Starting from zero? These guides cover Japanese tones, romaji, characters, and everything you need to know as a complete beginner.
19 articles
Realistic timelines for learning Japanese based on FSI data and JLPT levels. From N5 basics to N1 mastery, find out how long it actually takes.
A 5-step roadmap to learn Japanese: kana, kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and immersion. The most efficient path from zero to fluency.
Complete hiragana chart with all 46 characters, pronunciation guide, stroke order tips, and a 1-week mastery plan for beginners.
Full katakana chart with all 46 characters, common katakana loan words, comparison with hiragana, and learning strategies.
Learn kanji effectively with radicals, mnemonics, JLPT-based progression, and proven methods like RTK and frequency-based learning.
A day-by-day plan for your first month learning Japanese. What to study, in what order, and how to avoid common beginner mistakes.
Japanese doesn't have an alphabet — it uses characters (汉字). Learn how the writing system works, what romaji is, and how to start.
Japanese numbers follow a logical system: learn 1-10 and count to 99. Full guide covering 0-100, large numbers, and cultural meanings.
Complete romaji chart with all ~400 syllables organized by initial and final sounds. Master this chart and pronounce any Japanese word.
The 100 most frequently used Japanese words cover ~50% of everyday conversation. Each word includes character, romaji, meaning, and example.
The first 200 Japanese words every beginner should learn. Essential vocabulary to get started.
Complete romaji guide for beginners. Learn Japanese pronunciation from scratch.