The Finest 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 study?!

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 technique you select. However should you’re making the funding, you need to do it in essentially the most environment friendly and efficient manner doable.

In case you’re scrolling this web page with a hand that is hurting from writing kanji on paper a gazillion occasions — you got here to the fitting place.

Fortunately, there are studying packages you’ll be able to simply observe alongside to make the kanji studying expertise much less of a ache (actually, and figuratively). With the fitting program, kanji will be manageable. It would not need to be this massive bushy purpose for Japanese learners.

On this article, I will introduce you to one of the best kanji studying packages obtainable. They arrive in varied 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 a lot of kanji studying packages on the market, so what are the variations between them, and the way do you decide one? Properly, there are some issues to think about…

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

The very first thing to think about is what kanji-related ability you are seeking to enhance. Like if you say “I need to study kanji,” what do you imply by that?

Would you like to have the ability to inform the which means of a kanji if you see one? Do you need to keep in mind the best way to pronounce it too?

I like to recommend you concentrate to a few features: kanji readings and kanji vocabulary.

Nearly all kanji studying packages train the which means(s) of every kanji, however not all of them train kanji readings. So that is undoubtedly one thing to think about.

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. Though kanji are semantic (that’s, every kanji has a minimum of one which means), they’re characters reasonably than standalone phrases. Certain, some single kanji characters will be phrases on their very own, however they’re extra generally used as parts to make vocabulary. It is essential to study them collectively.

Studying vocabulary together with kanji isn’t just 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 varied kanji readings. It may be overwhelming to consider having to study 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 can 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 essential to test: Does this system allow you to really keep in mind kanji?

Some packages could solely introduce data versus providing you with a significant approach to keep in mind it. One of the frequent approaches for that is referred to as mnemonics. Mnemonics are mainly a reminiscence approach that can assist you keep in mind issues.

For kanji studying, mnemonics come in several codecs. Some packages inform you the historical past of how the kanji had been created, whereas different train 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 technique).

And take note of what side of kanji they provide mnemonics that can assist you keep in mind, too. For instance, many present mnemonics that can assist 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 allow you to retain the information in any manner?

As time passes, you will doubtless overlook what you have discovered. So reviewing or refreshing what you have discovered is essential for turning that information into one thing concrete and steady in your thoughts. One of the 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 properly the merchandise sticks in your reminiscence, it goals to optimize the intervals and variety of occasions 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 full 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 should get by on a day-to-day foundation.

“So, what number of kanji ought to I study?” Simply to offer you an thought, the last word purpose for severe learners is round 2,000 kanji. You need to have the ability to learn most issues comfortably with that degree of literacy. However the variety of kanji is not the one factor it’s best 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 deal with 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 faculties, and there are roughly 2,000 of them (2,136 to be precise).

Nevertheless, it’s best to needless to say the jōyō kanji listing would not cowl all of the helpful kanji it’s best to know. In any case, the listing is supposed to be a foundational guideline. It is not an exhaustive listing for individuals who are studying Japanese as a overseas language.

Some frequent and helpful kanji like 嬉 (glad) and 嘘 (lie), will not be on the jōyō kanji listing, whereas a few of the kanji included will not be helpful or generally utilized in real-life communication.

4. What Format/Media Kind Is It?

Like I mentioned earlier, kanji studying packages are available varied codecs — textbooks, apps, video classes, and many others. You may need a powerful choice for a particular format over others, however attempt to maintain an open thoughts.

For instance, reviewing kanji will be a lot simpler and simpler if you use digital instruments that use SRS, which automate your complete reviewing course of. You’ll be able to nonetheless use textbooks or video classes, however you may additionally contemplate pairing it with an SRS flashcard app for evaluations.

The Finest Kanji Studying Packages

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 Injury.

For full transparency earlier than stepping into extra particulars, I need to let you realize one of many packages, WaniKani, is our personal product we created right here at Tofugu. I attempted my greatest 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 wished to be sure to know WaniKani is our personal.

Anyway, getting again to the precise choices…

Initially, all of them share some comparable qualities that make them efficient for studying kanji:

1. All of them have good protection of kanji (a minimum of 1,700, not just some hundred).
2. All of them use mnemonics (a minimum of that can assist you keep in mind the meanings).
3. All of them use the strategy of breaking down kanji into parts (Radical + Mnemonic technique).

Regardless of the similarities, they’re all very totally different packages designed and created with varied intentions in thoughts. There are a number of elements that make the training 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, here is the TLDR model:

• In case you’re in search of an interactive software to recollect (and never overlook) kanji and vocabulary, strive WaniKani.
• In case you’re in search of a top quality textbook to study kanji, Kodansha’s Kanji Learners’ Course is a good and reliable choice.
• In case you’re on a finances (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 pay attention to what you’ll NOT get out of it. For precise Japanese literacy, you will need to make up to your kanji studying and vocabulary information 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 advocate this selection 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 keep in mind the best way to ‘acknowledge the meanings’ of two,200 kanji. Warning: You will not study 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 sequence, also known as “RTK.”

