Best Books to Learn Japanese
Although I prefer learning Japanese online, there are times when we need a good old-fashioned textbook. There are many Japanese textbooks available for self-study, and here is my list of the best books to learn Japanese in print and digital form.
Japanese books for beginners
If you are learning Japanese, you should look for a textbook that will teach you basic grammar structures and vocabulary, as well as basic reading and writing skills. Hiragana and katakana should be taught first, followed by basic kanji.
Genki
Genki is a popular series of Japanese books for beginners that are simple to use and have cute illustrations. The books were originally designed for university courses, so they cover a wide range of situations and vocabulary aimed at students. They also include a CD for listening practice and an optional companion workbook.
Japanese From Zero
The Japanese From Zero books are relatively new on the market, but they are already popular. The first book in the series only introduces hiragana, which could be a plus or a disadvantage depending on your perspective.
Minna No Nihongo
Minna No Nihongo is a popular choice among people who want to learn Japanese at a high level because it teaches grammar, vocabulary, listening, and conversation in greater depth than other textbooks. Don’t forget to purchase the companion (English) book separately.
Japanese for Busy People
The book contains a CD for listening practice and an accompanying app so you can study on the go. Japanese for Busy People is aimed at professionals, so you’ll learn a lot of vocabulary related to office/business situations.
Best intermediate Japanese textbook
Beginners can always move on to the next book in the series once they’ve reached the intermediate level, but if you don’t want to take any exams just yet, here are some recommendations.
Minna No Nihongo
The Minna No Nihongo books are entirely written in Japanese, with very thorough grammar explanations and provide you with a very solid knowledge of Japanese. Your biggest challenge will probably be speed.
Read Real Japanese
The Read Real Japanese books are excellent because they contain authentic Japanese texts written for Japanese people, not students, and they do not include a full translation, unlike some other readers. There are two books in the series: fiction and essays, as well as CDs for listening practice.
Best Japanese textbooks for the JLPT
The JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) is a set of five internationally recognized Japanese exams, ranging from basic (basic) to fluent (fluent), with passing the highest levels being a requirement for working in Japan or attending a Japanese university.
New Kanzen Master
The New Kanzen Master books cover Levels N4 to N1. Each level has five books: grammar, vocabulary, kanji, reading, and listening. They are best for serious students who want in-depth explanations and quick progress; there are no pictures or funny cartoons to keep you entertained.
Nihongo So-Matome
Nihongo So-Matome is a fantastic JLPT prep series for every level, from N5 to N1, and I like the structure. Best for: those who want an action plan and are willing to study every day.
What should I learn when learning Japanese?
The Beginner’s Guide to Teaching Yourself Japanese in 8 Steps
- Learn Hiragana. Become acquainted with Katakana. Become acquainted with Kanji.
- Build a Core Vocabulary.
- Learn Basic Japanese Pronunciation.
- Become acquainted with Basic Particles.
- Learn Japanese Sentence Structure.
- Learn Basic Greetings and Expressions.
What is the best way to learn Japanese for beginners?
The Most Effective Way to Learn Japanese: 11 Proven Study Methods
- Watch Japanese TV with English subtitles.
- Learn Hiragana and Katakana.
- Read Manga or Children’s Books.
- Get a Workbook.
- Use Flashcards.
- Sing Japanese Karaoke Songs.
What is the hardest language to learn?
For English speakers, here are the 8 most difficult languages to learn in the world.
- Mandarin. 1.2 billion native speakers.
- Icelandic. 330,000 native speakers.
- 3. Japanese. 122 million native speakers.
- Hungarian. 13 million native speakers.
- Korean.
- Arabic.
- Finnish.
- Polish.
- Polish.
Which language is the easiest to learn?
The Easiest Language to Pick Up Is…
- Norwegian. This may come as a surprise, but Norwegian is the easiest language for English speakers to learn.
- Swedish.
- Spanish.
- Dutch.
- Portuguese.
- Indonesian.
- Italian.
- French.
Where can I really learn Japanese?
Check out AJATT (All Japanese All The Time), a website that teaches you how to study Japanese on your own using flashcards and native Japanese media, and how to write, listen, read, and speak Japanese without having to take classes.
What is the best app to learn Japanese?
What makes a good Japanese learning app?
- 1) Pimsleur Japanese. 2) Japanesepod101. 3) Kanji Study. 4) Obenkyo. 5) Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese.
How can I become fluent in Japanese?
How to Become Fluent in Japanese by Developing 6 Consistent Practices
- Attend a local class every day.
- Read as much Japanese as you can.
- Listen to Japanese every day.
- Join a club.
- Practice conversation every day.
Is Japanese hard to learn?
Many English speakers consider the Japanese language to be one of the most difficult to learn because it has three distinct writing systems, a sentence structure that is diametrically opposed to English, and a complicated hierarchy of politeness. Continue reading to learn why.
What is romaji in Japanese?
Because Japanese writing consists of a combination of kanji and kana scripts, romaji is used to make Japanese text understandable to non-Japanese speakers who are unable to read kanji or kana scripts.
What is the hardest word to say?
The Most Difficult Word To Pronounce In English
- Colonel.
- Penguin.
- Sixth.
- Isthmus.
- Anemone.
- Squirrel.
- Rural.
- Otorhinolaryngologist.
What language is closest to English?
The closest major language to English is Dutch, which has 23 million native speakers and an additional 5 million who speak it as a second language. After English and German, Dutch is the world’s third most widely spoken Germanic language.
Which is the most easy language in the world?
There are five simple languages to learn.
- English is the most widely spoken language on the planet, allowing for practice.
- French has over 100 million native speakers and is spoken on almost every continent as the official language of 28 countries.
- Spanish.
- Italian.
- Swahili.