Why Kanji is Difficult but Important
Kanji is one of the biggest challenges in learning Japanese, especially for Indonesians who use the Latin alphabet. Unlike Chinese people who are already familiar with hanzi, we have to learn from scratch. But kanji is the key to being able to read, write, and truly understand the Japanese language.
How many kanji do you need to master?
| Target | Number of Kanji | Ability |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | 100-200 | Read signs on streets, stations, restaurants |
| JLPT N4 | ~300 | Read simple texts |
| JLPT N3 | ~650 | Read basic emails and announcements |
| JLPT N2 | ~1,000 | Read newspapers and work with documents |
| JLPT N1 | ~2,000 | Read almost all texts |
| Jouyou Kanji (常用漢字) | 2,136 | Kanji taught in Japanese schools |
Kanji Learning Methods
1. RTK (Remembering the Kanji) - James Heisig
A method that teaches kanji through stories and imagination:
- Concept: Each kanji is broken down into components (radicals) and a story is created to remember the meaning
- Example: 休 (rest) = 人 (person) + 木 (tree) = "A person resting under a tree"
- Advantages: Can memorize 2,000+ kanji in 3-6 months
- Disadvantages: Only teaches the meaning, not the readings (on'yomi/kun'yomi)
- Suitable for: Those who want to quickly "recognize" kanji before learning the readings
2. WaniKani
- Concept: An online SRS (Spaced Repetition System) specializing in kanji and vocabulary
- Method: Radicals → Kanji → Vocabulary, progressing in stages from level 1-60
- Price: $9/month or $89/year
- Advantages: Very structured, includes mnemonics, active community
- Disadvantages: Paid, the pace can feel slow at the beginning
- Suitable for: Self-learners who like a structured system
3. Anki + Kanji Deck
- Concept: Flashcards with SRS, can be customized
- Popular decks: "Core 2000/6000" (kanji + vocabulary), "RTK Deck"
- Price: Free on PC/Android, 3,500 yen on iOS (one-time payment)
- Advantages: Free, very flexible, can add your own decks
- Disadvantages: Requires high self-discipline, initial setup takes time
- Suitable for: Those who are used to self-study
4. Kanji in Context
- Concept: Learning kanji through vocabulary and sentence context, not in isolation
- Method: Read text → find new kanji → learn in context
- Sources: NHK News Easy, manga, light novels
- Advantages: Learn how kanji is used naturally
- Disadvantages: Slower, requires a basic level first
Understanding Kanji Structure
Radicals (部首/Bushu)
Radicals are the basic components of kanji. Knowing radicals helps in guessing the meaning and reading of new kanji:
| Radical | Name | Meaning | Example Kanji |
|---|---|---|---|
| 氵 | Sanzui | Water | 海(sea), 池(pond), 泳(swim) |
| 火/灬 | Hi | Fire | 焼(burn), 煮(boil), 熱(hot) |
| 木 | Ki | Tree | 森(forest), 林(woods), 桜(sakura) |
| 人/亻 | Hito/Ninben | Person | 休(rest), 体(body), 住(live) |
| 口 | Kuchi | Mouth | 食(eat), 話(speak), 語(language) |
| 心/忄 | Kokoro | Heart | 思(think), 感(feel), 悲(sad) |
| 金 | Kane | Metal/Money | 銀(silver), 鉄(iron), 銭(coin) |
On'yomi vs Kun'yomi
- On'yomi (音読み): The Chinese-derived reading. Usually used when kanji are combined (in compounds). Example: 学生 (gakusei/student).
- Kun'yomi (訓読み): The native Japanese reading. Usually used when a kanji stands alone or with hiragana. Example: 学ぶ (manabu/to learn).
- Tips: Don't memorize all readings at once. Learn through vocabulary - each new word automatically teaches the correct reading.
Recommended Study Schedule
Target: 10 New Kanji per Day
- Morning (15 mins): Review yesterday's kanji on Anki/WaniKani
- Afternoon (15 mins): Learn 5 new kanji + vocabulary
- Evening (15 mins): Learn 5 new kanji + review everything from today
- Pace: 10/day x 30 days = 300 kanji/month. N2 level in ~3 months!
Realistic Target for Working People
- 5 new kanji per day: More sustainable, 150/month, N2 in ~7 months
- Key: Consistency is more important than quantity. 15 minutes EVERY DAY is better than 2 hours once a week.
Survival Kanji: The First 50 Kanji You Should Know
The kanji most frequently encountered in daily life in Japan:
| Kanji | Meaning | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| 入/出 | Enter/Exit | Doors, stations |
| 男/女 | Man/Woman | Toilets, onsen |
| 大/小 | Big/Small | Sizes, menus |
| 上/下 | Up/Down | Elevators, escalators |
| 東/西/南/北 | East/West/South/North | Directions, stations |
| 駅 | Station | Trains |
| 食 | Eat | Restaurants |
| 飲 | Drink | Vending machines, restaurants |
| 禁 | Prohibited | Prohibition signs (禁煙 = no smoking) |
| 円 | Yen | Prices, money |
| 時/分 | Hour/Minute | Schedules |
| 日/月/年 | Day/Month/Year | Dates, calendars |
Special Tips for Indonesians
- Utilize the environment - In Japan, kanji is everywhere. Read signs, menus, ads on the train. This is free review every day.
- Write by hand - Writing kanji by hand helps strengthen memory more than just typing.
- Don't be a perfectionist - You don't need to memorize all the readings at once. Recognize first, production later.
- Use camera apps - Google Translate's camera can scan kanji you don't know.
- Create your own stories - Mnemonics you create yourself are easier to remember than rote memorization.
Learning kanji is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be frustrating moments, but every kanji you master opens up a greater understanding of the Japanese language and culture. With 15-30 minutes of consistency per day, you will be surprised how much you can learn in a year.