Honest, first-person writing about learning Japanese — what actually happened, what went wrong, and what works
Everything here is written from real experience by Rahul Kumar Singh — a Japanese learner from Nepal studying at a language school with native Japanese teachers, preparing for the JLPT alongside classmates on the JFT-Basic working-visa track. No recycled generic advice: if it's on this page, it happened to me or to people I study with.
Stop struggling with Kanji. Learn the best strategies, from radicals to spaced repetition, to memorize Japanese Kanji effectively for JLPT N5 and N4.
A complete step-by-step walkthrough on creating a Prometric ID, navigating registration, booking JFT-Basic exam slots, voucher vs credit card payment, and test center tips.
Conjugate verbs to express permission, rules prohibition, and mandatory tasks using standard everyday Japanese patterns.
Learn double-word onomatopoeic adjectives like wakuwaku, girigiri, and shiin, and how they enrich conversations.
A statistical and practical study hourly guide to reach N5, N4, N3, and business fluency, with tips for faster progress.
Master the four core functions of the verb structure ~te iru: active progress, resulting state, custom habits, and occupation.
Learn when to say ~tai (want to do) vs ~tsumori (intend/plan to do) to express present desires and future plans.
Avoid key mistakes in long vowel sounds, small tsu pauses, nasal N pronunciation, and silent vowel sounds in Japanese.
Understand the roles of Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji, and Romaji, and how they seamlessly blend together in everyday Japanese sentences.
Compare the difficulty steps, grammar depth, kanji volume, and testing durations between the N5 and N4 levels.
Master the core 800 Japanese words required for JLPT N5, including typical Kanji-to-Hiragana question types.
Read N5 comprehension texts efficiently, scan signs/brochures, extract key dates, prices, and answers quickly.
Develop the key listening strategies needed for the N5 exam, interpreting question patterns, and filtering key details.
Avoid key mistakes in vocabulary readings, script choice, listening questions, and reading signs on the JFT-Basic.
Everything you need to know about CBT (Computer Based Testing) center rules, identification checks, and JFT-Basic software.
Follow this realistic, structured 3-month preparation plan to build the skills needed to pass the JFT-Basic CBT exam.
Create an offline Leitner flashcard box system to study N5/N4 Kanji and vocabulary with structured review schedules.
Which textbook is right for your Japanese study? We compare Genki, Minna no Nihongo, and the Irodori series in detail.
Understand the distinct vocabulary terms used when talking about your family versus referring to someone else's family.
Learn to say hours, minutes, calendar dates, relative markers like yesterday/tomorrow, and time duration in Japanese.
Master the Japanese counter suffix system, including counters for books, papers, small objects, people, and machines.
Understand business customs, polite greetings, supervisor communication, phone etiquette, and daily work phrases.
Be prepared for emergencies in Japan. Learn phrases to report accidents, natural disasters, illnesses, and contact police.
Learn apartment search terms, contract vocabulary, guarantor systems, utility setup, and real estate phrases in Japanese.
Navigate municipal office administrative procedures in Japan, address updates, health insurance, and local certificates.
Learn vital medical vocabulary, describing symptoms, scheduling appointments, and filling prescriptions in Japan.
Master the vocabulary, phrases, and custom dialogues needed to navigate Japanese restaurants, cafes, and izakayas.
Write and talk about your daily schedule in Japanese, including waking up, going to work, eating meals, and sleeping.
Learn the difference between polite, respectful, and humble speech in Japanese business culture with clear rules and dialogs.
Learn the most common I-adjectives and Na-adjectives in Japanese, their conjugation rules, and daily life usage examples.
Understand how particles like Wa, Ga, Ni, De, and He function in Japanese sentences with examples, comparisons, and exercises.
Master the three verb groups and conjugate Japanese verbs systematically into Te-form, Dictionary form, Nai-form, and Ta-form with tables and exercises.
The ultimate Hiragana guide for Japanese beginners. Learn the 46 basic characters, dakuten, combination sounds, stroke order, and a realistic 7-day study plan.
A complete day-by-day and week-by-week JFT-Basic preparation roadmap for 30 days, covering daily vocabulary routines, listening habits, and mistakes to avoid.
The JFT-Basic is a practical exam measuring daily-life Japanese. Avoid these 50 common student mistakes in vocabulary, listening, grammar, and exam strategy to boost your score.
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