The Greatest Kanji Studying Applications

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 isn’t any shortcut round these hurdles. And I am not gonna lie, studying kanji does take time and vitality it doesn’t matter what methodology you select. However should you’re making the funding, you wish to do it in essentially the most environment friendly and efficient manner 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’ll be able to simply comply with alongside to make the kanji studying expertise much less of a ache (actually, and figuratively). With the proper program, kanji might be manageable. It would not should be this massive furry objective for Japanese learners.

On this article, I will introduce you to one of the best kanji studying packages out there. They arrive in numerous codecs like textbooks and apps, however whatever the format, I will 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 choose one? Nicely, there are some issues to contemplate…

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

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

Would you like to have the ability to inform the which means of a kanji once you see one? Do you wish to keep in mind methods to pronounce it too?

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

Virtually all kanji studying packages educate the which means(s) of every kanji, however not all of them educate kanji readings. So that is undoubtedly one thing to contemplate.

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. Regardless that kanji are semantic (that’s, every kanji has not less than one which means), they’re characters quite 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 keep 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’ll be able to 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 Educate 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 show you how to truly keep in mind kanji?

Some packages might solely introduce info versus providing you with a significant approach to keep in mind it. One of the vital frequent approaches for that is known as mnemonics. Mnemonics are mainly a reminiscence approach that will help you keep in mind issues.

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

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

One other consideration is: Does this system show you how to retain the data in any manner?

As time passes, you may probably neglect what you’ve got discovered. So reviewing or refreshing what you’ve got discovered is essential for turning that data into one thing concrete and steady in your thoughts. One of the vital well-liked options is to make use of an SRS (Spaced Repetition System), which repeatedly prompts you to recall an merchandise you’ve got discovered over time. Relying on how properly the merchandise sticks in your reminiscence, it goals to optimize the intervals and variety of instances an merchandise seems in your evaluate queue to enhance your recall and strengthen every merchandise in your reminiscence.

3. How Many Kanji Does It Educate (& Does It Educate 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 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 thought, the last word objective for severe learners is round 2,000 kanji. It is best to be capable to learn most issues comfortably with that stage of literacy. However the variety of kanji is not the one factor you need to care about when selecting a kanji studying program. It is also essential to concentrate to whether or not they’re attempting to show you helpful kanji, too.

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

Nonetheless, you need to remember that the jōyō kanji checklist would not cowl all of the helpful kanji you need to know. In any case, the checklist is supposed to be a foundational guideline. It is not an exhaustive checklist for individuals who are studying Japanese as a overseas language.

Some frequent and helpful kanji like 嬉 (glad) and 嘘 (lie), are usually not on the jōyō kanji checklist, whereas among the kanji included might not be 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 many others. You may need a robust desire for a selected format over others, however attempt to preserve an open thoughts.

For instance, reviewing kanji might be a lot simpler and simpler once you use digital instruments that use SRS, which automate all the reviewing course of. You may nonetheless use textbooks or video classes, however you may additionally think about pairing it with an SRS flashcard app for evaluations.

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 net packages WaniKani, and Kanji Harm.

For full transparency earlier than stepping into extra particulars, I wish to let one of many packages, WaniKani, is our personal product we created right here at Tofugu. I attempted my finest to analysis every useful resource intimately and write up all the professionals and cons from a impartial place, however I am most likely 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…

To begin with, all of them share some comparable qualities that make them efficient for studying kanji:

1. All of them have good protection of kanji (not less than 1,700, not only a few hundred).
2. All of them use mnemonics (not less than that will help you keep 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. This is a fast chart for simpler comparability.

I will undergo every program intimately, however in case you desire 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 high quality textbook to be taught kanji, Kodansha’s Kanji Learners’ Course is a good and reliable possibility.
• In case you’re on a finances (and do not thoughts an overall-inappropriate use of language), Kanji Harm generally is 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 concentrate on what you’ll NOT get out of it. For precise Japanese literacy, you may should make up on your kanji studying and vocabulary data exterior of this e book. I’ll discuss this textbook first as a result of it is one of the 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 keep in mind methods 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 Overlook 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 sources that makes use of the now considerably frequent strategy of breaking down kanji into parts and offering “tales,” aka mnemonics, that will help you keep in mind these kanji.

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

However there is a catch — it teaches you kanji meanings completely, so you will not know methods to learn the kanji. Whereas it is an efficient useful resource for recognizing the meanings of kanji rapidly, you will not be uncovered to kanji readings in any respect. The second quantity of the collection is devoted to educating the readings of the kanji you discovered within the first quantity. Nonetheless, it would not provide as a lot steerage as the primary quantity. Sadly, no mnemonics are offered that will help you keep in mind the readings, although that is what the readers of the primary quantity may need anticipated to see within the second quantity as properly.

