Course curriculum

  • 1

    Course Introduction

    • Welcome to Japanese for Beginners!

    • 5 Tips for Learning a New Language

    • The Japanese Alphabets

  • 2

    Hiragana

    • The Hiragana Alphabet

    • Hiragana Rules

    • Hiragana Practices

  • 3

    Katakana

    • The Katakana Alphabet

    • Katakana Practices

  • 5

    Episode 2: People

    • Episode 2 Kanji

    • Part 1: Miyuki Sato

    • Drills A - C

    • Part 2: Student

    • Drills D - E

    • Part 3: Nationality

    • Drills F - G

  • 6

    Episode 3: Objects

    • Episode 3 Kanji

    • Part 1: Melon Soda

    • Drills A - C

    • Part 2: Vending Machine

    • Drills D - G

    • Part 3: Mike's Soda

    • Drills H - J

  • 7

    Episode 4: Numbers

    • Episode 4 Kanji

    • Part 1: Phone Number

    • Drills A - B

    • Part 2: Room Number

    • Drills C - F

    • Part 3: Papers

    • Drills G - N

  • 8

    Episode 5: Restaurant

    • Episode 5 Kanji

    • Part 1: Check-in

    • Drill A

    • Part 2: English Menu

    • Drill B

    • Part 3: Order

    • Drills C - E

  • 9

    Episode 6: Shopping

    • Episode 6 Kanji

    • Part 1: Melon Bread

    • Drills A - B

    • Part 2: Prices

    • Drills C - D

    • Part 3: Checkout

    • Drills E - H

  • 10

    Episode 7: Describing

    • Episode 7 Kanji

    • Part 1: Expensive

    • Drills A - E

    • Part 2: Pretty Shirt

    • Drills F - M

    • Part 3: Sale

    • Drills N - R

  • 11

    Episode 8: Plans

    • Episode 8 Kanji

    • Part 1: Skytree

    • Drills A - C

    • Part 2: Date

    • Drills D - H

    • Part 3: Kyoto

    • Drills I - M

  • 12

    Episode 9: Travel

    • Episode 9 Kanji

    • Part 1: Bullet Train

    • Drills A - G

    • Part 2: Tokyo to Kyoto

    • Drills H - I

    • Part 3: Picture

    • Drills J - K

  • 13

    Episode 10: Journal

    • Episode 10 Kanji

    • Part 1: Today

    • Drills A - E

    • Part 2: The Golden Pavilion

    • Drills F - I

    • Part 3: Hiroshima

    • Drills J - M

  • 14

    Episode 11: Directions

    • Episode 11 Kanji

    • Part 1: Restroom

    • Drills A - C

    • Part 2: Meet-up

    • Drills D - E

    • Part 3: Lost

    • Drill G - J

  • 15

    Episode 12: Weather

    • Episode 12 Kanji

    • Part 1: Cold

    • Drills A - E

    • Part 2: Rain

    • Drills F - G

    • Part 3: Umbrella

    • Drills H - J

Course Syllabus

By the end of this course, you will be able to perform basic functions in Japanese like how to make a purchase, order at a restaurant, and ask for directions. Here are some of the grammar patterns covered in this course.

  • Polite vs. Casual Form

  • Copula 'desu'

  • Demonstratives (ko-so-a-do words)

  • Conjugating i-adjectives and na-adjectives

  • Particles 'wa', 'ga', 'no', 'ni', 'de'

  • Numbers and Counters

  • Present, future, past, and present-progressive form

  • Te-form and verb bases

  • ... and much more!

More than just an online textbook!

  • Videos and Audio

    Videos and audio are embedded into the lessons so you can listen to native Japanese directly from the course.

  • Discussion Boards

    Post comments and questions into a discussion boards for other students to answer.

  • Culture Lessons

    We don't just teach grammar, we teach cultural lessons so you can experience Japan!