Hiragana and Katakana are the two writing systems that are part of the Japanese language. They consists of a total of 46 characters each, and are mostly used to represent native Japanese words. Learning these writing systems is an absolutely essential part of learning the language and understanding culture. If you don’t learn these systems, you will have a really hard time learning Japanese, and it will also limit your opportunities for communication in Japan. To start, you should try to learn the Hiragana and Katakana characters of some common words; practice writing them down on a piece of paper, attempting to remember and write down the characters perfectly. This will help you get a feel for the language and its characters.
Speaking and Listening is Key
One of the biggest mistakes that beginners make is focusing too much on learning how to write and read Japanese characters without dedicating enough time to speaking and listening. Speaking and listening to the language will help you understand the pronunciation of words and phrases; something that’s essential if you want to be able to communicate effectively in Japanese. That’s why it’s important to dedicate enough time to listening to Japanese language, such as by watching Japanese movies and TV programs, listening to Japanese radio stations, or chatting with Japanese people. Plus, speaking the language with another person forces you to practice and learn the language in a way that solo study can’t provide.
Use Online Resources
There are tons of online resources that you can use to help you learn Japanese. Some of the best include the app Duolingo, where not only can you learn vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation, but get interactive exercises and track your progress. Another great online resource is Memrise, where you can find countless flashcards covering thousands of words and phrases. For those who want to practice having conversations in Japanese, Tandem is a great app that facilitates language exchange. Learning Japanese through these tools can make it a lot more fun and keep you motivated.
Focus on the Essentials First
When you’re first starting to learn a language, it can be tempting to try to learn everything at once. However, this is actually counterproductive. Instead, it’s best to start off with the basics and start with the core essential vocabulary and phrases that will be most useful in your day-to-day life. Make a list of common words and phrases in your native language, and then translate them into Japanese. Focus on learning these essential words and their meanings; this will give you a good foundation to build upon.
Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes
Learning a new language is hard, and mistakes are part of the process. It’s important not to get discouraged and not to be afraid to make mistakes. Actually making mistakes is a part of the learning process, and even native speakers make errors from time to time. The most important thing is not to let mistakes discourage you from trying to learn the language. Practicing and making mistakes is the only way to truly get to know the language and become more confident in speaking it.
Conclusion
Learning a new language can be challenging, especially when it comes to mastering a language as challenging as Japanese. Your best bet at success is to stay focused, patient, and persistent when it comes to learning the language. Make sure to check out the resources and tips in this article to help you along your way to becoming a fluent Japanese speaker. Good luck!
Leave a Reply