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Mastering Languages with Migaku: Tips, Tutorials & Insights

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Some futuristic tech containing the secrets of knowledge in a library, contrasting the old and the new

Learning a Language in 2025 & The Problem with Textbooks

Traditionally, when people think of learning a language, their first thought is to get a textbook. Unfortunately, that's not actually a very good idea. Here's why.

A screenshot of a yuurei-looking ghost about to pop through a digital screen—basically the start of a Japanese horror movie

Learn Japanese with These 7 Japanese Horror Movies!

Looking for Japanese horror movies to watch and also interested in learning Japanese? Here are some of the scariest horror films that j-horror has to offer.

A woman living her best life after she broke into the intermediate stage of the language she was learning

How to Overcome the Beginner's Stage of Language Learning

Want to learn a language, but don't think it's possible? Let's simplify. Here's the one thing you need to do to reach the intermediate stage.

A photo of the Anki icon and the flag of Korea, as this is a blog post about Korean Anki decks!

Anki Decks that Will Actually Help You learn Korean | Best Korean Anki Decks

Anki is a digital flashcard app. In this post we go over Anki decks that will help you learn Korean: Korean vocabulary, sentences, pronunciation, and more.

A photo of a JLPT N5 certificate

Everything You Need to Know to Pass the JLPT N5 (+Sample Questions)

The JLPT N5 is the first level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, a test which measures how well you've learned Japanese. Here's how it works!

A photo of an ear—which, after finishing this article, will be clearly hearing the 6 tones of Vietnamese

Vietnamese Tones Overview: How to Pronounce All 6 Tones (+Audio)

Vietnamese is a tonal language. This guide walks through all of the Vietnamese tones so you can learn how to pronounce them. Audio samples & diagrams.

Meme man sweating serious bullets trying to decide whether Cantonese is a language or a dialect

Is the Cantonese language a dialect of Mandarin Chinese?

Cantonese is the language spoken in Hong Kong. You might know that it's a Chinese language, like Mandarin... but is it a language, or is it a dialect? Let's talk.

A man and a woman standing back to back, communicating

What Is the Closest Language to English?

Wonder which languages are closest to English? English is a Germanic language, but has heavy Romantic influences. Here's the scoop!

A photo of a German woman who looks like she's about to drop the equivalent of Deutschland's F-bomb

33 German Swear Words | Don't Be a Dummkopf, Click Me

Everyone knows Scheiße (scheisse) means. Here's 32 other German swear words and phrases you'll want to know, too.

A wall of numbers... which you'll be able to read in Portuguese, after finishing this blog post

Numbers in Portuguese | How to Count to 100 in Portuguese

1–19 is challenging. From 20 to infinity is easy. Whether you want to pay your bill, say how old you are, or give out your phone number—start here!

A classic meme of a guy saying what????—maybe because he heard there are 7 ways to way "what" in French!

How to Say "What" in French | 7 Ways, Explained

French doesn't have just one word for 'what'. We'll explain: quoi, qu'est-ce que/qui, ce que/qui / dont, quel/quelle/quels/quelles, que, et si, and comment.

A woman eating a baguette—perhaps on National French Bread Day!

How to say the months in French | Big table w/ pronunciation notes

So, you want to learn the French months of the year? Here's a handy table with the 12 months in French and their pronunciation. Bonus: dates & the year in French.

A photo of a young woman holding several textbooks; the header image for a blog article about Japanese textbooks.

The Five Best Japanese Textbooks for Beginners

Looking for the best Japanese textbooks? This guide compares top picks like Genki, Japanese From Zero, Minna no Nihongo, and Tobira to help you find the perfect one for your learning journey.

A thumbnail showing Migaku, the Discord logo, and the Korean flag

Join Migaku's Korean Discord Server: Learn Korean with 10,000+ Others

Want to learn Korean? You're not alone! Migaku's discord server is the place to connect with others learning the Korean language. Help others, have fun, and join the community!

A photo of a nonplussed-looking Hispanic man wearing a sombrero and raising a finger, looking like he might drop a few Spanish curse words

Spanish Curse Words: Here's a Big Beautiful Table of Bad Words

Learn Spanish curse words, swear words, profanity, or whatever the hell you call it. Contains a screenshottable table + explanations of popular Spanish profanity.

A photo of the Anki icon and the flag of China, as this is a blog post about Mandarin Chinese Anki decks!

