Studying kanji is hard. The unfamiliar shapes. All of the alternative ways to learn a single kanji. And what’s extra — there are over 2,000 of them to be taught?!

Sadly, there is not any shortcut round these hurdles. And I am not gonna lie, studying kanji does take time and power it doesn’t matter what methodology you select. However if you happen to’re making the funding, you wish to do it in essentially the most environment friendly and efficient approach attainable.

In case you’re scrolling this web page with a hand that is hurting from writing kanji on paper a gazillion instances — you got here to the proper place.

Fortunately, there are studying packages you may simply observe alongside to make the kanji studying expertise much less of a ache (actually, and figuratively). With the proper program, kanji might be manageable. It does not need to be this massive furry purpose for Japanese learners.

On this article, I am going to introduce you to the perfect kanji studying packages out there. They arrive in numerous codecs like textbooks and apps, however whatever the format, I am going to use the phrase “program” for a construction that guides you thru your kanji research and helps you construct a basis for Japanese literacy.

How To Select A Kanji Studying Program

There are various kanji studying packages on the market, so what are the variations between them, and the way do you decide one? Effectively, there are some issues to think about…

1. What Facet(s) of Kanji Does It Train?

The very first thing to think about is what kanji-related talent you are trying to enhance. Like if you say “I wish to be taught kanji,” what do you imply by that?

Would you like to have the ability to inform the that means of a kanji if you see one? Do you wish to bear in mind the best way to pronounce it too?

I like to recommend you listen to some points: kanji readings and kanji vocabulary.

Nearly all kanji studying packages train the that means(s) of every kanji, however not all of them train kanji readings. So that is undoubtedly one thing to think about.

So what about kanji vocabulary? By this, I imply vocabulary that makes use of the kanji characters this system teaches. Kanji and kanji vocabulary go hand in hand. Although kanji are semantic (that’s, every kanji has at the very least one that means), they’re characters fairly than standalone phrases. Positive, some single kanji characters might be phrases on their very own, however they’re extra generally used as parts to make vocabulary. It is essential to be taught them collectively.

Studying vocabulary together with kanji is not only about seeing how the kanji is utilized in actual life. It additionally helps you bear in mind the kanji readings. Many kanji have a number of readings and are pronounced in another way relying on the phrase they’re utilized in. By studying kanji vocabulary, you may reinforce numerous kanji readings. It may be overwhelming to consider having to be taught a number of readings per kanji, however studying the readings together with vocabulary makes it much more doable.

2. How Does It Train Kanji?

With a photographic reminiscence, studying kanji could be really easy — all you’d want is a kanji dictionary. However in actuality, that is not the case for most individuals, and remembering kanji is tough with out assist.

So, it is essential to verify: Does this system assist you to really bear in mind kanji?

Some packages might solely introduce info versus supplying you with a significant strategy to bear in mind it. One of the crucial frequent approaches for that is referred to as mnemonics. Mnemonics are principally a reminiscence method that can assist you bear in mind issues.

For kanji studying, mnemonics come in numerous codecs. Some packages inform you the historical past of how the kanji had been created, whereas different train you parts of kanji and what they imply, then what the kanji means from these broken-down components (which is what we wish to name Radical + Mnemonic methodology).

And take note of what facet of kanji they provide mnemonics that can assist you bear in mind, too. For instance, many present mnemonics that can assist you bear in mind the meanings, however what about mnemonics for readings or vocabulary? Not all packages supply these.

One other consideration is: Does this system assist you to retain the information in any approach?

As time passes, you will possible neglect what you have realized. So reviewing or refreshing what you have realized is essential for turning that information into one thing concrete and steady in your thoughts. One of the crucial in style options is to make use of an SRS (Spaced Repetition System), which repeatedly prompts you to recall an merchandise you have realized over time. Relying on how effectively the merchandise sticks in your reminiscence, it goals to optimize the intervals and variety of instances an merchandise seems in your overview queue to enhance your recall and strengthen every merchandise in your reminiscence.

