Start with the Basics: Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji
Begin with kana. Learn hiragana first, then katakana. These are the reading basics that unlock almost everything for a beginner. Aim for quick recognition, not perfection. Five to ten minutes, twice a day, adds up fast and keeps your learning steady and light.
Next, meet kanji gently. Learn high-frequency kanji with meanings and readings, not long lists. Tie each character to a word you’ll use. A small, focused set gives you wins early and prevents overload, especially for beginners studying by yourself.
- Use a free PDF kana chart for review.
- Practice with short, daily reading drills.
- Learn 5 new kana or 1–2 kanji per day.
Speak from Day One
Sound matters. Learn basic pronunciation and rhythm early. Shadow short phrases: listen, repeat, and match the melody. Keep romaji only as training wheels. Move to hiragana quickly so you connect sounds to real Japanese writing and build good habits for the long run.
Collect survival phrases you’ll actually use: greetings, thanks, requests, numbers, and time. Say them out loud during the day. Speaking early builds confidence and turns passive learning into action. You can practice even if you’re learning online by yourself.
- Shadow 5 phrases every morning.
- Record yourself and compare to audio.
- Use set phrases for common situations.
Smart Tools: Free and Online Resources
Keep your toolkit simple. Pick one beginner course, one dictionary, and one spaced-repetition app. Too many apps can slow you down. Look for free online options that include audio, example sentences, and a clean path from basics to simple conversation.
Grab printable helpers: a kana chart, verb forms, and counters in a PDF. Save them to your phone for quick checks. Add a few graded readers or easy news sites. For listening, short YouTube lessons and podcasts are perfect for daily, bite-sized practice.
- Dictionary: Jisho or similar online tools.
- Flashcards: Anki decks for kana and core words.
- Exchange: Free language partners via chat or voice.
Make a Study Plan You’ll Keep
A tiny routine beats a giant plan. Try 25 minutes a day: 10 minutes of review, 10 minutes of new material, and 5 minutes speaking out loud. Beginners improve faster with consistent, low-stress learning that fits real life and leaves you wanting more.
Use spaced repetition for words, and rotate skills: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Track wins, not hours. If you miss a day, restart without guilt. Learning by yourself is a marathon, so build a plan that feels light and repeatable.
- Set a weekly focus (e.g., numbers, food).
- Do reviews before new lessons.
- Schedule one mini test each Sunday.
Read, Watch, and Write: Turn Input into Output
Balance input and output. Read simple texts with furigana, watch shows with Japanese subtitles, and listen to short clips repeatedly. Then turn that input into output by summarizing out loud or copying one or two model sentences into your own notebook.
Keep a micro journal in Japanese: one or two lines a day. Use sentence patterns from your course and swap new words in. This builds fluency and confidence. Over time, your beginner notes grow into real language you can use anywhere, online or offline.
- Shadow lines from a short video.
- Write one daily journal sentence.
- Compile a personal phrasebook in a PDF.
FAQ
- How long does it take to reach A2 if I learn by myself?
- With steady daily study (25–45 minutes), many learners reach A2 in 6–9 months. Use a clear beginner path, consistent reviews, and weekly speaking practice to stay on track.
- Should beginners use romaji or kana?
- Use romaji very briefly, then switch to hiragana and katakana. Learning kana early builds correct reading and pronunciation habits and makes all future learning easier.
- What free online resources do you recommend?
- Use a structured beginner course, an online dictionary like Jisho, Anki flashcards, YouTube lessons with transcripts, and a free PDF kana chart. Add language exchange for speaking.
- Do I need to learn kanji right away?
- Start small. Learn a few high-frequency kanji linked to words you already know. This keeps your progress smooth while you master the basics of kana and core grammar.
- How can I practice speaking by myself?
- Shadow audio daily, record short monologues, and memorize set phrases. Then schedule short online chats with partners weekly. Combine solo practice with real conversations to grow fast.