Along with the power to acknowledge the kanji meanings, the objective of the primary quantity is to familiarize you with the shapes of kanji that will help you handwrite the characters. Though it is nonetheless a well-liked kanji studying collection at present, remember that this e book was first printed in 1977. Learners’ wants have modified since then. Typing is way extra frequent and sensible than handwriting abilities, and you will not be capable to kind if you do not know methods 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 mainly parts of phrases. It is essential to understand how and in what sort of phrases they are going to be used. This is the reason many RTK customers transfer on to different sources for vocabulary studying as soon as they end the primary quantity.

RTK 1 might be the quickest approach to get via and get conversant in an enormous quantity of kanji. In case you’re the form of one who needs to cram and drill down kanji meanings in a brief period of time, it’s price trying out. Understanding the meanings of kanji is not utterly ineffective in spite of everything — that is completely higher than having zero kanji data. You need to use that to guess the which means of Japanese phrases that they make up. Nicely, form of…

Nonetheless, with its strict give attention to meaning-only, what you truly get out of it might be restricted and superficial — You will not be capable to learn, kind kanji, or achieve vocabulary data from this e book.

Total, RTK 1 will not be designed to present you sensible data or abilities for studying Japanese texts. It covers all the jōyō kanji, which incorporates unusual kanji, and a few non-jōyō kanji as properly. These are primarily kanji utilized in correct names or added with the intention of utilizing them as parts of different kanji, quite than for his or her usefulness. This additionally signifies that you may 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 e book. Developing with your personal mnemonics may show you how to strengthen your reminiscence, nevertheless it’s additionally time-consuming. Particularly should you’re contemplating RTK for its velocity, use Koohii, a database of user-generated mnemonics for RTK.

Lastly, this can be a textbook. Utilizing it alone will not show you how to retain your kanji data. 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 will help you keep in mind 2,300 kanji with mnemonics and thoroughly picked kanji vocabulary.

The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course, also referred to as the “KLC,” is a textbook designed to assist Japanese learners keep in mind 2,300 kanji. Because it was printed in 2013, it is constructed up a popularity as the most effective textbooks for studying kanji.

Whereas it may be in comparison with the opposite very talked-about kanji textbook, James Heisig’s Remembering the Kanji, the KLC presents a extra up to date and thorough strategy in addition to options that RTK was lacking. Their basic strategies are comparable — they each educate kanji with element elements (they name them “graphemes”) and supply mnemonics to recollect the core meanings of kanji. Whereas RTK is most recognized for being the quickest kanji studying methodology whereas sacrificing among the essential facets for Japanese learners (corresponding to kanji readings and vocabulary), KLC is designed as a sensible useful resource to assist learners achieve 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 presents a couple of pattern vocabulary phrases per kanji to symbolize the usage of kanji in addition to frequent readings. And, the vocabulary solely makes use of kanji that you have discovered beforehand, so you can reinforce your kanji data in subsequent vocabulary. Though this strategy might not be as hand-holding as WaniKani (I will be speaking about this subsequent), which gives you with mnemonics that will help you keep in mind the kanji readings in addition to vocabulary, the intentional educating order and thoroughly chosen vocabulary undoubtedly makes KLC worthwhile.

KLC additionally takes into consideration the frequency of utilization of every kanji, which means that you will be taught essentially the most generally used kanji first, which can show you how to to begin studying real-world Japanese supplies extra rapidly. The collection of kanji has given lots 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 aspect 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 e book can be helpful (particularly unusual kanji stored for the sake of being jōyō kanji).

The KLC textbook is kind of easy — when you open the e book and flip the pages, you may notice it seems virtually like a kanji dictionary or a reference, quite than a course to undergo. And since it’s a e book in spite of everything, it would not include an built-in system to evaluate what you’ve got discovered like a built-in SRS. So to additional evaluate and observe the kanji you be taught, there are supplemental sources like graded readers, or handwriting worksheets out there. Whereas doubtlessly useful, it could actually find yourself costing fairly a bit should you’re buying all of the really helpful supplies.

Total, KLC is a well-designed useful resource for learners of Japanese that will help you not solely familiarize your self with kanji, but in addition be capable to learn Japanese textual content in real-life. In case you resolve to present KLC a go, begin in the beginning to grasp how this system is designed and its really helpful use to maximise the advantages. Be certain that to take a look at the appendix, too — you may choose up some basic kanji data that may undoubtedly be helpful!

WaniKani

A whole package deal for kanji and Japanese vocabulary studying, utilizing built-in SRS and mnemonics that will help you keep 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 intention 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 aside from different kanji studying sources is that it is an all-in-one interactive software to be taught and keep in mind kanji and vocabulary. There are kanji textbooks which have nice content material, however many customers should pair it with a separate SRS like Anki with the intention to evaluate what they discovered 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 evaluate what you’ve got discovered.

