Guides

Learn Japanese from zero, one guide at a time.

Interactive, in-depth guides for complete beginners. Every character has audio, every example can be tapped.

Japanese for absolute beginners: where to start

Never studied Japanese? This step-by-step guide shows exactly what to learn first, what to skip, and how to plan your first three months.

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Hiragana · 5 min

Hiragana chart with audio: all 46 characters

The complete hiragana chart with audio for every character, plus dakuten, combination sounds, memory tricks and a plan to learn it in two weeks.

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Pronunciation · 4 min

Japanese pronunciation: a complete beginner’s guide

How to pronounce Japanese: the five vowels, long vowels, the small っ, the Japanese r, silent vowels and pitch accent, explained simply with audio.

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Phrases · 5 min

50 basic Japanese phrases for beginners

The essential Japanese phrases for beginners and travellers: greetings, thank you, introductions, restaurants, shopping and emergencies, each with audio.

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Phrases · 4 min

Japanese greetings: how to say hello (and goodbye) like a local

Every Japanese greeting you need: hello at different times of day, goodbye, greetings at home and at work, on the phone, for holidays, plus when to bow.

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Phrases · 4 min

How to say thank you in Japanese (12 ways)

Arigatō, arigatō gozaimasu, dōmo, sumimasen and more: every way to say thank you in Japanese, when to use each one, and how to reply.

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Numbers · 5 min

Japanese numbers: count from 1 to 1,000,000

Learn to count in Japanese: numbers 1–10 with audio, how bigger numbers are built, the 10,000 rule, native Japanese numbers, counters, prices and ages.

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Numbers · 3 min

Telling time in Japanese: hours, minutes, AM and PM

How to tell time in Japanese: hours with 時, minutes with 分 (and their sound changes), half past, AM/PM, the 24-hour clock and how to ask what time it is.

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Vocabulary · 4 min

Days of the week and months in Japanese

Learn the days of the week and the months in Japanese with audio, the tricky dates of the month, today/tomorrow/yesterday, and how to write dates.

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Vocabulary · 3 min

Colors in Japanese: names, kanji and how to use them

Learn the colors in Japanese with audio and kanji: red, blue, green, white, black and more, why green traffic lights are called blue, and how to use colors in sentences.

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Katakana · 4 min

Katakana chart with audio: learn it in a week

The complete katakana chart with audio, the long vowel mark ー, extended sounds for foreign words, tricky look-alikes and real loanwords to practise with.

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Grammar · 4 min

は vs. が: the difference, finally explained

The difference between the Japanese particles は (wa) and が (ga), explained simply for beginners, with five clear rules, examples with audio and practice questions.

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Culture · 4 min

Japanese honorifics: san, kun, chan, sama, senpai & sensei

What do san, kun, chan, sama, senpai and sensei mean? A simple guide to Japanese name endings: when to use each one, and the mistakes to avoid.

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Kanji · 4 min

Your first 10 kanji (and how kanji work)

A gentle introduction to kanji for complete beginners: what kanji are, on and kun readings, how characters combine, and 10 easy first kanji with examples.

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JLPT · 4 min

JLPT N5: what’s on the test and how to prepare

Everything about the JLPT N5, the beginner level of the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test: format, scoring, required kanji and vocabulary, and a study plan.

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