3 tips to memorize Japanese fast (Self-learners Must Read)

Frustrated about always spelling Japanese vocabulary wrong? Here is a post about how to study and memorize Japanese smart and quick!

Most Japanese beginner learners will just buy a book and recite tons of vocabulary, expecting themselves to become Japanese masters after hard work.

By following the 3 quick tips here, you will learn smarter and quicker ways to memorize Japanese word.

japanese learning meme — Source: Coto Japanese Academy

1. Remember Grammar with vocabulary

You should remember grammar corresponding to its vocabulary to avoid confusion in future study, instead of just recite the word.

For example,

君（きみ）はいい顔をする。

You are having a good look on your face.

君（きみ）はいい味（あじ）がする。

You are having a good smell.

私（わたし）はこっちにする。

I prefer this one.

All three of the “する” have different words before them. They are paired to each other and easy to be confused. The best way to prevent mistakes is to remember the grammar word “を”, “が” and “に” with the vocabulary.

Reverso and Linguee are good websites for searching example sentences to help your learning.

Reverso - Search Result — Reverso – Search Result

If you are not sure if an expression is correct, you can check it using these websites too.

Reverso - checking whether an expression is correct — Reverso – checking whether an expression is correct

The higher the number of search results, the more common is the expression used.

Search engines like Yahoo! JAPAN can do the same thing.

2. Listen with Chrome Extension

The best way to improve pronunciation is to listen how the Japanese pronounce the sentence and repeat it by reading aloud. It will aid your memory and level up your exam listening ability.

If you cannot find recordings that suit your studying material, OJAD is a good website to generate accurate speech audio with accentual changes.

If you want to include Japanese in your daily life, chrome extension rikaikun and Read Aloud are your best choices.

rikaikun - displays pronunciation when hovering over — rikaikun – displays pronunciation when hovering over

Read Aloud - Pronounces automatically when pressing a button — Read Aloud – Pronounces automatically when pressing a button

Be alert – the reading provided is not always 100% correct. You should speak to a Japanese or listen to human audio for better learning.

Websites like Amazing Talker will find you a talking buddy at a low price.

3. Download Japanese App on your smartphone

An immersive environment is important for you to get familiarized with Japanese.

There are great apps out there to give you quizzes and dictations, remind you to revise by notifications every day, provide Japanese learning materials and immediate translations on mobile, etc.

One of them is Easy Japanese News. Although it has a “News” in its title, it can do a lot more than reading news.

Another is Migii JLPT. It provides a number of JLPT tests and a customized studying routine to facilitate your studying.

Hope this article can assist you to study and remember Japanese smart and quick!