So , i’m a beginner to Japanese still and one of my biggest difficulties is with grammar and kanji so i was wondering if any of u have suggestions for apps that specifically focus on either two. I would really appreciate that!
Beginner too, WaniKani is fairly good if you struggle to learn Kanji, but it’s VERY slow pace, and you can’t skip lessons. I also like JapaneseSocietyNYC’s “Japanese Language Lessons” on YT, but I use that for pronunciation~ Duolingo is okay, but usually it only teaches you things tourists would need, and works better with the membership. all depends on why you’re learning! I would also suggest HiNative? You can talk to natives there which can help maybe explain sentence structure.
For grammar, YouTube is a great resource because there are a lot of YouTubers who explain grammar points very well and detailed. I can recommend: Japanese ammo with Misa (she has great beginner videos), Miku real Japanese and Kaname Naito
It's not free, but I have a very high opinion of LingoDeer which is very similar to Duolingo but with better structure, better pace, and without the AI nonsense. Everything is voiced by native speakers.
Bunpro or Bunpo (yes these are different apps) handle grammar with SRS. I use Bunpro.
Personally dislike Duolingo for Japanese. It throws Kanji at you without breaking it down into radicals, and for a language so different from English I feel you really need more in-depth explanations.
Enjoyed Lingodeer for the brief time I used it
Human Japanese is an excellently written mobile textbook. It feels very approachable.
I use wanikani for Kanji, it breaks things down in a way that works really well for me. Breaking kanji down into radicals and using mnemonics is much more digestible and builds up over time. Renshuu does also have user submitted mnemonics
Cure Dolly Sensei is fantastic for grammar. I struggle to understand her voice sometimes but when I do things tend to click.
I've tried many things over the years, and here is what works best for me:
KANJI: WaniKani, Renshuu and writing kaji over and over in a notebook.
GRAMMAR: Memrise for repetition, a book titled "Japanese Verbs & Essentials of Grammar" by Rita L. Lampkin, listening to podcasts/ videos/ shows in Japanese and lately, Renshuu's lessons. I find the videos of previos live lessons are incredibly hepful. The add more detailed info and examples for each grammar point and really helped me finally understand things I couldn't retain before.
also, just keep immersing yourself and listening to things and you'll fnd you pick things up randomly and incrementally.
I am terrible at language learning and retention, but these things helped drastically. We all have different paces and needs. It takes time, but you'll find what works for you!
YT channel called curedolly helped me a lot for grammar. As for kanji using / writing mnemonics and stacking vocabulary is preferable to learning individual readings (at least for me), there should be a section under the kanji for every individual way of reading it
I just wanted to say, please don't waste your time on Duolingo if your goal is to become fluent in Japanese. It is a poor app for learning languages. I tried to learn Japanese and Spanish with it, and there was no grammar explanation in either lesson (idk maybe there was, but I couldn't find it). I had to figure out how to conjugate words, how particles work, etc on my own. To me, Duolingo is useful only for expanding our vocabs and memorizing the words provided.
So far Renshuu is the best for grammar and kanji. Wish I'd found Renshuu earlier. But if you want to use another source for grammar, try Busuu. The grammar lesson aren't as complete as those in Renshuu, but it is really good and beginner-friendly at explaining each lesson. It also has a space where you can practice your writing and speaking, and have natives correct it. Oh I also use maggiesensei's blog when I need some further explanation about certain grammar points.
Anyway, I hope you find your Japanese learning journey fun!
Duolingo only works for beginners so its good to use the aforementioned apps. Its quite comprehensive alr. But if you want to practice writing kanji it might be a good idea to start with some Chinese lessons (traditional is possible) so you can fully understand the radicals (偏旁) and see the linkage
I like Renshuu for both, but recommend additional resources for grammar. For kanji, I am not interested in learning how to write it by hand as I type 99% of everything I write and even native Japanese forget how to write kanji as they leave school and use keyboards for everything in daily life. Just not worth my time, but whether it's worth it you is a personal choice. I love Renshuu for kanji and vocabulary. As you learn new kanji, it will have you drill known vocabulary again but with kanji (eg if you previously studied the word げんき and then learn 気, you'll need to start studying げん気 in vocabulary and so on for 元気 as you learn both kanji).
The double reinforcement of kanji with vocabulary really forces me to learn words and then kanji helps me remember words too. I find that words I previously had a difficult time remembering are easier when the kanji are added and vice versa, kanji is easier when I know words that use the kanji. Learning one supports learning the other. The more words you learn, the easier kanji is, in my experience.
It will take time to learn what works for you. 頑張ってね
I feel for Chinese speakers its easier to start from kanji and hiragana. Since the meanings are the same in kanji and Chinese, it will be helpful to just learn the pronounciations. I'm a native chinese speaker so I would know that by experience.
all depends on why you’re learning! I would also suggest HiNative? You can talk to natives there which can help maybe explain sentence structure.
