The Greatest Kanji Studying Packages

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 is not any shortcut round these hurdles. And I am not gonna lie, studying kanji does take time and power it doesn’t matter what methodology you select. However when you’re making the funding, you wish to do it in essentially the most environment friendly and efficient manner potential.

In the event 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 suitable place.

Fortunately, there are studying applications 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 suitable program, kanji may be manageable. It does not should be this huge furry objective for Japanese learners.

On this article, I am going to introduce you to the perfect kanji studying applications obtainable. They arrive in numerous codecs like textbooks and apps, however whatever the format, I am going to 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 lots of kanji studying applications 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 Train?

The very first thing to contemplate is what kanji-related ability you are seeking to enhance. Like while 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 while you see one? Do you wish to bear in mind tips on how to pronounce it too?

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

Nearly all kanji studying applications educate the which means(s) of every kanji, however not all of them educate kanji readings. So that is positively 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. Although kanji are semantic (that’s, every kanji has at the very least one which means), they’re characters slightly than standalone phrases. Positive, some single kanji characters may be phrases on their very own, however they’re extra generally used as parts to make vocabulary. It is necessary to be taught them collectively.

Studying vocabulary together with kanji isn’t just about seeing how the kanji is utilized in actual life. It additionally helps you bear 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 Train 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 difficult with out assist.

So, it is necessary to examine: Does this system enable you to really bear in mind kanji?

Some applications might solely introduce info versus supplying you with a significant option to bear in mind it. One of the crucial frequent approaches for that is known as mnemonics. Mnemonics are principally a reminiscence approach that can assist you bear in mind issues.

For kanji studying, mnemonics come in numerous codecs. Some applications inform you 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 wish to name Radical + Mnemonic methodology).

And take note of what side of kanji they provide mnemonics that can assist you bear in mind, too. For instance, many present mnemonics that can assist you bear in mind the meanings, however what about mnemonics for readings or vocabulary? Not all applications provide these.

One other consideration is: Does this system enable you to retain the information in any manner?

As time passes, you may doubtless neglect what you have discovered. So reviewing or refreshing what you have discovered is necessary for turning that information into one thing concrete and secure in your thoughts. One of the crucial widespread options is to make use of an SRS (Spaced Repetition System), which repeatedly prompts you to recall an merchandise you have discovered over time. Relying on how nicely the merchandise sticks in your reminiscence, it goals to optimize the intervals and variety of instances an merchandise seems in your assessment queue to enhance your recall and strengthen every merchandise in your reminiscence.

3. How Many Kanji Does It Train (& Does It Train Helpful Kanji)?

Whereas the overall variety of kanji in existence is debatable, fortunately, you do not have to check all of them to have the ability to learn many of the issues you should get by on a day-to-day foundation.

“So, what number of kanji ought to I be taught?” Simply to provide you an thought, the final word objective for critical learners is round 2,000 kanji. You must be capable to learn most issues comfortably with that degree of literacy. However the variety of kanji is not the one factor you must care about when selecting a kanji studying program. It is also necessary to concentrate to whether or not they’re attempting to show you helpful kanji, too.

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

Nevertheless, you must understand that the jōyō kanji record does not cowl all of the helpful kanji you must know. In spite of everything, the record is supposed to be a foundational guideline. It isn’t an exhaustive record for many who are studying Japanese as a overseas language.

Some frequent and helpful kanji like 嬉 (glad) and 嘘 (lie), aren’t on the jōyō kanji record, whereas a few of the kanji included is probably not helpful or generally utilized in real-life communication.

4. What Format/Media Sort Is It?

Like I stated earlier, kanji studying applications are available in numerous codecs — textbooks, apps, video classes, and so forth. You might need a robust choice for a selected format over others, however attempt to preserve an open thoughts.

For instance, reviewing kanji may be a lot simpler and simpler while you use digital instruments that use SRS, which automate the whole reviewing course of. You’ll be able to nonetheless use textbooks or video classes, however you may also contemplate pairing it with an SRS flashcard app for critiques.

The Greatest Kanji Studying Packages

Okay, now let’s discuss precise choices.

I picked 4 of the best and hottest kanji studying applications 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 applications WaniKani, and Kanji Injury.

