this post was submitted on 27 Jul 2025
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Asklemmy
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I’ve seen some variant of this advice in a few places, but I don’t really understand how it’s meant to work at the start. If I don’t understand anything being said, how do I begin to start translating and learning? I’ve been watching anime for years and while I know a handful of really common words or phrases that tend to get said in isolation, I don’t know anything about the grammar or most vocabulary that isn’t neatly isolated from the rest of a sentence. If you asked me to try to say even a basic sentence or listen and understand one, I’d be lost. Thinking about it now, I don’t think I even know some of the basic touristy phrases like how to order food or ask for directions. Most of the things I do know seem quite useless in real life. (SUGOI!)
I suppose technically this is how we all learn our first language as a child but… that kind of just happened at a time I can’t really remember. I have no idea how to replicate that as an adult.
So do you have any insight on how to do this?
You're right, staring blankly at media when you know nothing at all, even children's programming, is a waste of time for languages as foreign as Japanese. That's why it's usually recommended to first go through a basic grammar guide like Yokubi or Tae Kim, and grind some basic vocab through Anki with a deck like Kaishi.
If you don't know the basic alphabets (kana) yet, you can learn to read them as early as right now, it's the first thing any learner should do IMO, and the good news is that it can be done in less than a week's time or even just a few hours. I highly recommend Tofugu's guides for that purpose.
Set up Yomitan, it's a chrome extension to look up words in your browser instantly and can connect with anki to create flashcards, together they're the backbone of my studies. Supports many languages, not just Japanese. Note that it doesn't come with pre-installed dictionaries, you have to look up yomitan dictionaries for the language of your choice.
All ressources linked are free
Btw, Sugoi is a totally useful word in real everyday life too ;)
Sugoi! This is the kind of thing I was looking for. Thank you.
Ooh so much information! I'm saving this to give it proper attention later, thank you very much
(Now, little dummy myself, don't forget to come back here and do exactly what you said you would, please)
Try sesame Street. It's very visual, and surprisingly cute for adults