Learning Japanese might feel overwhelming at first — new alphabets, new sounds, and completely different grammar rules.

But don’t worry. With the right plan and daily practice, anyone can start learning Japanese successfully.

This guide will walk you through every step — from learning hiragana to speaking simple sentences — even if you’re starting from zero.

Step 1: Learn Hiragana (ひらがな)

Hiragana is the foundation of the Japanese writing system. Every beginner must start here.

It represents Japanese syllables like “a, i, u, e, o.”

How to learn:

• Study 5–10 characters per day.

• Write them by hand while saying the sounds aloud.

• Use free apps or printable charts.

Examples:

あ (a), い (i), う (u), え (e), お (o)

Tip: Repetition is key. Write and pronounce each character at least ten times a day.

Step 2: Learn Katakana (カタカナ)

Katakana is mainly used for foreign or borrowed words.

After mastering Hiragana, Katakana becomes easier.

Examples:

コンピューター (konpyuutaa – computer)

チョコレート (chokoreeto – chocolate)

Tip: Read Katakana words around you — Japanese packaging, restaurant menus, or anime credits. You’ll find many English-based words written this way.

Step 3: Master Basic Grammar

You don’t need to memorize complex rules at first. Start with simple sentence patterns.

Important particles:

• は (wa) – marks the topic of the sentence

• の (no) – shows possession (“of”)

• を (o) – marks the direct object

• です (desu) – means “is / am / are” politely

Examples:

• わたしはがくせいです。 (watashi wa gakusei desu.) → I am a student.

• これはほんです。 (kore wa hon desu.) → This is a book.

• これはわたしのねこです。 (kore wa watashi no neko desu.) → This is my cat.

Step 4: Build Basic Vocabulary

Focus on words you use every day — numbers, verbs, adjectives, and time expressions.

Common verbs:

• たべます (tabemasu) – to eat

• のみます (nomimasu) – to drink

• いきます (ikimasu) – to go

• みます (mimasu) – to see / watch

• します (shimasu) – to do

Common adjectives:

• あたらしい (atarashii) – new

• おいしい (oishii) – delicious

• さむい (samui) – cold

Tip: Keep a small notebook or flashcard app where you record new words with their meanings and example sentences.

Step 5: Start Learning Kanji Slowly

Kanji are Chinese-origin characters used in Japanese writing. There are thousands, but you don’t need to learn all at once.

Begin with the simplest ones — around 100 basic Kanji for JLPT N5.

Examples:

日 (sun/day), 月 (moon/month), 火 (fire), 水 (water), 木 (tree)

Tip: Learn 5 Kanji per week. Write them repeatedly with their readings and meanings.

Step 6: Practice Listening and Speaking

You can’t learn Japanese by reading only — you must listen and speak daily.

How to practice:

• Watch anime, dramas, or Japanese YouTube channels with subtitles.

• Listen to slow Japanese podcasts (like “JapanesePod101”).

• Repeat after the speaker — this is called shadowing.

Example practice:

おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu) → Good morning

Repeat it naturally several times.

Step 7: Make a Daily Study Plan

A consistent routine matters more than long study hours. Even 30–60 minutes daily is enough if you follow a clear plan.

Time

Activity

Example

30 min

Learn Hiragana / Vocabulary

Write 10 new words

20 min

Study Grammar

Read one short lesson

20 min

Listening Practice

Watch a Japanese video

10 min

Review

Use flashcards or a quiz

Tip: Don’t skip review sessions. Reviewing old lessons helps your memory long-term.

Step 8: Join a Japanese Learning Community

Learning alone can get boring — join groups to stay motivated.

You can:

• Join Facebook or Discord groups for Japanese learners.

• Practice writing short sentences every day.

• Find a Japanese language partner for exchange on HelloTalk or Tandem.

Tip: Write your daily routine in Japanese, even simple sentences like:

きょうはこうえんにいきました。 (Today, I went to the park.)

Step 9: Prepare for JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test)

JLPT has five levels — N5 is the easiest, N1 the hardest.

Once you finish basic grammar and 500–800 vocabulary words, you can start preparing for N5.

Study plan:

• Grammar: Minna no Nihongo Book I (Lessons 1–25)

• Vocabulary: 800+ words

• Kanji: 100–120

• Listening: Daily short podcasts or practice tests

Step 10: Stay Consistent and Enjoy the Journey

Learning Japanese is not about speed — it’s about consistency.

Even 20 minutes every day will build amazing progress in a few months.

Final advice:

• Don’t fear mistakes — every mistake is progress.

• Celebrate small wins (like reading your first Japanese sentence!).

• Surround yourself with Japanese: music, apps, shows, signs — anything helps your brain adapt faster.

How to Start Learning Japanese Step-by-Step (Complete Beginner’s Guide)