6 Anki Decks That Will Actually Help You Learn Chinese | Best Mandarin Chinese Anki Decks

Anki is a digital flashcard app. In this post we go over Anki decks that will help you learn Mandarin Chinese: Chinese words, sentences, pronunciation, and more.

A photo of the Anki icon and the flag of Spain, as this is a blog post about Spanish Anki decks!

Master the Days of the Week in Chinese (Mandarin) | Easy Guide

If you're learning Mandarin, then you need to learn the days of the week in Chinese! Here's each one, their pronunciation, and how to write them with Chinese characters.

A photo of Lebkuchenherzen, German for "German Hearts", a sweet and lovely snack!

How to Say Love in Different Languages: 10 Ways to Say I Love You

Discover 10+ ways to say "I love you" in different languages! Learn how to express your feelings in Spanish, Mandarin, and more. Perfect for any romantic lover!

A Japanese girl about to swearing with her fingers, sourced from @decoponkann on X

Japanese Swear Words: A Guide to Curse Words and Expressions

We don't know why you're googling for swear words in Japanese but we've put a handy guide together for you 💪 Learn everything from バカ to くたばれ

A candid shot of the subjunctive destroying the notion that Spanish is easy.

The Spanish Subjunctive in 3 Steps | Guide for Beginners

The Spanish subjunctive mood looks scary... but we actually use it in English, too! Use the subjunctive form of a verb when you want to express these specific things:

A young woman holding a calendar, because we're about to learn how to say the days of the week in Korean

Master the Days of the Week in Korean | Easy Guide

If you're learning Korean, then you need to learn the days of the week in Korean! Basic vocabulary like this is an important part of your foundation.

Several people running, jumping, dancing, and exercising—doing things,because Korean verbs are what you do!

[Beginners] A Guide to Korean Verbs and Korean Verb Conjugation

A simple guide explaining how Korean verbs work. Covers conjugation, descriptive vs action verbs, and includes 50 examples of common Korean verbs.

A photo of the Anki icon and the flag of Spain, as this is a blog post about Spanish Anki decks!

6 Anki Decks That Will Actually Help You Learn Spanish | Best Spanish Anki Decks

Anki is a digital flashcard app. In this post we go over Anki decks that will help you learn the Spanish language: Spanish words, phrases, pronunciation, and more.

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28 "Abgefahrene" German Slang Words and Phrases

Having a good grasp on German slang is a big part of what it means to speak the German language like a native... so here's a bunch of words that go beyond the classroom.

A screenshot of the welcome page of Migaku's discord channel.

Join Migaku's Chinese Discord Server: Learn Chinese with 10,000+ Others

Join the Migaku Chinese Discord server to study, chat, and learn Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese) with thousands of other language learners.

An attractive Korean man raising his hand, perhaps to make the argument it isn't hard to learn Korean.

...Is it actually that hard to learn Korean? How long does it take?

How long does it take to learn Korean? Is the Korean language hard to learn? Will you ever be able to understand KPOP? The answers are here 💪

A young school teacher standing in front of a desk, perhaps about to give a lesson about the most important Korean grammar points

Basic Korean Grammar: 10 Things You Should Know

I'll be honest: Korean grammar is complex. Here, we'll talk about the basic Korean grammar rules you need to get started, and where to go from there.

A photo of a page showing the mixed Korean script, featuring both Hangul and Hanja

Learn Hangul: A Guide to the Korean Alphabet (With Audio!)

The Korean alphabet, called Hangul (or hangeul), is the first step in your journey to learn Korean. Thankfully, it's also pretty easy to learn Hangul! Let's go:

Lady downloading information into her head, as you basically do with apps like Anki and Migaku.

How to use Anki to Learn a Language (Beginner Friendly Tutorial)

Everything you need to know about how to use Anki as a beginner, the most famous spaced repetition flashcard application, from installation to finding a deck and more.

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The Only 3 Things You Need to Do to Learn a Language

Learning a new language doesn’t have to be complicated. Discover the only 3 essential steps you need to follow to achieve fluency efficiently and effectively."

A photo of the front cover of Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar.

Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar: Is It the Right Resource for You?

Discover the pros and cons of Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar, one of the most popular tools for learning Japanese. Find out who it’s best suited for and how it can fit into your language-learning journey.

Two very similar Spidermen looking at each other, surprised to see each other, wondering how they're going to prove which one is which—a similar conundrum to the one Japanese learners experience while dealing with the particles は (wa) and が (ga).

