Japanese from your first character to JLPT N1
Learn Japanese from scratch: hiragana, katakana, pronunciation and JLPT N5
Japanese Zen is for beginners who want to read, understand and speak Japanese — for a trip, for anime and games, or for the JLPT. Start with the two kana alphabets, get the pronunciation right, then move on to words, phrases and kanji. Every answer is short, shows the Japanese script with its reading and cites its sources; the free Japanese Zen app takes you further, from N5 to N1.
- 480+ grammar lessons
- 2,000+ kanji with stroke practice
- 700+ phrases with speech recognition
Pick where to start
- Hiragana46 characters with audio and a quiz. Most people learn them in a week.Learn hiragana →
- KatakanaThe script for loanwords and foreign names, including yours.Learn katakana →
- KanjiThe first 60 kanji of JLPT N5 with meanings and readings.Start with N5 kanji →
- JLPTFive levels from N5 to N1: what each one asks and how long it takes.Find your level →
What the app adds
N5 → N1
A path, not a pile
Lessons go in order: grammar, words, reading and listening for each level.
1,2,3
Kanji stroke by stroke
Draw on the screen and every stroke gets checked.
SRS
Review that remembers for you
Words come back right before you would forget them.
Start here
- Japanese Alphabet: How Many Letters and Which SyllabariesThe Japanese alphabet in the usual sense does not exist: instead there are three writing systems — the…
- Hiragana Chart: All 46 Characters with RomajiHiragana — a complete table with each character's reading — consists of 46 basic syllables plus derivatives:…
- How to Learn Hiragana Fast (Mnemonics)How to learn hiragana fast: in 3–5 days, if you don't take the whole table at once, but in batches of 10–15…
- How to Learn Katakana FastHow to learn katakana fast: in 3–5 days using the same method as hiragana — batches of 10–15 characters,…
- How is hiragana different from katakanaHow is hiragana different from katakana: both alphabets convey the same 46 sounds, but are used in different…
- How to Learn Japanese from Scratch: A Step-by-Step PlanThe easiest way to learn Japanese from scratch is this: in 1–2 weeks master the two syllabaries — hiragana…
- Pitch accent in JapaneseJapanese accent is not stress-based like in English, but tonal — it's called pitch accent: syllables differ…
- How to Pass JLPT N5: What You Need to KnowTo pass JLPT N5, you need to know about 100 kanji, 600–800 words, basic grammar (particles, です/ます, simple…
How to learn and the JLPT
- How to Speak Japanese: Conversational from Zero
To speak Japanese, learn whole ready-made phrases rather than individual words, practice pronunciation aloud from day one, and speak a lot without… - Japanese Verbs: Conjugation and Three Groups
Japanese verbs are divided into three groups: 1st (godan, like のむ nomu — to drink), 2nd (ichidan, like たべる taberu — to eat) and two irregular — する… - The Japanese Verb Te-Form: How It's Formed and Why It Matters
The te-form is a conjunctive form of the Japanese verb, used for requests (〜てください), ongoing actions (〜ている), linking actions, and many other…
Japanese phrases
- "Omae wa mou shindeiru" — translation and breakdown of the phrase
"Omae wa mou shindeiru" (お前はもう死んでいる) translates to "you are already dead." It's Kenshiro's line from "Fist of the North Star": he strikes pressure… - Funny Japanese Phrases: 12 Expressions That Make You Smile
Funny Japanese phrases are often literal images. 猫の手も借りたい (neko no te mo karitai) — "I want to borrow even a cat's paw," about being swamped. 猫舌… - Good night in Japanese: おやすみなさい and short おやすみ
"Good night" in Japanese is おやすみなさい (oyasumi nasai), polite. To close ones, you say the short form: おやすみ (oyasumi). Literally it means "rest": 休む… - How to say 'How are you?' in Japanese: how to ask and what to answer
'How are you?' in Japanese is お元気ですか (o-genki desu ka), polite. Among friends, shorter: 元気？ (genki?). Answer — 元気です (genki desu) 'I'm fine', まあまあです… - How to say bye in Japanese: じゃあね, またね and when さようなら is appropriate