3. How Many Kanji Does It Train (& Does It Train Helpful Kanji)?

Whereas the whole variety of kanji in existence is debatable, fortunately, you do not have to review all of them to have the ability to learn many of the issues you might want to get by on a day-to-day foundation.

“So, what number of kanji ought to I be taught?” Simply to present you an concept, the final word purpose for severe learners is round 2,000 kanji. You must have the ability to learn most issues comfortably with that degree of literacy. However the variety of kanji is not the one factor you must care about when selecting a kanji studying program. It is also essential to concentrate to whether or not they’re making an attempt to show you helpful kanji, too.

Many packages give attention to introducing jōyō kanji, a set of kanji chosen by the Japanese authorities which might be generally utilized in day by day life. These kanji are additionally taught in Japanese colleges, and there are roughly 2,000 of them (2,136 to be actual).

Nonetheless, you must needless to say the jōyō kanji checklist does not cowl all of the helpful kanji you must know. In any case, the checklist is supposed to be a foundational guideline. It isn’t an exhaustive checklist for many who are studying Japanese as a international language.

Some frequent and helpful kanji like 嬉 (glad) and 嘘 (lie), usually are not on the jōyō kanji checklist, whereas a number of the kanji included is probably not helpful or generally utilized in real-life communication.

4. What Format/Media Sort Is It?

Like I stated earlier, kanji studying packages are available in numerous codecs — textbooks, apps, video classes, and so forth. You may need a powerful desire for a selected format over others, however attempt to maintain an open thoughts.

For instance, reviewing kanji might be a lot simpler and simpler if you use digital instruments that use SRS, which automate your entire reviewing course of. You possibly can nonetheless use textbooks or video classes, however you may also think about pairing it with an SRS flashcard app for opinions.

The Greatest Kanji Studying Applications

Okay, now let’s discuss precise choices.

I picked 4 of the best and hottest kanji studying packages for an in-depth comparability. Two of those are textbooks, Remembering The Kanji 1 and Kodansha Kanji Learners’ Course, and the opposite two are the web packages WaniKani, and Kanji Injury.

For full transparency earlier than moving into extra particulars, I wish to let you understand one of many packages, WaniKani, is our personal product we created right here at Tofugu. I attempted my greatest to analysis every useful resource intimately and write up all the professionals and cons from a impartial place, however I am in all probability considerably biased. It is as a result of I have been witnessing what our customers have achieved over the previous years with WaniKani (and I am pleased with them), however I simply needed to be sure to know WaniKani is our personal.

Anyway, getting again to the precise choices…

Initially, all of them share some comparable qualities that make them efficient for studying kanji:

1. All of them have good protection of kanji (at the very least 1,700, not only a few hundred).
2. All of them use mnemonics (at the very least that can assist you bear in mind the meanings).
3. All of them use the strategy of breaking down kanji into parts (Radical + Mnemonic methodology).

Regardless of the similarities, they’re all very totally different packages designed and created with numerous intentions in thoughts. There are a number of components that make the educational expertise distinctive, starting from small to massive options. Here is a fast chart for simpler comparability.

I am going to undergo every program intimately, however in case you need a fast abstract of what I believe, this is the TLDR model:

• In case you’re searching for an interactive software to recollect (and never neglect) kanji and vocabulary, strive WaniKani.
• In case you’re searching for a top quality textbook to be taught kanji, Kodansha’s Kanji Learners’ Course is a good and reliable possibility.
• In case you’re on a funds (and do not thoughts an overall-inappropriate use of language), Kanji Injury is usually a nice possibility. You would possibly even discover the humor hilarious.
• If you wish to cram for solely the meanings of kanji in a short time, think about Remembering The Kanji 1, however pay attention to what you’ll NOT get out of it. For precise Japanese literacy, you will need to make up on your kanji studying and vocabulary information outdoors of this guide. I’ll discuss this textbook first as a result of it is one of the vital well-known strategies, however I personally do not suggest this selection as a lot because the others.

Now, let’s discover every possibility.

Remembering The Kanji 1 (RTK 1)

The quickest useful resource that helps you bear in mind the best way to ‘acknowledge the meanings’ of two,200 kanji. Warning: You will not be taught kanji readings or vocabulary.