Japanese Particles は and が: Clear Examples and Essential Tips

Learn the difference between the Japanese particles は (wa) and が (ga). This guide simplifies their roles, nuances, and usage with practical examples for all learners.

An Asian woman holding up a flashcard, about to explain how much better modern tools like Migaku are for learning vocabulary!

Master Language Learning with Spaced Repetition: Proven Strategies and Tools

Learn how spaced repetition boosts language learning. Discover science-backed strategies, tools like Anki, and proven techniques for mastering vocabulary and fluency.

A man with a mad scientist contraption on his head, experiencing the wrong way to master any language

The Five Stages of Language Learning: A Clear Guide to Mastering Any Language

Explore the five stages of language learning and discover practical tips to progress from beginner to fluency. Perfect for learners of Japanese, Chinese, and more.

A doctor using a medical instrument to tap a patient's knee (に). Trust me, it's funny.

Mastering the Use of the Particle に in Japanese

Discover the essential uses of the Japanese particle に (ni), from marking destinations to indicating time and location. This beginner-friendly guide includes examples, grammar tips, and practical strategies to master に.

A group of friends sending a selfie to someone, as if to say 'come on, let's go somewhere!'

Japanese Verb Volitional Form: A Guide to Conjugation and Usage

Understand & Master the Japanese verb volitional form with our comprehensive guide! Learn how to express volition using 〜よう and 〜ましょう, and say <let's> or <shall we?> effortlessly.

A young woman eating a slice of pie, thus demonstrating what the Japanese particle を that marks direct objects is used for.

The Japanese Particle を (wo): A Beginner’s Guide to Direct Objects

Learn how to use the Japanese particle を (wo) to mark direct objects in sentences. This beginner-friendly guide covers grammar basics, sentence examples, and practical tips to enhance your understanding of Japanese.

A screenshot of Noah's Migaku dashboard, showing that he's gone from 1.5k known words to 34k known words in 3 years.

How Noah Learned 34,000 German Words with Migaku in 3.5 Years

Discover how Noah used Migaku to learn 33,000 German words in 3.5 years, skip a year of college classes, and prepare for bilingual proficiency to study philosophy in Germany.

A meme depicting the difficulty of the Russian language, which begins to get difficult from "hello".

Why Is Russian So Hard To Learn? An Overview Of Its Difficulty

Explore what makes Russian challenging, from grammar to pronunciation and writing systems, and gain a general understanding of its inherent hurdles.

Ethan's daily routine: train the body, train the mind, repeat

How a Premed Student Learns Spanish Fast with Migaku

Discover how a premed student uses Migaku to master Spanish efficiently, even with a busy schedule.

A photo of a Japanese temple with Mount Fuji in the background

Is Learning Japanese Worth It?: 10 Amazing Reasons to Learn Japanese

Wondering if learning Japanese is worth it? Explore 10 compelling reasons why learning Japanese can boost your career, enrich your life, and help you immerse in Japanese culture. Discover how Migaku makes learning Japanese more effective and enjoyable.

A Brazilian woman and a child sitting down, wrapped in a flag.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Portuguese? Tips for Faster Fluency

Discover how long it takes to learn Portuguese, factors that affect fluency, and actionable tips to speed up your language learning journey

A person with a remote looking at a television—perhaps to study Spanish by watching telenovelas!

The Best Spanish Shows: Learn Spanish While Enjoying Great TV

Discover the best Spanish shows to improve your language skills and immerse yourself in Spanish culture. Start streaming now with this comprehensive guide.

An Asian woman holding her head, wondering why English has to be so difficult and irregular.

Why English Is So Difficult to Learn: Understanding the Challenges of Mastering the Language

Wondering why English is so difficult to learn? Explore the complexities of English grammar, pronunciation, and spelling, and learn how tools like Migaku can help you master the language more effectively.

A group of friends gathered on the couch, watching something Netflix—perhaps a classic j-drama!

Learn Japanese with Netflix: A Beginner's Guide to Fun and Effective Language Learning

Discover how to learn Japanese by watching Netflix. Explore the best shows, movies, and tools like Migaku to enhance your listening skills and vocabulary with fun and effective methods.

A photo of someone pinning pictures of manga characters onto their bedroom wall.

Learn Japanese with Manga: How Migaku’s OCR Feature Can Boost Your Reading Skills

Discover how you can learn Japanese with manga using Migaku’s OCR feature. Easily look up kanji, create flashcards, and build your vocabulary while enjoying your favorite manga. Perfect for beginners looking to improve their Japanese reading skills.

