Japanese from Scratch!
Japan is a country that amazingly combines millennia-old traditions with cutting-edge technologies. Around 125 million people speak Japanese, and Japanese culture – from anime and manga to martial arts and cuisine – has long become a part of the global culture. Whatever your reason may be, Lingust will help you take your first step in learning Japanese for free.
About the Japanese course on the website
The course consists of introductory lessons on the Japanese syllabaries and 10 lessons from the international textbook – one of the most popular Japanese language guides in the world. The lessons include theory, audio, and exercises for reinforcement. The lessons are free. To view the answer to an exercise, hover your mouse over the key: 
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- Hiragana and Katakana – step-by-step Japanese syllabaries from scratch
- Grammar and vocabulary – 10 lessons based on Minna No Nihongo
- Lesson audio – pronunciation and listening comprehension practice
- Exercises with keys – knowledge checks after each lesson
Go to → the list of lessons ← (Click)
Is Japanese difficult?
The Japanese writing system looks intimidating, but it is actually quite logically structured. Japanese has two phonetic syllabaries – Hiragana (46 characters) and Katakana (46 characters) – which can be learned in a couple of weeks, just like any alphabet. Added to these are Kanji – characters borrowed from Chinese. They are mastered gradually: knowing about 1,000 characters is enough for basic reading.
In many aspects, Japanese grammar is simpler than European grammar: there are no grammatical genders, no mandatory plural forms, and no future tense as a separate form. The word order is unusual (the verb comes at the end of the sentence), but it is very consistent. Once you know the basics, the doors to the world of Japanese culture and business will be open to you.
Why study Japanese?
- Culture and entertainment. Anime, manga, video games, the films of Kurosawa and Miyazaki, J-pop and J-rock music – Japanese pop culture has conquered the world. Understanding the original language offers a completely different level of appreciation.
- Travel. Japan is a country of contrasts: the ancient temples of Kyoto and the neon streets of Tokyo, hot springs and ski resorts. Outside tourist areas, few people speak English, and even basic Japanese will completely change the quality of your trip.
- Career and technology. Japan is one of the largest economies in the world. Sony, Toyota, Honda, Nintendo, Panasonic – Japanese companies remain leaders in technology, automotive manufacturing, robotics, and the gaming industry. Knowing Japanese is a serious competitive advantage.
- Martial arts and philosophy. Karate, judo, aikido, kendo – if you are into martial arts, knowing Japanese will help you understand the terminology and the philosophy behind every movement.
- A bridge to other Asian languages. Japanese and Korean have a very similar grammatical structure. Knowing Kanji will also make it easier to understand Chinese characters.
- Cuisine. Japanese cuisine is an intangible cultural heritage object of UNESCO. Knowing the language will allow you to understand menus in authentic restaurants, distinguish between types of sushi and ramen, and appreciate Japanese food culture.
Interesting facts about the Japanese language
- There are three writing systems in Japanese that are used simultaneously: Hiragana (for native Japanese words and grammar), Katakana (for foreign loanwords), and Kanji (Chinese characters). All three can easily appear in a single sentence.
- Japanese has a complex system of politeness known as Keigo. The same verb can take several forms depending on who you are talking to: a friend, a boss, or a customer.
- The Japanese borrow a massive amount of English words, writing them in Katakana. For example, コンピュータ (konpyūta) is “computer”, and アイスクリーム (aisukurīmu) is “ice cream”.
- There is no “l” sound in Japanese. Both “r” and “l” sounds are represented by a single sound that lies somewhere in between. This is why Japanese speakers often find it difficult to distinguish these sounds in foreign languages.
- Japanese schoolchildren study Kanji throughout their education: by the time they graduate, they are expected to know the 2,136 characters from the official Jōyō Kanji list.
Start learning Japanese right now
Japanese is a language that unlocks access to one of the world’s most unique cultures, cutting-edge technologies, and a massive layer of entertainment content. Our course will take you from your first Hiragana characters to Minna No Nihongo grammar. Everything includes audio, everything is free, and everything is online.
Go to → the list of lessons ← (Click)