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Hiragana & Katakana
Japanese Kana Guide: How to Learn Hiragana and Katakana
Hiragana and katakana are the two phonetic alphabets of Japanese. Every learner starts here — mastering kana unlocks your ability to read, write, and pronounce Japanese correctly. 【Start Here: Hiragana】 Hiragana (ひらがな) is used for ... Common Mistakes
Common Japanese Mistakes: What English Speakers Get Wrong
English speakers make predictable mistakes in Japanese — and knowing what to avoid can save you months of building bad habits. This hub targets the most common errors: particle confusion, word mix-ups, and nuance mistakes that make Japan... Start Learning Japanese
How to Start Learning Japanese: Complete Beginner’s Roadmap
You've decided to learn Japanese — congratulations! But then you open a browser, search "how to learn Japanese," and suddenly you're drowning in advice: "Download Duolingo!" "Start with kanji!" "Watch anime without subtitles!" "Memorize ... JLPT Prep
JLPT Study Guide: Everything You Need to Pass N5, N4, N3, N2, and N1
Complete JLPT preparation guide for all five levels. Grammar lists, vocabulary, kanji, reading and listening practice, study plans, and exam strategy for N5 through N1. Kanji
Japanese Kanji Guide: How to Learn Kanji from N5 to N2 and Beyond
A practical guide to learning Japanese kanji — on/kun readings, JLPT kanji lists by level, radicals, memory strategies, and common mistakes to avoid. Conversation Phrases
Japanese Conversation Phrases: Everyday Expressions Hub
Practical Japanese for real conversations. This hub covers everyday expressions, greetings, situational phrases, and the kind of language native speakers actually use — not just textbook Japanese. 【Essential Daily Expressions】 ありがと... Vocabulary
Japanese Vocabulary Guide: Learn Japanese Words by Topic and JLPT Level
Build your Japanese vocabulary by topic, JLPT level, or word type. Includes beginner word lists, JLPT vocabulary guides, word comparison articles, and memory strategies. Grammar
Japanese Grammar Guide: Complete Study Path for English Learners
Your complete guide to Japanese grammar — sentence structure, particles, verb conjugation, conditionals, JLPT grammar patterns and more. Organized by level from N5 to N1. Vocabulary
値段 vs 価格 vs 料金 vs 代金: Japanese Price, Cost, Fee, Charge, Payment, and Money Words Explained
You walk into a Japanese shop and want to ask how much something costs. Easy enough — except Japanese has several different words for "price," "cost," "fee," and "payment," and they are not interchangeable. Use the wrong one and you migh... Vocabulary
早い vs 速い: The Difference Between Early, Fast, Quick, Speed, Timing, and 早く in Japanese
You set your alarm to wake up hayai — early. You then sprint to the station because the train is hayai — fast. At work, your boss says your replies are hayai — prompt. And somehow, a single pronunciation covers all three of those situati... Vocabulary
暑い vs 熱い vs 厚い: The Three “Atsui” Words for Hot Weather, Hot Objects, Thickness, Passion, and Deep Trust
You are sitting in a sweltering Japanese summer, holding a steaming bowl of ramen, with a thick textbook open in front of you. Now try to say "hot" in Japanese. If you answered atsui, you are technically right — but which atsui? Japanese... Vocabulary
悲しい vs 寂しい: The Difference Between Sad, Lonely, Empty, and Missing Someone in Japanese
Imagine your best friend moves to another city. You wave goodbye at the station, walk home alone, and sit in a quiet apartment. How do you feel? In English, you might say you feel "sad." But in Japanese, there are two very different word... Vocabulary
嬉しい vs 楽しい: The Difference Between “Happy,” “Glad,” “Fun,” and “Enjoyable” in Japanese
Picture this: you just received an unexpected gift from a friend. You feel happy — but which Japanese word do you reach for? Now picture laughing at a party with everyone around you. You're happy again — but is it the same kind of happy?... Vocabulary
思う vs 考える: The Difference Between “Think,” “Feel,” “Consider,” Opinions, Decisions, and Japanese Nuance
You look at a menu at a Japanese restaurant and say, "I think the ramen looks good." Your friend is trying to decide which apartment to rent and says, "I'm thinking about it." A colleague at work says, "I think the plan needs revision." ... Vocabulary
勉強する vs 学ぶ vs 習う: The Difference Between Studying, Learning, and Being Taught in Japanese
勉強する習う学ぶ練習するCore meaningStudy (effort)Learn from teacherLearn broadlyPractice (repeat)Source of learningYourselfHuman instructorAny (incl. experience)Your own repetitionRegisterEverydayEverydayFormal / elevatedEverydayWith te... Vocabulary
聞く vs 聴く vs 訊く: The Three “Kiku” Verbs for Hearing, Listening, Asking, Music, Questions, and Business Japanese
聞く (きく)聴く (きく)訊く (きく)PronunciationきくきくきくCore meaningHear, listen, ask (general)Listen attentivelyAsk / inquire (written)Safe for beginners?AlwaysUse for music/lecturesSkip in speechWith music○ natural◎ pre... Vocabulary
見る vs 観る: How to Choose the Right “Miru” for Looking, Watching, Movies, Sports, and Active Viewing
You are texting a Japanese friend about your weekend, and you want to say you watched a film. You type 映画を見た — and it looks right. But your Japanese textbook uses 観た in the same sentence. Both read みた. Both seem to mean "watched... Vocabulary
する vs やる: The Difference Between “Do,” “Play,” “Try,” and Casual Action in Japanese
You are talking to a Japanese friend and you want to say "I'm doing my homework." You know the word for homework — 宿題(しゅくだい). And you know there is a verb for "do." But then you remember: there are actually two verbs that mean "...