A group of several students sitting at tables and taking a test.

How Long Does It Take to Pass JLPT N1? Study Hours and Tips for Success

Wondering how long it takes to pass JLPT N1? Learn about the required study hours, effective strategies, and how tools like Migaku can speed up your preparation for the JLPT N1 exam

A woman holding a French flag standing in front of the Eiffel Tower.

Why learn French? Here Are 8 Compelling Reasons.

Why learn French, you ask? Discover 8 compelling reasons to learn French, a widely spoken language that opens doors globally.

A screenshot showing how Migaku makes Japanese content accessible to learners.

Best Japanese Language Learning Software: How Migaku Transforms Your Japanese Skills

Looking for the best Japanese language learning software? Discover how Migaku's interactive tools, flashcards, and immersive features make mastering Japanese easier and more enjoyable.

A screenshot of Migaku, the Discord logo, and the Japanese flag

Join the Migaku Japanese Learning Discord: Connect with 10,000+ Language Learners

Join the Migaku Japanese Learning Discord with over 10,000 members! Practice Japanese, get real-time feedback, and access channels for other languages like Chinese, Korean, and more. Boost your language skills with Migaku’s powerful tools and a supportive community.

An image of a Japanese and Chinese flag at a press conference.

Is Japanese or Chinese Harder to Learn? A Deep Dive for Language Learners

Is Japanese or Chinese harder to learn? Find out which language is more challenging in terms of grammar, pronunciation, and writing systems. Learn how Migaku helps you master both Mandarin and Japanese with ease, using real-time word lookups, flashcards, and spaced repetition.

A young Japanese woman writing a letter.

Comprehensive Japanese Letter Writing Guide: Styles, Etiquette, and Key Phrases

Dive into the art of Japanese letter writing with our complete guide. Understand traditional formats, etiquette, and essential phrases to create meaningful and respectful correspondence.

A graphic shows that a Japanese letter can be broken down into the opening, main part, closing phrase, and appendix.

How to Write a Japanese Letter

Learn how to write a Japanese letter with our guide, covering format, language, and other tips for the correct correspondence.

A photo of someone playing with tinker toys, referencing how particles are like the nuts and bolts that hold Japanese sentences together.

The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Japanese Particles

Particles are little grammatical tags that attach to words and show the role they play in a sentence. Here, we introduce 10 basic Japanese particles.

An excited-looking man looking into a box to see what's there.

How to Conjugate the Japanese Verb いる (iru): Your Go-To Verb for Living Things

Japanese has two ways to say 'there are'—one for living things, and one for non-living things. Here, we'll talk about the one for living things, iru.

Lady wondering about whether to use Anki.

Is Anki Good for Language Learning? Pros and Cons for Effective Study

Discover if Anki is a good tool for language learning. Learn how its spaced repetition system (SRS) can help you memorize vocabulary and kanji efficiently, especially for Japanese.

A surprised man who has just realized that he took the wrong approach to memorizing Japanese vocabulary.

The Best way to learn Japanese Vocabulary: The Frequency Approach with Migaku

Discover the best way to learn Japanese vocabulary with Migaku. Understand how the frequency approach can lead you to fluency by focusing on the most common words. Watch our video to learn effective strategies and techniques for mastering Japanese.

Several Japanese lanterns, each one featuring a few kanji characters.

Japanese Basics: The Best Way to Learn Kanji. Memorize Japanese Kanji Easily!

If you want to learn Japanese, you have to learn kanji. We'll explain what kanji are, how they differ from radicals and vocabulary, and how to learn them.

Several people with their thumbs up, showing the global signal for "yes"

Japanese Basics: How To Say "Yes" in Japanese

Learn the most common ways to say yes in Japanese. 8 essential words if you want to sound like a native.

A photo of a man struggling to lift a heavy-looking barbell.

What's the most difficult language in the world?

What makes a language difficult to learn? In this article we'll analyze languages in five ways, and take a deep dive into five of the world's most difficult languages.

A Japanese martial artist bowing, expressing his thanks.

7 Essential Ways to Say Thank You in Japanese, From Casual to Formal

Discover various ways to say "thank you" in Japanese, from casual phrases like "arigatou" to formal expressions such as "makoto ni arigatou gozaimasu," and learn the cultural nuances behind them.

An Asian woman excitedly singing into a microphone, surrounded by her friends.

