My daily routine for lessons has been WaniKani, and Tae Kim’s grammar guide. I framework it in a way where I essentially treat each grammar point as the lesson for the day. After that, anything extra comes from reading practice.
I’m trying to look for another option to use instead of Tae Kim though. While it is useful, I can tell that it’s very… “Opinionated”.
Oftentimes if I look up grammar points/particles, random articles from the web usually explain it much better than this guide.
Does anybody have a better source? Should I just drop the guide and read more instead, or should I just keep at it?
9 comments
Have you tried bunpro.jp? I find it really good with nice short explanations. I combine it with my practice studying. If I come across any grammar issue I just type it in a bar in grammar tab and in most cases I always manage to find what I am looking for.
genki seems to be a major standard, i used it and it’s quite good
[imabi.net](https://imabi.net) is also excellent but it’s very… specific. if you’re not into the hardcore linguistics or the “no handholding” learning style, it might not work for everyone. but it’s an excellent reference for things, particularly constructs that just plain never get mentioned anywhere else
I’m in a similar boat – I had some basic grammar, some WaniKani, and Cure Dolly’s videos, but didn’t feel like it was enough. I finally broke down and started Genki, and I’m using [ToKini Andy’s video commentary](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA_RcUI8km1NMhiEebcbqdlcHv_2ngbO2) on it to help.
Even though Genki’s explanations are imperfect, it does a good job of introducing grammar in a logical order and giving practice exercises. ToKini Andy’s commentary fills in the gaps, and he’s excellent at explaining what Genki stumbles on.
Use a beginner textbook instead of fumbling around in the dark based on random internet opinions.
I normally recommend Genki
The [Dictionary of Japanese Grammar](https://www.tofugu.com/reviews/dictionary-of-basic-japanese-grammar/) is by far my favorite resource for Japanese grammar.
I feel like multiple guides is the way to go. And not because the information they give is necessarily different, but rather that different people explain things in different ways, and sometimes one explanation will make no sense, while another will immediately make sense. Even though the information they give is identical.
Personally I enjoy Cure Dolly’s videos, I think they make perfect sense. And when I need to expand on the topic a bit further, I just google the stuff and read a bunch of different sites to get different explanations. And then I just shake it around in my head and settle on my version of what’s going on.
Search widely is probably the best advice. You’ll eventually find an explanation (on any particular grammar point) that you like and that fits your mental model of the language.
Personally I have a preference for [Cure Dolly’s explanations](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg9uYxuZf8x_A-vcqqyOFZu06WlhnypWj). She presents a grammar model with a consistent framework and things just seem to fit naturally into it – her depth of explanation often exceeds any other sources I’ve come across.
You’re probably aware already, but if not, [Tofugu](https://www.tofugu.com/japanese-grammar/) provides some excellent grammar articles.
I used to have a two-textbook series called New System Japanese by 海老原峰子（えびはらみねこ）. It was available to download for free, but not sure if that’s still the case now.
It was after I read the essay she wrote that (I think) I finally understood the difference between が vs は.