basically the title. when i say complete and total beginner, i mean like “just started this week” level. what i’m attempting to do is learn hiragana, then katakana, then some very very basic kanji while sprinkling in duolingo lessons (NOT for conversation but just so i can recognize words here and there). i’m wondering if that’s smart, or if i’m wasting my time and there’s a better way. my reasoning is, if i can read the characters and know what a word sounds like, it’ll make it way easier for me to be like “oh, i know what おはよう sounds like, so it means good morning” if that makes sense. any input or alternative approaches that you all have used yourselves are very very welcome!
1 comment
Here’s [my recommendations](https://www.reddit.com/r/LearnJapanese/comments/s5mtva/comment/ht1lo0x/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3).
Don’t forget the [starter’s guide](https://www.reddit.com/r/LearnJapanese/wiki/index/startersguide/) in the sidebar as well.
Basically, hiragana is the place to start. Learn the sounds and the corresponding hiragana characters. I did hiragana & katakana at the same time – they use the same sounds so it’s just matching 2 characters to each sound.
Then you can start on kanji, but I don’t recommend it. If you just learn basic words then you’ll get exposure to kanji and learn vocabulary at the same time – also you’ll only need to remember the readings of the kanji that you currently need.
Invest some time in basic grammar before you attempt any meaningful reading. It’ll help enormously. I found Cure Dolly’s course very helpful (although the style can take some getting used to, it’s the easiest grammar explanation I’ve seen yet).
Then start reading and listening – add new words and grammar as you come across them.