Best 8-Step Kanji Learning Method

Your knowledge of kanji, the complicated characters that constitute a substantial portion of the written language, is likely to have been introduced to you if you are now studying Japanese. Despite this, there are over 50,000 kanji characters in existence, which makes it easy to feel overwhelmed and question whether or not you will ever be able to read and write kanji.

Kanji	おにょみ (onyomi)	くにょみ (kunyomi)	English
一	いち (ichi)	ひと (hito) ひとつ (hitotsu)	one
二	に (ni)	ふた (futa) ふたつ (futatsu)	two
三	さん (san)	み (mi) みつ (mitsu)	three
四	し (shi)	よん (yon) よ (yo) よつ(yotsu)	four
五	ご (go)	いつ (itsu) いつつ itsutsu)	five
六	ろく (roku)	む (mu) むつ (mutsu)	six
七	しち (shichi)	なな (nana) ななつ (nanatsu)	seven
八	はち (hachi)	や (ya) やつ (yatsu)	eight
九	きゅう (kyuu)	ここの (kokono) ここのつ (kokonotsu)	nine
十	じゅう (juu)	と (to) とう (tou)	ten
人	じん (jin) にん (nin)	ひと (hito)	person
今	こん (kon) きん (kin)	いま (ima)	now
日	にち (nichi) じつ (jitsu)	ひ (hi) か (ka)	day, sun
週	しゅう (shuu)	–	week
月	げつ (getsu) がつ (gatsu)	つき (tsuki)	month, moon
年	ねん (nen)	とし (toshi)	year
中	ちゅう (chuu)	なか (naka)	middle, center, inner, between
山	さん (san)	やま (yama)	mountain
川	せん (sen)	かわ (kawa)	river
左	さ (sa)	ひだり (hidari)	left
右	ゆう (yuu)	みぎ (migi)	right

The good news is that to read and write Japanese with proficiency, you do not need to be familiar with all 50,000 characters. Knowing even a few hundred kanji can set you up for success in the long run.

However, how can you determine which ones to concentrate on? Throughout this comprehensive guide to mastering kanji, we will discuss the characters that are most frequently used, how to study them in an effective manner, and some helpful hints for retaining and applying the information that you have learned.

What exactly is kanji?

Kanji, hiragana, and katakana are the three primary scripts that are utilized in the writing process in Japan. Kanji is one of the three. It is made up of characters that have been taken from the Chinese writing system, and each character is meant to symbolize a particular notion or concept.

Reasons why it is essential to learn Kanji

One of the most important aspects of the Japanese language is the kanji mark. Kanji, on the other hand, is a logographic script that employs symbols to represent words or concepts, in contrast to Hiragana and Katakana, which are, respectively, phonetic scripts. Due to the fact that Japanese sentences may contain a combination of Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana, it is essential to have a solid understanding of all three scripts in order to proficiently read and write in Japanese.

The Japanese language makes considerable use of kanji in a variety of forms, including literature, journalism, periodicals, and even ordinary speech. The fact that kanji is also utilized in the names of businesses, streets, and buildings is another reason why it is a fundamental component of Japanese culture. Therefore, if you want to become fluent in the Japanese language, it is very necessary for you to study kanji.

Beyond that, however, as your proficiency in the Japanese language increases, you will find that it is much simpler to read literature written in kanji as opposed to texts written in hiragana and katakana alone. How come? The characters of kanji serve as visual signals and contribute to the process of dividing the text into meaningful pieces.

This is something that you need to keep in mind because, in contrast to written English, Japanese does not have spaces between particles or sentences. Just one example:

私は猫が好きです。

Kanji characters, in contrast to hiragana and katakana, which are composed of phonetic symbols, identify themselves by their different shapes and visual patterns. When compared to the use of hiragana or katakana alone, the use of kanji allows for the communication of written information in a shorter form. Consequently, this indicates that you have a better possibility of quickly obtaining an understanding of the phrase’s entire meaning.

In a single day, how many kanji should you try to learn?

