Migaku Japanese Language Blog: Learning Articles, Tips & Resources

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 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.

Join the Migaku Japanese Learning Discord: Connect with 12,000+ Japanese Language Learners

Join the Migaku Japanese Learning Discord with over 12,000 members! Practice & Learn 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.

A screenshot of a man and woman laying down some serious notes in the backside of a van, perhaps as a way to learn Japanese

Nani ga Suki? Top Karaoke Songs for Learning Japanese

Love singing and want to learn Japanese? You're in luck! This article will introduce karaoke culture and several songs good for learners to start with.

A photograph of two Japanese people standing next to each other, likely close enough that they don't use japanese honorifics anymore

Understanding Japanese Honorifics: How to Use Suffixes Like San, Kun, and More

Unsure of how or why to use Japanese honorifics? Let’s look at some common Japanese honorifics, their meaning and use, and how you can put them to use in your own Japanese.

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

さすが (sasuga) | The Japanese Word for Compliments, Expectations, and Contradictions

さすが (sasuga) is a handy Japanese word that can be used for both compliments and contradictions. Learn about its meaning, usages, and nuances in this article.

A screenshot of a woman, her phone, her headset, and her shibainu—the perfect setup to enjoy some Japanese podcasts

The Best Japanese Podcasts for Beginner and Intermediate Learners (2025)

Looking for the best Japanese podcasts? Here are the podcasts you should be listening to as a beginner or intermediate who wants to learn Japanese 💪

A screenshot of a book of manga—a place where you're likely to find a bunch of Japanese onomatopoeia being used!

Japanese Onomatopoeia: 10 Common Sounds You'll Find in Manga

An onomatopoeia is a word that represents a sound (and more!). We share 10 Japanese onomatopoeia words that you'll hear in manga, everyday conversations, and basically everywhere.

A photo of a grimoire, because never mind the best kanji books—you're going to need some black magic to learn this stuff

The Five Best Books to Learn Kanji (with study tips!)

Want to learn kanji? Here's a few textbooks and workbooks you can use to study kanji characters. | Remembering the Kanji, Kanji dictionary, kanji look & learn.

A photo of a man standing on the street, looking for a Japanese book to read from the wall of a building that conveniently doubles as a library

How to Learn Japanese by Reading

So you want to read in Japanese, but aren't sure where to get started? Let's talk about finding your first book, how to get through it, and how to sentence mine with it.

A screenshot of an anime character with a number on his hand—without a counter, because he's a noob, apparently

Japanese Counters: Learn to Count in Japanese | Migaku

How do you count in Japanese? Japanese counters, of course! Learn how to count people, small objects, machines and so much more with Migaku.

A screenshot from an anime in which characters are cheering on their teammates!

Ganbatte or Ganbare? How to use this Japanese word (like a pro)

'Ganbatte' translates to 'good luck'... but, when you use ganbatte in Japanese culture, it's really more of a cross between 'good luck' and 'perseverance'. Here's how it works!

A screenshot of the landing splash page of Solo Leveling, which is about to become an awesome resource to help you learn Japanese.

Use Solo Leveling to Level Up Your Japanese | Migaku

Can you learn Japanese through anime? See how you could be watching Solo Leveling to learn Japanese—with Migaku by your side. Find out more…

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.

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 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 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 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.

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 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 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 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 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.

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 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.

A Japanese woman with her arms crossed in front of her, forming 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.

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.

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 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.

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.