If you are just starting — or even if you have been studying the Japanese language (日本語) for a few years — you have probably tried a bunch of different methods, right? Flashcards, YouTube videos, mobile apps, online courses… and the feeling is that something is always missing. The truth is that learning Japanese requires more than just a single magic formula.
With that in mind, we organized a list of 50 practical tips. Some are quite straightforward, others more specific. We included tools, phrases, books, and useful suggestions. Read everything carefully. Mark what you already practice and add the new things to your routine.
Table of Contents
Best Methods for Studying Japanese
Take Online Courses
If you still have difficulty studying on your own, don’t underestimate the help of a good course. There are many options, but one of the most prominent is our Course — which offers comprehensive content at an affordable price.
Use the RTK Method
The famous Remembering the Kanji (RTK) is an effective technique for memorizing ideograms. It focuses on the meaning and visual components of kanji, associating images and stories with each symbol. It is not the only method, but it can be a great ally at the beginning.
Initial Tips
Start with Hiragana (or both)
Hiragana should be your first foundation. Even though Katakana may seem easier due to loanwords, Hiragana is much more frequent in real Japanese. If possible, study both. Understanding the difference between the two makes reading and writing much easier.
Make Time
Organize your routine. Set fixed times. If studying is sporadic, your progress will be slow. Take it seriously and try to build the habit every day, even if for just a few minutes.
Go Back to Being a Child
You are relearning the language. This requires humility. Don’t skip steps. Read children’s books, watch cartoons, play with words. Your brain needs this kind of basic contact to evolve steadily.
Avoid Rōmaji
Use Rōmaji only as a temporary support. As soon as you master Hiragana and Katakana, set the Roman alphabet aside. Japanese is learned with the Japanese alphabet. Use furigana to read kanji and gain more independence.
Tips for Learning by Writing
Write Without Stopping
Simple and straightforward: write. Even if your handwriting is not beautiful, practice the stroke order. Write Hiragana, Katakana, simple sentences, kanji. This strengthens your visual and muscle memory, two key factors in learning.
Translate Texts
Take simple sentences in Portuguese and try to translate them into Japanese. Then, compare with reliable sources. This forces your brain to seek vocabulary, construct sentences, and think in the language.
Teach to Learn
Don’t underestimate the power of teaching. Share what you learn with friends, social networks, study groups. By trying to explain, you solidify the content and discover what you really understood.
Tips for Learning by Reading
Read Every Day
Even without understanding everything, read. Books, websites, menus, signs. The important thing is to expose yourself to the language as much as possible. Reading helps in building vocabulary and familiarity with sentence structures.
Read Manga
Manga are light, quick, and visual. They help associate images with context and language. The informal dialogue teaches everyday expressions. Additionally, reading flows naturally with visual support.
Learn Slang and Abbreviations
Modern Japanese is full of cuts, slang, and shortened words. Study common expressions among young people, onomatopoeias, and abbreviations. This makes your vocabulary more natural.
Tips for Learning by Listening
Listen to Everything in Japanese
Music, podcasts, radio, videos — always have the language in your ears. Even if you don’t understand, over time your brain gets used to the sounds and rhythms of Japanese.
Listen with Purpose
Use audio with vocabulary accompanied by translation. This strengthens auditory recognition. A great practice is to listen and repeat along, like shadowing.
Japanese Songs
Sing, read the lyrics, translate. Songs stick in the mind and greatly help with pronunciation and vocabulary. It’s a light way to train the language every day.
Tips for Learning by Watching
Watch Anime and Dramas
You learn real, informal language, tones, and expressions. Additionally, you absorb culture and context. Pay attention to the dialogues, facial expressions, and intonation.
Explore Nico Nico Douga
It’s like Japan’s YouTube. Real-time comments, videos on various topics, and interaction with natives. A complete and authentic immersion.
Video Lessons and YouTube
Look for channels with clear explanations and practical focus. Video lessons have their own pace; you can pause and review as many times as you want. Make the most of this visual resource.
Tips for Learning by Speaking
Repeat Object Names
When you see an object, say its name in Japanese. If you don’t know, look it up. Make this practice a habit. This increases everyday vocabulary.
Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes
Speak. Even if it’s little. Even if you make mistakes. Mistakes are part of learning. Ignore others’ judgment and seize every opportunity to speak.
Sing Karaoke
With furigana helping with reading and musical rhythm, you train reading, speaking, and memorization in a fun and effective way.
