How long to get fluent?

2 comments

1. About 2200 classroom hours according to the FSI. Figure 1 hour outside for every hour in, about 4400 hours.

2. It takes about 4500 hours to pass the JLPT N1, which is the highest level of the JLPT and should be enough Japanese to be basically fluent (e.g.: able to understand a broad range of topics with some degree of depth), although others may disagree and say it’s “basic.”

   If we’re talking able to navigate daily life without much difficulty and participate in those conversations, N3 level takes about 1700 hours.