Are looking for materials to learn katakana with? You came to the right place, because we have a perfect book for you, and it’s available for free.
Maybe you’ve just finished studying hiragana, or you’re one the many people who procrastinated getting your hands on katakana for a long time (no judgement, I feel you). Either way — or, even if you don’t apply to either, as long as you want to study katakana and want to be able to read those somewhat futuristic-looking Japanese characters, check out Tofugu’s Learn Katakana book.
If you are already familiar with Tofugu’s Learn Hiragana Book, you already have an idea of what it is like. It comes in PDF format so you can print it out or use it on your tablet. For Japanese teachers and tutors out there, you are welcome to use this material with your students too.
Just like its hiragana version, it is based on the Learn Katakana: Ultimate Guide that uses visual memory hints (mnemonics).
What’s different from the Ultimate Guide is that this book comes with writing practice. It’s more important to be able to read the katakana first, but this extra hands-on practice will help you remember them, not just let you remember how to write katakana or practice handwriting them prettily.
There are also review pages throughout the book to review what you’ve learned up until that point. You’ll be filling in the romaji reading of the corresponding kana. Through some of the quizzes, you get to see some examples of how katakana are actually used, too. For example, some show Japanese words that are commonly written in katakana, and others show katakana transcribing foreign words.
<figcaption> Click to download the PDF </figcaption>
If you are printing this out on paper, it fits nicely on a standard 8.5 x 11 inch (or A4 size) piece of paper. You can of course use it on your tablet too. Enjoy!
While there’s a lot of studying you can do on your own, I think there’s tremendous value in finding a native speaker to do a language exchange with.
But what do you do when you’ve found someone? You might wonder, “What do we talk about first?” or “How should I manage my language exchange sessions?” Frankly, it can be a bit intimidating to meet with a language partner for the first time.
Luckily, I’m here to help!
In this article, I thought I’d round up all my best ideas, tips, and some useful Japanese phrases for facilitating a successful language exchange. Over years of doing language exchanges with Japanese speakers, learning from professional teachers, and taking small group classes, I’ve compiled some great resources to aid and inspire you to start your own language exchange or make more out of one you’ve already started.
And, even if you’re looking into hiring a tutor instead of starting a language exchange, keep reading. Most of the information from this article will be useful for tutoring sessions as well. Although tutoring or lessons may not be exactly a language exchange, there are a lot of similarities so you can still put these tips to use.
Prerequisites: In this article, I’ll be sharing some useful Japanese phrases for language exchange sessions, but they’re written in Japanese, assuming you already know hiragana and katakana. If you need to brush up, have a look at our Ultimate Hiragana Guide and Ultimate Katakana Guide. Or, if you haven’t studied hiragana and katakana, now might be a good opportunity to get them down before you start a language exchange!
What Is a Language Exchange?
A language exchange involves two speakers of different languages working together to improve.
A language exchange can refer to several scenarios. Typically, a language exchange is a mutual learning environment in which two speakers of different languages work together to teach and help the other person improve their second-language skills. Usually, both speakers will be experts in their first language (meaning, native speakers or those with native-level proficiency from having lived or grown up in an immersive environment) and looking to improve in their target language in which the other is the expert.
In this article, I’ll be specifically talking about learning Japanese through interacting with a Japanese language partner, while helping them to improve their English (or whatever language you’re fluent in) in return.
Mostly, I’ll be talking about doing synchronous language exchange, either through live online communication or in-person, but I think much of this would also apply to asynchronous language exchanges, like text-based messaging in different time zones.
Why Should I Do a Language Exchange?
There’s a lot you can only get from native speakers.
With that out of the way, why would you want to do a language exchange in the first place? Well, in my opinion, it’s among the best ways to both make progress and truly put your skills to the test. I think it’s incredible the amount of studying students are able to do totally on their own. By reading textbooks, listening to podcasts, immersing in native material, and much more, you can reach a high level of Japanese proficiency all on your own. That said, there’s a lot you can only get from native speakers. From learning the nuance or usage of specific words and answering questions, to detailed grammar explanations or guided practice, being able to learn from a native speaker has in my experience opened a lot of doors.
Additionally, there’s a lot of value in putting your practical Japanese to use. Especially on your own, it can be easy to get caught in a loop of only inputting — for example, just reading books and watching dramas, etc. — and never working on output. There have been a lot of times I thought I understood a grammar point or a word’s usage, only to realize I didn’t quite understand it as well as I thought I did, by making a mistake in either writing or speaking. And I might not have realized my mistake at all without the support of native speakers who let me know.
There’s a lot of value in putting your practical Japanese to use.
Finally, I think it’s super beneficial to try explaining things to others as a means of solidifying your own knowledge. You might be surprised to hear that I think explaining English grammar and vocabulary to my Japanese friends has made my Japanese stronger. This technique can help you break down and think about language in a way you might take for granted as a native speaker, which in turn helps you analyze your Japanese as well.
If you’re lucky enough to find a good, mutual language exchange partner, make sure you’re doing your part, too! Not only is it good etiquette, but it might also do more for you than you’d expect.
Where Can I Find a Language Exchange Partner?
I would suggest trying both language exchanges and formal lessons.
Now that you know why you might want to seek out a language exchange, where can you actually find one? First, you need to think about what sort of language exchange you want. I think both proper language exchanges and formal lessons (i.e. tutoring) have their merits, and if you’re able, I would suggest trying both.
For doing a true language exchange, I’d first look at some of the apps available, or if you prefer something in-person, see if there are any meetup groups nearby. If your city has a Japanese culture center or consulate, they might be a good place to check, otherwise, consider your local university or even the library. If these aren’t an option for you, don’t worry; there are a ton of apps for this exact purpose!
Since I wrote about this previously in my HelloTalk review and guide to finding a Japanese tutor articles, I’ll keep this section brief. If you’re looking for a teacher or tutor, I’d recommend iTalki, Verbling, Wasabi, or JapaTalk. Of course, there are many more websites and services besides these, but I think these should be enough to get you started.
So, why might you choose one over the other?
Language exchange apps tend to be free, though you tend to get what you pay for.
Cost is one important consideration. Language exchange apps tend to be free in my experience, though you tend to get what you “pay” for. It can be difficult to meet someone whose personality is a good fit for you, who’s also good at answering your questions or correcting your mistakes, and of course, it’s expected you’ll do the same for them.
Working with a teacher or tutor in any setting is just another form of practice with a native speaker. Teachers can be quite expensive, though cheaper options exist, and trial lessons can help you make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. And you can probably go into a lesson with a bit more confidence that the teacher will be good at explaining things, and without the expectation that you’ll have to teach as well. Bear in mind that teachers often have their own teaching style, class format (be it freeform conversation practice, or something more structured), and even materials, which can mean more time spent learning and less time trying to figure out what to work on.
Luckily, it’s not an either/or situation. Making friends through a language exchange is both great practice and motivation to keep studying, and a teacher can’t be beat for staying consistent, filling in blind spots, and getting the most detailed explanations and help.
Before You Get Started…
Here are a few things to consider before you get started with a language exchange to make sure it’s the best it can be.
For one, think deeply about your goals.
As I mentioned in my article on finding a tutor, you have to decide if you want something more formal like actual lessons or something more casual like a friend to chat with. What would your goal be for a session? Are you looking for some structure to keep you consistent? Do you want listening practice? Are you just trying to make some cross-cultural friends? All are fine aims for getting started, but depending on your ultimate goal, the sort of exchange you’re looking for could change over time.
Next, consider your level.
If you’re just starting out, it might be difficult to do a casual language exchange with a native speaker; perhaps working with a teacher would be more fruitful, or you’d be better suited to doing some self-study, first.
Think deeply about your goals and consider your level.
There are a number of other considerations to keep in mind for lessons, too. As I mentioned before, many teachers can help you decide what sort of class format and practice suits you, and it’s well worth talking to them beforehand to find a method that fits your needs best. Do you want to follow a textbook, or something a bit more free-form? Will you plan conversation topics or themes in advance? Do you want them to assign homework and formally grade you, or simply correct your mistakes? It’s best to think about these sorts of things beforehand, but you can always try something out and make adjustments as you go along, just be sure to lay a good foundation first.