Remembering The Kanji 1: A Full Course on How To not Neglect the That means and Writing of Japanese Characters is the primary quantity of the Remembering The Kanji collection, also known as “RTK.”

It was first printed in 1977, and might be one of many oldest assets that makes use of the now considerably frequent strategy of breaking down kanji into parts and offering “tales,” aka mnemonics, that can assist you bear in mind these kanji.

The primary quantity of the RTK collection is essentially the most well-known. It has a fame for being the quickest methodology of studying 2,200 kanji, with learners who’ve accomplished the primary quantity and realized all 2,200 kanji in solely a few months or much less, which is an distinctive pace.

However there is a catch — it teaches you kanji meanings completely, so you will not know the best way to learn the kanji. Whereas it is an efficient useful resource for recognizing the meanings of kanji shortly, you will not be uncovered to kanji readings in any respect. The second quantity of the collection is devoted to instructing the readings of the kanji you realized within the first quantity. Nonetheless, it does not supply as a lot steerage as the primary quantity. Sadly, no mnemonics are offered that can assist you bear in mind the readings, regardless that that is what the readers of the primary quantity may need anticipated to see within the second quantity as effectively.

Along with the flexibility to acknowledge the kanji meanings, the purpose of the primary quantity is to familiarize you with the shapes of kanji that can assist you handwrite the characters. Though it is nonetheless a well-liked kanji studying collection at present, needless to say this guide was first printed in 1977. Learners’ wants have modified since then. Typing is much extra frequent and sensible than handwriting abilities, and you will not have the ability to sort if you do not know the best way to learn.

One other massive draw back is that it teaches you kanji in isolation from vocabulary. Meaning you will not be studying kanji in any kind of context. In real-life, kanji are principally parts of phrases. It is essential to understand how and in what sort of phrases they are going to be used. For this reason many RTK customers transfer on to different assets for vocabulary studying as soon as they end the primary quantity.

RTK 1 might be the quickest strategy to get by means of and get accustomed to an enormous quantity of kanji. In case you’re the type of one who desires to cram and drill down kanji meanings in a brief period of time, it’s value trying out. Figuring out the meanings of kanji is not utterly ineffective in spite of everything — that is completely higher than having zero kanji information. You should utilize that to guess the that means of Japanese phrases that they make up. Effectively, type of…

Nonetheless, with its strict give attention to meaning-only, what you really get out of it could be restricted and superficial — You will not have the ability to learn, sort kanji, or acquire vocabulary information from this guide.

Total, RTK 1 is just not designed to present you sensible information or abilities for studying Japanese texts. It covers all the jōyō kanji, which incorporates unusual kanji, and a few non-jōyō kanji as effectively. These are primarily kanji utilized in correct names or added with the intention of utilizing them as parts of different kanji, fairly than for his or her usefulness. This additionally signifies that you will be lacking some extraordinarily frequent non-jōyō kanji too.

Additionally, notice that the primary quantity expects you to discover ways to create mnemonics by yourself, so the mnemonics regularly fade out and are not offered later within the guide. Developing with your individual mnemonics might assist you to strengthen your reminiscence, however it’s additionally time-consuming. Particularly if you happen to’re contemplating RTK for its pace, use Koohii, a database of user-generated mnemonics for RTK.

Lastly, this can be a textbook. Utilizing it alone will not assist you to retain your kanji information. In case you resolve to go along with RTK, undoubtedly pair it with Anki or one other SRS.

The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course (KLC)

A well-thought-out textbook that can assist you bear in mind 2,300 kanji with mnemonics and punctiliously picked kanji vocabulary.

The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course, often known as the “KLC,” is a textbook designed to assist Japanese learners bear in mind 2,300 kanji. Because it was printed in 2013, it is constructed up a fame as probably the greatest textbooks for studying kanji.