WaniKani additionally takes the strategy of slowly constructing on what you’ve got discovered. Like many different efficient kanji studying sources, it breaks down kanji into element elements or what we name “radicals.” You may be launched to radicals first, then kanji that use these radicals. And what’s extra — you may be taught vocabulary phrases that use the kanji with WaniKani. As a result of its SRS retains a file of your appropriate and incorrect solutions, WaniKani is aware of how acquainted (and the way not but acquainted) you’re with the objects you’ve got discovered. This manner, WaniKani makes positive you are already conversant in the prerequisite objects first, then unlocks new objects solely once you’re prepared.

One other factor that differentiates WaniKani from different sources is that it presents mnemonics for kanji readings along with kanji meanings. Many sources provide kanji which means mnemonics, however only some present mnemonics that will help you keep in mind kanji readings. WaniKani additionally prioritizes kanji readings based on how helpful they’re so you do not have to fret about which studying(s) you ought to be placing extra effort into remembering.

And remember — WaniKani teaches you vocabulary that makes use of the kanji you beforehand discovered. It is designed in a manner that you will be reinforcing numerous readings of kanji via studying Japanese phrases, not solely seeing kanji as part of vocabulary. Whereas different kanji studying sources solely present vocabulary alongside kanji, WaniKani helps you keep 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 (not less than, we strive). WaniKani additionally has a big group of fellow learners providing recommendation, assist, and actions like e book golf equipment. Understanding that you simply’re in it with different folks might be reassuring and motivating, particularly in case you are a self-learner.

Nonetheless, regardless of all the great issues that I’ve stated about WaniKani, like another useful resource, WaniKani will not be for everybody.

One of many advantages of utilizing a kanji studying program is that there is construction. You may leap proper in and simply comply with 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, should you’re studying from textbooks, you’ll be able to skip pages and sure kanji (although they normally suggest to not, there’s nothing to cease you). With WaniKani, you’ll be able to’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 research beneath their belts who can attest that they may be taught kanji extra effectively with WaniKani than ever earlier than.

Additionally WaniKani would possibly really feel gradual 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 need to get pleasure from it whereas it lasts. The variety of evaluations may also be rapidly overwhelming as you progress. One of the vital 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 simply will not get overwhelmed by evaluations. In case you’re attempting to finish WaniKani, you are in it for the lengthy haul — it takes not less than 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 laborious 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 offer you an thought of the way it works and whether or not or not it is for you.

Kanji Harm

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

To date, I’ve solely launched you to packages that price some cash. Whereas I personally consider a high 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 without cost.

Kanji Harm is an internet site the place you’ll be able to be taught 1,700 kanji utilizing the tactic of breaking down kanji into parts and providing mnemonics for each meanings and readings. And, it is free!

What makes Kanji Harm totally different from different kanji studying packages is its distinctive voice and writing fashion. Like I discussed earlier, textbook-based kanji packages have a tendency to make use of skilled and tutorial language. Kanji Harm goes within the whole other way and retains issues unapologetically informal. Possibly a little bit too informal (and barely offensive) for some folks. However let’s be trustworthy — conventional textbooks can sound too uptight generally. Kanji Harm 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 youngsters use for his or her kanji research, however should you do not thoughts that form of language, Kanji Harm is a good possibility you’ll be able to strive without cost.

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 properly, so you’ll be able to see the kanji in context. Every kanji compound phrase (jukugo) reveals 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 keep in mind.

Though Kanji Harm is an internet site, notice that it’s NOT an interactive software. It’s a assortment of static net pages, and in reality, the writer truly calls it a “e book.” So, it will not save your progress, and you will not be capable to evaluate or observe with built-in digital flashcards like WaniKani. Nonetheless, you need to notice that Kanji Harm has an official Anki deck, so although it isn’t built-in, you need to use that as a software to evaluate what you discovered on Kanji Harm.

Additionally, remember that the whole variety of kanji is 1,700, a couple 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’d say the checklist could also be a little bit too pared down for learners trying to obtain a good stage of literacy, and familiarize themselves with many of the kanji they’d encounter each day.

Different Kanji Studying Sources

We hope this text helped introduce you to at least one or two kanji studying packages you wish to try.

In case you could not discover what you have been searching for, there are a couple of different sources that did not fairly make the shortlist you may be keen on. They’re all high quality sources, however they have been excluded for numerous causes; much less kanji protection, give attention to one explicit kanji-related talent (corresponding to handwriting), and many others.

Video Program

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

Standard Textbooks

• Kanji Look and Study: In case you’re a Genki textbook fan, Kanji Look and Study may be 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 embody 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 finest via 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 expensive although, so should you merely wish to observe handwriting, think about using another like Japanese Kanji Research, which I discuss subsequent, and pair it along with your major kanji studying program.

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

No matter what you choose, make 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 finest for you till you truly strive it out. Hopefully, we may also help you level you towards sources that can be best for you, nevertheless it’s additionally essential to stay with one thing as soon as you’ve got began; no have to stress about discovering absolutely the excellent 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 may get pleasure from it!