Scheduling
Next, I find it helps to think about scheduling. I find it’s best to keep consistent with a time that works regularly, but if your schedules don’t allow, try and set up your next meeting time at the end of each session. That way, you don’t suddenly get off track when you forget to schedule one.
I find it’s best to keep consistent with a time that works regularly.
There are also a lot of great tools online that can make this easier. For example, I keep all my appointments in Google Calendar. Additionally, you can try using apps like Calendly, Doodle, or WhenAvailable to find times that work for both of you. This is especially helpful when trying to schedule a meeting with someone in a different time zone.
I think having some idea of a routine also helps even for the most casual exchanges. For example, I usually chat with a Japanese friend of mine on Saturday nights. Since both of our schedules change around we can’t always meet up, so we just let each other know if we’ll be free or not each week.
Preferences For Corrections and Feedback
The next point to consider is corrections. Of course, as a language learner, you’re going to be making a lot of mistakes. This is okay, and in fact, great! Making mistakes, seeing what’s incorrect, and adjusting in the future is one of the best ways to make progress in a language and one of the best things a native speaker can help you with. Even so, it’s important to consider the sort of feedback you’d like from your language exchange partner, and how they should give it.
Making mistakes, seeing what’s incorrect, and adjusting in the future is one of the best ways to make progress.
For example, would you like them to correct every mistake or only the big ones?
Personally, I always want to know if I’ve made an error so I can correct it, but I totally get people who’d prefer to focus on just using Japanese and having fun. You can get even more specific and say that you’d like your pitch accent or pronunciation errors to be pointed out too! It all depends on what you want to get out of the language exchange sessions.
And if you want corrections, should they let you know right away, or wait?
I don’t mind if someone interrupts me to correct my particle usage, for example, but maybe you’d prefer your partner simply make notes and give them to you after you finish speaking, or at the end of the session.
You need to find an approach that makes the most sense for you as a language learner.
Of course, improving your practical language skills is ultimately the point of doing a language exchange, but you need to find an approach that makes the most sense for you as a language learner. I think it’s best to establish this right away, so it’s not awkward to ask them to make a change later on.
You should also remember to take the time to thank your partner for listening carefully to you and offering feedback. It’s only natural that people find it hard to correct someone they’re just getting to know, so be appreciative and extra open to feedback, and make sure your partner feels comfortable pointing out your errors. If you’re in a true language exchange setting, you also want to make sure to return the favor — of course, taking their preferences into account as well.
Logistic Considerations
One last thing before you get started; think about some of the practical considerations. For example, what platform will you use? If you’re meeting with someone in real life at a coffee shop, this doesn’t matter much, but with online language exchanges, this is one thing you’ll want to decide first. Will you chat online via an app like Zoom, Skype, or LINE? Or will you use a language exchange platform, like HelloTalk or iTalki’s online classroom? Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and limitations on what you can do.
For example, if you’re using Skype or Zoom, it’s easy to share your screen so you can both look at the same article or dialogue. Or maybe you’re on a call on LINE, but will also use a Google Doc to share corrections and notes in real-time.
In general, I find taking notes to be super useful, and I always at least have a pen and paper nearby. That way, if my partner says a word or phrase I’m not familiar with, I can note it down to look up or study later. You can also take notes in case your conversation goes on a tangent, or jot down tips and corrections for your partner that you can send them afterward.
Finally, if you’re doing virtual language exchange, be sure to use headphones or earbuds, and find a quiet place. Of course, speaking is as important as listening here, so you also want to make sure you’ve got a good microphone and stable internet connection to avoid interruptions. You don’t want to derail your language exchange before it even gets started because your partner can’t hear you, or you can’t hear them. Make sure you set yourself up for success!
Topic and Format Ideas for Your Language Exchange Sessions
So, now that you’ve found a language exchange partner, what’s next? Especially when you’re just getting started, it can be a challenge to come up with topics for discussion or figure out what it is you want or need to work on together. Having gone through this process a number of times though, I have a few ideas for how to both break the ice and build a strong rapport regardless of who your language exchange partner may be.
Self-Introduction
The first step in any Japanese language exchange will likely be the same: 自己紹介, or a self-introduction. For Japanese language learners, being able to give a self-introduction is a pretty important and common practice, so you might as well think about it now. In every class or lesson I’ve ever taken the teacher has asked for a formal self-introduction. If you’re just chatting with friends I don’t think you’ll need to be too rigid, but it would be good to talk a bit about your interests and aims, and ask the other person about theirs!
So what should go into a self-introduction? Luckily, they almost always tend to follow a template.
Here’s a list of phrases that I usually go with when introducing myself. You can replace words marked like this with info relevant to you and use these phrases for your own self-intro.
Japanese
English
はじめまして。
Nice to meet you.
イアン です。 イアン と申します。(More formal)
I’m Ian.
シカゴ に住んでいます。
I live in Chicago.
４年くらい日本語を勉強しています。
I’ve been studying Japanese for about four years.
野球を見ることと本を読むことが好きです。 趣味は野球を見ることと本を読むことです。
I like watching baseball and reading books. My hobbies are watching baseball and reading books.
よろしくお願いします。
I look forward to working together. / I’m looking forward to getting to know you.
First, start strong: はじめまして, meaning “Nice to meet you.” Can’t go wrong with that, right? Next, I always give my name. In my case, I usually just say イアンです, or “I’m Ian,” though in more formal situations, イアンと申します (“My name is Ian [using humble language]”) might be more appropriate. I usually say where I live, シカゴに住んでいます which means “I live in Chicago,” and how long I’ve been studying Japanese: ４年くらい日本語を勉強しています which means “I’ve been studying Japanese for about 4 years.” Finally, I like to close with a few of my interests 野球を見ることと本を読むことが好きです which means, “I like watching baseball and reading books,” and end with a good old-fashioned よろしくお願いします, which in this case might mean something like, “I look forward to working together.”
Finding Common Ground and Breaking The Ice
I’d definitely start these sorts of exchanges by trying to find some shared ground.
In general, language exchanges that take place on HelloTalk or a similar app are probably going to be a lot more casual and less structured than a lesson with a teacher, or even just an online tutoring session. However, I would definitely start these sorts of exchanges in the same way you might when meeting anyone for the first time: trying to find some shared ground. For example, are you both big fans of music? Do you like the same or different genres? Maybe you don’t really share any hobbies, but you can ask them about their hobbies, and explain a bit about yours. Like any conversation, it should be a give and take: both balancing out how much you’re speaking, in which language you’re communicating, and for what amount of time.
While hobbies are a great lead-in, don’t feel limited to just that! I love asking Japanese people about how their name is written if it uses kanji, their goals and aims for studying English, as well as about Japanese culture, like their favorite foods or seasonal events. Really, getting to know your language exchange partner is no different from meeting anyone new, except you already have a common interest — studying a language. If you find someone you click with, the conversation will come naturally like with any friend; albeit peppered with little questions about language.
What Should We Practice?
Hopefully, this gives you a good idea of how to hit the ground running with a new language exchange partner, but what exactly should you practice together, and how?
If you want a little more structure, you can also try and decide on a topic together beforehand.
Probably the most common and popular form of language exchange is conversation practice. You meet up with your partner and talk about life, or whatever topic pops up organically. If you want a little more structure to save you from any awkward silences or wasted time, you can also try and decide on a topic together beforehand, which will allow you to look up any grammar or vocab you think you’ll need in advance. However, having to come up with a topic each time can be somewhat time-consuming in the long term. To remedy this, you can search for ice breaker topics online to help you explore a wide range of topics you might otherwise not bring up on your own and wouldn’t get a chance to practice talking about.
If you’re working through a textbook, that’s a great jumping-off point.
While conversation practice is great (especially since you can’t practice it alone!), the options are wide. If you’re working through a textbook, that’s a great jumping-off point. Maybe you have a question about some of the grammar or vocab, or you want to read through the dialogue or text together. You can also pick up a textbook or workbook specializing in a specific area you want to focus on improving, such as pronunciation or business expressions to work on with your partner.
I’ve given mini-presentations on various topics and read through something in Japanese.