There are a lot of elements that will determine the number of kanji characters that you are able to learn in a single day. These factors include your learning style, the amount of study time that you have available, and your personal talents.

We will use the curriculum that is used in Japanese classes as a reference for the time being. Every day, students in the majority of language classes, from beginners to intermediates, will devote a portion of their lesson time to studying five to ten kanji characters.

On the other hand, this is not the same as more intensive classes, in which you can anticipate learning twenty kanji characters every single day! Make sure you keep in mind that the more advanced you become, the more complex the kanji will become, as well as the less common they will be. This will make learning even more challenging.

Therefore, it is reasonable to assert that it is feasible to learn approximately five to ten kanji characters each day. While it’s possible that certain individuals are able to manage more, the majority of students make the error of trying to cram as much kanji as they can before taking an exam.

This is our advice: do not do it. You will have burnout as a result of it, and you will not be able to remember any of the new information that you have acquired. It is essential to strike a balance between quantity and quality. For the purpose of long-term retention, it is essential to devote a considerable amount of time to comprehending and remembering the meaning, readings, and stroke order of each kanji.

Please tell me how many kanji you need to memorize.
Let’s begin by utilizing the total quantity of kanji characters that are covered in each JLPT level.

You will need to memorize one hundred kanji characters in order to take the JLPT N5 exam, which gives you a test on fundamental Japanese concepts that you may typically learn in a classroom setting. You will be able to achieve your goal in approximately ten to twenty days if you learn five to ten kanji every single day.

You will need to memorize an additional 200 kanji characters in order to pass the JLPT N4 exam, for a total of 300 kanji! You should be able to learn this within one to two months, ideally!

Roughly 650 kanji are included in the JLPT N3 examination. It goes without saying that you do not need to be familiar with all of them in order to pass, but it is an impossible task to anticipate which ones will be on the test.

For the JLPT N2 exam, you will need to memorize 1,000 kanji, but for the JLPT N1 exam, you will need to master 2,000 kanji!

It is likely that by the time you are studying for the N1, you have already established a reliable study pattern for Japanese vocabulary and kanji. It is more effective to learn the kanji based on its usage rather than its particular meaning and pronunciation. This is due to the fact that the JLPT N1 evaluates you on a large number of kanji and vocabulary.

You need to know between 1,500 and 2,500 kanji, which is roughly equivalent to the N2 or N1 level, in order to be called fluent in Japanese.

There is a certain type of kanji known as the joyo kanji (常用漢字), which is different from the more than 50,000 kanji characters that are technically available. The term “joyo kanji” in Japanese refers to a group of kanji characters that the Japanese government has designated as “regular-use kanji.” “Joyo” (用) is a Japanese word that can be translated as “regular use” or “daily use.”

The Japanese Ministry of Education created the Joyo Kanji list that is currently in use in 1981, and since then, it has undergone numerous revisions. In the beginning, there were 1,945 kanji characters on the list; however, in 2010, that number was increased to 2,136 characters. For the purpose of literacy instruction in Japan, these characters are taught in schools and are regarded as fundamental principles.

There are eight steps to efficiently learning kanji.

Learn the fundamentals of Japanese vocabulary and writing systems first.

If you are attending a Japanese class for beginners, you should not anticipate that the instructors would immediately begin teaching you kanji on the very first day of the session! Before beginning to study kanji, it is typically advised that one first get familiar with the fundamental Japanese vocabulary as well as the writing systems of hiragana and katakana. Due to the fact that they represent the phonetic sounds of the Japanese language, it is essential to have a solid understanding of both hiragana and katakana in order to read and write Japanese.

Building a foundation of fundamental vocabulary is also crucial since it enables you to understand and communicate in Japanese even if you do not know the characters. The acquisition of fundamental words, phrases, and grammar structures will aid in the development of a strong understanding of the language’s structure and the ability to create straightforward sentences.

As soon as you have a firm hold on hiragana, katakana, and the fundamental vocabulary, you will be able to gradually incorporate kanji into your study.