Practice Numbers
Counting is essential. In Japanese, there are various ways to count, depending on the object. Practice every day. Over time, numerical fluency comes naturally.
Find Someone to Talk To
If you don’t know someone in person, use apps, social networks, Facebook groups. Human contact is what accelerates learning the most.
Tips for Absorbing Content
Use Images
Associate words with images. Create visual flashcards. Use illustrated dictionaries. This facilitates memorization and activates more areas of the brain.
Study in Public
Go to parks, cafes, malls. This stimulates study and attracts potential learning partners. Studying alone is good, but exchanging ideas accelerates progress.
Tools and Resources
Have Apps on Your Phone
Install dictionaries, writing trainers, apps with quizzes and games. Use your free time wisely.
Use SRS like ANKI
Spaced repetition systems are extremely effective. Add sentences, words, kanji, and review at the right time to memorize in a lasting way.
Play in Japanese
Use Visual Novels or Japanese MMOs. Even with difficulty at first, you learn real words in context. A great immersion exercise.
Try the Wanderbar SNAS
This emulator displays games in Japanese and English side by side. Great for comparing expressions and learning while playing.
Computer Study
Organize Your Content
Create folders with PDFs, videos, audios, and various materials. Having everything gathered makes access easier and encourages study.
Change the Language of Programs
Change the system language to Japanese. This helps with recognizing commands and technical vocabulary.
Install Japanese Keyboard
Use it on your phone and PC. When typing in rōmaji, the system automatically converts to hiragana. This speeds up writing practice.
Join Japanese Social Networks
Try platforms like MIXI or change Facebook’s language to Japanese. Daily use develops vocabulary and reading at a natural pace.
Reading Sites and Sources
Explore Various Sites
Blogs, forums, news sites — each has its own style. The more variety, the better. Keep a list of your favorites.
Facebook as a Source
Groups and pages share useful tips. Use your online time to learn something new. Just follow profiles that address the Japanese language.
NHK News Easy
Reading simplified news, with an interactive glossary and feedback system. Ideal for beginners and intermediates. Practice daily.
Wa Tanoshii
An online magazine full of curiosities about Japanese daily life. Written in simple language, perfect for practicing reading and expanding vocabulary.
Learning with Friends
Form Study Groups
Studying with others improves motivation and increases learning. Share doubts, set goals, and review together.
Virtual Immersion
Join Japanese forums, groups, and sites. Interact. You will make many mistakes, but you will learn even more.
Chat via Messaging
Use apps like LINE, WhatsApp, or Skype to maintain constant contact with other learners or natives.
Play Shiritori
Play with words. This Japanese game trains vocabulary and quick thinking. A fun way to study.
Do an Exchange
If you have the opportunity, go to Japan. Nothing replaces the real experience of living the language and culture.
Important Care
Be Careful with Translators
Automatic translators do not always capture the real meaning of words. Use them as support, but always confirm with reliable dictionaries.
Forget Your Native Language
Dive headfirst into Japanese. Change your mindset. Think, speak, and read in the target language as much as possible.
Study Dialects
Japan has many dialects. Get to know the main ones. Learning at least the basics of Kansai-ben, for example, greatly enhances your understanding.
Learn English
Many words in Japanese come from English. Additionally, a lot of study content is in English. Learning both is a strategic advantage.
Study Kanji by Radicals
When you encounter a difficult ideogram, look it up by radicals. This helps understand the logic of construction and facilitates memorization.
Understand Formality
Levels of formality change everything in Japanese. Know how to use keigo (polite language), informal, and honorific according to the situation.
Other Tips and Considerations
Have Physical Materials
Books, workbooks, and dictionaries are still important. Don’t rely solely on digital.
Never Give Up
You will stumble, get frustrated, and make many mistakes. But keep going. Remember: even a child takes years to master their native language.
Control Distractions
Organize your routine and cut distractions. Your time is precious. Use it well.
Track Your Progress
Take level tests, review content, celebrate small achievements. This motivates and helps correct flaws.
Create a Japanese Environment
Adapt your home. Use frames, decorations, objects with kanji. Transform the space into a constant reminder of your goal.
Stay Strong
Learning Japanese is not a race. It is a journey. A child takes years to master their own language. With patience, focus, and strategy, you too can achieve fluency.
Stay strong and keep following our content. We are here to support you on this journey. 頑張ってください!
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