I’ve given mini-presentations on a variety of different topics before, which helped me learn a lot of new words and put my grammar to use while also practicing speaking smoothly. In other sessions, I’ve read through something in Japanese like a web article or a part of a story. While reading alone is great practice, I like both the challenge of reading aloud and testing my knowledge of kanji readings without looking anything up. Additionally, this not only gives you a topic to discuss, but can give you and your partner a better idea of your reading comprehension level and help you understand anything that goes over your head.
One final practice activity I’ve enjoyed is watching a video together. From clips of Japanese TV shows to street interviews, this can be a great test of your listening comprehension. Despite my best intentions, it can be easy to tell myself I understood something I listened to or read, but on closer inspection, I might’ve only gotten the gist rather than the full nuance. Testing yourself in this way helps drastically improve those skills.
Talk to your language partner and discuss what would work best for the two of you. Of course, a language exchange partner, unlike a teacher you’ve hired, may be less proactive in suggesting activities (unless they’re super passionate about teaching). In that sense, it’s your job to decide what you want to do in your sessions and proactively communicate that to your partner.
Tips and Best Practices to Get the Most Out of Your Language Exchange
Now you’ve hopefully found a partner, and maybe even have some things to work on together. But how should you go about a language exchange? I’ve got a few tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years to hopefully make this both as smooth and as beneficial a practice as possible.
Be Polite!
First of all: be polite! While this might seem like a no-brainer, I specifically mean to start out with using formal Japanese (です and ます), regardless of whether you’re working with a teacher or a more casual study partner. While most people will probably forgive you for mistakes here and there, it’s important to remember Japanese is a lot more deliberate about the distance between people than English. Making a friend through a language exchange partner can be a great way to practice casual Japanese, but even here, I’d recommend starting formal and easing into casual as you get to know them better.
So how do you know when it’s a good time to switch to casual Japanese in less-formal situations? There are a couple of rules of thumb here.
For one, consider the relationship. For example, is there an age difference? It can be a lot easier to start speaking casual Japanese with someone younger than you. Also think about how long you’ve known this person. Some native speakers might feel uncomfortable jumping into casual language before you’ve gotten to know each other a bit better.
Native speakers are usually very forgiving of mistakes, so long as you’re trying your best.
Second, pay close attention to the sort of language they use. If they’re already using casual Japanese and there isn’t an obvious social distance between you (as in, are you roughly the same age?), it might be a sign to move in that direction.
Finally, feel free to just ask. In my experience, native speakers have been very understanding and forgiving of mistakes or misunderstandings, so long as you’re trying your best. Don’t feel afraid to make a mistake. Just ask if it’s okay to practice more casual Japanese together.
Key Phrases and Expressions
Next, here are a bunch of useful Japanese phrases I’ve collected over the years to keep in mind.
Phrases for Asking Questions
Especially when you’re first starting out with a language exchange you may be feeling a bit self-conscious. While that’s understandable, it’s in your best interest to ask for help when you need it. Tell yourself there’s no shame in asking questions. In fact, settings like language exchanges or lessons are probably the safest place to make mistakes and ask questions on the planet.
Even communicating that you didn’t understand something gives your language partner a better idea of your current abilities and makes it easier for them to help you — even better if you can ask your questions and understand the explanations in Japanese. This means knowing how to ask questions in Japanese comes in handy. Here’s a list of useful phrases related to asking questions.
Japanese
English
すみません。
Excuse me.
質問があります。
I have a question.
質問してもいいですか？ 質問していい？(Very casual)
Is it okay if I ask a question?
〜って、なんですか？
What is …?
〜は、日本語で何と言いますか？
What is … called in Japanese?
分かりました。
I understand it now.
なるほど。
I see.
そうですか。
I see.
すみません、よくわかりませんでした。
Sorry, I didn’t really get it.
もう一度お願いします。
Could you please repeat that?
Perhaps the most important is the humble すみません. Of course, the meaning of this phrase can be wide-ranging, from “excuse me” to politely get attention (like if you wanted to ask a question, for example), or “I’m sorry” to apologize if you made a mistake. Next, if you do have a question, you could say something like すみません、質問があります (Excuse me, I have a question) or 質問してもいいですか？ (Is it okay if I ask a question?) I would say the latter is a bit more casual despite still being formal Japanese, and would be good to use with new language exchange partners. (Maybe later on you could ask 質問していい？ if the situation calls for more casual language).
If they use a word you don’t know, you could ask about it by using 〜って、なんですか？After an explanation, you might want to let them know you understood, using わかりました (I understand it now), なるほど (“I see,” which is better for longer or more detailed explanations), or even just そうですか (“Got it,” when said with falling intonation). Or maybe you didn’t understand, so you could say すみません、よくわかりませんでした (I’m sorry, I didn’t really get it). If you want to ask them to repeat themselves, you can say もう一度お願いします (One more time, please).
Expressions to Help You Get Your Point Across
Additionally, there are a lot of useful phrases if you can’t quite remember something. Rather than constantly looking up words, trying to explain what you mean with words you already know would be much better practice. Here are some expressions that I find convenient in a situation like this.
Japanese
English
〜みたいな
like …
〜に似てる
similar to …
ほぼ〜
almost …
感じ
feeling
〜の逆 〜の反対
opposite to …
〜じゃなくて
not …
For example, ～みたい (like …) might be my most used word, alongside ほぼ (almost) or …に似てる (similar to …). Along those same lines, I often use 感じ or “feeling,” as in the phrase, …みたいな感じですか？ (Is it like … (feeling)?)” to ask if my explanation or the impression I had was correct. 逆 (opposite) or 〜の反対 (…’s opposite) can be super helpful if you can only recall the antonym of a word. Finally, I tend to use ～じゃなくて (“It’s not …”) while trailing off, especially if I’m unsure about a word’s usage or the correct reading in context.
Phrases for Wrapping Up Your Session
Lessons tend to have a designated end time, but what do you say when you want to conclude a call? Here are some phrases to wrap up your session politely and respectfully.
Japanese
English
そろそろ失礼します。
I have to leave shortly.
そろそろ行かなきゃ。(Very casual)
I gotta go soon.
もう終わりの時間ですね。
It’s time to finish the session, isn’t it?
ありがとうございました。
Thank you very much.
それじゃあ、また。
See you, then.
またね。(Very casual)
See you next time.
With a language partner, if you need to leave, I would say そろそろ失礼します (I have to excuse myself shortly) or そろそろ行かなきゃ (I gotta go soon) depending on your relationship with them.
You can also say もう終わりの時間ですね (it’s time to finish the session, isn’t it?) to gently remind your partner that it’s almost time to go. Make sure you thank them with an ありがとうございました (thank you very much) before you go, and say goodbye with それじゃあ、また (“see you, then”) or if you’re good friends, またね (see you next time).
Final Thoughts
Working and communicating with a native speaker can be one of the most rewarding and most daunting parts of learning a language. But like all aspects of language learning, it becomes easier the more you do it. So push your comfort zone a little bit, and go share cultures! Hopefully, some of these tips will make your language exchange as painless as possible, and help you unlock a whole new world of communication possibilities.
For many Japanese learners out there, grammar study begins the old fashioned way: in a textbook. In the popular beginner textbook series Genki for example, the authors present learners with a dialogue in Japanese, and then break down the grammar points used alongside the vocabulary to help learners better understand it. While this is a great way of familiarizing yourself with some of the standard grammar concepts in Japanese, it can be a little difficult to know when to review them, and their usage in contexts other than the dialogue you’re familiar with.
Bunpro attempts to solve this problem by applying the popular and proven-effective spaced repetition study technique to grammar. Spaced Repetition Systems, or SRS, is probably a familiar concept to many language learners as it’s often used to help memorize vocabulary, like with Tofugu’s own WaniKani and the ever-popular Anki. It’s something I’ve described previously as almost like a multiplier of your own ability to memorize information. Commonly used for building vocabulary, Bunpro’s novel utilization of this powerful method with what’s known as “cloze deletion” — which is more or less fill in the blank (more on this later!) — grammar flashcards aims to make grammar points stick much longer than just a simple glance through a textbook.
So how well does it actually work? That’s exactly what I aimed to find out in practice. With a range of both fun and convenient integrations, the ability to utilize the app for multiple different study methods and aims, and frequent updates, Bunpro can be a highly useful component of any Japanese learner’s study routine.
