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Master Japanese with Tomodai Journal

Structured JLPT roadmaps, nuanced grammar breakdowns, kanji retention secrets, and immersive conversation tips from native educators.

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Japanese Colors Vocabulary: Essential Colors in Japanese for Beginners
#1 TRENDING
Vocabulary & Kanji•12m read

Japanese Colors Vocabulary: Essential Colors in Japanese for Beginners

Learning colors is one of the easiest ways to make your Japanese more practical. Once you know a few basic color words, you can describe clothes, food, cars, flowers, rooms, products, and almost anything around you.

Sophia MartinezSophia Martinez
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Japanese Family Vocabulary: Essential Family Words in Japanese
#2 ESSENTIAL
Vocabulary & Kanji•11m read

Japanese Family Vocabulary: Essential Family Words in Japanese

Talking about family is one of the first useful skills you can build when learning Japanese. You may need to introduce your parents, talk about your siblings, explain how many people are in your family, or ask a new Japanese friend about theirs.

Sophia MartinezSophia Martinez
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Top 100 JLPT N5 Vocabulary Words Every Beginner Should Know
#3 POPULAR
JLPT Preparation•23m read

Top 100 JLPT N5 Vocabulary Words Every Beginner Should Know

This guide gives you 100 high-priority Japanese vocabulary words that are useful for beginner Japanese and JLPT N5 preparation.

Alex ChenAlex Chen
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Japanese Colors Vocabulary: Essential Colors in Japanese for Beginners
Vocabulary & Kanji
12 min read
•Oct 8, 2026

Japanese Colors Vocabulary: Essential Colors in Japanese for Beginners

Learning colors is one of the easiest ways to make your Japanese more practical. Once you know a few basic color words, you can describe clothes, food, cars, flowers, rooms, products, and almost anything around you.

Sophia MartinezSophia Martinez
Read
Japanese Family Vocabulary: Essential Family Words in Japanese
Vocabulary & Kanji
11 min read
•Oct 8, 2026

Japanese Family Vocabulary: Essential Family Words in Japanese

Talking about family is one of the first useful skills you can build when learning Japanese. You may need to introduce your parents, talk about your siblings, explain how many people are in your family, or ask a new Japanese friend about theirs.

Sophia MartinezSophia Martinez
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Top 100 JLPT N5 Vocabulary Words Every Beginner Should Know
JLPT Preparation
23 min read
•Oct 7, 2026

Top 100 JLPT N5 Vocabulary Words Every Beginner Should Know

This guide gives you 100 high-priority Japanese vocabulary words that are useful for beginner Japanese and JLPT N5 preparation.

Alex ChenAlex Chen
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Japanese Pronunciation Guide for Beginners: How to Speak Japanese Clearly
Vocabulary & Kanji
21 min read
•Oct 6, 2026

Japanese Pronunciation Guide for Beginners: How to Speak Japanese Clearly

Japanese pronunciation is approachable for beginners, but it still requires careful practice. The basic vowel system is relatively small and consistent, while features such as long vowels, small っ, ん, mora timing, and pitch patterns can take practice. The key is to listen closely and build accurate pronunciation step by step.

Sophia MartinezSophia Martinez
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Japanese Days, Months & Dates: Complete Beginner’s Guide
Beginner Guides
15 min read
•Oct 6, 2026

Japanese Days, Months & Dates: Complete Beginner’s Guide

Japanese dates generally follow the order year → month → day. Years use 年(ねん), months usually use a number + 月(がつ), and days use 日(にち) with several special readings. The most important special dates include 1–10, 14, 20, and 24, so these should be memorized individually.

Sophia MartinezSophia Martinez
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Japanese Numbers 1–1000 Explained: Complete Beginner’s Guide
Beginner Guides
18 min read
•Oct 4, 2026

Japanese Numbers 1–1000 Explained: Complete Beginner’s Guide

Japanese numbers may look intimidating when you first see them, but the basic system is surprisingly logical. Start with 1–10. Then learn how 十 creates tens, how 百 creates hundreds, and how 千 represents 1,000. From there, numbers such as 27, 125, 358, and 999 are not new vocabulary. They are combinations of building blocks you already know.