For full transparency earlier than entering into extra particulars, I wish to let you realize one of many applications, 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 in all probability 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 happy with them), however I simply wished to be sure you 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 (at the very least 1,700, not just some hundred).
2. All of them use mnemonics (at the very least that can assist you bear in mind the meanings).
3. All of them use the method of breaking down kanji into parts (Radical + Mnemonic methodology).

Regardless of the similarities, they’re all very totally different applications 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. Here is a fast chart for simpler comparability.

I am going to undergo every program intimately, however in case you need a fast abstract of what I believe, this is the TLDR model:

• In the event you’re on the lookout for an interactive instrument to recollect (and never neglect) kanji and vocabulary, strive WaniKani.
• In the event you’re on the lookout for a high quality textbook to be taught kanji, Kodansha’s Kanji Learners’ Course is an honest and reliable choice.
• In the event you’re on a funds (and do not thoughts an overall-inappropriate use of language), Kanji Injury could be a nice choice. You would possibly even discover the humor hilarious.
• If you wish to cram for solely the meanings of kanji in a short time, contemplate Remembering The Kanji 1, however concentrate on what you’ll NOT get out of it. For precise Japanese literacy, you may should make up to your kanji studying and vocabulary information outdoors of this ebook. I’ll discuss this textbook first as a result of it is one of the crucial well-known strategies, however I personally do not suggest this feature as a lot because the others.

Now, let’s discover every choice.

Remembering The Kanji 1 (RTK 1)

The quickest useful resource that helps you bear in mind tips on how 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 Which 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 assets that makes use of the now considerably frequent method of breaking down kanji into parts and offering “tales,” aka mnemonics, that can assist you bear in mind these kanji.

The primary quantity of the RTK collection is essentially the most well-known. It has a repute 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 solely, so you will not know tips on how to learn the kanji. Whereas it is an efficient useful resource for recognizing the meanings of kanji shortly, you will not be uncovered to kanji readings in any respect. The second quantity of the collection is devoted to instructing the readings of the kanji you discovered within the first quantity. Nevertheless, it does not provide as a lot steering as the primary quantity. Sadly, no mnemonics are offered that can assist you bear in mind the readings, regardless that that is what the readers of the primary quantity might need anticipated to see within the second quantity as nicely.

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 can assist you handwrite the characters. Though it is nonetheless a well-liked kanji studying collection right this moment, understand that this ebook 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 sort if you do not know tips on how to learn.

One other huge draw back is that it teaches you kanji in isolation from vocabulary. Which means you will not be studying kanji in any form of context. In real-life, kanji are principally parts of phrases. It is necessary to understand how and in what sort of phrases they are going to be used. For this reason many RTK customers transfer on to different assets for vocabulary studying as soon as they end the primary quantity.

RTK 1 might be the quickest option to get by means of and get accustomed to an enormous quantity of kanji. In the event you’re the type of one that needs to cram and drill down kanji meanings in a brief period of time, it’s value testing. Figuring out the meanings of kanji is not utterly ineffective in any case — that is completely higher than having zero kanji information. You should utilize that to guess the which means of Japanese phrases that they make up. Nicely, type of…

Nevertheless, with its strict give attention to meaning-only, what you really get out of it might be restricted and superficial — You will not be capable to learn, sort kanji, or acquire vocabulary information from this ebook.

General, RTK 1 is just not designed to provide you sensible information or abilities for studying Japanese texts. It covers all the jōyō kanji, which incorporates unusual kanji, and a few non-jōyō kanji as nicely. These are primarily kanji utilized in correct names or added with the intention of utilizing them as parts of different kanji, slightly than for his or her usefulness. This additionally implies that you may be lacking some extraordinarily frequent non-jōyō kanji too.

Additionally, be aware that the primary quantity expects you to learn to create mnemonics by yourself, so the mnemonics progressively fade out and are not offered later within the ebook. Developing with your individual mnemonics might enable you to strengthen your reminiscence, nevertheless it’s additionally time-consuming. Particularly when you’re contemplating RTK for its velocity, use Koohii, a database of user-generated mnemonics for RTK.

Lastly, it is a textbook. Utilizing it alone will not enable you to retain your kanji information. In the event you determine to go together with RTK, positively pair it with Anki or one other SRS.

The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course (KLC)

A well-thought-out textbook that can assist you bear in mind 2,300 kanji with mnemonics and punctiliously picked kanji vocabulary.

The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course, often known as the “KLC,” is a textbook designed to assist Japanese learners bear in mind 2,300 kanji. Because it was printed in 2013, it is constructed up a repute as top-of-the-line textbooks for studying kanji.

