji

The speaker discusses the importance of practice for speaking skills, suggesting methods such as summarizing content in one's own words or conversing with an imaginary friend. They also address the topic of learning kanji, explaining that it is not necessary for all learners, especially those focused on anime. For those who need to learn kanji, the speaker recommends digital flashcards and creating a notebook to practice writing new characters. They highlight the benefits of using Muchimuchi's kanji learning features, which include audio and example usage, and discourage the use of physical flashcards due to the time investment involved.

📅 Avoiding Common Mistakes in Language Learning

In the final paragraph, the speaker warns against blindly copying someone else's study plan, as individual schedules and learning styles vary significantly. They encourage finding short periods throughout the day for language practice and emphasize the importance of consistency. The speaker also mentions the availability of Muchimuchi for free download and thanks the app for sponsoring the video, suggesting its utility for those looking to learn Japanese.

Keywords

💡Hiragana

Hiragana is one of the three writing systems in the Japanese language, alongside Katakana and Kanji. It is composed of 46 basic characters and is used for representing native Japanese words and grammatical elements. In the video, the speaker mentions that Hiragana is one of the first things to learn when starting to study Japanese, and it's relatively simple to master compared to Kanji.

💡Katakana

Katakana is another one of the Japanese writing systems, consisting of 48 basic characters. It is primarily used for foreign loanwords, onomatopoeia, and for emphasis. The script refers to Katakana as being 'cute' and suggests that it can be learned relatively quickly, within about a week, due to its limited number of characters.

💡Kanji

Kanji refers to the Chinese characters used in the Japanese writing system. It is the most complex part of learning Japanese due to the vast number of characters and the nuances in their meanings and usage. The video emphasizes that not all learners need to master Kanji, especially if their goal is limited to casual conversation or understanding anime.

💡Pronunciation

Pronunciation in the context of the video refers to the way Japanese words are articulated. The speaker mentions the complexity of Japanese pronunciation, which can be challenging for non-native speakers. Understanding and practicing correct pronunciation is essential for effective communication in Japanese.

💡Goals

Setting goals is a crucial first step in learning any language, including Japanese. The video script emphasizes the importance of defining one's purpose for learning the language, as it influences the learning path and helps maintain motivation. For example, if someone's goal is to watch anime, they might focus more on listening skills rather than writing Kanji.

💡Listening Skills

Listening skills are a fundamental aspect of language learning, especially for those who wish to understand spoken Japanese, such as in anime or conversations. The video suggests that an enormous amount of input, such as watching videos or listening to songs, is necessary to develop these skills effectively.

💡Speaking Skills

Speaking skills involve the ability to articulate thoughts and ideas in Japanese. The video recommends practice as the key to improving speaking abilities, suggesting methods like summarizing content in one's own words or conversing with imaginary friends as a way to practice.

💡Vocabulary

Vocabulary refers to the set of words that a language learner knows and can use. The video script discusses the importance of learning vocabulary relevant to one's goals and using science-based study methods like spaced repetition and active recall to enhance retention.

💡Spaced Repetition

Spaced repetition is a learning technique where information is reviewed at increasing intervals over time to move it from short-term to long-term memory. In the video, it is mentioned as an effective method for vocabulary retention, with apps like Muchimuchi helping to implement this technique.

💡Active Recall

Active recall is a learning method where learners actively attempt to remember information without looking at the material, thus reinforcing memory. The video script uses the example of trying to remember the Japanese word for 'book' as a way to illustrate how active recall can be used in language learning.

💡Muchimuchi

Muchimuchi is a Japanese learning app mentioned in the video that helps with vocabulary and Kanji learning through flashcards and spaced repetition. It is highlighted as a useful tool for organizing and timing vocabulary reviews, making the learning process more efficient.

💡Practice

Practice is repeatedly emphasized in the video as the key to mastering speaking and writing skills in Japanese. The speaker suggests various forms of practice, including self-explanation and conversation with imaginary friends, to build fluency and confidence in the language.

💡Common Mistakes

The video script identifies common mistakes made by language learners, such as trying to follow someone else's study plan without considering personal circumstances. It advises learners to find a routine that suits their lifestyle and to be consistent, even if it's only for a short period each day.

Highlights

Defining your goal is the first step in learning Japanese, as it determines the path you will follow.

If your goal is to communicate with Japanese speakers, there is no need to learn thousands of kanji.

For understanding anime, focusing on listening skills is more important than speaking.

Goal setting is crucial to stay motivated during the language learning journey.

Enormous amount of input is key for learning languages, similar to how babies learn.

Consume Japanese content daily, like watching anime or listening to songs, for language exposure.

Use science-based study methods like spaced repetition and active recall for vocabulary.

