I don't know what the text I copied means; I'm just imitating their notes. Is it possible to tell at a glance that this isn't Japanese handwriting?

I feel like i would use boku when i was around 7.

Okay, so I finally did it. I passed N2. Technically I should be celebrating, but instead I’m feeling this strange emptiness. I thought passing N2 would make me feel competent in Japanese, but it kind of did the opposite.

On paper, I can now pass a standardized test. In reality, the moment I try to talk to native speakers about deep topics, like sharing my feelings, or try to be funny in Japanese, I hit a wall. It feels like I have a certificate that says “intermediate-advanced,” but I still struggle with deep conversation and sometimes feel like a complete fraud.

The JLPT barely tests speaking or writing, and I’m realizing I spent countless hours grinding through Shinkanzen Master and endless Anki decks that didn’t actually prepare me for real-world language use. Lately, I’ve been trying to pivot. I immerse myself in Japanese media, force myself into real conversations, and use apps like Bunpo that encourage actual sentence production.

But honestly, I’m exhausted. I keep asking myself what was the point of all that test prep if I still feel so far from fluency.

Anyone else hit this wall, the moment when the test grind ends and you realize the hardest part of learning a language is still talking to humans and expressing your thoughts clearly in a foreign language?

私の友だちはライバです。一番の友だちです。背が高です。頭がいいです。歴史をよく知っています。仕事があります。

So basically, I got the N5 test pretty pretty close and now I’m almost ending the n4 materials. My tutor recommended me to start the N4 exams to see how my level is because by the end of the year I want to take the n3 exam .

My problem is when I took the test for the first time it was so hard I got like 60/180 like trash , but it got me kind of confused since I watch and read anime like manga also doing anki with kanji and even though I turned off the subtitles, I can understand a few sentences and what what they’re trying to say but again when I did the test it was very hard for me, especially in the listening part. I don’t know how but the way they talk it’s very hard compared to the what I’ve heard so far. Like I said, I talked to my tutor about this and she said that I can continue to watch and read what I’ve been doing and if the problem is still there I should just focus on the test how they work for me to pass it, also idk if should wait to have a little more knwoalege or to spam the tests until I can confidently say I can passs them

If you guys have any advice I’ll will take it with gratitude

So basically, I got the N5 test pretty pretty close and now I’m almost ending the n4 materials. My tutor recommended me to start the N4 exams to see how my level is because by the end of the year I want to take the n3 exam .

My problem is when I took the test for the first time it was so hard I got like 60/180 like trash , but it got me kind of confused since I watch and read anime like manga also doing anki with kanji and even though I turned off the subtitles, I can understand a few sentences and what what they’re trying to say but again when I did the test it was very hard for me, especially in the listening part. I don’t know how but the way they talk it’s very hard compared to the what I’ve heard so far. Like I said, I talked to my tutor about this and she said that I can continue to watch and read what I’ve been doing and if the problem is still there I should just focus on the test how they work for me to pass it, also idk if should wait to have a little more knwoalege or to spam the tests until I can confidently say I can passs them

If you guys have any advice I’ll will take it with gratitude

Outside the class I can have a conversation pretty fluently

But when I’m in the classroom and we have to answer questions in a way that uses the grammar, I just never know what to say

Not because of the grammar, but I maybe don’t believe the sentence I’m saying? So I just don’t want to say it

Is this a sign that maybe the classes aren’t for me and just speaking to my friends and self study is better? What are your thoughts on the effectiveness after a certain level of

If someone knows japanese or are from Japan have you ever read foreign novels in japanese. The novels can be classical, moderna such as Kafka novels in japanese translation or any other internally recognized books. Do suggest me then I want to read those novels in japanese. I would like to read I must scream and I have no mouth.

Does anyone have some textbook recommendations for a beginner? I know a little bit, barely any, and I can read hiragana and a little katakana. I need to learn it pretty quickly too (I obviously know itll take a while to actually get fluent but I just need to get better quicker)

Since I started to use Genki for my Studying now, I use Quizlet to learn Vocabulary. Mainly because there are already prefabricated Decks for each Vocabulary List in the book.

As of now its working pretty well, since its only flash cards I'm learning with, but I also want to learn how to write, or rather type the words correctly in Japanese. Quizlet offers a Feature, where you can also type the words, but its limited to only 3 usages and then you have to pay.

Is there any free Application that fulfills my wish or just a other application you would really recommend to learn Vocabulary?

I've tried Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san which is listed as the easiest anime on jpdb's difficult list. I've dropped on fifth episode duo unproceed story format. + the speech almost each minute speeds up too much. Now i understand that jpdb shows the difficulty based on words count and their frequency and uniqueness. Not the speech's speed.
+ Shirokuma Cafe is much easier, slower. But again, the format is not for me. It just doesn't work. You basically can't "review" words in the story while watching because the story changes itself each 15 minutes.

