Learning kanji can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re just beginning your journey with the Japanese language or studying for your first JLPT exam. The JLPT N5 is the entry-level test in the Japanese Language Proficiency Test series, and it covers the most essential, beginner-friendly kanji that form the foundation for everything that follows. To […]
Tag: beginner
The character お (pronounced “oh”) is the fifth and final vowel in the Japanese gojūon sequence: i.e. a, i, u, e, o. Though it’s the last of the vowel group, it’s just as essential — appearing in hundreds of common words, polite expressions, and foundational grammar patterns. Whether you’re greeting someone with おはよう (ohayou – […]
When you’re learning Japanese, each kana character you study isn’t just a symbol to memorize — it’s a piece of a larger linguistic puzzle that reveals how the Japanese language works. The hiragana character え (pronounced “eh”) is one of the five foundational vowels and a sound you’ll encounter constantly in everyday conversation, reading, and […]
The hiragana character う (pronounced “oo”, like in “food”) is the third vowel in the Japanese gojūon order (i.e. a, i, u, e, o) and a fundamental sound in the language. As with its vowel siblings, う is clear, consistent, and essential for forming words, conjugating verbs, and expressing tone in both written and spoken […]
When you’re just starting out with Japanese, few characters are as important to your foundation as い. It’s the second vowel in the gojūon order (i.e. a, i, u, e, o) and one of the five core sounds that appear in nearly every aspect of Japanese speech and grammar. Like its vowel siblings, い is […]
Learning Japanese is like piecing together a puzzle — every character you master reveals more about how the language works. The hiragana character あ (pronounced “ah”) is one of the most essential pieces of that puzzle. It’s the very first sound in the gojūon order (i.e. a, i, u, e, o), and the starting point […]
Embark on a thrilling Kanji Quest Adventure to master Japanese numbers 1 to 100! Forget boring memorization—here’s a beginner-friendly, self-taught journey using kanji as magical runes in a fantasy world. This guide covers numbers 1–10 and the tens (10, 20, 30, 40–100) with unique mnemonics, treasure hunts, and creative exercises. No apps or books needed—just […]
Ready to master the JLPT N5 kanji and unlock the basics of Japanese reading and writing? The JLPT N5 is the first level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, covering about 100 foundational kanji used in everyday life, such as 一 (いち ichi, one), 日 (にち nichi / ひ hi, day/sun), and 車 (しゃ sha […]
Learning kanji can seem like an overwhelming task for native English speakers, especially given that Japanese uses thousands of characters, each with multiple readings. However, with the right approach, you can break it down into manageable steps and steadily build your knowledge. Below are the most effective and practical methods to start learning kanji as […]
Learning kanji can be one of the most challenging parts of learning Japanese, especially for beginners. This post introduces 100 of the most useful and commonly seen kanji in everyday Japanese. These are foundational characters you’ll encounter in signs, menus, labels, dates, and basic vocabulary. Mastering them will give you a strong start in reading […]
The grammar point “〜てみる” (te miru) is a useful construction for intermediate Japanese learners. It combines the て-form of a verb with the verb “みる” (to see/look) to express the idea of “trying to do something” or “doing something to see what happens.” What is てみる? The grammar point 〜てみる combines the て-form of a […]
In Japanese, the particle は is used to indicate the topic of a sentence, while the particle が is used to indicate the subject of a sentence. The topic of a sentence is the general subject being discussed, while the subject is the specific thing performing the action of the verb in the sentence. For […]