“Bye” in Japanese is じゃあね (jā ne) or またね (mata ne), among friends. さようなら (sayōnara) is not a casual “bye” but a farewell for a long time, so it’s… - How to say good evening in Japanese: こんばんは
“Good evening” in Japanese is こんばんは (konbanwa). As in こんにちは, the last character は is read as “wa” — it’s a frozen particle. It is used after dark;… - How to say good morning in Japanese: おはようございます
Good morning in Japanese is おはようございます (ohayō gozaimasu), polite. To friends and family, you say the short form: おはよう (ohayō). It works until about… - How to say happy birthday in Japanese: お誕生日おめでとう
“Happy birthday” in Japanese is お誕生日おめでとう (o-tanjōbi omedetō), politely with ございます added. Short between friends: 誕生日おめでとう or just おめでとう (omedetō) —… - How to say hello in Japanese: こんにちは and polite variants
“Hello” in Japanese is こんにちは (konnichiwa) during the day. In the morning, you politely say おはようございます (ohayō gozaimasu), and in the evening — こんばんは… - How to say sorry in Japanese: すみません and ごめんなさい
Sorry in Japanese is すみません (sumimasen), universal: both an apology and a way to call someone, and 'thanks for the trouble'. ごめんなさい (gomen nasai) is a… - Japanese Quotes with Translation: 11 Phrases and Their Origins
Japanese quotes with translation are most often taken from proverbs and Zen texts: 七転び八起き (nanakorobi yaoki) "fall seven times, stand up eight",… - Phrases from Naruto in Japanese: techniques, Pain's words, and catchphrases
Phrases from Naruto in Japanese: 影分身の術 (kage bunshin no jutsu) 'Shadow Clone Technique', 螺旋丸 (rasengan) 'Spiral Sphere', 火の意志 (hi no ishi) 'Will of… - Popular Japanese Phrases: 13 Expressions You Hear Every Day
The most popular Japanese phrases in everyday speech: お疲れ様です (o-tsukaresama desu) 'you've worked hard', よろしくお願いします (yoroshiku onegai shimasu) 'please… - Short Japanese phrases: 15 expressions in one or two words
Short Japanese phrases that are enough for basic communication: はい (hai) yes, いいえ (iie) no, どうぞ (dōzo) please, ありがとう (arigatō) thank you, すみません… - Sukuna Phrases in Japanese and 'Jujutsu Kaisen' Quotes
Sukuna phrases in Japanese: the main one is 領域展開 (ryōiki tenkai), 'domain expansion', and his technique is called 伏魔御廚子 (fukuma mizushi). Gojo says… - Thank you in Japanese: ありがとう and 6 more ways to express gratitude
“Thank you” in Japanese is ありがとう (arigatō), more polite is ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu). Short and friendly: どうも (dōmo). In response, people more… - What does 'ora ora' mean in Japanese
'Ora ora' (オラオラ) is a rough shout like 'come on!' or 'hey, you!' used to urge someone on or attack an opponent. In 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure' it's… - What does "daisuki" mean in Japanese
"Daisuki" (大好き) means "really like, adore": 大 — big, 好き — like. It is stronger than 好き, but softer than 愛してる ("love"). It is 大好き that Japanese people… - What does "gomen" mean in Japanese
"Gomen" (ごめん) means "sorry" — a short apology between close people. The full polite form is ごめんなさい, and in conversation you often hear ごめんね. It is an… - What does the phrase “yamete kudasai” mean
What does the phrase “yamete kudasai” (やめてください) mean — “please stop”, a polite request to stop an action. The base is the verb 止める (yameru, “to…
Japanese words and their meaning
- Beautiful in Japanese: 美しい, 綺麗 and かっこいい
“Beautiful” in Japanese is three different words. 綺麗 (kirei) — beautiful and neat, the most common. 美しい (utsukushii) — beautiful, in a lofty style:… - Beautiful Japanese words: 20 concepts that don't exist in English
The most beautiful Japanese words are those that cannot be translated with a single word: 木漏れ日 (komorebi) 'sunlight filtered through leaves', 物の哀れ… - Cat in Japanese: 猫 (neko) — writing, readings, words
Cat in Japanese is 猫 (neko), 11 strokes. Japanese has no separate words for cat and kitten: 猫 means both. Kitten is 子猫 (koneko). The cat's 'meow'… - Friend in Japanese: 友達 (tomodachi) and other words about friendship
