This one free japanese course It organizes the lessons in "How to Learn Japanese" into a sequence for those starting from scratch. You'll first learn to read the basic writing systems, then form sentences, expand your vocabulary, and practice comprehension and communication.
Use this page as a roadmap: proceed at your own pace, open the content indicated for each step, and only move on when you’ve mastered the practical objective. You don’t need to memorize all the grammar before listening to, reading, or writing in Japanese.
What You'll Learn in This Guide
- how hiragana, katakana, and kanji work together;
- how to construct your first sentences using vocabulary and particles;
- how to study verbs, adjectives, and expressions in a useful order;
- how to combine reading, listening, writing, speaking, and reviewing;
- How to track your progress based on tasks you can already complete.
How to Use the Free Japanese Course
Study in short bursts. In each session, review something you’ve learned before, learn a new point, and use that point in a sentence, a reading passage, or an audio clip. The goal isn’t just to “finish articles,” but to expand what you can do in Japanese.
This approach is in line with a principle of the JF Standard, developed by the Japan Foundation: proficiency levels make more sense when they describe tasks that a person can perform, rather than simply how many words, rules, or kanji they have memorized.
Step 1: Understand Japanese Writing
The Japanese language combines three writing systems. The hiragana appears in native words and grammatical endings; the katakana It is common in loanwords, foreign names, and sound effects; the kanji They represent units of meaning and appear in many words.
Start with the Hiragana and Katakana Guide. Also use the Complete Hiragana Chart See and read How to Use the Japanese Writing Systems to understand each person's role.
Objective of this stage
You're ready to move on once you can recognize the most common kana, read simple words without always relying on romaji, and visually distinguish between hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Don't wait until you've mastered all the kanji to start learning grammar and vocabulary.
Step 2: Form Your First Sentences
Now combine words and structure. Study the basic japanese vocabulary for beginners, proceed to the fundamental japanese grammar and use the guide on how to form sentences in japanese to see the overall pattern.
A useful opening line is:
I am Brazilian.
I am from Burajiru.
I am Brazilian.
In this sentence, は is written using the kana there is, but it is pronounced wa when it functions as a topic particle. The word 私 (watashi) can be omitted when the context already makes it clear who is speaking.
Next, study the basic particles in japanese. They indicate relationships such as topic, subject, object, destination, and location of the action. For Brazilians, this is a crucial point because Japanese does not follow the same word order as Portuguese.
Objective of this stage
Be able to introduce yourself, state your nationality, talk about what you like, and create simple sentences with a noun, a particle, and a predicate. Read the sentences aloud to connect writing and sound from the very beginning.
Step 3: Build your everyday vocabulary
Learn words within the context of topics and sentences, not as a list without context. A practical approach is to start by numbers in japanese, days of the week, months of the year and how to tell time. These topics allow you to talk about daily routines, dates, and appointments.
Then, practice everyday expressions. For each set of words, create two or three sentences related to your own life. This makes reviewing more meaningful.
I study Japanese every day.
Every day, I study Japanese.
I study Japanese every day.
Here, 毎日 means “every day,” 日本語 means “the Japanese language,” を indicates the object of the action, and 勉強します is the polite form of “to study.”.
Objective of this stage
Speak or write five short sentences about your daily routine, including at least one time, one day, or a frequency. Focus on clarity and accuracy; speed will come with practice.
Step 4: Move on to verbs and adjectives
To describe actions, start with the Verb groups in Japanese and learn how to -masu form (but u), which is very useful in early formal and neutral conversations. Don't try to memorize all the verb conjugations at once: practice the present, past, affirmative, and negative forms with a few common verbs.
To describe people, places, and objects, see the Types of Adjectives in Japanese. Adjectives ending in い and adjectives in the な group behave differently; learning this distinction prevents you from applying Portuguese rules directly to Japanese.
Objective of this stage
Describe your day using three verbs and two adjectives. Then change at least one affirmative sentence to a negative one and one present tense sentence to the past tense.
Step 5: Study kanji within words
Start learning kanji early, but take it slowly. Instead of memorizing an isolated character with all its possible readings, associate it with words and phrases you already understand. The series How to Learn Kanji Through Words helps apply this principle.
Use spaced repetition to help you remember vocabulary, reading passages, and examples. The guide on How to Study Japanese with Anki It offers a way to organize these review sessions. Flashcards work best when they complement reading, listening, and speaking, not when they replace direct exposure to the language.
Objective of this stage
Recognize kanji in words you've already studied and try to read at least one short sentence that combines kana and kanji. Make a note of the words that appear repeatedly in your study materials.
A simple 30-minute routine
- 5-minute review: Reread the sentences and review your old flashcards.
- 10 minutes of new content: Study a short section of a lesson.
- 10 minutes of actual contact: Listen to a short conversation or read a text that is appropriate for your level.
- 5 minutes of production: Write or say two sentences using what you just learned.
If you have less time, shorten the duration, but be sure to include all four activities: reviewing, learning, understanding, and producing. A short, consistent routine is usually more sustainable than long, infrequent sessions.
Progress Checklist for Beginners
- I can recognize hiragana and katakana in simple words.
- I can introduce myself and provide some basic information about myself.
- I understand the basic functions of particles such as は, が, を, に, and で.
- I can talk about routines, schedules, preferences, and common activities.
- I read a few words with kanji in familiar sentences.
- I have a routine that combines reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
Common questions
Is this Japanese course really free?
Yes. This guide organizes free articles from "How to Learn Japanese" into a study sequence. Some optional links on the site may lead to external tools or courses, but the steps in this guide can be followed using the free content provided.
Do I need to learn hiragana and katakana before studying grammar?
It's a good idea to start with the kana, because they appear in the examples and grammatical endings. You can study sentences and vocabulary at the same time from the beginning, but you should gradually reduce your reliance on romaji.
How long does it take to learn Japanese?
There is no single timeframe. The time it takes depends on your goal, how often you practice, the quality of your practice, and your exposure to the language. Track your progress based on what you can already understand and do in Japanese.
When should I start studying kanji?
Start gradually once you've acquired a basic knowledge of kana. Study kanji within words and phrases you already know, rather than trying to memorize all the readings of individual characters.
Can I learn Japanese on my own?
Yes, as long as you combine a clear study plan, consistent practice, reliable materials, and review. Whenever possible, seek feedback from teachers, proficient speakers, or moderated online communities to correct your pronunciation and speech.
Next step
If you're starting today, first open the Hiragana and Katakana Guide. If you can already read kana, go to the basic vocabulary and to the basic grammar. Return to this page whenever you want to choose the next step.
Sources and Criteria for the Itinerary
This guide was organized based on the *How to Learn Japanese* series and the principles of the Japan Foundation. The JF Standard recommends communicative goals described in terms of tasks that students can perform; the *Irodori* material applies this logic to real-life situations. The sources are documented for editorial review and future updates.