How to Start Learning Japanese Vocabulary

Imagine waking up one day, flipping through your favorite anime or manga, and realizing you can understand what the characters are saying without subtitles. This is the kind of satisfaction learning Japanese vocabulary can bring. But let’s get one thing straight—starting out can feel overwhelming. Thousands of kanji, multiple readings for each, hiragana, katakana, and let’s not forget the different registers of speech. Yet, here’s a secret most beginners don’t know: you don’t have to learn everything at once. In fact, trying to do that would be the surest way to burn out before you even begin to experience the joy of understanding your first Japanese word in context.

What’s the Right Approach?

The trick is immersive, bite-sized learning—the same way children acquire their first language. They don’t start with grammar or conjugation rules. Instead, they pick up words naturally by hearing them over and over in context. As adults, we can mimic this process using tools and techniques specifically tailored to how we learn best.

Rather than starting with a textbook full of grammar, begin by collecting words that are relevant to your interests. Are you a fan of anime? Start there. Love Japanese food? Learn vocabulary around that. Learning what you love will help solidify your motivation and make it easier to retain new words.

Hack Your Brain With Mnemonics

Here’s the thing about our brains: they are designed to forget. If something doesn’t seem immediately useful or memorable, your brain will toss it aside. That’s why mnemonics—memory aids—are such a powerful tool when learning new vocabulary. For example, take the Japanese word for "apple," りんご (ringo). You could picture a shiny red apple ringing like a bell. This strange mental image helps your brain anchor the new word to something you already know, making it easier to recall later.

Another effective mnemonic technique is using stories to tie words together. Suppose you're learning the word for "blue," 青い (aoi). Imagine a blue ocean filled with "Aoi" (a name that also means "blue" in Japanese). This way, you're not just learning random words in isolation—you’re crafting connections that your brain will easily follow.

Context Is King

One of the most common mistakes people make is trying to learn words in isolation. Context matters. A lot. In Japanese, the meaning and nuance of a word can change dramatically depending on the situation. For example, the word "thank you" could be ありがとう (arigatou) in a casual setting or ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu) in a more formal context. In fact, Japanese is filled with formal and casual distinctions in vocabulary. To grasp the meaning fully, it’s crucial to learn words in phrases or sentences, not just as standalone vocabulary items.

The Power of Repetition (But Make it Fun)

If you’ve ever tried to cram vocabulary, you’ve probably realized that it fades quickly from memory. The solution? Repetition. But don’t just repeat for the sake of repetition. Use spaced repetition systems (SRS), which are designed to remind you of words just before you’re about to forget them. Anki and Memrise are excellent apps that implement SRS, making vocabulary stick long-term.

But here’s another twist: instead of simply repeating words in flashcards, interact with the words in as many different ways as possible. Watch YouTube videos in Japanese, read simple articles, listen to podcasts—anything that will give you multiple exposures to the same vocabulary in different contexts.

Combine Visual and Audio Learning

When starting out with Japanese vocabulary, it's essential to engage both your visual and auditory senses. Learn the sound of words as well as the look of them. This will help you recognize vocabulary whether it’s written or spoken. Japanese has a wide range of homophones (words that sound the same but have different meanings depending on the kanji used), so hearing the word in context becomes just as important as seeing it.

Building Vocabulary with Kanji

Ah, kanji—the giant hurdle that scares many beginners away. But here’s some encouragement: kanji doesn’t have to be scary. The secret is to learn it in a way that makes sense to you. Start with the most common kanji and the ones you’ll actually use, not the obscure ones you’ll only see once every decade.

Another trick is to break kanji down into their components or radicals. These are like the building blocks of kanji, and learning them can make complex characters much easier to tackle. For example, the kanji for tree, 木, appears in the kanji for forest, 森 (which consists of three trees). Understanding these relationships will help you decode kanji without feeling overwhelmed.

Word Groups and Thematic Learning

Instead of learning random words, try learning groups of related words. For example, if you’re interested in travel, you might focus on vocabulary related to transportation, hotels, or directions. This makes learning more cohesive and gives you a specific context for practicing the words. Thematic learning also helps to create mental associations, which improve recall.

Tackle One Category at a Time

Another way to make vocabulary learning less daunting is to focus on specific categories of words. You might start with food words (寿司, sushi; ご飯, gohan for rice), then move to body parts, and then verbs. By mastering one category before moving to the next, you’ll feel a sense of progress and accomplishment, which will keep you motivated to continue.

Listen and Shadow

One method that has become popular for learning languages, especially Japanese, is called shadowing. Here’s how it works: you listen to a native speaker talk at a natural speed, and then you try to repeat or “shadow” what they’re saying. You don’t need to understand everything at first. The idea is to train your brain and mouth to become comfortable with the rhythm and sound of Japanese speech. Over time, this technique helps improve both your listening skills and vocabulary retention.

Leverage Technology to Stay Consistent

Thanks to apps and online resources, learning Japanese vocabulary has never been easier. You can find free quizzes, flashcards, podcasts, and even language partners to help you practice speaking. Consistency is key—make a habit of learning at least 5-10 new words a day, and reviewing them regularly with apps like Duolingo, WaniKani, or Lingodeer. Even better, pair this with listening practice to ensure you're not just memorizing words, but also learning how to use them in real conversation.

Takeaway: Stay Curious, Stay Motivated

Finally, the most important aspect of learning Japanese vocabulary—or any language, for that matter—is staying curious and motivated. Celebrate the small victories: when you recognize a word in a song, in a conversation, or while watching a show. These moments will keep you energized as you build your Japanese vocabulary, step by step, towards fluency.