Learn Chinese with Songs: A Fun and Effective Way to Improve Your Mandarin

Learn Chinese with songs! Explore fun, effective strategies for all levels, using playlists, pop-up dictionaries, and tools like Migaku to enhance your language learning.

A Japanese woman with her arms crossed in front of her, forming a an X, a gesture that means "no".

8 Ways to Say No in Japanese: From Direct to Polite Refusals

Learn the most common ways to say no in Japanese. Essential phrases if you want to sound like a native.

A plate of sashimi and makizushi, two types of Japanese sushi.

Discover 5 Iconic Japanese Dishes: Must-Try Foods

Explore the most famous traditional Japanese dishes, what makes them unique, and how they are prepared. Perfect for food lovers and culture enthusiasts.

Several wooden blocks with numbers on them.

Mastering Japanese Numbers: How to Count from 1 to 1000 and Beyond

Easily learn to count in Japanese from 1 to 1000.

A photograph of an old Chinese calligraphy book, which looks somewhat similar to a dictionary.

Top Chinese Dictionaries: Essential Tools for Mandarin Learners

Discover the best Chinese dictionaries for English speakers! Learn what makes a good dictionary, and explore top options for monolingual, pop-up, and more.

A young woman waving at the camera—hello!

8 Ways to Say Hello in Chinese: From Formal to Casual Greetings

Learn the different ways to say hello in Chinese, from standard greetings to casual phrases. This guide offers pronunciation tips, cultural insights, and practical examples to help you greet others in Mandarin confidently.

A young Chinese woman sitting in a field in the early morning, enjoying a cup of tea.

How to Say Good Morning in Mandarin: 3 Common Greetings Explained

Learn 3 ways to say "Good Morning" in Mandarin Chinese with pronunciation and regional differences.

The sign of a Japanese Karaoke club, featuring "karaoke" written in katakana.

Learn Katakana in a Few Days: Quick Guide with Memory Tricks

Learn everything you need to know about Japanese katakana. Learn their basics, how they are pronounced, example words and more.

A Japanese sign that says "tomare", featuring a few Hiragana characters.

Learn Hiragana in 7 Days: Complete Guide with Mnemonics

Learn everything you need to know about Japanese hiragana. Learn their basics, how they are pronounced, example words and more.

A young Chinese man and woman waving at each other, perhaps greeting each other after class.

Essential Chinese Greetings: How to Say Hello and More in Mandarin

Discover the essential Chinese greetings with pronunciation tips and usage examples. Perfect for beginners looking to build a strong foundation in Mandarin. Learn how to greet others in both casual and formal settings with ease.

A man and woman under an umbrella, looking into each other's eyes—the moment of first love!

Chinese Love Phrases: 10 Romantic Expressions Beyond "Wo Ai Ni"

Explore the various ways to express love in Mandarin, including essential phrases, cultural insights, and pronunciation tips. This guide will help you convey affection and romantic feelings in Chinese with confidence.

A female hand holding four colored arrows, intended to represent the four main tones of Mandarin Chinese.

Unlock Fluent Mandarin - Master the 4 Essential Chinese Tones

Master the four tones of the Chinese language with clear explanations and practical tips. Learn how to distinguish and pronounce each tone correctly to improve your Mandarin speaking skills.

A Chinese woman with her hands clasped in front her heart, showing her sincere gratitude.

10 Ways to Say Thank You in Chinese: From Simple to Heartfelt

Learn how to express gratitude in Mandarin with various phrases for "thank you." This guide covers the most common ways to say thank you in Chinese, including pronunciation tips and cultural context.

A man practicing writing Chinese numbers on graph paper.

Learn Chinese Numbers 1-10 and Start Counting in Mandarin

Learn to count from 1 to 10 in Mandarin with this beginner-friendly guide. Discover the pronunciation and characters for each number, along with tips to help you master Chinese numerals.

A Japanese person performing calligraphy with traditional tools.

Japanese Writing Systems Explained: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji

Unlock the mystery of the Japanese Alphabets. Learn about Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. Start mastering them today. Explore the world of Japanese writing.

A young Japanese couple embracing.

Japanese Love Kanji Explained: Suki, Koi, and Ai Meanings

Discover the meanings and nuances of Japanese kanji for love. Learn to express your feelings in Japanese authentically. Start your journey now.

A Japanese woman waving, to say "hello".

Top 12 Japanese Greetings: Meanings, Usage, and Cultural Context

Discover the top 12 Japanese greetings to enhance your language skills. Learn these essential phrases now and start speaking like a local.