Whereas it may be in comparison with the opposite extremely popular kanji textbook, James Heisig’s Remembering the Kanji, the KLC presents a extra up to date and thorough method in addition to options that RTK was lacking. Their elementary 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 a few of the necessary elements for Japanese learners (comparable to kanji readings and vocabulary), KLC is designed as a sensible useful resource to assist learners acquire real literacy.

One of many greatest variations is that whereas RTK teaches you kanji in isolation from vocabulary or any form of context, KLC teaches you kanji in context. KLC presents a couple of pattern vocabulary phrases per kanji to characterize the usage of kanji in addition to frequent readings. And, the vocabulary solely makes use of kanji that you have discovered beforehand, so you’ll reinforce your kanji information in subsequent vocabulary. Though this method is probably not as hand-holding as WaniKani (I will be speaking about this subsequent), which offers you with mnemonics that can assist you bear in mind the kanji readings in addition to vocabulary, the intentional instructing order and punctiliously chosen vocabulary positively makes KLC invaluable.

KLC additionally takes into consideration the frequency of utilization of every kanji, which means that you’re going to be taught essentially the most generally used kanji first, which can enable you to to begin studying real-world Japanese supplies extra shortly. The number of kanji has given a variety 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 overall quantity 2,300, which is unquestionably on the heavier facet of most kanji studying applications. 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 ebook can be helpful (particularly unusual kanji saved for the sake of being jōyō kanji).

The KLC textbook is sort of easy — when you open the ebook and flip the pages, you may notice it appears virtually like a kanji dictionary or a reference, slightly than a course to undergo. And since it’s a ebook in any case, it does not include an built-in system to assessment what you have discovered like a built-in SRS. So to additional assessment and observe the kanji you be taught, there are supplemental assets like graded readers, or handwriting worksheets obtainable. Whereas doubtlessly useful, it could actually find yourself costing fairly a bit when you’re buying all of the really helpful supplies.

General, KLC is a well-designed useful resource for learners of Japanese that can assist you not solely familiarize your self with kanji, but in addition be capable to learn Japanese textual content in real-life. In the event you determine to provide KLC a go, begin initially to know how this system is designed and its really helpful use to maximise the advantages. Be sure to take a look at the appendix, too — you may choose up some elementary kanji information that can positively be helpful!

WaniKani

A whole package deal for kanji and Japanese vocabulary studying, utilizing built-in SRS and mnemonics that can assist you bear 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 goal 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 record is constantly up to date and improved.

What units WaniKani other than different kanji studying assets is that it is an all-in-one interactive instrument to be taught and bear 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 assessment 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 assessment what you have discovered.

WaniKani additionally takes the method of slowly constructing on what you have discovered. Like many different efficient kanji studying assets, it breaks down kanji into element elements or what we name “radicals.” You will 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 report of your right and incorrect solutions, WaniKani is aware of how acquainted (and the way not but acquainted) you might be with the objects you have discovered. This manner, WaniKani makes positive you are already accustomed to the prerequisite objects first, then unlocks new objects solely while you’re prepared.

One other factor that differentiates WaniKani from different assets is that it presents mnemonics for kanji readings along with kanji meanings. Many assets provide kanji which means mnemonics, however only some present mnemonics that can assist you bear in mind kanji readings. WaniKani additionally prioritizes kanji readings in response to how helpful they’re so you do not have to fret about which studying(s) you have 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’re going to be reinforcing numerous readings of kanji by means of studying Japanese phrases, not solely seeing kanji as part of vocabulary. Whereas different kanji studying assets solely present vocabulary alongside kanji, WaniKani helps you bear 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 applications like RTK or KLC typically use extra formal tutorial language, however WaniKani retains issues approachable and interesting (at the very least, we strive). WaniKani additionally has a big group of fellow learners providing recommendation, assist, and actions like ebook golf equipment. Figuring out that you simply’re in it with different folks may be reassuring and motivating, particularly in case you are a self-learner.

Nevertheless, regardless of all the good issues that I’ve stated about WaniKani, like some other useful resource, WaniKani is just not for everybody.

One of many advantages of utilizing a kanji studying program is that there is construction. You’ll be able to leap proper in and simply comply with this system with out worrying about what to do subsequent. Nevertheless, it additionally means applications restrain flexibility for effectiveness, and WaniKani’s program is pretty inflexible.