Friend in Japanese is 友達 (tomodachi). A close friend is 親友 (shin'yū), a comrade in a common cause is 仲間 (nakama). The character 友 (tomo) means… - God in Japanese: the word kami and its meaning
God in Japanese is 神 (kami), but the word is broader than the European 'god': kami refers to a shrine deity, a mountain spirit, an ancestor, or even… - How to say 'beloved' in Japanese: 愛しい, 大切な人 and why there is no 'dear'
'Beloved' in Japanese is 愛しい (itoshii) in a bookish sense and 大切な人 (taisetsu na hito) 'important person' in everyday speech. As an address, Japanese… - How to Say Cute in Japanese: かわいい and What It Really Means
“Cute” in Japanese is かわいい (kawaii), the same word means “cute,” “lovely,” “pretty.” It is written with the kanji 可愛い, but more often in kana. Be… - How to say fox in Japanese: 狐 (kitsune) and its nine tails
Fox in Japanese is 狐 (kitsune), 9 strokes. It's not just an animal: kitsune is considered a messenger of the deity Inari, can transform into a human,… - How to Say Japan in Japanese: 日本 — Nihon or Nippon
Japan in Japanese is 日本, and the name has two readings: にほん (Nihon) in everyday speech and にっぽん (Nippon) in formal contexts — on coins, stamps, and… - How to Say Older Brother in Japanese: 兄 and お兄さん
Older brother in Japanese is 兄 (ani) when talking about your own brother to someone else, and お兄さん (onīsan) when addressing him or talking about… - How to say Russia in Japanese: ロシア and how to say 'I am Russian'
Russia in Japanese is ロシア (Roshia), in katakana. 'I am Russian' is ロシア人です (Roshia-jin desu), 'Russian language' is ロシア語 (Roshia-go), 'I am from… - Japanese death kanji: 死 — how to write it and why it is avoided
The Japanese death kanji is 死, 6 strokes, N4 level. It is read as "shi" (on'yomi シ) and "shinu" (kun'yomi し.ぬ, "to die"). Because 死 sounds like the… - Japanese kanji for 'black': 黒 and its meanings
The Japanese kanji for 'black' is 黒 (kuro), 11 strokes. As an adjective, it takes the form 黒い (kuroi). Figuratively, the character means 'dark,… - Japanese Kanji for Book: 本 — Both a Book and a Counter Suffix
The Japanese kanji for book is the single character 本, with 5 strokes, N5 level. It is read as “hon” (on’yomi ホン) and “moto” (kun’yomi もと) — “source,… - Japanese Kanji for Calm: 静 and 安
The Japanese kanji for calm is 静 (quiet, stillness, 14 strokes) or 安 (safety, peace, 6 strokes). As a word, 'quiet' is written 静か (shizuka), and… - Japanese kanji for fire: 火 — writing, readings, words
The Japanese kanji for fire is 火, 4 strokes, N5 level. It is read as "hi" (kun'yomi ひ) and "ka" (on'yomi カ). "Fire in Japanese" is 火 (hi), flame is 炎… - Japanese kanji for flower: 花 — writing and readings
The Japanese kanji for flower is 花, 7 strokes. It is read 'hana' (kun'yomi はな) and 'ka' (on'yomi カ). 'Flower in Japanese' is 花 (hana). At the top of… - Japanese Kanji for Harmony: 和 — The Main Symbol of Japan
The Japanese kanji for harmony is 和 (wa), 8 strokes, N4 level. It means not only 'harmony, peace' but also the Japanese self-designation: 和食… - Japanese Kanji for Health: 健康 — What the Word Is Made Of
The Japanese kanji for health consists of two characters: 健 (strong, 11 strokes) and 康 (well-being, 11 strokes). Together, 健康 (kenkō) means 'health'.… - Japanese Kanji for Life: 生 and 命 — What's the Difference
The Japanese kanji for life is 生 (5 strokes, 'to live, to be born') or 命 (8 strokes, 'life as a span, fate'). 生 is read 'sei/shō' and 'ikiru', 命 is… - Japanese Kanji for Love: 愛 — How to Write, Read, and When Not to Use It
The Japanese kanji for love is 愛, read as 'ai' (onyomi アイ), 13 strokes. 'Love in Japanese' as a word is 愛 (ai), 'I love you' is 愛してる (aishiteru). In… - Japanese Kanji for Moon: 月 — Writing, Readings, Words
The Japanese kanji for moon is 月, 4 strokes, N5 level. It is read "tsuki" (kun'yomi つき) and "getsu/gatsu" (on'yomi ゲツ、ガツ). The same character also… - Japanese kanji for water: 水 — writing, readings, words