Set goals that are practical

However, while it is essential to make the study of kanji a daily routine, let us not overlook the importance of setting goals that are within our reach! Take into consideration how quickly you would like to become proficient in the approximately 2,200 kanji that are required for “newspaper fluency.” Are you able to accomplish it in a practical manner?

Take, for example, the fact that you have set a goal to complete this kanji challenge within a year. In light of this, you will need to acquire approximately six to seven new kanji each and every day.

If you dedicated yourself to learning the new kanji, would you be able to achieve that goal? What about days when you are unwell or when you are on vacation?

I think it’s absolutely wonderful that you are able to make a commitment to learning new kanji every single day.

If, on the other hand, you believe that studying at such a rapid speed would be a little bit too much for you, don’t sweat it! In order to discover a pace that works best for you, you might want to think about extending your schedule to two years. Keep in mind that this is not a race! It is essential to strike a balance that allows you to incorporate learning kanji into your life in a way that is sustainable and does not cause you to feel overwhelmed.

3. Acquire knowledge of kanji radicals

Kanji radicals, which are often referred to as bushu in Japanese, are the fundamental elements or constituents that can be used to construct kanji characters. In essence, radicals are tiny characters that can stand on their own or elements that are contained within a kanji letter. It is possible for them to communicate meaning, offer a hint concerning pronunciation, or act as a synonym for the word in question.

Gaining an understanding of radicals enables one to comprehend the structure, meaning, and connections that exist between kanji characters. The process of learning kanji is made more approachable and fun, and it gives a foundation upon which you can grow your knowledge of the written language. To illustrate this point, let’s look at an example:

Imagine there is a new kanji character that you stumble across: 㣮 (mori), which is a character that means “forest.” The structure is made up of three tree radicals () that are piled one on top of the other.

You are able to make an educated judgment about the broad meaning of the character if you are able to recognize the tree radical. Considering that the word “tree” is represented by the letter “㜨,” it is possible to deduce that the letter “㣸” may be associated with trees or a forest.

The following is a list of some more common radicals in Japanese, along with their definitions and some examples of kanji characters:

Radical	Meaning	Example Kanji	Meaning of Example Kanji
人 (ひと)	Person	休 (やす)	Rest
日 (ひ)	Sun	明 (あか)	Bright
月 (つき)	Moon	朝 (あさ)	Morning
木 (き)	Tree	林 (はやし)	Woods
火 (ひ)	Fire	灰 (はい)	Ashes
水 (みず)	Water	池 (いけ)	Pond
山 (やま)	Mountain	岩 (いわ)	Rock
口 (くち)	Mouth	唇 (くちびる)	Lips
心 (こころ)	Heart	愛 (あい)	Love
手 (て)	Hand	持 (も)	Hold

4. Compounds (plural)

Considering that radicals are the tiny components or building elements that are contained within kanji characters, compound words in Japanese are composed of many kanji characters to form the term.

You read it correctly: the combination of kanji letters results in the formation of new words that are referred to as jukugo or kanji compounds. Words are formed in a manner that is analogous to this. If you have sufficient knowledge of kanji, you will be able to begin comprehending the meaning of these complex words and even the sound of this language!

One example is as follows: As an example, let us consider the kanji characters “日” and “本” which are derived from the Chinese language and signify “sun” or “day” respectively. The individual meanings of these words are distinct, but when they are combined, they form the word “㗥本” (pronounced as “Nihon” or “Nippon”), which is a Japanese word that describes the country of Japan.

When it comes to learning kanji compounds, it is essential for students to not give up on the process. You might be familiar with the kanji 㺺, which is a combination of the characters hito and nin. However, what happens when this character is mixed with other kanji? They are able to be:

The term futari refers to two individuals.
A shakaijin, also known as a working adult.
The term “ningen” refers to mankind.
As can be seen, when you are learning one thousand kanji characters, this indicates that you could also need to learn different mutations of the kanji compounds! Through the study of kanji compounds, you will be able to comprehend and correctly employ a greater variety of Japanese words.

