Learning to read Japanese is probably the most challenging aspect of learning Japanese. Most students find it far too confusing and time consuming, and as a result give up. After spending a few months learning Hiragana and Katakana the prospect of learning a few thousand Kanji becomes too overwhelming.

However, learning to read Japanese doesn’t have to be a painful and confusing experience. Most students make the mistake of learning to read Japanese in parts. First, students learn Hiragana, then Katanana. After this they learn a large number of grammar rules. Then comes learning hundreds of Kanji.  Doing all of this would take several months of considerable study time, but unfortunately amount to little progress. The problem is actual “reading practice” is not being done.

You have to start reading Japanese in order to read Japanese. As strange as this might sound it is the only way to learn how to read Japanese. Rather than learn Hiragana, Katakana, grammar and Kanji in parts, it is far more effective to practice reading Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji in a context.

Instead of spending money and time on Kanji and grammar books, what you really need is to be shown how to read Japanese. You need someone to guide you as you attempt to read. Think of it as like having a reading coach – who can explain cultural elements, confusing grammar and ambiguous wording.

If you can afford it, find yourself a Japanese tutor and have them read to you, explaining Kanji, grammar and cultural elements along the way. Then, you read to them and have them correct and guide you. It is the most effective way to progress with your reading. Make sure you find a tutor who understands your needs.

If you can’t afford a tutor then you could try our product “Read Japanese Fast”. We take you through twenty pieces of writing word-byword, phrase-by-phrase with video tutorials. We teach you how to read Kanji in context. No other product does this. We also teach you to read Hiragana and Katakana in just a few short weeks. You can now try “Read Japanese Fast” for 21 days for the cost of a coffee – just $4.95.

Visit ReadJapaneseFast.com to learn more

Watch the video kanji lesson below.

Let’s revise!

車　has two readings;  くるま and  しゃ. Which one is the Chinese reading?

Here are the questions and vocabulary from the video;

車をもってますか　　－ Do you own a car?

車をもってません      － I don’t own a car

車はたかいですね　－　Cars are expensive

車　－　　　　　くるま　　－　　　kuruma         –  car

車椅子　－　　 くるまいす　－　kurumaisu   -   wheelchair

自動車　－　    じどうしゃ　 －   jidousha       -   motor vehicle

自転車　－　     じてんしゃ　－ jitensha          -   bicycle

書庫　 　－  　 しゃこ　　　　－　shako             -   garage

駐車所 　－ ちゅうしゃじょ　－ chuushajyo   -  car park

車輪　　  － しゃりん　　　　－　sharin             -  wheel

What did you think?