Embark on Your Journey to Learn Japanese

The hardest part about learning Japanese for many learners is mastering the kanji writing system. Kanji characters are complex, numerous, and fundamentally different from alphabets, which makes recognition and memorization very challenging for learners from non-Kanji backgrounds. Besides kanji, acquiring vocabulary, including onomatopoeia which is abundant and nuanced, and proper pronunciation with correct accentuation are also significant difficulties. Speaking anxiety and understanding compound verbs further add to the learning complexity.

Key Difficulties in Learning Japanese

• Kanji: The complexity and high volume of kanji characters are often cited as the biggest barriers. Learners must memorize many unique characters with multiple readings and intricate stroke orders, which differ greatly from alphabets used in many other languages. ^{1, 2, 3, 4}

• Vocabulary and Onomatopoeia: Japanese has a vast range of vocabulary including many onomatopoeic words that follow systematic but diverse morphological patterns, making acquisition and usage challenging. ⁵

• Pronunciation and Accent: Japanese intonation and accent are subtle and different from many learners’ native languages, leading to frequent pronunciation errors, which can affect comprehension and speaking confidence. ^{6, 7}

• Grammar and Verb Forms: Complex verb forms, especially compound verbs (fukugoudoushi), require understanding nuanced meanings and correct combinations, posing difficulty in mastery. ⁸

• Speaking Anxiety: Language learners often experience anxiety, especially in speaking, stemming from limited vocabulary, sentence pattern knowledge, and pronunciation challenges. ⁶

Overall, while kanji is often the single hardest aspect, multiple integrated challenges make learning Japanese a complex process requiring comprehensive strategies for success.

References

• Strategi dalam Meminimalisir Kesulitan Pembelajaran Kanji

• Sustanaible Methods of Improving Kanji Learning Skills for Japanese Language Learners at Basic Level at FPT University

• Basic study of kanji recognition patterns in non-kanji-background Japanese learners based on eye-movement analysis

• TGT (Teams Games Tournament) Cooperative Learning Model in Kanji Courses to Improve Japanese Vocabulary Mastery

• 일본어 오노마토페의 형태적 고찰

• Anxiety in Speaking Japanese Experienced by the Department of Japanese Language Education Students of Unnes

• Japanese Accent Pronunciation Error by Japanese Learners in Elementary and Intermediate Level

• Difficulties in Comprehending Japanese Fukugoudoushi of the Japanese Language Learners from Indonesia

• ANALISIS MAKNA DAN HUBUNGAN SEMANTIK PADA KANJI DANJUKUGO YANG MEMILIKI BUSHU KUSAKANMURI (艹)

• The Hardest Part Is Knowing I Will Survive: The Use of Music and Creative Mediums to Enhance Empathy and Facilitate Life-Long Distance Learning in Professionally Qualified Clinicians

• Bridging in-class and out-of-class learning experiences: a study of learners of Chinese and Japanese in Australia

• Reflections from a Blended Professional Learning Network for Japanese Teachers of English

• Japanese university students’ learning experiences through an adapted physical education academic course

• A study about how Thai students learning Japanese understand the differences between Gairaigo and their Japanese synonyms

• The Performance of Artificial Intelligence Translation App in Japanese Language Education Guided by Deep Learning

• Stock market technical analysis using Japanese candlesticks and machine learning

• Practical study on the introduction of the Japanese traditional school sports event “undokai” to an Indonesian junior high school

• Direct and Indirect Language Learning Strategies in Japanese Language Acquisition

• Challenges in Teaching Japanese EFL Students to Express Themselves Logically

• Errors in Learning Japanese through Listening-Misheard Cases-