It was first revealed in 1977, and might be one of many oldest assets that makes use of the now considerably frequent strategy of breaking down kanji into parts and offering “tales,” aka mnemonics, that can assist you keep in mind these kanji.

The primary quantity of the RTK sequence is essentially the most well-known. It has a status for being the quickest technique 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 pace.

However there is a catch — it teaches you kanji meanings completely, so you will not know the best way 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 sequence is devoted to educating the readings of the kanji you discovered within the first quantity. Nevertheless, it would not provide as a lot steerage as the primary quantity. Sadly, no mnemonics are offered that can assist you keep in mind the readings, despite the fact that 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 purpose 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 sequence right now, needless to say this e-book was first revealed in 1977. Learners’ wants have modified since then. Typing is much extra frequent and sensible than handwriting abilities, and you will not have the ability to kind if you do not know the best way 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 type of context. In real-life, kanji are mainly parts of phrases. It is essential to know the way 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 approach to get by means of and get acquainted with an enormous quantity of kanji. In case you’re the sort of one that needs to cram and drill down kanji meanings in a brief period of time, it’s price testing. Understanding the meanings of kanji is not utterly ineffective in spite of everything — 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. Properly, sort of…

Nevertheless, with its strict deal with meaning-only, what you really get out of it might be restricted and superficial — You will not have the ability to learn, kind kanji, or acquire vocabulary information from this e-book.

General, RTK 1 just isn’t designed to offer 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 properly. These are primarily kanji utilized in correct names or added with the intention of utilizing them as parts of different kanji, reasonably than for his or her usefulness. This additionally signifies that you will be lacking some extraordinarily frequent non-jōyō kanji too.

Additionally, word 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. Arising with your personal mnemonics might allow you to strengthen your reminiscence, nevertheless it’s additionally time-consuming. Particularly should you’re contemplating RTK for its pace, use Koohii, a database of user-generated mnemonics for RTK.

Lastly, this can be a textbook. Utilizing it alone will not allow you to retain your kanji information. In case you resolve to go together with RTK, undoubtedly pair it with Anki or one other SRS.

The Kodansha Kanji Learner’s Course (KLC)

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

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

Whereas it may be in comparison with the opposite highly regarded kanji textbook, James Heisig’s Remembering the Kanji, the KLC gives a extra up to date and thorough strategy in addition to options that RTK was lacking. Their elementary strategies are comparable — they each train kanji with part elements (they name them “graphemes”) and supply mnemonics to recollect the core meanings of kanji. Whereas RTK is most identified for being the quickest kanji studying technique whereas sacrificing a few of the essential features for Japanese learners (equivalent to kanji readings and vocabulary), KLC is designed as a sensible useful resource to assist learners acquire real literacy.

One of many largest variations is that whereas RTK teaches you kanji in isolation from vocabulary or any type of context, KLC teaches you kanji in context. KLC gives just a few 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’ve got discovered beforehand, so you’ll reinforce your kanji information in subsequent vocabulary. Though this strategy will not be as hand-holding as WaniKani (I will be speaking about this subsequent), which supplies you with mnemonics that can assist you keep in mind the kanji readings in addition to vocabulary, the intentional educating order and punctiliously chosen vocabulary undoubtedly makes KLC beneficial.

KLC additionally takes into consideration the frequency of utilization of every kanji, which means that you will study essentially the most generally used kanji first, which is able to allow you to to begin studying real-world Japanese supplies extra shortly. The choice of kanji has given plenty of thought to it too. The one draw back is that it contains all the jōyō kanji, together with some unusual ones. The total protection of jōyō kanji makes the full quantity 2,300, which is certainly on the heavier facet of most kanji studying packages. It additionally covers non-jōyō kanji based mostly on how helpful they’re and the way simple they’re to study, 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 will understand it appears to be like virtually like a kanji dictionary or a reference, reasonably 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 have discovered like a built-in SRS. So to additional evaluate and follow the kanji you study, there are supplemental assets like graded readers, or handwriting worksheets obtainable. Whereas probably useful, it may well find yourself costing fairly a bit should you’re buying all of the really useful 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 additionally have the ability to learn Japanese textual content in real-life. In case you resolve to offer KLC a go, begin at the start to know how this system is designed and its really useful use to maximise the advantages. Be sure to take a look at the appendix, too — you will decide up some elementary kanji information that may undoubtedly be helpful!

WaniKani

A whole bundle for kanji and Japanese vocabulary studying, utilizing built-in SRS and mnemonics that can assist you keep in mind and never overlook 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 based mostly on elements like frequency and native speaker instinct, along with whether or not a kanji is jōyō or not. And the listing 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 software to study and keep in mind kanji and vocabulary. There are kanji textbooks which have nice content material, however many customers need to pair it with a separate SRS like Anki in an effort to evaluate what they discovered in these books. WaniKani streamlines this course of, providing classes to introduce you to new gadgets (radicals, kanji, and vocabulary), and a built-in SRS to evaluate what you have discovered.