What is Bunpro?
Bunpro is a spaced repetition software designed for studying Japanese grammar and vocabulary. It’s primarily a web-based app, though there are alpha versions of mobile apps for both iOS and Android (as these are incomplete, your mileage in using them may vary). Bunpro is available for a subscription fee after a 30-day free trial, at either $5/month, $50/year, or a single $150 payment for lifetime access.
So what do you get for your money? Access to a powerful and flexible SRS, designed to work regardless of if you’re a self-studier looking for a bit more structure, or someone who wants to use Bunpro as the center of their grammar study.
After signing up, you’ll be directed to your dashboard. On this page, you can see how many grammar and vocabulary reviews you have due, a prompt to study new grammar, some stats like a forecast of upcoming reviews, and a chart of previous reviews, personal stats like your current streak and days studied, and finally some of the recent posts on their popular forum.
There’s also a navigation bar up top with a few more links to the pages below:
Study
A page for learning new grammar points you haven’t studied yet, based on the target JLPT level you select in the settings.
Review
Takes you directly to your reviews.
Cram
Lets you do extra reviews outside of the SRS intervals, to really nail down some sticking points.
Content
Allows you browse all the available grammar points, offers a reading practice section, or enables you to search for vocab to add to your review queue.
Paths
Takes you to an alternative sorting of the grammar points, to correspond with one of several popular textbook series like Genki.
Finally, there’s a deep settings page, which allows you to tweak everything from how much furigana is shown, a menu to tell Bunpro which textbook you’re using, how reviews should work, and more. You can also choose to opt into the beta version of Bunpro, meaning you’ll get access to the latest features while they’re still being tested. While Bunpro doesn’t require the deep setup of something like Anki, it’s well worth it for you to go through these settings to make sure things are configured in the way that works best for you.
SRS
Bunpro uses spaced repetition to help reinforce the brain’s ability to memorize things long-term.
At its core, Bunpro is an SRS. This means it uses the technique of spaced repetition to help reinforce the brain’s ability to memorize things long-term, rather than just something you’re likely to forget. Most commonly, this technique is performed with flashcards, which is known as cued recall: you’re given a cue for something, maybe a word written in kanji, for example, and are asked to recall the rest of the information, such as the reading and definition. Then, depending on how well you were able to recall that information, the interval between the next time you review that information is adjusted. If you remembered it, the interval is increased, and if you didn’t, the interval is decreased. The aim is to get you to recall the information just before forgetting it, helping cement it into your long-term memory.
While that’s the general definition, in practice SRS comes in many forms. For example, you could technically do spaced repetition study all by yourself, with a set of flashcards and a calendar. However, it’s much much more convenient to let a computer do all the heavy lifting for you. Additionally, different applications will have different intervals, and different ways to adjust them. For example, Anki allows you to customize intervals and offers four different options to adjust them (but check out my Anki review for why you might only want to use two of them!)
Cloze Deletion and Progressive Sentences
There are many different ways to test your knowledge and just as many tools to accomplish just that. Let’s take a look at how BunPro stacks up with the other apps I’ve mentioned.
Bunpro asks you to type in the answers to example sentences with a fill-in-the-blanks gap.
When it comes to Anki, the app only asks you to recall the information, and grade yourself on how well you did, which has both benefits and drawbacks. WaniKani asks users to type in answers, which takes a little more time but prevents you from marking yourself correct if you didn’t actually know what you’re being tested on. Though the implementation is a little different, both of these methods fall under the cued recall technique I mentioned earlier.
Like WaniKani, Bunpro also asks you to type in the answers by using something known as cloze deletion or a cloze test. You’re given example sentences with a fill-in-the-blanks gap. You need to type in the correct grammar point, for example, a verb conjugated into a specific grammatical form, or a common expression, to complete the sentence.
While both are valid and valuable methods of study, in a 1989 study, psychologist John Glover found the cloze deletion form of cued recall more effective for long-term learning than a simple recognition test (for example, having to pick the correct answer from a list, like with multiple choice questions).
Here’s an example review question from Bunpro. They present you with the sentence: 家具を買うなら、このお店___。Pressing space will give you a hint, which is a concise definition of the grammar point they’re looking for. If you still don’t know, hitting space again will give you a full English translation of the sentence, with the missing grammar point defined in blue. In the sentence above, the grammar point they’re looking for is にかぎる or “nothing better than,” making the sentence, “If you want to buy furniture, there’s no shop better than this one.”
Seeing Japanese grammar and vocabulary used in context is extremely valuable for deepening your understanding.
Personally, I think seeing Japanese grammar and vocabulary used in context is extremely valuable for deepening your understanding. While testing yourself on the one-to-one translation of vocabulary has its place in the learning process when usage is self-explanatory and straightforward (knowing 雪 means “snow” gives you a pretty complete picture of its usage), for more complicated terms and grammar points you can’t really get achieve a deep understanding without seeing them in context. Of course, Bunpro takes it a step further than simply seeing a grammar point in context as it asks you to practice using it, albeit in a focused manner.
Bunpro does a good job of not only varying the sentences, but making sure to show progressive sentences.
On the flipside, these example sentences initially drew my concern when going into Bunpro. As I mentioned in my Anki review, I’m a bit wary of learning one hyper-specific cue or context. For instance, learning to recognize the context of a single example sentence, as opposed to achieving a broader or more holistic understanding of what you’re aiming to study. Luckily, Bunpro specifically works to alleviate this issue. While you will see the same sentences more than once, Bunpro does a good job of not only varying the sentences, but making sure to show progressive sentences, either one that showcases a different usage for the grammar point than the one you already know, or a sentence that builds off other grammar points you’ve learned.
For example, consider the phrase 込む, which can be used as a suffix or helper verb. It can mean both something like “to enter into,” as well as “to be deep in something,” or “to remain in a certain state.” To help convey both of these usages, they give a variety of different example sentences, such as 「ピンを壁に押し込む 」or “to push a pin into a wall,” and 「そんなに考え込まなくてもいいよ。 」which can be translated as “It’s okay to not think so deeply about this.” This not only keeps things fresh but helps ensure you’re getting more of a complete picture than simply memorizing one specific line.
Bunpro’s greatest strength is its ability to fit any learner’s needs.
Perhaps the best thing about Bunpro is the flexibility it offers. This flexibility doesn’t end with progressive sentences, either. Whether you’re looking for a way to brush up on some difficult grammar, or an app for all your grammar and vocabulary study, Bunpro has a lot to offer. However, it is an app still in development, which can lead to some slight issues or lack of polish in some areas, but that also means it’s constantly being updated and improved. The developers have a blog where they detail some of the recent changes and improvements, as well as listen to user feedback and discuss what’s coming in the future.
Bunpro’s greatest strength is its ability to fit any learner’s needs. Regardless of if you want a companion app for a formal class, or are a dedicated self-studier, Bunpro is here for you.
Grammar and Vocab
As I mentioned, despite the name, Bunpro isn’t limited to studying grammar. They’ve recently added vocabulary reviews as well. As a burgeoning feature, it still has a ways to go, but the initial report is promising.
Bunpro has a couple of thousand vocabulary terms from the JLPT N5 and N4 levels.
So far, Bunpro has a couple of thousand vocabulary terms from the JLPT N5 and N4 levels. You can navigate to these via the search page, clicking on words in example sentences (where available), and by deck, a new way of grouping study items. For example, there’s a deck of N5 vocabulary which contains 1100 vocabulary items. You can bookmark this deck, use the “learn” feature to start studying the terms, and then add them to your SRS queue. From there, reviews work like Anki, asking you to simply grade yourself, though on Bunpro there are only two buttons to choose from, labeled “Known” or “Unknown.”
On the blog, the developers have detailed the intent to make every word in every sentence clickable and to continue adding vocabulary to their database, with the goal of over 7000 words added by the end of 2022. Since it’s still in planning I don’t want to put too much emphasis on this feature, though I’ve been impressed by the updates and features the Bunpro team has added to the project since its launch.
Still, grammar is the star of the show. When you go to the page for any particular grammar point you’re given the conjugation or structure, explanations of its usage, synonymous grammar points, warnings on common mistakes or nuance, and copious example sentences. While these explanations don’t really rival something like the Dictionary of Japanese Grammar series, they’re a more than fine starting point, giving you both a basic foundation, as well as the information to go a bit deeper.