Whereas it may be in comparison with the opposite very fashionable kanji textbook, James Heisig’s Remembering the Kanji, the KLC provides a extra up to date and thorough strategy in addition to options that RTK was lacking. Their basic strategies are comparable — they each train kanji with element components (they name them “graphemes”) and supply mnemonics to recollect the core meanings of kanji. Whereas RTK is most identified for being the quickest kanji studying methodology whereas sacrificing a number of the essential points for Japanese learners (akin to kanji readings and vocabulary), KLC is designed as a sensible useful resource to assist learners acquire real literacy.

One of many greatest variations is that whereas RTK teaches you kanji in isolation from vocabulary or any kind of context, KLC teaches you kanji in context. KLC provides a number of pattern vocabulary phrases per kanji to characterize using kanji in addition to frequent readings. And, the vocabulary solely makes use of kanji that you’ve got realized beforehand, so you’ll reinforce your kanji information in subsequent vocabulary. Though this strategy is probably not as hand-holding as WaniKani (I will be speaking about this subsequent), which offers you with mnemonics that can assist you bear in mind the kanji readings in addition to vocabulary, the intentional instructing order and punctiliously chosen vocabulary undoubtedly makes KLC priceless.

KLC additionally takes under consideration the frequency of utilization of every kanji, that means that you’re going to be taught essentially the most generally used kanji first, which can assist you to to begin studying real-world Japanese supplies extra shortly. The collection of kanji has given a variety of thought to it too. The one draw back is that it consists of all the jōyō kanji, together with some unusual ones. The total protection of jōyō kanji makes the whole quantity 2,300, which is unquestionably on the heavier facet of most kanji studying packages. It additionally covers non-jōyō kanji primarily based on how helpful they’re and the way simple they’re to be taught, however simply remember that not each kanji from this guide might be helpful (particularly unusual kanji stored for the sake of being jōyō kanji).

The KLC textbook is kind of easy — when you open the guide and flip the pages, you will notice it seems nearly like a kanji dictionary or a reference, fairly than a course to undergo. And since it’s a guide in spite of everything, it does not include an built-in system to overview what you have realized like a built-in SRS. So to additional overview and observe the kanji you be taught, there are supplemental assets like graded readers, or handwriting worksheets out there. Whereas doubtlessly useful, it could possibly find yourself costing fairly a bit if you happen to’re buying all of the beneficial supplies.

Total, KLC is a well-designed useful resource for learners of Japanese that can assist you not solely familiarize your self with kanji, but additionally have the ability to learn Japanese textual content in real-life. In case you resolve to present KLC a go, begin firstly to know how this system is designed and its beneficial use to maximise the advantages. Be certain to take a look at the appendix, too — you will decide up some basic kanji information that can undoubtedly be helpful!

WaniKani

A whole bundle for kanji and Japanese vocabulary studying, utilizing built-in SRS and mnemonics that can assist you bear in mind and never neglect kanji meanings, readings, and vocabulary.

WaniKani is a kanji and Japanese vocabulary studying platform created right here at Tofugu. It is a web based program that teaches you 2,074 kanji and 6,528 vocabulary phrases (as of March, 2023) over a complete of 60 ranges. WaniKani’s goal is to show you essentially the most helpful kanji primarily based on components like frequency and native speaker instinct, along with whether or not a kanji is jōyō or not. And the checklist is constantly up to date and improved.

What units WaniKani other than different kanji studying assets is that it is an all-in-one interactive software to be taught and bear in mind kanji and vocabulary. There are kanji textbooks which have nice content material, however many customers need to pair it with a separate SRS like Anki so as to overview what they realized in these books. WaniKani streamlines this course of, providing classes to introduce you to new objects (radicals, kanji, and vocabulary), and a built-in SRS to overview what you have realized.

WaniKani additionally takes the strategy of slowly constructing on what you have realized. Like many different efficient kanji studying assets, it breaks down kanji into element components or what we name “radicals.” You will be launched to radicals first, then kanji that use these radicals. And what’s extra — you will be taught vocabulary phrases that use the kanji with WaniKani. As a result of its SRS retains a document of your appropriate and incorrect solutions, WaniKani is aware of how acquainted (and the way not but acquainted) you’re with the objects you have realized. This fashion, WaniKani makes certain you are already accustomed to the prerequisite objects first, then unlocks new objects solely if you’re prepared.

