Master the Sounds and Scripts
Start with hiragana and katakana, the building blocks of beginner Japanese. Learn the 46 basic characters in each set and practice their sounds out loud. Romaji can help you start, but try to move to kana early so you do not build habits that slow your reading later.
Use free online charts and printable PDF worksheets to trace and write. Aim for small daily sessions: five new characters, review, then read simple words like sushi, neko, and asa. Listen to native audio while you read so your brain links symbols, sound, and meaning.
- Learn 5–10 kana per day
- Practice handwriting with printable PDFs
- Say each sound out loud
- Review yesterday’s set before adding new ones
First Phrases and Grammar Basics
Collect a small toolkit of everyday phrases to use from day one. Greetings, self-introductions, numbers, and simple questions help beginners speak quickly. Try short lines like Watashi wa Alex desu, Yoroshiku onegaishimasu, and Kore wa nan desu ka.
For grammar basics, focus on Japanese sentence order (Subject–Object–Verb) and beginner particles like wa (topic), no (possession), o (object), and ni (time/place). Learn the polite forms desu and -masu for friendly, clear speaking. Keep sentences short so you can learn patterns, not just words.
- Pattern: A wa B desu (A is B)
- Pattern: A o B-masu (Do B to A)
- Question: A wa nan desu ka
- Essential phrases: greetings, thanks, sorry
Listening and Speaking Practice Online
Listening improves fast when you shadow: play slow, clear audio and repeat exactly, matching rhythm and pitch. Use free online videos or podcasts for beginners and set the speed to 0.75–1.0x to start. Short, daily practice beats long, rare sessions.
Record yourself on your phone, then compare to the model. Notice vowel length and pitch accents. If you can, try a weekly language exchange or short voice chats. Even five minutes of real conversation teaches you what to learn next.
- Shadow 5 minutes daily
- Use slow, clear beginner audio
- Record yourself and compare
- Do a 10-minute weekly exchange
Reading, Writing, and Handy PDFs
Start reading with kana-only texts and furigana on kanji. Graded passages for A1–A2 learners help you see real Japanese without overload. Copy short sentences by hand to learn structure and spacing as you write.
Build a small kanji set that supports daily life: numbers, days, basic verbs, and common nouns. Use free printable PDF worksheets for stroke order and spaced review. Flashcards plus quick online lookups make new words stick, especially when you create your own examples.
- Graded readers with furigana
- Kanji stroke-order PDF sheets
- Mini glossaries with example sentences
- Printable JLPT N5 word lists
A Simple Study Plan You Can Keep
Consistency wins. Try this beginner routine: 25 minutes a day, five days a week. Split it into 10 minutes kana or kanji, 10 minutes phrases or grammar, and 5 minutes shadowing. On weekends, review and test yourself with a short online quiz.
Track wins in a small log: date, what you learned, one sentence you wrote, and a word you want tomorrow. Keep goals small and clear so learning stays fun and free of stress.
- Mon–Fri: 25 minutes daily
- Sat: review, self-quiz, tidy notes
- Sun: light reading or listening
- Monthly: repeat tough basics and celebrate progress
FAQ
- How long will it take to learn the basics as a beginner?
- With steady daily practice, most beginners can handle greetings, self-intros, and simple questions in 4–8 weeks. Mastery takes longer, but basics come fast when you practice speaking and listening.
- Should I use romaji or kana when I start?
- Use romaji briefly to learn sounds, then switch to hiragana and katakana within the first two weeks. Reading real Japanese early makes online resources and lessons much easier.
- Do I need to learn kanji at A1 level?
- Learn a small core only: numbers, days, and a few everyday words. Focus on kana and grammar basics first, then add kanji using simple PDF stroke sheets and spaced review.
- What is the best free way to learn Japanese online?
- Combine free tools: beginner audio for shadowing, printable PDFs for writing, short grammar guides, and graded reading. A balanced routine beats any single app or site.
- Where can I find free PDF resources for beginners?
- Look for kana charts, stroke-order pages, JLPT N5 word lists, and simple worksheets offered by schools and community projects. Print a few and reuse them for weekly review.