As I mentioned before, Bunpro’s example sentences help convey multiple usages of any particular point, adding to the depth of your understanding. For me, it’s this depth that elevates Bunpro from a simple beginner resource. Comparing and contrasting similar grammar points, and walking through seemingly correct but deceptively-ungrammatical usages is unfortunately not as common a practice for beginner learners as it should be. It’s this sort of nuance that can help students build a foundation of Japanese the right way.
Study, Lessons, Paths, and Decks
Bunpro has a ton of options to suit your learning style.
Now, how are you going to decide what grammar points to review? Well, it’s really up to you! Bunpro has a ton of options to suit your learning style, and while I love the flexibility, the overlapping pathways are a bit clunky. This is one of my main complaints with the app, actually. In practice, I think most learners will find whichever means of accessing the grammar relevant to them is most convenient and stick with it. Luckily, progress is saved across the site, so if you start learning at your own pace and want to switch to a Path, there’s no penalty for doing so.
The “Study” feature will show you new grammar patterns you haven’t learned yet from your target level.
After signing up, you can set your target JLPT level under settings. Even if you don’t intend to take the JLPT anytime soon, it’s a helpful framework for grouping the different grammar and vocabulary as you embark on your Japanese learning journey. From there, the simplest way into the grammar is using the “Study” feature. With this, Bunpro will show you new grammar patterns you haven’t learned yet from your target level, anywhere from 1-10 new grammar points a day, which you can also configure in the settings. After you read through the explanations, these new grammar points are automatically added to your review queue, allowing you to progress through the JLPT grammar points at your preferred pace. More on the “Study” feature a bit later!
“Lessons” is basically an index page with every grammar point Bunpro offers.
Next is “Lessons.” This is basically an index page with every grammar point Bunpro offers from JLPT N5 to N1. Here, you can freely browse the available grammar points and add the items you want to review. I think this is a great option for learners who have already worked through at least one textbook and want to help strengthen their understanding of a grammar point or two before they move on. Of course, you should use this at your own discretion. While it’s possible to add every N5 grammar point to your queue, for example, that would only lead you to burnout.
Paths allow learners who are working through a textbook to use Bunpro like a companion app.
The final two methods are some of the most powerful, and also go hand in hand. These are “Paths” and “Decks.” Paths allow learners who are working through a textbook to use Bunpro like a companion app, automatically grouping the grammar points as they are in the textbook. Bunpro offers paths for the 2nd Edition of Genki I and II, みんなの日本語 I and II, Tobira, Tae Kim’s Grammar Guide, and An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese. This is a fantastic feature that allows you to harness the power of SRS reviews for the content you’re already familiar with in addition to the new grammar explanation to help deepen your knowledge.
Decks are like the evolution of the Paths feature.
Decks are like the evolution of the Paths feature. Like Paths, Decks group grammar in a number of different ways. There are decks for all of Bunpro’s grammar from N5 to N1, and decks for N5 and N4 vocab. There are also deck forms of the textbook paths above, and new decks for the “Starter,” “Elementary 1,” and “Elementary 2” books of the Marugoto series, and books 1 and 2 of the Quartet series. Finally, there’s a deck for Kansai-ben grammar and vocabulary as well.
Decks combine grammar and vocabulary reviews into one.
Wait, “grammar and vocabulary?” That’s right, and that’s the primary reason decks are so powerful: they combine grammar and vocabulary reviews into one. Right now, there are integrated decks of both vocabulary and grammar for both the 2nd and 3rd editions of Genki I, as well as all three Marugoto books, with more on the way.
This is huge for students as offering basically a companion app to some of the most popular textbooks makes getting started that much easier. I personally feel I wasted a lot of time early on in my Japanese studies, as I stagnated a bit while I tried my hardest to make sure I really had a good grasp on the basics. With this feature, Bunpro offers a high-quality, convenient way to help reinforce what you’re learning, so there’s no guessing if you’ve really locked in that grammar point or not.
Study In-Depth
So, how does the Study feature actually work in practice? The page shown is basically the same as when you look up any grammar point on its own, though you’re taken through each tab one by one. It’s broken into three tabs, “Details,” “Examples,” and “Resources.”
Details
Details lists the structure, as in how a grammar point is conjugated or used; gives an explanation for the grammar point; offers synonyms and antonyms; and provides a place to add your own notes.
Examples
Examples offers a large number of example sentences, which all have audio and English translations. There are also toggles to slow the audio or swap to a male/female voice, or to hide either the Japanese or English text.
Resources
Finally, the resources page offers links to other free sites with more information. While this can be helpful, it’s a bit strange to send users directly to other resources.
From there, similar to WaniKani, once you’re finished taking in all the information from the new grammar points, you’re given a mini-quiz on just those points. These are the same as the regular reviews, meaning cloze deletion fill-in-the-blanks example sentences. These grammar points are then added to your standard review queue.
While it’s not a perfect system, it’s a good option if you want to learn all the grammar points offered on Bunpro at a steady pace without having to go through to pick what to add.
Reading Practice
Readings are akin to the short dialogue sections you’d find in the Genki beginner textbook series.
Rounding out the recent additions to Bunpro is the Reading Practice section. Available under the “Content” drop-down menu on the navigation bar, clicking this takes users to an index page with a number of different readings grouped by JLPT level. These aren’t graded readers, exactly; they’re more akin to the short dialogue sections you’d find in the Genki beginner textbook series. Additionally, the page is simply an index with all their excerpts listed from N5 to N2, leaving it up to you to pick what you want to read. You can mark items off as “read,” but I wish Bunpro was a bit more advanced about recommending level-appropriate content.
The excerpts aren’t especially long or engaging, but Bunpro makes up for it with the wealth of options afforded to learners.
I’ve written before about how important I feel reading practice is for improving your Japanese ability, and this is no exception. While the excerpts aren’t quite as long or as engaging as some of the other beginner reading material I’ve come across, Bunpro makes up for it with the wealth of options afforded to learners. There are toggle switches to make the text vertical rather than horizontal, as Japanese is usually written vertically. You can also add highlights to grammar, which can make it easier to break down sentences and learn the meaning of new grammar points in context (though these grammar points are clickable, which will show a popup with the information from the grammar page).
There are additional options to show notes, English translations, and toggle furigana. Each entry also has a corresponding discussion thread in the forum. Like the reading threads in the WaniKani forum, other users will ask questions and help break down some of the more complex points. Reading groups like this can really go a long way for your comprehension.
While these reading sections aren’t perfectly integrated with the rest of the site (which is sort of obvious for how tucked-away they are in the menu), the intent is good. Unfortunately, after conferring with a native Japanese-speaking colleague of mine, we noticed the Japanese used can be a bit strange. It’s not totally clear where these excerpts come from, but I certainly wouldn’t use it as your only source of reading practice.
Integrations
Speaking of integrations, in my mind they’re what take Bunpro to the next level. Of course, it works just fine as a stand-alone application, but the way Bunpro manages to fit into any student’s study routine makes it special. I’ve already mentioned it can act alongside textbook learning, provided you’re studying from one of the textbook-aligned Bunpro Paths or Decks.
You can link your WaniKani account, which will tell Bunpro all the words you already know.
Additionally, you can link your WaniKani account, which will tell Bunpro all the words you already know. This makes it easy to not double-up on review of terms you’re already familiar with and avoids the issue of having two separate SRS intervals or flashcards covering the same items. It also allows you to dynamically show furigana based on your WaniKani level, hiding furigana for any words you don’t know, and only showing them for ones you haven’t studied before.
A Work In Progress
Despite its many positives, Bunpro is clearly a work in progress, which is both a good and a bad thing. On the plus side, they’ve made a number of key updates even just over the past year, such as adding vocabulary study, Paths, reading practice, and more. It’s clear the developers have a lot of passion for this project, and want to make it the best tool it can be, regardless of how you want to use it. But there are some growing pains as well.
On the minor end, Bunpro just doesn’t look that polished in all places. The dashboard has multiple, separate links that lead to the same places, and just generally some jagged edges here and there.