The Japanese kanji for water is 水, 4 strokes, N5 level. It is read as 'mizu' (kun'yomi みず) and 'sui' (on'yomi スイ). 'Water in Japanese' is 水 (mizu).… - Japanese kanji for woman: 女 — writing and readings
The Japanese kanji for woman is 女, 3 strokes, N5 level. It is read as 'onna' (kun'yomi おんな) and 'jo' (on'yomi ジョ). The same character appears in 好き… - Japanese luck kanji: 運 and 福 — which one to choose
The Japanese kanji for luck is 運 (un), 12 strokes: it means both 'luck' and 'fate'. The second character also translated as luck is 福 (fuku),… - Time and Hours in Japanese
Time in Japanese is built simply: hours are a number + 時 (ji): 1 o'clock is 一時 ichiji, 3 o'clock is 三時 sanji. Minutes are a number + 分 (fun/pun): 5… - Tokyo Revengers: The Japanese inscription and what it means
The inscription 'Tokyo Revengers' in Japanese is 東京卍リベンジャーズ (Tōkyō Manji Revengers). The sign 卍 in the middle is not a swastika in the European… - What does 'kouhai' mean in Japanese
'Kouhai' (後輩) means a junior comrade — someone who joined a school, club, or company after you. The characters are read as 後 'later' and 輩 'comrade'.… - What does 'nakama' mean in Japanese
'Nakama' (仲間) means 'one of us, a comrade in a common cause' — someone who is in the same team, crew, or company as you. The characters are read as 仲… - What does “bushido” mean in Japanese
“Bushido” (武士道) means “the way of the warrior”: 武士 — samurai, 道 — way. It is not a set of rules like a knight's code: a single text of bushido never… - What does “itadakimas” mean in anime and in life
“Itadakimas” (いただきます) means “I humbly receive” — it is said before eating, with hands clasped. It is not “bon appétit” nor “thanks to the chef”: the… - What does "kitsune" mean in Japanese
"Kitsune" (狐) simply means "fox", but in Japanese culture it is also a shapeshifter: as it ages, a fox grows tails — up to nine for the oldest — and… - What does "one-chan" mean in Japanese
"One-chan" (お姉ちゃん) means "big sister" — an affectionate way for a younger person to address their older sister. The male counterpart is 兄ちゃん… - What does "ronin" mean in Japanese
"Ronin" (浪人) means "wave person": 浪 — wave, 人 — person, that is, a samurai without a master, carried around the world. The word is still alive today,… - What does “senpai” mean in Japanese
“Senpai” (先輩) means “senior comrade” — someone who joined your school, club, or company before you. The characters read as 先 “before” and 輩… - What does "sugoi" mean in Japanese
"Sugoi" (すごい) means "cool, amazing, great." It's a universal reaction of admiration: from a beautiful view to someone else's achievement. In speech,… - What does the name Nanami mean in Japanese
The name Nanami (ななみ) doesn't have just one meaning — it depends on the kanji used to write it: 七海 — 'seven seas', 菜々美 — 'beauty of greens', 奈々美 — a… - What does tsundere mean in anime
What does tsundere mean in anime: it's a character (ツンデレ) who is rude and denies their feelings, but unexpectedly warms up in private. The word is… - Yandere — what it means and where the word came from
Yandere — what it means: a character (ヤンデレ) whose love turns into obsession and violence. The word is a blend of 病んでる (yan-deru, “sick, crazy”) and…
Culture, history and mythology
- Aoandon — who is it in Japanese mythology
Aoandon (青行燈) is a yokai that is summoned voluntarily in Japanese mythology. A horned, fanged woman in white appears at the end of hyaku-monogatari:… - Bushi — who they are and how they differed from samurai
Bushi (武士) is the entire warrior class of Japan, not the same as samurai. The 士 at the end means 'serving man': bushi is a broad concept for all who… - Charlotte in Japanese: シャーロット
Charlotte is written シャーロット in Japanese katakana, five morae — シャ, ー, ロ, ッ, ト — pronounced "Shārotto." The opening ch is rendered as sh, not ch,… - Crane (tsuru) — who is it in Japanese mythology
Tsuru is a crane, and Japanese mythology has made it a symbol of longevity and gratitude. It is the hero of the tale 'Tsuru no Ongaeshi', where a… - Dragons — who are they in Japanese mythology