One other factor that differentiates WaniKani from different assets is that it provides mnemonics for kanji readings along with kanji meanings. Many assets supply kanji that means mnemonics, however only some present mnemonics that can assist you bear in mind kanji readings. WaniKani additionally prioritizes kanji readings in accordance with how helpful they’re so you do not have to fret about which studying(s) try to be placing extra effort into remembering.

And do not forget — WaniKani teaches you vocabulary that makes use of the kanji you beforehand realized. It is designed in a approach that you’re going to be reinforcing numerous readings of kanji by means of studying Japanese phrases, not solely seeing kanji as part of vocabulary. Whereas different kanji studying assets solely present vocabulary alongside kanji, WaniKani helps you bear in mind the vocabulary with mnemonics and SRS, too.

As a bonus, you would possibly like WaniKani’s enjoyable and pleasant voice. (Customers have described our personalities as foolish or quirky.) Conventional textbook-based kanji packages like RTK or KLC usually use extra formal tutorial language, however WaniKani retains issues approachable and interesting (at the very least, we strive). WaniKani additionally has a big group of fellow learners providing recommendation, assist, and actions like guide golf equipment. Figuring out that you just’re in it with different individuals might be reassuring and motivating, particularly in case you are a self-learner.

Nonetheless, regardless of all the good issues that I’ve stated about WaniKani, like every other useful resource, WaniKani is just not for everybody.

One of many advantages of utilizing a kanji studying program is that there is construction. You possibly can soar proper in and simply observe this system with out worrying about what to do subsequent. Nonetheless, it additionally means packages restrain flexibility for effectiveness, and WaniKani’s program is pretty inflexible.

For instance, if you happen to’re studying from textbooks, you may skip pages and sure kanji (regardless that they normally suggest to not, there’s nothing to cease you). With WaniKani, you may’t skip objects or ranges. This may very well be doubtlessly irritating for learners not to have the ability to skip the kanji that they already know. Nonetheless, there are additionally many profitable customers who began WaniKani with months or years of kanji examine below their belts who can attest that they might be taught kanji extra effectively with WaniKani than ever earlier than.

Additionally WaniKani would possibly really feel sluggish for customers who’ve simply began as a result of the built-in SRS makes you wait. However that is simply to start with — you must get pleasure from it whereas it lasts. The variety of opinions may also be shortly overwhelming as you progress. One of the crucial frequent items of recommendation that fellow WaniKani customers are giving out is to verify to tempo your self. Even when new classes can be found, you would possibly maintain off on doing them so that you just will not get overwhelmed by opinions. In case you’re making an attempt to finish WaniKani, you are in it for the lengthy haul — it takes at the very least a yr to finish this system. It is essential to not burn your self out.

Lastly, WaniKani is not the most cost effective program. There is a crew of us constantly working exhausting to assist our customers, enhance and replace this system (content-wise in addition to feature-wise). Having stated that, the first three ranges are free and may provide you with an concept of the way it works and whether or not or not it is for you.

Kanji Injury

A free kanji studying program utilizing the NSFW mnemonics within the type of ‘Yo Mama jokes’ (as they name it).

Thus far, I’ve solely launched you to packages that price some cash. Whereas I personally imagine a top quality program is a worthy funding contemplating how a lot time it can save you, I additionally needed to introduce you to an possibility that you need to use free of charge.

Kanji Injury is an internet site the place you may be taught 1,700 kanji utilizing the strategy of breaking down kanji into parts and providing mnemonics for each meanings and readings. And, it is free!

What makes Kanji Injury totally different from different kanji studying packages is its distinctive voice and writing model. Like I discussed earlier, textbook-based kanji packages have a tendency to make use of skilled and tutorial language. Kanji Injury goes within the complete other way and retains issues unapologetically informal. Possibly somewhat too informal (and barely offensive) for some individuals. However let’s be sincere — conventional textbooks can sound too uptight typically. Kanji Injury is perhaps excessive by comparability, however you would possibly discover it extra entertaining or approachable.