Sophia MartinezSophia Martinez
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Japanese Greetings: 50 Essential Phrases for Beginners
Vocabulary & Kanji
16 min read
•Oct 3, 2026

Japanese Greetings: 50 Essential Phrases for Beginners

Learning Japanese often starts with simple words such as こんにちは and ありがとう. But Japanese greetings are more than translations of English phrases. The expression you choose can change depending on the time of day, the person you are speaking to, your relationship with them, and the situation.

Aisha KhanAisha Khan
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JLPT N5 Study Guide: Complete Roadmap
JLPT Preparation
17 min read
•Sep 30, 2026

JLPT N5 Study Guide: Complete Roadmap

To study for JLPT N5, start with Hiragana and Katakana, then build basic vocabulary and grammar. Add beginner Kanji gradually while practicing reading and listening every day. Use short quizzes and mock tests to find weak areas, review regularly, and follow a realistic study schedule instead of trying to memorize everything at once.

Alex ChenAlex Chen
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JLPT Explained: Everything You Need to Know
Beginner Guides
13 min read
•Sep 28, 2026

JLPT Explained: Everything You Need to Know

The JLPT, or Japanese-Language Proficiency Test, is a standardized test that evaluates Japanese-language proficiency through language knowledge, reading, and listening. It has five levels: N5, N4, N3, N2, and N1. N5 is the easiest level, while N1 is the most advanced. The JLPT does not currently include speaking or writing tests.

Alex ChenAlex Chen
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Japanese Alphabet Explained: Hiragana, Katakana & Kanji
Beginner Guides
10 min read
•Sep 28, 2026

Japanese Alphabet Explained: Hiragana, Katakana & Kanji

Japanese uses three main writing systems: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. Hiragana is mainly used for grammar and many native Japanese words, while Katakana is commonly used for foreign-origin words and certain other purposes. Kanji are meaning-bearing characters used for many words and parts of words. Romaji uses Latin letters to represent Japanese sounds.

Emma CollinsEmma Collins
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Katakana Chart: Complete Guide for Beginners
Beginner Guides
15 min read
•Sep 28, 2026

Katakana Chart: Complete Guide for Beginners

A Katakana chart is a reference table showing the 46 basic Katakana characters used in Japanese. It helps learners understand each character's sound and pronunciation. Katakana is commonly used for foreign-origin words, foreign names, some technical terms, onomatopoeia, and visual emphasis. Learning the chart makes it easier to read everyday Japanese.

Emma CollinsEmma Collins
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Hiragana Chart: Complete Guide with Pronunciation
Beginner Guides
13 min read
•Sep 27, 2026

Hiragana Chart: Complete Guide with Pronunciation

Hiragana is one of the main Japanese writing systems and contains 46 basic characters. Each character represents a Japanese sound, such as あ (a), か (ka), and し (shi). Learning the Hiragana chart helps beginners read Japanese words, grammar endings, particles, and simple sentences without depending on Romaji.

Emma CollinsEmma Collins
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How to Learn Japanese: The Complete Beginner's Guide (2026)
Beginner Guides
14 min read
•Sep 26, 2026

How to Learn Japanese: The Complete Beginner's Guide (2026)

The best way to learn Japanese is to build your skills in a clear sequence: start with Hiragana and Katakana, learn basic vocabulary and grammar, introduce Kanji gradually, and practice listening and speaking from day one. Study consistently every day, apply the language in real-world contexts, and review older material regularly.

Emma CollinsEmma Collins
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brings you one step closer to achieving your Japanese learning goal
Beginner Guides
10 min read
•Jul 20, 2026

brings you one step closer to achieving your Japanese learning goal

Learning Japanese is not about mastering everything at once. Real progress comes from taking small, consistent steps toward clear Japanese learning goals. Whether you study for 10 minutes or an hour, regular practice helps you build vocabulary, grammar, speaking, reading, and listening skills over time. Set realistic goals, track what you can actually do, and focus on progress rather than comparing yourself with others. Your goals may change as you improve, and that is completely normal. Every lesson, practice session, and new word brings you one step closer to becoming confident in Japanese.

Emma CollinsEmma Collins
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