Dragons in Japanese mythology are water spirits: of rivers, lakes, the sea, and rain. The chief among them, Ryūjin, lives in the underwater palace… - Emma in Japanese: エマ
Emma is written エマ in Japanese katakana, read as two short morae, e-ma, and pronounced roughly "Ema." There's no elongated vowel and no doubled… - Fūjin — who is he in Japanese mythology
Fūjin is the god of wind, depicted as a green demon with a giant bag of winds on his back: by untying it, he releases storms. He is the constant… - Gaki — Who Are They in Japanese Mythology
Gaki (餓鬼) is a hungry ghost from Buddhist cosmology, which Japanese mythology absorbed entirely: greed or envy in a past life condemned it to eternal… - Hanafuda — what it is and what it is for
Hanafuda is a deck of 48 cards without numbers or familiar suits: instead, there are twelve months, each with its own flower or plant and four cards.… - Hikikomori — who they are and how they live
Hikikomori (引きこもり) is a person who has voluntarily withdrawn from social life and rarely leaves home for months or years. The term was coined by… - Izanami — who is she in Japanese mythology
Izanami is the progenitor goddess who, together with her husband Izanagi, created the Japanese islands and most of the gods. She died giving birth to… - James in Japanese: ジェームズ
James is written ジェームズ in Japanese katakana, four morae — ジェ, ー, ム, ズ — read "Jēmuzu." The -ame in the middle stretches into a long e, and the final… - Kaishaku — who is the second at seppuku
Kaishaku (介錯) is the second at seppuku: the person who, with a single sword stroke, ended the death throes of one who had disemboweled himself. The… - Kami — Who They Are in Japanese Mythology
Kami in Japanese mythology are not 'gods' in the usual sense, but anything that inspires awe or reverence: Mount Fuji, a waterfall, a fox, an unusual… - Kasha — who is it in Japanese mythology
Kasha (火車) is a vulture demon in cat form, and Japanese mythology gave it a grim role: to appear at the funeral of a sinner and drag the body right… - Kodama — who is it in Japanese mythology
Kodama (木霊) is a tree spirit and perhaps the quietest of all that Japanese mythology remembers: it lives inside an old trunk and usually does not… - Liam in Japanese: リアム
Liam is written リアム in Japanese katakana, three morae — リ, ア, ム — read "Riamu." The middle ia stays as two separate vowel sounds rather than… - Mangaka — who is it and what do they do
A mangaka (漫画家) is an artist and usually the author of the story of manga, Japanese comics. The mangaka creates the characters and storyboard, often… - Mia in Japanese: ミア
Mia is written ミア in Japanese katakana, read as two even morae, ミ (mi) and ア (a), pronounced "Mia." Both morae carry the same length and weight, even… - Michael in Japanese: マイケル
Michael is written マイケル in Japanese katakana, four morae — マ, イ, ケ, ル — read "Maikeru." The ch in the middle stands for a k sound rather than the ch… - Miko — who they are and what they did
Miko (巫女) is a shrine maiden at a Shinto shrine: she assists the priest during rituals, performs kagura ritual dances, sells omamori and omikuji, and… - Mononoke — Who Is It in Japanese Mythology
Mononoke (物の怪) in Japanese mythology is not a single creature, but an ancient term for an evil spirit or curse that causes illness, madness, or… - Mountain Gods — Who They Are in Japanese Mythology
Japanese mythology does not know a single 'Mountain God' — the question usually arises from a truncated search query. Mountain gods here are… - Noah in Japanese: ノア
Noah is written ノア in Japanese katakana, two morae, ノ (no) and ア (a), read "Noa." The final -ah stays silent and doesn't stretch the vowel before it,… - Obon — what is this tradition and how it goes
Obon (お盆) is a Buddhist festival of ancestor remembrance in midsummer: spirits of the dead, according to belief, return home for a few days, and… - Oliver in Japanese: オリバー
