Japanese is often considered one of the most difficult languages to learn. It doesn’t take long to see why it appears that way, after just a short time learning the intricacies of the writing system, unfamiliar grammar, and cultural differences that can be daunting. The truth is, though, Japanese isn’t that hard to learn. In fact, there are several reasons why it can be easier than many other languages. Let’s dive into the reasons that de-mystify Japanese and show why it might be more accessible than you’ve been led to believe.
1. Pronunciation is Simple
One of the first things that trips up new language learners is pronunciation. In Japanese, though, pronunciation is refreshingly straightforward. Japanese vowel sounds are uniform, whereas in English, many vowels supposedly with similar pronunciation in different words sound quite different. Think of the letter “a” as pronounced in “cat,” “car,” and “cake.” In Japanese, you learn it once, and you’re set. Without the phonetic guessing games on how to pronounce a word by its spelling, speaking and listening become much less intimidating compared to languages with more complex phonetic systems.
2. No Verb Conjugation for Person or Number
Unlike in English, Spanish, or French, Japanese verbs don’t change according to person or number. Let’s use the verb “to eat” as an example. To say “I eat,” “he eats,” or “they eat,” it’s all the same form. No cumbersome lists of verb conjugations to memorize!
Japanese verbs do have variations to express tenses—in the past versus the present—and for politeness, but the rules are pretty logical and once understood, they remain consistent. This makes it much easier to build sentences once you have a grasp of the basics.
3. Grammar is Flexible
Although the grammar seems daunting at first, Japanese is a very forgiving language. Japanese sentence structure is typically SOV (subject-object-verb), but there is a great deal of flexibility in word order. As long as you end your sentence with the verb, the rest can often be shuffled around for emphasis without drastically changing meaning.
While English has a very strict word order—there is quite a difference between the sentences “The dog bit the man” and “The man bit the dog”—Japanese allows a far more fluid word order. Similarly, some elements can be omitted when they can be taken from context, which provides for a smoother flow of conversation.
4. Lots of Loanwords from English
Believe it or not, you already know quite a few Japanese words, thanks to “gairaigo,” or loanwords. Over the years, Japanese has borrowed many words from English and other languages. Words such as konpyūtā for computer, terebi for TV, and sūpā for supermarket come directly from English. These familiar words will greatly help you build your vocabulary quickly, and you’ll often catch them in everyday conversation.
5. Kana Simplifies the Writing System
Yes, kanji—the complex characters adapted from Chinese—can be intimidating. However, Japanese has two other writing systems, hiragana and katakana, collectively known as kana. These are far simpler to learn. Hiragana is used for native Japanese words and grammatical functions, while katakana is mainly used for foreign words and names.
Each of the kana systems has only 46 characters, representing unique syllables; it can be learned in a matter of weeks with daily practice. Knowing them allows you to read or write almost anything in Japanese—even if you don’t know the kanji! You will soon find that the kanji—while more complex—actually makes reading easier by visually distinguishing between words and hinting at meanings.
6. Cultural and Media Immersion
Unlike some languages in which finding authentic, accessible material is very difficult, Japanese has a treasure trove of material to immerse yourself in—from anime, manga, and J-pop, to Japanese cinema. The chances are endless to practice your listening and comprehension skills, as well as your reading skills. This enjoyable, easy-to-access content turns learning into a more interactive process.
For example, the habit of watching subtitled anime or dramas is great for getting yourself comfortable with the natural flow of the language and learning common phrases and expressions. And since the Japanese media industry has been so popular across the world, resources and communities will be right at your fingertips to help you with your journey.
7. Politeness Levels Give You Clarity
Japanese is famous for its different levels of politeness, but for beginners, it can seem confusing at first. Actually, it helps the learner because it makes social interactions clearer. Once you learn which level of speech is used in what context—casual with friends and more formal in business or with people you don’t know well—it becomes second nature. The politeness system also helps remove ambiguity in communication, making it easier to say things with the right tone and respect, which in other languages can be much trickier.
If you’re frustrated by English’s many exceptions—for instance, the plural of “mouse” is “mice,” but the plural of “house” is “houses”—then you can be reassured that there are considerably fewer exceptions in Japanese. Generally speaking, the rules of Japanese grammar work, and when you learn a rule, you can usually apply it broadly without worrying about endless exceptions. This makes studying the language much more straightforward and reduces the need to memorize anomalies.
Conclusion
Although Japanese does pose some challenges, it is by no means as difficult to learn as its reputation might suggest. With its simple pronunciation and logical grammar, Japanese is a rewarding language that you can enjoy learning. So if you’re thinking of learning Japanese, don’t be put off by the rumors of difficulty—just dive in and find out how accessible it really is!
Come to Japanese with an open mind and the right tools, and what you find is not something akin to climbing a mountain, but rather a fascinating journey replete with small, easy-to-handle steps. Happy learning!
