Advance your learning Thinking in Japanese

Learning Japanese may seem like a challenging task, but there is an effective method that has helped many students, including me, to progress in a more natural and intuitive way. Today I will share with you a technique that I use regularly to enhance my vocabulary and fluency: the “Thinking in Japanese” method. It is a simple and accessible approach that can be applied every day, anywhere. The best part? The results are remarkable and lasting.

The central concept of the method is to train your mind to think directly in Japanese, instead of translating from Portuguese. Since you are already used to thinking in your native language, the idea here is to gradually replace that habit by relating your daily activities directly with Japanese expressions. And the most interesting thing is that this practice can become part of your routine, making learning happen in a constant and spontaneous way. Want to see how it works in practice?

How Does the “Thinking in Japanese” Method Work?

The method is incredibly simple to understand and apply. Basically, it involves learning to express all the actions you do throughout the day in Japanese. Think of the countless activities we perform, like brushing our teeth, studying, or leaving the house. These actions are constant and therefore generate numerous opportunities to practice. For example, you could start by learning phrases like:

私は食べます。
Watashi wa tabemasu

I will eat.

歯を磨いて日本語を勉強します。
Ha o migaite nihongo o benkyō shimasu

I will brush my teeth and study Japanese.

学校行きます。
Gakkō ikimasu

I will (go) to school.

Once these sentences become natural for you, the process of speaking Japanese will become more automatic. What makes this approach even more useful is that human actions are practically infinite. Each day offers new activities for you to describe and practice.

How to Study the Right Way?

The practical application is simple, but it requires consistency. To start, you should focus on basic actions and build your sentences around them. See how helpful it can be to break down the process:

1. Create a sentence bank: List the daily activities you frequently perform. It could be something like “Having breakfast,” “Working,” “Resting,” or “Going to the gym.” Then, translate these phrases into Japanese and memorize them.
2. Practice throughout the day: When you are about to do something, say the action in Japanese. For example, before leaving the house, think: “I will go out” (出かけます – dekakemasu). Or, while preparing dinner, say: “I am cooking” (料理しています – ryouri shiteimasu). This way, you reinforce the words and expressions by associating them with what is happening in real time.
3. Include questions and interactions: Don’t limit yourself to just talking about yourself. Also memorize phrases to ask or comment on the actions of others, such as: “What are you doing?” (何をしていますか – nani wo shiteimasu ka?) or “Where are you going?” (どこへ行きますか – doko e ikimasu ka?). This further expands your vocabulary and makes the method more interactive.

Long-Term Benefits

Following this method daily offers several benefits. First, you start to think in Japanese automatically, which is essential for gaining fluency. The continuous practice of the same actions makes the words and phrases stick in your long-term memory, facilitating spontaneous communication. Additionally, you will learn to use different verb tenses (past, present, and future) in a practical way, which helps to master the nuances of the language.

Another interesting benefit is the ability to expand your vocabulary without relying so much on books or word lists. By interacting with the world around you, you will encounter new situations and words naturally, and your learning will become more dynamic. Think of learning as a cycle: the more you use the words in your daily life, the more comfortable you will feel using them in real conversations.

Tips to Make the Method More Efficient

• Use a notebook: Write down phrases you don’t know yet, especially those that refer to common actions in your day. Review these notes regularly.
• Adapt to your level: If you are a beginner, start with simple phrases. As you gain confidence, add complexity, such as describing emotional states or using more advanced grammatical particles.
• Incorporate Japanese media: Watch videos or listen to audios that showcase everyday dialogues. This reinforces how actions are used in context and helps refine your pronunciation.

The “Thinking in Japanese” method is not only practical; it is a fun and engaging way to make language study part of your daily life. How about starting today?

Phrases to Study

昼食を食べてお風呂に入って学校に行った。
Chūshoku o tabete o furo ni haitte gakkō ni itta

I had lunch, took a shower, and went to school.

今、私はショッピングモールに行きますよ。
Ima, watashi wa shoppingumōru ni ikimasu yo

Now, I will (go) to the mall.

昨日「花町」というイベントに行きました。
Kinō 'hanachi' to iu ibento ni ikimashita

Yesterday I went to an event called “Flower Town”.

週末は寿司を食べた。
Shūmatsu wa sushi o tabeta

This weekend I ate sushi.

テレビを見ている。
Terebi o mite iru

I am watching TV.

私は日本語を勉強しています。
Watashi wa nihongo o benkyō shite imasu

I am studying Japanese.

今日、学校に行きません。でも明日行きます。
Kyō, gakkō ni ikimasen. demo ashita ikimasu

Today, I am not going to school but tomorrow I will.

アニメを見ました。
Anime o mimashita

I watched anime.

Study phrases with actions that you do in your daily life, so your vocabulary will gradually improve.