Muchimochian is an effective app for learning Japanese vocabulary with flashcards.

Spaced repetition helps signal the brain to remember vocabulary as important information.

Practice speaking by summarizing content in your own words or talking to an imaginary friend.

Online services provide affordable ways to practice speaking with native Japanese speakers.

If learning for anime, there is no need to learn kanji, as digital text is more common.

Physical flashcards are less effective than digital ones like those in Muchimochian.

Write new kanji in a notebook to practice and reinforce learning.

Avoid common mistakes like copying someone else's study schedule that may not fit your lifestyle.

Find consistent 10-15 minute slots each day to practice Japanese.

Muchimochian is a free app to aid in efficient Japanese language learning.

Transcripts

how can I learn Japanese is literally

where should I start should I learn

hiragana Katakana kanji first how to

pronounce Japanese words why is Japanese

so complicated I don't know anything

about kanji those are the most common

things that I hear about learning

Japanese as a native speaker so in

today's video I will explain to you guys

how to learn Japanese in easiest way you

might be thinking why would I listen to

a native speaker's advice like she'd

grew up in Japan right the thing is yes

I am half Japanese however I didn't grow

up in Japan so I wasn't really

surrounded by people who were talking

Japanese always so as a kid who grew up

outside of Japan I needed to make sure

that I put the work in so that I can

learn Japanese and so that I will be

able to speak Japanese so I know the

path that everyone is going right now

and the struggles and maybe the problems

that you're facing So today we're gonna

cover all of the parts when it comes to

learning Japanese to help you out so

when it comes to learning the language

always the first thing that you need to

do is defining your goal because

depending on your goal the path that

you're going to follow is going to be

really different if you're learning

Japanese only to communicate with

Japanese speakers or maybe with family

members there is no necessity for you to

learn kanji you know learn thousands of

countries maybe because in a

conversation you don't write kanji to

other person right so the parts that

you're going to be focusing will be

speaking and listening skills because

you just want to communicate or if

you're learning Japanese only to

understand anime

which is the best thing in the world

your skills you don't necessarily have

to speaking skills your skills need to

be solidly focused on listening because

you're watching anime and you just want

to understand what they're saying and if

with the time if your goal changes you

can change your approach too or let's

say if you're learning Japanese for

business purposes you know listening

speaking and also maybe writing skills

might be important for you so before

starting anything you need to have a

clear understanding why you are doing

that thing because also language

learning is a very long journey and when

you lose your motivation which is very

likely to happen and it's gonna happen

you're gonna have days where you have no

motivation but you need to do the thing

in order to improve right so in those

days you need to remember your goal so

goal setting is the most important thing

when starting a language Journey so

please post this video and identify your

goal when it comes to learning Japanese

okay so after defining your goal we need

to focus on each area depending on your

goal let's say if you're learning

Japanese for watching anime I'm gonna

focus on listening so for listening

skills the thing that you need to do is

doing an enormous amount of input think

about babies when they're growing up do

you think babies open like a grammar

book and study vocabularies and do Anki

flashcards to learn a language no

they're surrounded by people who speak

that language and they keep talking to

that baby so as a baby you do an

enormous amount of input in order to

learn a language so as an adult we're

gonna also do the same thing if you want

to learn Japanese you're going to do

enormous amount of inputs in a day at

the beginning you might be thinking if I

don't know any more calories what is

meaning of doing an enormous amount of

input of course we're gonna study

vocabularies that is another part

however if you have ever lived in a

foreign country for over the couple of

months when the words are repeated and

even though you don't know the meaning

of it and if you if you have heard them

repeatedly using in a sentence you know

because people talk with mimics and

gestures you kind of start to understand

what that word means even though you

didn't Google it so I guess we're gonna

study what calories that's another part

but every day we need to make sure that

we do an enormous amount of input like

watching YouTube videos watching anime

or maybe listening to Japanese songs

Japanese dramas Japanese news whatever

content you want to consume make sure

that every day you consume Japanese

content when it comes to learning

vocabulary few things use science-based

study methods that you need to use are

space repetition and active recall if

you're into productivity I'm sure that

you know about this but let me remind

you about that active recall is when

you're trying to remember something so

when you're actively recalling something

from your brain you are tend to learn

better so let's say there is an image of

a let's say book and you're trying to

remember book in Japanese which is home

so when you have a flash card showing

you a book and when you're actively

trying to recall that information

basically ties Japanese book home image

of book in your brain this is active

recall one of the best ways that you can

do is using much Mochi mucho muchiab is

an amazing Japanese learning app we have

collaborated multiple times in the past

and you guys tend to really enjoy it in

much much app you can basically study

with flashcards which they have made and

the great thing about mochimochi is that

they have categorized the vocabularies

