Is Japanese Really Difficult to Learn? And Why?

When people attempt to learn a new language, one of the first questions that many people have is, “Is that language difficult to learn?” In this article, as a Japanese language teacher, I will share my personal perspective on the challenge of learning Japanese. You will discover the reasons behind the perception that Japanese is difficult, as well as elements that contribute to making Japanese relatively easy to learn.

Is Japanese Really Difficult?

It is important to be aware that the difficulty of language acquisition varies depending on the learner’s native language. Just as it is easier for an French speaker to learn English than for a Japanese person, it might be more challenging for an English speaker to learn Japanese than for a Korean speaker, for example.
Addressing the question of whether learning Japanese is difficult requires explaining two different aspects.

Firstly, when it comes to speaking Japanese, it is not particularly difficult. Especially if your goal is to be able to engage in everyday conversations, it is relatively easy to achieve. On the other hand, if your aim is to achieve an advanced level of Japanese, including reading and writing, significant effort is required. Japanese is strongly influenced by cultural contexts, and as you reach an advanced level, understanding these unique nuances becomes crucial, raising the difficulty level.

In simpler words, if you wonder if Japanese is hard to learn, the answer is “fairly easy for everyday talk, but gets tough as you aim higher.” Now, we will explain why.

Reasons Japanese is Difficult to learn

Kanji

“Kanji” is sometimes the motivation for foreigners who start learning Japanese, and it can also become the initial significant challenge for learners. In Japan, alongside “hiragana,” corresponds to Roman letters in English, and “katakana,” which represents foreign languages, “kanji” are used.

“Hiragana” and “Katakana” each consist of 46 characters, with a relatively small number of strokes, making them comparatively easy to learn. On the other hand, there are approximately 2000 kanji used in Japan, and some of them are difficult for even native speakers to read and write. In today’s smartphone-centered lifestyle, it is sufficient to vaguely remember the meanings of around 1000 kanji to live comfortably in Japan.

Different Grammar System than English

Japanese has a structure quite distinct from English or Latin languages. The typical order in Japanese is subject-object-verb, while western languages usually follow the subject-verb-object order. For example, the English sentence “I read a book” becomes “I book read” in Japanese, where the verb comes later. This structural difference can lead to a tendency in Japanese to state the reason first and then the conclusion, which might feel uncomfortable for English speakers accustomed to presenting the conclusion first.

Katakana English / Wasei-eigo

In Japanese, there are many instances where words borrowed from the Western countries are used as they are, such as “chocolate”, “computer”, “energy”, and more. However, when Japanese people pronounce these words, they often differ significantly from native pronunciation, leading to potential confusion. Additionally, these words are written in katakana based on Japanese pronunciation, causing issues for foreigners who may not know the correct katakana spelling, like when texting on smartphones.

Furthermore, there are many Wasei-eigo (Japanese-made English), which is Japanese words that sound like English. They are often written in katakana and many Japanese people believe them to be correct English. Examples include “arubaito” (part-time job), “nooto pasokon” (laptop), and “sararīman” (office worker) which frequently appear in daily life.

If you want to learn more Japanese-English, please read the article “Japanglish: A List of Japanese-English Words That Puzzle Native English Speakers” on this site.

Keigo (Honorific speech)

A critical hurdle for Japanese learners at a upper intermediate level or higher is “keigo”. It is an essential cultural element in Japanese, used to show respect to the interlocutor. The use of keigo varies depending on the situation and relationship, posing a considerable challenge for all Japanese learners. Even native Japanese speakers often make mistakes in Keigo, and there are cases where incorrect usage becomes common, making it even more difficult to understand it. But do not worry too much. Keigo has several categories, and depending on your learning goals or purpases, you may not need to understand complex part of Keigo.

Variation in Sentence Endings

In Japanese, sentence endings change to express the speaker’s emotion or stance. For instance, using phrases like “desu” or “masu” gives a polite and respectful impression. On the other hand, using “da” or “ne” creates a casual impression. Adding “ka?” or “nano?” can turn the same sentence into a question. The variation in sentence endings can convey anger, refinement, humor, and various effects. Understanding the nuances carried by these endings takes time and experiences.

Reasons Japanese is Easy to Learn

Simplicity of Grammar

Japanese grammar has a relatively simple structure. The minimal use of tenses significantly reduces the burden on learners. Japanese has only two tenses: present (infinitive form) and future. For instance, both “I eat” and “I will eat” in English are expressed as “Taberu” in Japanese. If the tense is not clear, you can simply add a time-related word like “tomorrow” or “later” before the word just like “Ashita taberu” (I will eat tomorrow.).

Additionally, Japanese does not have articles equivalent to English “a” or “the.” There is no need to consider the role of nouns or gender. There is also no corresponding to the English plural marker “s.” Both “an apple” and “the apples” are simply “Ringo” in Japanese.

Limited Phonemes

For Japanese learners, pronunciation is often considered the easiest part. While English has a total of 39 phonemes, with 15 vowels and 24 consonants, Japanese has only 19 to 21 phonemes in total, with 5 vowels and 14 to 16 consonants. For example, Japanese lacks certain consonants that are crucial in Western countries, such as F, L, and V. Strictly speaking, F and H, L and R, B and V are used interchangeably. Therefore, people whose native language is English, French or German, for example, are less likely to struggle with Japanese pronunciation.

Communication with Just Words

In Japanese, communication can be established with just words in some cases. We usually leave out the subject, and sometimes even omit the object. For example, when meeting a friend with whom you’ve made a shopping appointment, you can simply say “Iku？” (go?), omitting words like “Watashitachi” (we) or “shopping ni” (for shopping). Similarly, expressing “suki” (love) while gazing at your partner does not require saying “watashi” (I) or “anata” (you). While such communication may lead to confusion in some situations, it can be helpful for beginners with limited vocabulary, as a few words can convey the intended meaning.

Although learning Japanese involves both challenging and easy elements, it is a language that anyone can relatively easily attain if your goal is to achieve a level of proficiency in everyday conversation. Therefore, if you have any interest in learning Japanese, it is recommended that you give it a try.