This overlap continues in other places. For instance, all the different methods of accessing the same grammar points. While things seem to be moving towards Decks, there’s some lingering inconsistency that can cause confusion. I love that Bunpro is a tool that can fit anyone’s study goals, but I wish it were a bit more streamlined.
Is It Worth Adding Bunpro to My Study Routine?
Still, what’s here is well worth the cost of admission. I’m a firm believer in reading widely to help cement your understanding of Japanese grammar and vocabulary in context, but even so, everyone has a number of sticking points. Bunpro has made it easy for me to review grammar I either haven’t come across much in the wild or simply continue to make mistakes on.
If you’re still just starting out, Bunpro is a super valuable tool to add the power of SRS and the confidence that you’re making progress in your textbook study routine. I wish I had this when I first started studying Japanese!
That said, the focus is really on self-studiers. There’s no assessment to see what level is appropriate for you, for example. Instead, if you’re not just starting a new textbook or JLPT level from scratch, you have to go through and add the items you want to study to your queue, or mark off the items you already know as learned. Similarly for the reading practice section, which is sorted by level but doesn’t take into account the information Bunpro already knows about your abilities.
While Bunpro isn’t a one-stop shop for all your Japanese study needs, it’s a fantastic companion to make studying grammar easier. From integrating the often-tricky grammar reviews into SRS, to supporting your textbook study, or simply brushing up on grammar points you can’t quite get to stick, Bunpro should be in every Japanese learner’s toolkit.
Ian’s Review8/10
Bunpro is a valuable tool that can fit almost any Japanese learner’s needs. Whether you’re studying for the JLPT, just want to lock in some grammar you’ve studied before, or are a beginner looking to hit the ground running as you study alongside a textbook, Bunpro has got you covered. I applaud the developer’s consistent updates and passion, though there are definitely a few rough edges left along the way. In the past, I’ve found it difficult to review specific grammar points, but Bunpro makes it easy.
Bunpro
by
Bunpro
Pros
Super flexible, regardless of how you’d like to use it
Progressive example sentences and reviews to help convey grammatical nuance
Powerful integrations take it to the next level
Cons
Still a work in progress, so there are a few rough edges
Overlapping study methods can be a bit confusing
Not all the features flow perfectly with one another quite yet
When you’re a beginning learner of Japanese, all you’ve got are questions. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by everything you don’t know! Especially when it comes to grammar, there are a lot of grammar points like particles, sentence enders, pronouns etc. with nuanced differences. It’s super helpful to nail down the details early.
Good thing we threw together this handy dandy series of answers to common beginner grammar questions, eh? No need to sift through dubious Reddit posts or the flaming remains of Yahoo! Answers to get the answers to your questions. You can rest easy knowing our authors poured time, effort, and research into this collection of articles explaining the differences between certain grammar points or words that can easily confuse beginners. Think “topic” marker は vs “subject” marker が, sentence enders よ vs ね, two verbs that both mean “thinking” 思う vs 考える, and more.
So quit scratching your head and get reading! By consulting this series, hopefully you’ll come away with a better grasp on basic (but important) facets of Japanese grammar and vocabulary. Who knows — maybe you’ll even sleep better now that those burning questions aren’t keeping you up at night.
If you’re searching for answers to common beginner questions about Japanese grammar or vocabulary, look no further than this curated list of our own nifty content. Enjoy!
For those of us learning Japanese, there’s a lot we have to do. From active studying like reading textbooks, to practicing skills like speaking, and trying to read and watch native material, the work needed to reach a high level of Japanese proficiency is vast. But regardless of your method of active studying, there are a lot of things you’ll simply need to memorize. Specifically for Japanese study, learning new words is a big memorization project, but thankfully one that can be made easier. Through various spaced-repetition systems or SRS, a learner can take the guesswork out of when to review a specific term to make sure it sticks. There are a number of SRS programs, but I’d like to take a look at one that remains enduringly popular over the 15 years since its initial release: Anki.
With its expansive range of add-ons and shared user “decks,” the ability to be synced across platforms, and its deep customizability, it’s no wonder Anki has found a thriving and vocal group of enthusiasts, including a community of supportive Japanese learners. Still, with great power comes great responsibility, as Anki has a well-earned reputation for its Byzantine options, and all but requires serious configuration and additions to make the most out of it.
For years, I put off getting set up with Anki, as every time I tried, I soon became frustrated by its myriad options and at-times dogmatic users all extolling the “One True Method.” Hopefully, for learners who are unfamiliar with Anki or just hesitant like I was, I can provide some of the details I wish I’d known earlier, talk a bit about the setup process, and show why it’s so beloved in the Japanese learning community. Once you get off the ground with Anki, it can be a super powerful application, but you should know what you’re getting into before you jump into the deep end.
What Is Anki?
Anki is an open-source SRS app available on Windows, Mac, and Linux, as well as iOS and Android. It’s free on every platform except iOS, where it costs $24.99 as a means of supporting the rest of the development.
At its core, Anki is a flashcard application. Users make digital flashcards with pieces of information arranged on the “front” and “back” sides of the cards — Japanese words and their English translations, for example. As you might imagine, these cards are then grouped into “decks” for you to review from, and you can even share your decks with other users, or download their decks to use for yourself.
Built-in SRS (Spaced Repetition System)
But rather than simply letting you review flashcards at your own pace, Anki has a built-in SRS algorithm, which automatically adjusts which cards it shows you and how long until it asks you to review them again, all while you’re doing your reviews. In short, after you create a card and review it for the first time, you’re asked to grade how well you were able to recall the information on the card. Based on your response, Anki’s algorithm will adjust how long until it shows you that card again — if you tell it you remembered it well, it’ll wait a little longer, and if you say you struggled to remember it, it’ll show you that card sooner. The intent is to show you a card just before you forget the information you put on it, so that you can efficiently move it to your long-term memory rather than leaving it as something you’re likely to forget. Because of how this process works and the effectiveness of it, SRS apps are very well suited to building a large vocabulary in a new language, though you can use them to memorize basically any set of data you want to.
SRS apps are very well suited to building a large vocabulary in a new language.
This is all well and good, but do you really need to use an SRS? You certainly don’t have to, but doing so makes it a lot easier to reach a high level of Japanese proficiency. At some point as a second language learner, you’ll need to build up your vocabulary. You don’t want to be caught in a conversation and suddenly realize you don’t know the Japanese word for “grapes” (true story!). Studies have shown SRS programs to be highly effective, so why not leverage that efficiency for your own goals? Really, it’s no different from the textbook or classroom study you’re already taking advantage of — think of all these methods simply as multipliers to your own natural acquisition ability.
Studies have shown SRS programs to be highly effective, so why not leverage that efficiency for your own goals?
But couldn’t you just read a bunch and learn things naturally? Native speakers don’t use an SRS, after all. Of course that’s a valid point, but you should remember that native speakers have years and years of immersion experience you don’t have. While you probably could just try and read a lot of books (maybe around 150 or so) and slowly build your vocabulary over time, that process is haphazard, and without a way to capture and practice those new words, you might end up forgetting them anyways.
It’s cool to see my vocabulary grow in specific directions based on my interests or the media I’m interacting with at any specific time. For example, while playing Zelda in Japanese I picked up words like 研修 (kenshū, training), 剣 (ken, sword), 広場 (hiroba, town square), and 勇者 (yūsha, hero), but would’ve learned completely different words if I had instead read a romance novel. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been having a conversation in Japanese, only to realize I don’t know some word that seems shockingly common, but that I simply never came across in native material before. Unfortunately, this is probably an inevitable situation, but makes it all the more important to make sure the words you’re coming across do stick.
Okay, So Why Use Anki?
Alright, you’ve sold me, I’m ready to boost my vocabulary. But why should I use Anki, especially when I could use something I don’t have to fuss around with?
Almost everything in Anki can be tweaked.
I felt the same way for years, and though I’m of course biased, the ease of getting started is one of the main reasons I feel WaniKani is a great option for learners at any level to start learning to read Japanese. But with any system that you don’t make yourself, including the premade user decks on Anki, you’re stuck learning words that might only be somewhat relevant to your interests or your Japanese level, and you’re limited in the information that you’re able to decide is important.
