Language Guide

How to learn 日语
a beginner guide for English speakers

日语的发音系统温和，但书写系统深奥，语法以助词为基础。学习的难点在于读写，而非口语——大多数学习者在能阅读菜单之前就能进行基本对话。

Why 日语 is hard for English speakers

  • 三种书写系统同时使用：平假名（本土发音）、片假名（外来词）、汉字（源自中文的表意文字）。
  • 助词（は wa, を o, に ni, で de, へ e）标记每个词的作用——没有固定的词序。
  • 没有复数形式；没有冠词（a/the）；没有语法性别。
  • 敬语级别（休闲、礼貌的-masu、谦逊语、尊敬语）根据对话对象改变动词词尾。
  • 当上下文明确时，主语常被省略。

First 10 日语 words to learn

Lock these in before anything else. They cover greetings, basic questions, and the phrases you reach for when you don't know what to say.

日语English
こんにちは (konnichiwa)你好
ありがとうございます (arigatou gozaimasu)谢谢（礼貌）
すみません (sumimasen)不好意思 / 对不起
はい / いいえ (hai / iie)是 / 不是
おはようございます (ohayou gozaimasu)早上好
どこですか (doko desu ka)在哪里？
いくらですか (ikura desu ka)多少钱？
わかりません (wakarimasen)我不明白
もう一度お願いします (mou ichido onegai shimasu)请再说一遍
助けて (tasukete)救命

See the full common 日语 words list for the next layer of vocabulary.

日语 grammar pitfalls to watch for

助词 は (wa) 与 が (ga)

は 标记话题（“关于X”）；が 标记语法主语。“Watashi wa neko ga suki” = “至于我，猫是可爱的。”母语使用者能感受到差异；学习者需要记住上下文。

动词形式 — -masu 与 普通形

普通形（taberu, iku）用于朋友之间和书面语。-masu形（tabemasu, ikimasu）是礼貌语，用于陌生人和工作场合。选择错误会改变社交语境。

敬语 (Keigo)

除了礼貌的-masu形，正式日语还有独立的动词表示“做”（nasaru）、“去”（irassharu）等。学习者通常可以在达到B1+之前跳过掌握敬语，但要准备好识别它。

Best way to practice 日语 daily

Mix study modes to train recall, pronunciation, and sentence building together. Short, daily, output-focused beats long, irregular, passive-only.

  • Practice 10–15 minutes daily instead of long irregular sessions.
  • Build a vocabulary list around your real goals, not generic word lists.
  • Write short sentences and get instant corrections from an AI tutor.
  • Use spaced repetition to review words before they fade.
  • Track streaks and XP to keep momentum over weeks, not days.

Tip: 在前两周内掌握平假名，然后再接触汉字。平假名大约需要三个小时的集中学习，它将为你以后使用的所有语法资源打开大门。

Find your starting level

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Use Lingo Practice for 日语

Lingo Practice turns this guide into daily execution. Free plan includes the AI tutor, spaced repetition, lessons, and speech practice.

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