steps when learning kanji

what are the steps you take when learning a kanji? I honestly just need someone to tell me what they do in steps because im going mad with trying to figure out how to learn kanji
i apologize if this is a dumb request lol

9 comments
  1. Split it into components, that makes it easier to understand.
    Also you can make up a story to remember the meaning of the kanji based on the components.

  2. I can only recognize perhaps 800-1000 characters (not exactly sure), but I do this:

    1. Read a book…

    2. While reading encounter a new kanji…

    3. Write that down into my huge list of words to learn

    4. When it comes time to add vocab to anki, add new anki note with the vocab. Front = Japanese kanji word, Back = meaning in English. I only usually do J->E but sometimes I do both J<->E

    5. Look for related words, which use the same reading (may only apply if it’s an onyomi) and add these as cards too, to create a cluster of knowledge to help my brain grip it better

    6. Look for transitive/intransitive pair (obviously only applies to some words)

    7. Add another card just to help me recognize the kanji if needed ( a kanji story card)

  3. Read a book
    Look up vocab
    After a few times simply memorise the kanji that are in the vocab

  4. It helps if you use a system that teaches you the components first. I did Kumon, so they taught us 糸 before something like 続く. We’d learn the component, physically write it and then learn a few words. Then we’d usually write a sentence, then unscramble a different sentence. It sounds tedious, but it only took a few minutes and my retention was excellent.

    I don’t use the same system now, mostly because I tend to learn words more passively now. But I really recommend physical writing in the beginning.

  5. Try WaniKani. They split the kanji up into batches, and for each batch you learn the radicals, then the kanji made of those radicals, then the vocab made of those kanji. Mnemonics for each item help it stick, and you usually have it down after just a few scheduled reviews.

    The first 3 levels of Wanikani are free. After trying it out, if you like their method but don’t want to pay you can apply the same method in some other way.

  6. First I’d advise to learn most recurring keys and their meaning. While it is not always the case obviously, many kanji have hint at their category within them.

    Then it’s just a matter of making a small story wether or not it makes sens.

  7. Rote memorization personally.
    If I see a kanji enough times I’ll learn it.

  8. Why are you “learning a kanji”? There are so many guides on how to learn Japanese which embed decades of self-learning experience. Pick one and follow it.

  9. Im also using Wanikani, was basically a game changer for me. It’s slow, but it helps immensely.

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