so if you want to learn about a specific

topic you can go through much Mochi you

select a specific category and learn

about those vocabularies language

learning is all about efficiency if you

ever want to learn vocabulary is about

certain topic you don't necessarily need

to learn all of the vocabularies in

Japanese just need to learn the

vocabulary is that you particularly need

much is really handful with this and

another thing is space repetition so

what is space repetition if you know how

our memories work basically you need to

repeat the information in order to

Signal your brain that this is a very

important information for example you

don't forget your name right because it

is repeatedly reminded course of your

life multiple times so that information

is very important your brain already

understood that and when it comes to

learning a vocabulary you need to make

sure that your brain knows that you

shouldn't forget this so what we're

gonna do we're gonna study vocabulary so

the flashcards for a course of time with

strikes in between and kind of like

calculating this trying to understand

when to study what is a very long

process but much much it does it for you

there is a golden time feature in much

Mochi it reminds you to study the words

but based on your learning history much

much you will calculate the golden time

to revise this word so the perfect

timing to revise that word in order to

put it in your long-term memory with the

time it will put it into your long-term

memory when it comes to listening and

speaking skills input also learning

vocabularies is very important if you

you want to master your speaking Horton

think is going to be doing a practice

this this and practice and when you

combine much Mochi with enormous amounts

of input I am sure that you will learn

so many new vocabularies in the fastest

way possible you can also note the

vocabularies that you have learned from

animes

maybe create a notebook proven or maybe

a notion page when it comes to speaking

skills anything you need to do is

practice test and practice I was

learning English by myself I was trying

to explain the thing that I have watched

it can be a YouTube video and try to

summarize it in my own words and speak

it loud I was also trying to talk with

the imaginary friend but was it the most

effective way probably the most

effective way will be going to that

country and talking to native speakers

and having a conversation but

unfortunately it is a such a privilege

to go to that country and talk to native

speakers basically in my head practicing

my English my imaginary friend and I was

explaining to him or her I don't know my

day about the things that I've watched

or any vocabulary I have learned I was

trying to build a sentence to my

imaginary friend is it the most

effective way no the most effective way

is of course going to native speakers

and talking to them you needed to go to

that country in order to talk to native

speakers but thanks to internet you can

use various services to talk with native

speaker teachers there's so many

Affordable Services that you can search

on Google speaking unfortunately there

is no shortcut just during practice

let's talk about learning kanji which is

the most asked part when it comes to

learning Japanese if you don't know

anything of Japanese the three types of

alphabets that we use are hiragana

Katakana and kanji and Katakana are cute

you know they're only 50 or something

like that you can learn them in about a

week or so when it comes to kanji there

are thousands of them you are learning

only to watch animes you don't need to

learn kanji to be honest it's younger

generation is not the best when it comes

to kanji because everything is going

digital so you just can't type the kanji

and look at it for business purposes it

is of course good to know a bit of kanji

physical flash cards that my mom was

making was really working for us for my

brother and for me it's taking quite a

lot of time and it is not the most

effective way to learn a language you

know thanks to our generation there are

digital flashcards actually flashcards

that are already made for you oh you can

use Mochi mochi's kanji learning future

sure for learning kanjis muchimuchi's

flash cards not only have the

information but it also has audio and

also example we're using that kanji

making a flash card takes quite a lot of

time if you have ever made your own

Clash card and click to the audio listen

to it learn the pronunciation look at

the image if you're a visual learner

since you don't need to make your own

flashcards it saves quite a lot of time

and when it comes to kanji use

watchcards write them out to your

notebook do you practice multiple times

and it will help you with the time by

using much Mochi it is a very great way

to learn more calories and kanji so when

it comes to writing you can create an

notebook you can buy a notebook but

write the new kanjis that you learn from

mochimuchi and you can also use the

examples and write your own examples

using that kanji it will kind of create

a notebook filled with different kanjis

using them combining them and actively

trying to Output the things that you

have learned so let's talk about some of

the common mistakes that you're about

learning Japan Japanese some people look

for a study plan on YouTube this is

about anything in life when trying to

learn something trying to copy someone's

schedule that will not work for you

because guys had a very different type

of schedules you have very different

type of lifestyle and you also have a

very different learning style also some

people might be able to study three

hours of Japanese every day but you

might only have 10 minutes a day try to

find 10 to 15 minutes a day where you

can practice a language waiting for a

bus open Watch Emoji learns on

flashcards kind of like squeeze learning

in every course of your life five

minutes here and there and just do the

best that you can do the most important

thing is continuing showing up and being

consistent and much Emoji is completely

free to download so you'll find a link

down description below and thank you

much much you for sponsoring this video