So,
I have a problem with learning kanjis, as the methods I’ve seen so far rely heavily on regularly refreshing the kanjis over a relatively short time (flashcards etc.), and I’m simply unable to do even the most basic things on a regural basis.
My question is as follows: Do you know/could recommend any resources for or methods of learning kanjis that doesn’t utilize the “1%-progress-per-day” philosophy?
10 comments
Just generally, without references to Kanji, what would that method be? Do you have an example? I can‘t imagine a method of learning a large number of things, without learning them individually
learning the radicals is another good strategy for remembering and distinguishing kanji
also being sure to practice writing them with proper stroke order
> I’m simply unable to do even the most basic things on a regular basis.
Acquiring this skill will help you with basically everything, even more than Japanese. You may want to consider ways to do this.
Or is the issue that you have some job like working for the fire service or on an oil rig which forces you to be away for days at a time? I can see that making it hard.
People use flash cards because they’re ultimately one of the more efficient ways to learn. If you’re unwilling to do that you can try and learn Kanji the way Japanese people do. Just drill each kanji into your head by writing it out on paper a million times.
Learning Vocab that contains the kanji you’re trying to learn could help you remember the On-yomi and Kun-yomi.
My advice is always learn common vocabulary with the kanji. Most people start out learning simple kanji words like 今、家、日 and then expand on it with 今日、家族、日曜日. Just keep following with that logic or focus on vocabulary as a means for expanding your kanji knowledge. There is little reason to stare at a flash card of a kanji that is not used by itself. The more vocab you amass, naturally over time you will become knowledgeable about the kanji and know it’s common readings. Then you will even be able to guess how new words are read based on your prior knowledge.
If you are concerned about not keeping up with a certain level of kanji. You can look up lists of kanji by grade level and gauge which ones you know and maybe put in the work to learn words that use ones you aren’t familiar with.
I think kanji has been made out to be this big scary thing and is sometimes dissected out of the language in forms of flash cards and separate programs. It’s part of the language so might as well treat it the same.
You could read books with yomichan and look words up until they stick. A site you can use to read epubs in your browser: https://reader.ttsu.app
Mate, I’m going to burst your bubble here because I think you really need to hear this. You’re learning Japanese kanji, not math or chemistry. There is no silver bullet to this. While mnemonics, radicals, etc can be helpful, none of them are going to change the fact that you’re effectively going to have to memorize 2000+ symbols, many of which will not have any internal rhyme or reason to them. And nothing will ever be a replacement to repeated, spaced exposure to those kanji. If you cannot dedicate the time and effort to getting this exposure, you will not learn or get very far with kanji, plain and simple. Anyone who tells you otherwise either has no idea what they’re talking about or is trying to sell you snake oil.
To get a useful response here I think you may want to say what you have done so far and the methods you have tried in detail before asking advice. This way people can give you better advice.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure there’s any way to learn a new language without building habits and memorizing.
As someone who hates both, here are some things that helped:
1) Mnemonics and radicals: there’s no hidden logic behind kanji (like math or science), but radicals and mnemonics get close to it. Wanikani has been helpful for the.
2) Build habits by starting small: maybe just learn a few radicals or kanji each day for the first month. The important thing in the beginning is not learning a lot, but getting used to doing things at regular intervals. Once you get the habit down, you can increase the daily amount.
3) Build habits by tying them to a habit you already have: you have things you do on a daily basis already (brushing your teeth, checking your phone when you wake up). Try to tie your Japanese routine to one of these. I personally do Wanikani every morning when I wake up and check my phone.