5. Get familiar with writing kanji

Visual learning is a significant component of learning kanji, and this is true even if you are not a kinesthetic or visual learner. When we consistently practice writing kanji characters, we discover that it is more effective to do so since it helps us to strengthen both our knowledge and our muscle memory. Please make use of grid paper or practice sheets that demonstrate the appropriate order of strokes.

There are a variety of helpful kanji learning applications like Kaizen that allow you to practice kanji strokes on your phone, which is a great option if you don’t have the time (or paper) to practice kanji on your desk.

 

Figure out the order of the strokesShorten with AI

It is beneficial to have knowledge of the stroke order of kanji for a number of reasons. In the first place, it guarantees that your writing is accurate and legible. This is because if you follow the correct sequence and direction of strokes, you will be able to create characters that are consistent and clear. In addition, a comprehension of the stroke sequence is beneficial for character recognition and discrimination. This is because even minute differences can differentiate between kanji that are similar.Shorten with AI

As a result of the fact that practicing stroke order strengthens both visual and kinetic memory, it also helps with the memorizing and retention of characters. In addition, the order in which strokes are performed is essential for calligraphy, since it contributes to the beauty and equilibrium of the kanji that you write. An overall improvement in writing accuracy, character recognition, and memorization, as well as a contribution to the visual appeal of written kanji, can be attributed to acquisition of stroke order.Shorten with AI

Using flashcards or spaced repetition is the seventh step

Mastering the art of reading kanji is equally as vital as mastering the art of writing them. Anki and Flashcards Deluxe are two examples of smartphone applications that can be utilized to facilitate the practice of reading kanji. These applications make use of a unique method known as spaced repetition, which is designed to improve the efficiency with which you recall kanji.

The way it works is that you may make your own flashcards by writing the kanji on one side and the meanings or pronunciations of the kanji on the other side. It is also possible to create flashcards with sentences that contain kanji, or you could even attempt to write the kanji for words that are in your original language. The wonderful thing about spaced repetition is that it can educate itself based on your actions. If you are able to correctly pronounce a kanji, it will appear at a lower frequency. On the other hand, if you have difficulty communicating with a specific kanji, it will appear more frequently until you get the hang of it.

Learning kanji is made more enjoyable and tailored to your specific requirements when you use these apps. Put it to the test and observe how your reading abilities develop as a result!

8. Include a significant amount of reading

It is not necessary to be an advanced student of the Japanese language in order to begin reading Japanese magazines and newspapers.

The best way to improve your Japanese language skills is to read your favorite manga in Japanese if you are an intermediate learner. We are fortunate because the majority of them use Japanese in their day-to-day lives, and the kanji are all accompanied with furigana. The transition from reading in full hiragana and katakana to reading in kanji is made easier by this, which provides you with a good cushion.

In addition to being fantastic resources, websites, blogs, and social media platforms are also excellent places to look for Japanese literature that you may study in depth. You should investigate subjects that are of interest to you, such as the Japanese language, Japanese culture, or certain genres. Enhance the excitement of your study sessions by integrating resources that you find interesting.

Cartoons and movies are available on websites such as Crunchyroll, which cater to those who enjoy audiovisual content. Watch anime geared for children and make sure the subtitles are in Japanese. It is possible to concurrently develop your reading and listening skills by watching and following along with the instruction.

Another useful resource is the News Web Easy service provided by NHK. By providing you with simplified news stories written in plain Japanese, it enables you to evaluate your level of kanji and practice reading in a setting that is relevant to real-world situations.

Listed below are the ten most challenging kanji.

The most common errors to avoid making when learning Kanji
Learning Kanji can be difficult, and there are a few blunders that are frequently made by those who are just starting out. As you learn Kanji, it is important to avoid making the following mistakes:

1. Ignoring the Stroke Order Request

If you are writing kanji, it is important to pay attention to the precise stroke order. A better understanding of character identification and writing fluency can be achieved by following the correct stroke order. Skipping strokes or making changes to them might make it more difficult to understand and reproduce kanji in an exact manner.