Oliver is written オリバー in Japanese katakana, four morae — オ, リ, バ, and a long vowel mark that holds バ's own vowel an extra beat — pronounced close to… - Olivia in Japanese: オリビア
Olivia is written オリビア in Japanese katakana, read as four even morae, o-ri-bi-a, pronounced close to "Oribia." A more literary alternative, オリヴィア,… - Omamori — what it is and why you need it
Omamori (お守り) is a fabric amulet pouch from a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple, inside which is a consecrated paper or wood slip: it is believed that… - Origami Crane — What This Tradition Is and How It Goes
Origami crane — a figure made from a single square sheet of paper without scissors or glue: almost every Japanese person knows how to fold it, the… - Raijin — who is he in Japanese mythology
Raijin is the god of thunder and lightning, depicted as an oni demon with a ring of drums behind his back: striking them produces thunderclaps. He is… - Sensei — who is it and who is addressed this way
Sensei (先生) is a respectful address for a teacher, doctor, lawyer, master, or another person whose experience and status are recognized as clearly… - Snakes — who are they in Japanese mythology
Snakes in Japanese mythology are a dual symbol: on one hand, the giant serpent Yamata-no-Orochi, defeated by Susanoo; on the other, the messenger of… - Sophia in Japanese: ソフィア
Sophia is written ソフィア in Japanese katakana, read as three even morae, so-fi-a, pronounced "Sofia." The ph in the English spelling collapses into a… - Sumo — What This Tradition Is and How It Goes
Sumo (相撲) is wrestling where you need to push your opponent out of the dohyō circle or make them touch the ground with anything but their feet. The… - Susanoo — who is he in Japanese mythology
Susanoo is the god of storms and the sea, the younger brother of Amaterasu, exiled from the heavens for his violent temper. He atoned for his guilt… - Tanabata — What This Tradition Is and How It Goes
Tanabata (七夕) is a festival based on the legend of two star-crossed lovers, the Weaver and the Herdsman, whom the Milky Way allows to meet only once… - Tea Ceremony — What This Tradition Is and How It Goes
The tea ceremony (茶道, 'way of tea') is not a tea party, but a precise sequence of movements: the guest enters through a low door, admires a scroll in… - The Wolf — Who It Is in Japanese Mythology
In Japanese mythology the wolf is not a villainous predator but a revered animal-messenger: the Japanese wolf was called Ōguchi-no-Magami, the "true… - Tiger — who is it in Japanese mythology
The tiger in Japanese mythology is a completely borrowed image: tigers never lived in Japan, and all the symbolism came from China along with… - Torii — what is this place and why do people go there
Torii (鳥居) are Π-shaped gates made of two pillars and one or two crossbeams that mark the entrance to a Shinto shrine. Passing through them… - Tsukuyomi — who is he in Japanese mythology
Tsukuyomi is the moon god, the middle of the three main children of Izanagi, born from his right eye. Unlike his sister Amaterasu and brother… - Umibōzu — who is it in Japanese mythology
Umibōzu (海坊主) is a sea yokai that Japanese mythology gave dominion over open water: a giant dark silhouette with a head as smooth as a shaved monk's… - What does a haori look like
A haori looks like a short, straight jacket worn open: the front panels do not overlap, the length is from hip to knee, and it is held in place by a… - Who is Totoro in Japanese mythology
Who is Totoro in Japanese mythology is a trick question: he has no ancestors there. He is a character invented by Hayao Miyazaki for the 1988… - Write Your Name in Japanese
Type any name into the tool below and it comes back as katakana, the script Japanese reserves for foreign words, built from how the name sounds… - Yukata — types and varieties
Yukata is a summer cotton kimono without an underlayer. Types differ mainly by fabric and occasion: casual with a small pattern, festival — brighter…
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