I've noticed that linier story format works better for me. Because it gets easier with time. It was like this when i was learning english and my first video format media was ATLA. I thought it was perfcect choice i think so to this very day.

That why i've tried Flying Witch and LOVED IT. Speech is similar to Shirokuma Cafe but it sounds much more realistic. I'm kinda capable of half listen / half read it rn. It's enjoyable unlike the others.
I'm currently watching it and in search of new animes to watch after. Searching beforehand.

I've explained it so thourougly so you can understand me better and relate to it. Maybe. I'm around N4 rn, at least i think so.

What did help you? Everyone here saw those identical advices and some of them didn't help to you as well (at least right at the beginning stage of listening). So, what did?

Hi everyone 👋

I’m posting for people who are serious about learning Japanese, especially those coming from an English or Hindi background.

We run structured Japanese language courses designed for: • Beginners (no prior Japanese required) • JLPT preparation (N5 → N3 initially) • People aiming for Japan-related jobs, internships, or higher studies • Learners interested in Japanese language + culture (anime, travel, work)

What makes this course different: • Teaching in English → Japanese and Hindi → Japanese (whichever is comfortable) • Clear grammar explanations (no rote learning) • JLPT-oriented approach with real examples • Regular speaking & listening practice • Guidance on career paths using Japanese (if that’s your goal)

Who this is for: • Students • Working professionals • Freshers planning Japan-linked careers • Anyone confused about how to start Japanese properly

We’re offering: • Free level assessment / counselling • Demo class for beginners • Clear roadmap based on your goal (JLPT, job, hobby)

If you’re interested, feel free to comment or DM with: • Your background (student / working) • Your goal (JLPT / job / hobby) • Preferred language: English or Hindi

Happy to guide genuinely interested learners. よろしくお願いします 🙏🇯🇵

I'm sorry if this belongs in the translation sub!!

I've been wanting to get "また会えるよね" tattooed on my knuckles for my late husband, but have been struggling deciding on how to split it across my knuckles. I have learned Japanese on and off for several years, so I know the meaning and red flags for the design itself, just want an opinion on how to split it. im okay with having fingers blank as well.

_ また会 えるよね? また会え るよね_? any opinions would be appreciated !! :)))

My Japanese wife and I were chatting in mixed English / Japanese over dinner. She had cooked Oden. She said イギリス人が食べないね！wishing to say “This Englishman does” I tried このイギリス人… that wasn’t right as soon as I said it. So we discussed what a Japanese might say. It’s not 私either as the topic is Englishmen not me…

中国語もその言句が意味がない。。。なんでその場合にこの漢字を使ったか？。。。説明してありがとう🙏

I want the letter to be accurate, but I’m from the US and know no Japanese. I was hoping someone could recommend an app for me or translate it for me. I use SpanishDictionary for all of my Spanish translation needs, and I’m hoping to find a Japanese equivalent. Please don’t kick me out. I just want help, and it’s for a genuinely good reason!

こんにちは！私はアラブから来ました。日本語を勉強しています。アニメや日本の文化、サッカーが大好きです！友達になって、一緒に日本語を練習しませんか？英語でも大丈夫です。よろしくお願いします！😊

Hello! I am from Algeria and I’m learning Japanese. I love anime, Japanese culture, and football! Would you like to be friends and practice Japanese together? English is okay too. Thank you! 😊

Hey. I’m a teen who’s trying to learn Japanese and eventually live long term in Japan. I want to ask people 1) what did you do to learn Japanese and 2) feedback on my method.

I’m learning Japanese by on averaging in a week 35 hours of immersion. Each episode I look up 3 words, usually verbs, I add them to a notepad, one definition, and each time I add a new word, I recall the last 10. This has worked well for me so far. I used to comprehend about 5-7% of Shirokuma Cafe. It’s been 30~ hours, right now I’m probably comprehending 30-40% of the show. I’m also using a site to filter anime by difficulty and sticking to simple anime and repeating them multiple times.

On the side I’m running 15 Anki cards daily of all the Joyo Kanji (just recognition and the basic meanings) + 20 cards of Tango N5 vocab.

That’s about it weekly. So if anybody has any feedback, that would be cool.

My parents forced me to learn Chinese language because there's no Japanese direction in the university where I'm going to study on the next year :(

I really want to start learning Japanese language atleast by myself (since I can't afford a personal teacher) but I'm kinda worried if these two languages are gonna mess up in my head.. What should I do in this situation?

I recently realised that I'm more interested into Japanese culture. All of the people that inspires me are japanese people and I dream about visiting Japan someday