WaniKani additionally takes the strategy of slowly constructing on what you have discovered. Like many different efficient kanji studying assets, it breaks down kanji into part elements or what we name “radicals.” You will be launched to radicals first, then kanji that use these radicals. And what’s extra — you will study vocabulary phrases that use the kanji with WaniKani. As a result of its SRS retains a document of your appropriate and incorrect solutions, WaniKani is aware of how acquainted (and the way not but acquainted) you might be with the gadgets you have discovered. This fashion, WaniKani makes positive you are already acquainted with the prerequisite gadgets first, then unlocks new gadgets solely if you’re prepared.

One other factor that differentiates WaniKani from different assets is that it gives mnemonics for kanji readings along with kanji meanings. Many assets provide kanji which means mnemonics, however just a few present mnemonics that can assist you keep in mind kanji readings. WaniKani additionally prioritizes kanji readings in keeping with 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 do not forget — WaniKani teaches you vocabulary that makes use of the kanji you beforehand discovered. It is designed in a manner that you will be reinforcing varied 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 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 (a minimum of, we strive). WaniKani additionally has a big neighborhood of fellow learners providing recommendation, assist, and actions like e-book golf equipment. Understanding that you just’re in it with different folks will be reassuring and motivating, particularly in case you are a self-learner.

Nevertheless, regardless of all the great issues that I’ve mentioned about WaniKani, like every other useful resource, WaniKani just isn’t for everybody.

One of many advantages of utilizing a kanji studying program is that there is construction. You’ll be able to bounce proper in and simply observe this system with out worrying about what to do subsequent. Nevertheless, 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 (despite the fact that they often advocate to not, there’s nothing to cease you). With WaniKani, you’ll be able to’t skip gadgets or ranges. This might be probably 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 research beneath their belts who can attest that they might study 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 — it’s best to get pleasure from it whereas it lasts. The variety of evaluations may also be shortly overwhelming as you progress. One of the frequent items of recommendation that fellow WaniKani customers are giving out is to ensure to tempo your self. Even when new classes can be found, you would possibly maintain off on doing them so that you just will not get overwhelmed by evaluations. In case you’re attempting to finish WaniKani, you are in it for the lengthy haul — it takes a minimum of a yr to finish this system. It is essential to not burn your self out.

Lastly, WaniKani is not the most affordable program. There is a workforce of us constantly working laborious to assist our customers, enhance and replace this system (content-wise in addition to feature-wise). Having mentioned that, the first three ranges are free and may provide you with 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 packages that value some cash. Whereas I personally consider a top 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 without cost.

Kanji Injury is a web site the place you’ll be able to study 1,700 kanji utilizing the strategy 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 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 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 generally. Kanji Injury is possibly excessive by comparability, however you would possibly discover it extra entertaining or approachable.

General, the content material is certainly NSFW, and never one thing to let your children use for his or her kanji research, however should you do not thoughts that sort of language, Kanji Injury is a good choice 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 Injury is a web site, word that it’s NOT an interactive software. It’s a assortment of static internet pages, and in reality, the writer really calls it a “e-book.” So, it will not save your progress, and you will not have the ability to evaluate or follow with built-in digital flashcards like WaniKani. Nevertheless, it’s best to word that Kanji Injury has an official Anki deck, so despite the fact that it is not built-in, you need to use that as a software to evaluate what you discovered on Kanji Injury.

Additionally, remember that the full variety of kanji is 1,700, just a few 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 every day life. As a local speaker of Japanese, I might say the listing could also be a bit too pared down for learners seeking to obtain a good degree of literacy, and familiarize themselves with many of the kanji they’d encounter every day.

Different Kanji Studying Assets

We hope this text helped introduce you to 1 or two kanji studying packages you need to try.

In case you could not discover what you had been in search of, there are just a few different assets that did not fairly make the shortlist you is perhaps thinking about. They’re all high quality assets, however they had been excluded for varied causes; much less kanji protection, deal with one specific kanji-related ability (equivalent to handwriting), and many others.

Video Program

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

In style Textbooks

• Kanji Look and Study: In case you’re a Genki textbook fan, Kanji Look and Study is perhaps an excellent choice that comes with illustrations for mnemonics for every kanji. It additionally has a separate workbook filled with actions, together with follow handwriting. Simply word it solely covers 512 newbie to intermediate-level kanji.

• Kanji from Zero!: The “from Zero!” sequence has textbooks to review kanji too. Whereas the textbooks embody a bunch of actions, together with handwriting, they arrive in separate volumes, every solely masking a pair hundred kanji.

Instruments To Observe Handwriting

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

• Japanese Kanji Examine: An Android app with plenty of options and adaptability to review kanji. It comes with loads of choices — data associated to every kanji in addition to the best way to research them, together with a characteristic to follow handwriting. For the reason that construction is compromised for its customizability, I might advocate utilizing it as a secondary useful resource to pair with a kanji studying program of your selection.

No matter what you decide, make 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 greatest 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 essential to stay with one thing as soon as you have began; no have to stress about discovering absolutely the excellent technique, 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 will get pleasure from it!