For instance, when you’re studying from textbooks, you’ll be able to skip pages and sure kanji (regardless that 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. Nevertheless, there are additionally many profitable customers who began WaniKani with months or years of kanji examine underneath 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 sluggish 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 must get pleasure from it whereas it lasts. The variety of critiques can be shortly overwhelming as you progress. One of the crucial 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 critiques. In the event you’re attempting to finish WaniKani, you are in it for the lengthy haul — it takes at the very least a yr to finish this system. It is necessary to not burn your self out.

Lastly, WaniKani is not the most cost effective program. There is a staff of us constantly working exhausting 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 will offer you an thought of the way it works and whether or not or not it is for you.

Kanji Injury

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 applications that price some cash. Whereas I personally imagine a high quality program is a worthy funding contemplating how a lot time it can save you, I additionally wished to introduce you to an choice that you need to use at no cost.

Kanji Injury is a web 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 Injury totally different from different kanji studying applications is its distinctive voice and writing fashion. Like I discussed earlier, textbook-based kanji applications have a tendency to make use of skilled and tutorial language. Kanji Injury goes within the complete other way and retains issues unapologetically informal. Possibly a bit too informal (and barely offensive) for some folks. However let’s be sincere — conventional textbooks can sound too uptight typically. Kanji Injury is perhaps excessive by comparability, however you would possibly discover it extra entertaining or approachable.

General, the content material is unquestionably NSFW, and never one thing to let your youngsters use for his or her kanji research, however when you do not thoughts that type of language, Kanji Injury is an honest choice you’ll be able to strive at no cost.

The language could also be inappropriate general, however do not simply decide it by how they converse. 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 an inventory of vocabulary that makes use of the kanji as nicely, so you’ll be able to see the kanji in context. Every kanji compound phrase (jukugo) exhibits 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 bear in mind.

Though Kanji Injury is a web site, be aware that it’s NOT an interactive instrument. It’s a assortment of static internet pages, and in reality, the creator really calls it a “ebook.” So, it will not save your progress, and you will not be capable to assessment or observe with built-in digital flashcards like WaniKani. Nevertheless, you must be aware that Kanji Injury has an official Anki deck, so regardless that it isn’t built-in, you need to use that as a instrument to assessment what you discovered on Kanji Injury.

Additionally, remember that the overall variety of kanji is 1,700, a couple of hundred fewer than what comparable kanji studying applications cowl. The creator used an inventory 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 every day life. As a local speaker of Japanese, I might say the record could also be a bit too pared down for learners seeking to obtain an honest degree 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 1 or two kanji studying applications you wish to try.

In case you could not discover what you have been on the lookout for, there are a couple of different assets that did not fairly make the shortlist you is likely to be thinking about. They’re all high quality assets, however they have been excluded for numerous causes; much less kanji protection, give attention to one explicit kanji-related ability (comparable to handwriting), and so forth.

Video Program

• Outlier Linguistics Kanji Masterclass: In the event you’re the type of one that 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 tips on how to be taught extra kanji by yourself with that foundational information.

Widespread Textbooks

• Kanji Look and Study: In the event you’re a Genki textbook fan, Kanji Look and Study is likely to be a superb choice that comes with illustrations for mnemonics for every kanji. It additionally has a separate workbook filled with actions, together with observe handwriting. Simply be aware it solely covers 512 newbie to intermediate-level kanji.

• Kanji from Zero!: The “from Zero!” collection has textbooks to check 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 Follow Handwriting

• Skritter: In the event you be taught kanji finest by means of handwriting (or tracing) the characters, otherwise you wish to grasp writing kanji by hand, the Skritter app could also be an ideal choice. It is fairly dear although, so when you merely wish to observe handwriting, think about using another like Japanese Kanji Examine, which I discuss subsequent, and pair it together with your principal kanji studying program.

• Japanese Kanji Examine: An Android app with a variety of options and adaptability to check kanji. It comes with loads of choices — info associated to every kanji in addition to tips on how to examine them, together with a characteristic to observe handwriting. For the reason that 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, be sure that to make the most of the trial or preview of the product if it is obtainable. Everybody learns in another way, and you will not know what works finest for you till you really strive it out. Hopefully, we can assist you level you towards assets that can be best for you, nevertheless it’s additionally necessary to stay with one thing as soon as you have began; no have to stress about discovering absolutely the good 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!