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Japanese learning guides & tips
Practical, no-fluff guides on how to learn Japanese — study plans, writing systems, kanji methods, JLPT prep, and the spaced-repetition science behind remembering what you study.
How to Learn Japanese in 2026: The Complete Guide for Beginners
A realistic, step-by-step roadmap for learning Japanese from zero — hiragana and katakana first, then kanji, grammar, and JLPT levels, with a free app and a sustainable daily habit.
The yomion team · July 23, 2026 · 8 min read
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Japanese Verb Conjugation: The Complete Beginner's Guide
Master Japanese verb conjugation — the two verb groups, masu/formal and dictionary forms, te-form, past tense, negatives, and the patterns that make every verb predictable.
July 24, 2026 · 8 min read
GrammarJapanese Particles Explained: は, が, を, に, で (with Examples)
Japanese particles are tiny words that do heavy lifting. Here's what は, が, を, に, で, へ, も, and more actually mean, with clear examples and the mistakes to avoid.
July 24, 2026 · 7 min read
MethodHow to Read Japanese: From Hiragana to Real Sentences
Reading Japanese is a skill you build in stages. Here's how to go from sounding out kana to reading kanji, furigana, and full sentences — with free practice material at every level.
July 24, 2026 · 7 min read
GrammarJapanese Adjectives: い-adjectives vs な-adjectives Explained
Japanese has two kinds of adjectives with different rules for conjugation and nouns. Here's a clear guide to い-adjectives and な-adjectives, with conjugation tables and examples.
July 24, 2026 · 6 min read
BeginnerHow Long Does It Take to Learn Japanese? (Realistic Timelines)
Honest timelines for learning Japanese by level and goal — conversational, JLPT N5 to N1, reading manga, watching anime. What actually determines how fast you progress.
July 24, 2026 · 7 min read
MethodJLPT Levels Explained: N5 to N1, What Each Means and Which to Take
The JLPT has five levels from N5 (easiest) to N1 (hardest). Here's what each level tests, the vocabulary and kanji counts, what you can do at each, and which one to aim for.
July 24, 2026 · 7 min read
GrammarJapanese Counters: How to Count Things (枚, 個, 人, 本, and More)
Japanese uses different counter words for different objects. Here's how counters work, the most common ones (枚, 個, 人, 本, 冊), and how to count anything.
July 24, 2026 · 7 min read
VocabularyHow to Memorize Japanese Vocabulary (Methods That Actually Work)
Rote memorization fails for Japanese vocabulary. Here are the methods that actually stick — spaced repetition, context learning, mnemonics, and how to review without burning out.
July 24, 2026 · 7 min read
BeginnerHiragana vs Katakana: What's the Difference and Which to Learn First
Hiragana and katakana look different and do different jobs in Japanese. Here's exactly what each one is for, why both exist, and which one to learn first.
July 23, 2026 · 6 min read
MethodThe Best JLPT N5 Study Plan (Free 8-Week Schedule)
A complete, free 8-week study plan to pass JLPT N5 — vocabulary, grammar, kanji, reading, and listening, with daily and weekly checklists you can follow today.
July 23, 2026 · 8 min read
KanjiHow to Learn Kanji: A Realistic Method That Actually Works
Most learners stall on kanji because they try to memorize stroke order and readings in isolation. Here's a better method — learn kanji in context, with spaced repetition and reading practice.
July 23, 2026 · 8 min read
MethodFSRS vs SM-2: Which Spaced Repetition Algorithm Is Better?
FSRS is Anki's new default scheduler, but SM-2 has powered flashcards for decades. Here's an honest comparison of how each works, which retains more, and which to choose.
July 23, 2026 · 6 min read