Additionally, almost everything in Anki can be tweaked, from the way cards look and the information they contain, to functionality (such as adding in an input field instead of the grading buttons), to the range of add-ons that shape the experience — even the algorithm itself can be modified based on your preferences or needs.
Making your own flashcards is also just a great study practice.
Making your own flashcards is also just a great study practice. Think about borrowing your friend’s notebook before a big test, versus making your own notes during the class. When you’re making your own deck, you can choose what words you’re learning, where they come from, and what information you want to learn with them.
Making Your Own Flashcards
I think “input” has to be a pretty big part of your study process to get the most out of Anki.
Sounds great, right? Well, not so fast. Personally, I think Anki isn’t quite for everyone. While you can jump right in with a premade user deck such as one of the popular Japanese “Core” decks (which usually contain somewhere between 2,000 and 6,000 of the most common words in Japanese by frequency), you’ll get the most bang for your buck by making your own decks. There are a number of reasons for this. For one, it pairs rote memorization with language input (since you’ll need to find the words you want to memorize from somewhere), and input is essential to reach a high level of proficiency. Then you also get the benefit of deciding what words are worth making a card of, the active thought process of which is useful. Finally and perhaps most importantly, through this process you’ll know the cards you’re making are relevant to your interests and ability, rather than just being pulled from a list.
But because of all this, I think “input” has to be a pretty big part of your study process to get the most out of Anki; that makes it more suited to intermediate learners rather than absolute beginners. Of course, I think it’s great to start incorporating input as early as possible, and you can use Anki to help get yourself to the intermediate level — maybe you’ll make a deck of the kana, for example.
Anki is not only something that takes time to set up, but also time to maintain.
Finally, you should know that Anki is not only something that takes time to set up, but also time to maintain. It’s a program meant to grow and adapt with you as you learn more, and as your learning needs change. Language learning itself is a big commitment, and of course there’s nothing preventing you from stopping using Anki whenever it doesn’t suit you; but you should know what you’re getting yourself into.
The Need for Speed!
But this customizability isn’t the only reason to use Anki. One of my favorite parts of studying with Anki is just how fast it is. I mentioned this earlier, but by default Anki doesn’t ask you to select the correct answer or type in a definition. Instead, you’re only asked to grade yourself on how well you were able to recall a word. Because you don’t have to type anything in, it’s easy for you to take out your phone and flip through some flashcards while you wait for your coffee or something. Of course, this also means it’s easy to cheat, something that would only hurt you down the road. But on the other hand, this makes reviews insanely fast.
Anki doesn’t ask you to select the correct answer or type in a definition. This makes reviews insanely fast.
Before starting a review session, Anki will estimate how long it will take, based on the time you’ve spent before. I like to think I’ve got a good strategy for handling my WaniKani reviews, but my review sessions still take me an average of 30 to 45 minutes every morning; I can finish Anki in no more than 15 or 20.
Now that I’ve got everything set up, neither making new cards nor studying with them takes much time at all, leaving me plenty of room to do more stuff in Japanese — the primary reason I’m studying Japanese at all. I have more time to spend reading, which is the main way I study right now. Of course, reading is a lot more fun than looking at flashcards or “studying” in a traditional way anyways; it’s a win-win!
Integrations & Workflows
The other big reason to use Anki is all of the integrations it offers. Anki is notoriously dense to set up, a claim I think is true, but because of this there is a whole cottage industry of add-ons and integrations that make using Anki a breeze. Let’s say you wanted to watch an anime like Yuru Camp and make flashcards out of all the words you don’t know. This is easy with a support application like Migaku, which can do all the heavy lifting of making flashcards with the relevant info for you.
There is a whole cottage industry of add-ons and integrations that make using Anki a breeze.
For my money, the single best integration is with the pop-up dictionary browser extension Yomichan. Yomichan allows you to make a new flashcard with a single click of a button after using it to look up a word.
There’s also a ton of incredible plugins for Anki, some of which can automatically pull audio for a word, resize images, generate furigana, add pitch-accent diagrams, and much more. No matter what type of cards you want to make, or from what source, you can bet there’s a good add-on or support app to make it easy.
With that out of the way, let’s talk a bit about how Anki works and some key concepts to understanding it.
Anki Terminology
Back when I was Anki-curious, I kept seeing the same refrain offered to Japanese learners hoping to get started with Anki: read the manual! Doing so dropped me into a massive and dense document, filled with terms like “ease” and “cloze.” Thankfully, there are only a few pieces of information you’ll need to get started, and even better, there are tons of guides on specifically customizing Anki’s default options to suit learning Japanese vocabulary, such as the Animecards site or Refold’s guide.
Let’s look at some of the basic information you’ll need to hit the ground running.
Cards
As I said before, Anki is basically the digital version of a deck of flashcards you might’ve used in school. But Anki, being digital, has a number of benefits, like the ability to nestle decks inside one another. By default, an Anki card contains some information you put on the “front” of a card, which prompts you to recall the rest of the information. Specifically for studying Japanese vocabulary, most learners make cards that present you with a word in Japanese, or a sentence that contains a word you don’t know.
Then, after you think about it, you can press a button to see the “back” side of the card, where most people put the definition of the word in either Japanese or English, a sentence, maybe a definition of the sentence, audio of the word being read, etc. As you can see, these cards are quite flexible, and you can put what you think is useful on them. I would encourage putting a definition in simple Japanese, audio of the word being read, and a sentence showing the word in context (ideally the sentence where you found the word; pulling sentences with unknown words from native material like this is known as “sentence mining”), but don’t feel like you have to spend 15 minutes making every single card. Anki is so popular and powerful because many of its add-ons and integrations make it quick and easy to create cards that have all the info you need — without having to fuss around too much.
Notes
Great, so we understand what a card is, but what exactly is a note? A note is just a collection of different pieces of information. Isn’t that the same as a card? It’s close, but not quite. Basically, a note allows you to group information in a more fluid way than simply collecting information rigidly into the front and back of a card.
For example, in the card above, we have at least 4 “fields,” or pieces of information: the word itself, the definition of the word, a sentence, and an audio recording of the word being read. If you were limited to only cards, you’d have to group the definition, sentence, and audio together on one side, and the word itself on another, meaning you’d need to make a whole new card if you simply wanted a set of cards that gave you the audio and asked you to recall the written word. But because these items aren’t grouped like this, you’re given a lot more flexibility in making new cards, if you want to test from English-Japanese instead of Japanese-English, for example.
Decks
Finally, a deck is a collection of cards. Anki lets you put decks inside one another, so while it’s technically possible to have a number of smaller decks of more specialized info, I wouldn’t recommend it. One reason for this is that it can make things a bit too easy if you already know that the word you’re looking at has to be an “animal name” for example, or that it came from Yotsubato! Instead, I would recommend adding all of your vocabulary cards, whether you decide to make them sentence or word based, into a single deck. That way, you’re not giving yourself any context clues as to what you might be looking at. (It also makes reviewing even quicker, since you only have to select the one deck to start!)
Setting Up Your Own Anki Deck
Now that you know what Anki is and how it works, let me talk a bit about how I decided to set up my Anki deck. Deck setup is very personal, depending on your own needs and preferences, and as I’ve mentioned before, there are tons of different guides online with different suggestions on what’s most efficient. I’m someone who doesn’t want to spend a bunch of time messing around with settings, so I decided to set up my deck in-line with one of these guides. I’m sure there are people who would recommend something different, or wouldn’t choose the same settings I have, but using a guide allowed me to hit the ground running, and so far I have no complaints with how the review system has worked.
Additionally, I decided to use this shared deck as the template for my cards, removing the need for me to get into the CSS (a programming language that tells websites how to look, and is also used by Anki) to adjust how the cards look or the information they contain.
Like I said earlier, my primary method of making new cards is with Yomichan. I use Yomichan with a couple of Japanese-Japanese dictionaries, and based on the card template, Yomichan will automatically add the sentence the word came from, the reading, a pitch-accent graph, the audio of the word, and more into a new card in my Japanese deck. There are also fields to add a picture for context or the audio of the sentence, if you’re pulling material from a TV show for example.
For adding images and sentence audio, many recommend the free application ShareX for Windows. This lets you assign a keyboard shortcut to make a new screenshot or audio recording, which can be copied to your clipboard and then pasted directly into Anki.