Total, the content material is unquestionably NSFW, and never one thing to let your children use for his or her kanji research, however if you happen to do not thoughts that type of language, Kanji Injury is a good possibility you may strive free of charge.

The language could also be inappropriate general, however do not simply decide it by how they communicate. This system is designed from a learner’s perspective. There are hints to assist customers inform lookalike kanji aside kanji and every kanji web page has a listing of vocabulary that makes use of the kanji as effectively, so you may see the kanji in context. Every kanji compound phrase (jukugo) exhibits how it’s made out of various kanji parts and the way the meanings are derived, making it simple so that you can piece them collectively and bear in mind.

Though Kanji Injury is an internet site, notice that it’s NOT an interactive software. It’s a assortment of static internet pages, and actually, the writer really calls it a “guide.” So, it will not save your progress, and you will not have the ability to overview or observe with built-in digital flashcards like WaniKani. Nonetheless, you must notice that Kanji Injury has an official Anki deck, so regardless that it isn’t built-in, you need to use that as a software to overview what you realized on Kanji Injury.

Additionally, remember that the whole variety of kanji is 1,700, a number of hundred fewer than what comparable kanji studying packages cowl. The writer used a listing of kanji from JLPT and jōyō kanji, then “threw out all of the bullshit ones,” utilizing their judgment of what is helpful and what’s not. Whereas many of the excluded jōyō kanji are certainly obscure, there are some that you’d run into in day by day life. As a local speaker of Japanese, I might say the checklist could also be somewhat too pared down for learners trying to obtain a good degree of literacy, and familiarize themselves with many of the kanji they’d encounter each day.

Different Kanji Studying Assets

We hope this text helped introduce you to 1 or two kanji studying packages you wish to take a look at.

In case you could not discover what you had been searching for, there are a number of different assets that did not fairly make the shortlist you is perhaps fascinated with. They’re all high quality assets, however they had been excluded for numerous causes; much less kanji protection, give attention to one specific kanji-related talent (akin to handwriting), and so forth.

Video Program

• Outlier Linguistics Kanji Masterclass: In case you’re the type of one who desires to be taught from precise talking human beings, there’s even a web based video course. It solely covers 300 kanji, however it teaches you the best way to be taught extra kanji by yourself with that foundational information.

In style Textbooks

• Kanji Look and Study: In case you’re a Genki textbook fan, Kanji Look and Study is perhaps a superb possibility that comes with illustrations for mnemonics for every kanji. It additionally has a separate workbook filled with actions, together with observe handwriting. Simply notice it solely covers 512 newbie to intermediate-level kanji.

• Kanji from Zero!: The “from Zero!” collection has textbooks to review kanji too. Whereas the textbooks embrace a bunch of actions, together with handwriting, they arrive in separate volumes, every solely overlaying a pair hundred kanji.

Instruments To Observe Handwriting

• Skritter: In case you be taught kanji greatest by means of handwriting (or tracing) the characters, otherwise you wish to grasp writing kanji by hand, the Skritter app could also be an ideal possibility. It is fairly dear although, so if you happen to merely wish to observe handwriting, think about using another like Japanese Kanji Research, which I discuss subsequent, and pair it along with your primary kanji studying program.

• Japanese Kanji Research: An Android app with a variety of options and adaptability to review kanji. It comes with loads of choices — info associated to every kanji in addition to the best way to examine them, together with a function to observe handwriting. For the reason that construction is compromised for its customizability, I might suggest utilizing it as a secondary useful resource to pair with a kanji studying program of your alternative.

No matter what you decide, be certain to make the most of the trial or preview of the product if it is out there. Everybody learns in another way, and you will not know what works greatest for you till you really strive it out. Hopefully, we can assist you level you towards assets that might be best for you, however it’s additionally essential to stay with one thing as soon as you have began; no have to stress about discovering absolutely the good methodology, simply the one which fits you the place you are at in your language journey proper now.

Now, go do some kanji studying, and hopefully you will get pleasure from it!