Japanese is the most favorite foreign language among learners. It is a widespread East Asian language with more than 128 million speakers around the world as over 128 million people speak Japanese. It is the official language of Japan, but due to the huge immigrant populations, it is also widely spoken in Korea, the US, and Brazil.
How challenging is learning Japanese? Many people who study languages think that learning Japanese is much harder than learning any other language. In actuality, learning a language requires a lot of work and effort on your behalf.
However, you can achieve fluency in Japanese by attending Japanese classes or Japanese courses and using useful tools and resources. Check out these best steps to learn Japanese by yourself sitting in the comfort of your home.
1. Learn The Japanese Alphabets First
To begin the journey of learning Japanese, it is essential to start with the fundamentals, which are the writing systems. There are three basic writing systems that must be learned to be able to read Japanese, which are Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.
- Hiragana
Hiragana is the first writing system that must be mastered. It is the foundation of the Japanese language, and it is primarily used for native Japanese words. Hiragana comprises of 46 or 51 phonetic characters, and it is the key to understanding the pronunciation of Japanese words. As most of the characters have only one pronunciation, Hiragana is relatively easy to learn. Once learned, it serves as a solid foundation for mastering the native-sounding accent.
- Katakana
Katakana, on the other hand, is used for foreign or loanwords, including scientific and technical terms, as well as names of plants and animals. Katakana can be more challenging to learn than Hiragana, mainly because it is less frequently used in the initial stages of language learning. However, being able to read Katakana is enough for beginners, as it appears more regularly as the learner progresses.
- Kanji
Kanji is regarded as the most challenging aspect of the learning process by many learners, but it is also one of the most important. Basic Kanji knowledge is essential to understanding, speaking, and writing simple Japanese. It consists of thousands of Chinese symbols that represent entire words, ideas, or phrases.
However, English meanings cannot always be directly translated from Japanese words, and there can be many correct English meanings for a single Kanji word. Therefore, Kanji comes with a lot of complexities, but mastering it provides an extensive range of ways to express oneself.
You can join the best Japanese institute in Mumbai and attend online classes to learn all these three writing systems.
2. Practice grammar
How would you learn Japanese? You must disregard what you know about English grammar because there are significant differences if you want to master it completely. Japanese only has two tenses: past and non-past (present and future), unlike many romance languages. There are two types, though plain and courteous. The final one is employed in informal discourse.
It’s also vital to note that the Japanese has a completely distinct writing system that runs from top to bottom and from right to left. You can learn a number of useful lessons that will aid in your understanding of Japanese writing from these textbooks.
3. Learn some key phrases
How can I learn Japanese quickly? The list of the most typical words and expressions should be used first. You can start speaking Japanese and enter discussions with native speakers right away by being able to say things like “Hello,” “How are you doing,” and “Nice to meet you.” Take a look at the list of the 100+ most essential Japanese words; it will come in very handy if you ever decide to travel to Japan or need a place to start if you decide to settle there.
4. Set up a schedule
How long does learning Japanese take? It’s likely one of the most often-asked queries concerning this language. The reality is that it depends on how hard you’re going to work to improve your Japanese.
The truth is that daily practice is necessary if you want to make quick development. There are countless helpful tools and learning techniques that can be used to plan daily lessons and choose a learning speed that works for them. Are you prepared to start studying with hourly lessons? Try it out! Can you really learn Japanese in just 15 minutes a day? No issue! Seize this opportunity to the fullest.
5. Chat online with native speakers or other learners
The greatest approach to learning Japanese and solidifying your existing knowledge is to practice frequently with others. These days, you have several possibilities for applying your knowledge even if you don’t have a Japanese companion.
Conclusion
Learning Japanese may be easy or not. It all depends on your learning style and capability. However, to attain success, it is advisable to establish pragmatic targets, practice consistently, submerge yourself in Japanese traditions, or enroll in the best Japanese institute in Mumbai, or wherever you want. By adhering to these guidelines and persevering in your learning, you can acquire proficiency in Japanese, opening doors to various opportunities.
