Learning Japanese can be fun and easy: WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN?

    

So, you’re starting your journey in Japanese learning? Yay, Welcome! As your trusted Senpai and a well-seasoned Japanese learner I have ton loads of tips and tricks to tackling the pain that is often associated with learning Japanese. If you didn’t already know Japanese has three writing systems and, dare I say, one half-assed Romanized writing system(unofficial):

The favoured yet painful friend, Hiragana. She is authentic to Japan and is the easiest of the four, or is she? Because when you come across a sentence such as:

 you get quickly get confused and might have to spend a minute or two analyzing the context, if any, to come up with the meaning. 

I know those of you who have already began studying flinched after seeing Kanji. Felt. Completely. But trust me one day, if not now, you will be able to see the word or any Kanji for that fact and be happy to see it. 

                                      

The reality is that Kanji is going to be your best friend so embrace him from now. Just look at how Kanji made the same sentence easier to process and understand!

“What about Katakana?” Well, he is my absolute favourite. Say you forget a word in Japanese and only know the English variation. Katakana is Japanized English.

Now, here’s what I recommend. Romaji, run far from him. Don’t entertain him and don’t even attempt to use him. Romaji is like a safe and foolish friend that keeps you from fulfilling your potential, so run from him. You might ask “What is Romaji?” well in simple terms it is Japanese writing that is written instead with roman characters. 

                                                            

                                                            Want an example? 

So, what order should you learn them in? Well, I suggest learning Hiragana first, followed by Katakana and after you’ve mastered those two, you’re officially set to begin your journey learning Japanese. When you have the basics down you can slowly immerse yourself into the world of Kanji!

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‌-All images and GIFS were created by me with aid of Canva-