Finally, I’m also using the AnkiConnect add-on, which is necessary to connect Yomichan and Anki together. I use the add-on called ImageResizer to — you guessed it — resize images, Japanese Support to generate furigana and much more to make studying Japanese quick and painless, and Yomichan Forvo Server to give Yomichan access to the Forvo pronunciation dictionary website to pull audio from if it doesn’t have audio for a word already.
Studying with Anki
So now that you’ve got everything set up, what’s studying with Anki actually like? As I’ve mentioned, you’re simply asked to grade yourself on recall once you flip a card and reveal whatever information you’ve decided to test yourself on. Then, Anki shows you 4 buttons: Again, Hard, Good, and Easy. As many have noted, pressing either the “Hard” or “Easy” buttons not only tells Anki if you did well or poorly recalling the item, but it actually changes the interval between that review and whenever the next one will be from that point on. Basically, if you tell Anki a card was “Hard,” not only will it show it to you sooner, but it will always show it to you sooner than it would have otherwise in the future, even if you start to learn it better over time.
Because of this, I only press the “Again” or “Good” buttons while I’m studying. This keeps the interval the same, but lets Anki decide how long to wait before it shows me the card again. If I’m learning a word for the first time, pressing “Again” will literally show the card to me again in the same session, whereas for a card I’m learning pretty well, pressing “Good” might delay how long until I see the card again for weeks or months.
I’ve added a range of cards, from books, anime, visual novels, and web articles, with a range of different fields used. Still, reviewing all of these together is a breeze.
The Bad
For the right type of learner, Anki is a super powerful application. That said, it’s one with a ton of caveats and qualifications. To start, it looks and feels like an application from 2006. It’s a gray window on a desktop, and while a few parts of the application have been updated over time, like the “deck options” page, it’s a far cry from the elegant and streamlined apps we’ve come to expect in 2022. You have to manually press a “Sync” button to sync between platforms, for example.
Anki looks and feels like an application from 2006.
Like a lot of studying, what you’ll get from Anki is what you’ll put into it: from the quality of your cards, to making sure you don’t cheat yourself, it’s as powerful a tool as you make it. But Anki itself sure doesn’t make it easy. Even deciding what type of cards you want to make is a difficult and dogmatic decision, let alone how you choose to set your intervals, ease, and modifiers. I highly recommend finding a guide you like online and sticking with it; you can always adjust things as you go. There’s also a ton of helpful YouTube videos, including many specifically for Japanese language learners, that aim to illuminate some of Anki’s darkest corners.
If you’ve spent any amount of time in any of the online Japanese language learning communities, you’ll find scores of people who swear by Anki as an essential tool to achieving high Japanese proficiency. And I agree, it can be extremely helpful in building a vocabulary. But I think it’s important to note the difficulty in getting Anki to a helpful place, as it definitely doesn’t come that way out of the box. Instead, expect to spend at least a bit of time finding various guides, integrations, add-ons, and templates to get things just right; or even longer if you want to set things up by yourself from scratch.
It’s important to note the difficulty in getting Anki to a helpful place, as it definitely doesn’t come that way out of the box.
Even once that’s all set up, it’s important to keep Anki in perspective. At its most fundamental, it’s best for building a vocabulary. Certainly, this is a huge and important part of language learning, but only a single component of it. Even if you decide to focus your cards on sentences to promote reading and context, you’re still just learning new words. I tend to think the people who ask online, “I know 6k words, why can’t I smoothly read __ yet?” have the wrong idea. Even in a perfectly optimal studying environment (whatever that might be), you’ll need to study kana, grammar, phonetics, and more — especially if you want to reach a high level in all domains of Japanese, instead of just learning to read, for example. Of course, all these items should be cemented and improved upon by immersing yourself in native material, but you still need that foundation to start. Anki can help you get there, but not without some work.
Is Anki Worth the Hassle?
So, if it’s a hassle, is it worth it? Well, if you’re an intermediate Japanese learner, who’s starting to engage with more native material and wondering, “What am I supposed to do with all these words I’m looking up?” Anki might be just what you need. There’s a reason such a clunky, annoying application has endured and remained oddly beloved, even over 15 years since its release: and that’s the power, flexibility, and customizability it offers, all for free.
But free as it may be, it still comes with a price: the annoyance of getting everything in its right place. With all the guides and support apps, it’s never been easier to get Anki set up, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Despite the allure, I hesitated for years, rebuffed by the complex options and intimidating experience. But once I got everything set up, I was glad to finally understand what all the hype is about. Anki has already become a key part of the next step of my Japanese study journey, and a tool I expect to use for years to come.
Ian’s Review9/10
As a Japanese learner, you’ll need some way to grow your vocabulary, and because of the expansive range of options and deep customizability, it might as well be Anki. The ability to make your own flashcards is extremely powerful, though getting started is more than a little frustrating. If you can make Anki’s workflows suit your needs, it’s a great way to memorize a ton of words, but doing so isn’t as user-friendly as we’ve come to expect from applications in 2022.
Anki
by
Damien Elmes
Pros
The ability to make your own flashcards is extremely powerful
Deep customizability allows you to shape Anki to your needs
Tons of add-ons and plugins to make Anki even more useful
Theoretically it’s a system you could use and adapt for years, rather than a tool you might outgrow.
Cedartree Hotel will offer guests an exquisite Japanese-style hotel experience featuring a variety of unique Japanese amenities, a full-service restaurant, state-of-the-art conference rooms and comfortable guest rooms.
Press Release –
updated: Jan 15, 2020
HILLSBORO, Ore., January 15, 2020 (Newswire.com)
– Cedartree Hotels announced today it will open its 1st hotel in the U.S in early 2021. The 120 Room property will be located in Hillsboro, conveniently situated 15 minutes from Downtown Portland, and close to Intel, Nike, and many other innovative companies. Cedartree Hotel will provide guests with exceptional service, striving for the finest in functionality, convenience, and comfort to meet the needs of this rapidly developing area.
Our stunning property features a unique design, a ‘kindness in the details’ approach rooted in Japanese hospitality and culture. As guests experience our hotel, they will step from one new discovery to another. Whether it be in the guest room, the lobby, the fitness room, or the many other amenities, our guests will constantly find new spaces that help heal the body and mind after a hard day at work.
Unique hotel features and amenities include;
Dining [Waterfalls] and Japanese Sake Bar [Kiyomizu]
Waterfalls, our 68 seat, full-service restaurant is the place to be for exciting, innovative cuisine open for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. With a full bar and outdoor seating, guests can enjoy delicious food and drink with or without company. After dinner wind down in Kiyomizu, the Japanese Sake Bar, to savor a glass of the best imported sake in a sophisticated Japanese setting.
Only at Cedartree Hotel can guests enjoy a Japanese-style spa experience in the Portland area. Shower and bathe in the heated indoor pool, then move outdoors to the Onsen stone bath to enjoy a steamy soak under the stars in Japanese ambiance and leave your worries behind.
Conference rooms [Matsu, Sakura, Tsubaki and Kaede]
Offering a total of 2,500 square feet of space with the latest audio-visual capabilities, Cedartree Hotel is the perfect venue for meetings, conferences, and events. The stunning Sakura room can host large business gatherings, accommodating over 100 people, as well as major cultural events such as Aikido classes and demonstrations.
Find peace and tranquility in the Japanese View Garden as you sit on the outdoor deck and watch the beauty of nature unfold in a thoughtful combination of colors, textures, and elements.
Culture comes alive in the Sado Room, a representation of a traditional tatami room, where Japanese tea ceremony, Japanese flower arrangement classes, and other cultural events will be held for guests and the local community alike.
About Cedartree Hotels, Inc.
Cedartree Hotels is a hospitality company based in Japan. It was established in 1992 in the center of the internationally recognized historical city of Kyoto. Now with 6 locations and over 25 years of experience providing the finest hospitality to visitors from around the world, Cedartree Hotels is primed to bring its unique brand of Japanese-style hotel to the US. Visit www.cedartreehotels.com
If you would like more information regarding this topic, please contact
Allen Chen Phone: (310) 897-5358 Email allen.chen@cedartreehotels.com
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