2. Set realistic goals

While it’s important to make studying kanji a daily habit, let’s not forget about setting achievable goals! Think about how quickly you want to master the approximately 2,200 kanji needed for “newspaper fluency.” Is it realistically feasible for you?

Let’s say you want to tackle this kanji challenge within a year. That means you’ll need to learn around six to seven new kanji every day.

Would you actually be able to spend every day learning the new kanji? What about days when you are on vacation or when you are sick?

If you can commit to learning new kanji everyday, that’s absolutely fantastic!

However, if you feel that learning at such a pace might be a bit too much, don’t worry! Consider extending your timeline to two years or finding a pace that suits you best. Remember, it’s not a race! The key is to find a balance that makes learning kanji a sustainable part of your life, without overwhelming yourself.

3. Putting only one’s attention on memorization

The study of kanji should not be viewed as merely the memorization of particular characters. Get familiar with the meaning of kanji, as well as its radicals and components. Acquire an understanding of the context in which kanji are used inside sentences, as well as the way in which they are joined to make words.

4. Neglecting to Recognize the Context and Vocabulary

The proper way to learn kanji is through context. It is possible that your comprehension will be hindered if you only learn the meanings and readings of kanji characters without also knowing how they are used in individual words and phrases. In order to strengthen the practical application of the kanji, it is important to study vocabulary and phrases that incorporate the kanji.

Ignoring Variations in Reading Kanji characters can be read in a number of different ways, including on-yomi (Chinese readings) and kun-yomi (Japanese readings). Try not to make the assumption that a single kanji can only be read in one way. In order to establish the correct reading of the kanji, it is important to pay attention to the context and how it is used.

For instance, let us examine the kanji character that represents the word “book” (㛸).

It is beneficial to acquire knowledge of the specific kanji character; nonetheless, it is crucial to comprehend that this particular character refers to the concept of “book” and is frequently employed in phrases like “library” (図書館) or “reading” (読書) in order to gain a better grasp of its utilization.

5. Hurrying While Going Through the Process of Learning

The kanji system is a difficult component of the Japanese language that calls for a significant amount of effort and constant practice. It is important to avoid racing through vast quantities of kanji without correctly understanding or remembering them. Rather than focusing on quantity, prioritize quality, and build a consistent study habit.

If you want to study a big number of kanji characters in a short amount of time, you should avoid doing so. Instead, you should concentrate on studying a manageable amount each day and spend time practicing and reviewing what you have learned in order to strengthen your comprehension.

6. It is not being reviewed or reinforced enough

Kanji information must be reviewed on a consistent basis in order to be retained. It is possible for kanji characters to be forgotten over time if they are not consistently reinforced. Consider including review sessions and practicing writing kanji in order to improve your ability to remember and recognize the characters.

Because of this, it is still beneficial to perform flashcard drills on a regular basis. Make it a goal to practice the kanji you have learnt in the past for a period of thirty minutes every day.

Do not simply review the kanji shape itself, as you should remember. Both the meaning and the kanji compounds, as well as the various onyomi and kunyomi, should be reviewed.

7. Not Utilizing a Wide Range of Educational Resources

In order to improve your experience of studying kanji, you should make use of a range of materials. You can improve your grasp of kanji and your ability to remember it by using a variety of methods, including flashcards, mnemonic techniques, internet resources, textbooks, and even kanji games.

Final Thoughts

There are times when learning Kanji can be difficult; nevertheless, if you take a methodical approach, it can be an experience that is both entertaining and gratifying. To begin, you should become familiar with the fundamentals, which include the radicals and strokes. After that, you should proceed to learn the Joyo Kanji characters. Keep in mind that you should do regular practice, make use of web resources, and steer clear of typical blunders. It is possible for you to become an expert in Kanji and open up new doors of opportunity for yourself in Japan if you follow these points and suggestions.