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How to master kanji easily and effectively

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Md. Hasibul Hasan Chowdhury

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 UNIVERSITY OF DHAKA
An Assignment on
How to master kanji easily and effectively

Subject: Japanese Studies

Course title: Bangladesh Studies
Course code: JS-407

Submitted to :
Nurul Islam Mujib Sensei
Assistant Professor
Institute of Modern languages
University of Dhaka

Submitted by:
Md. Hasibul Hasan Chowdhury
Roll: AA-197-045
Reg- 2020-518-633
Session: 2020-21

Submission Date: 5th April , 2023

Introduction:

Learning kanji can be a challenging task for those who are new to the Japanese language or
have limited exposure to it. Kanji, which are the ideographic characters used in the Japanese
writing system, can seem overwhelming due to their complexity and the sheer number of
them that exist. However, with the right approach and techniques, it is possible to learn kanji
easily and effectively. This assignment will explore various strategies and tools that can be
used to simplify the process of learning kanji. From breaking down the components of each
character to using mnemonic devices, this assignment will provide practical tips and advice
for anyone looking to improve their kanji skills. Additionally, we will examine the benefits of
learning kanji, such as improved reading comprehension and communication skills, and how
these skills can be applied in real-life situations. By the end of this assignment, students will
have a solid understanding of how to learn kanji efficiently and effectively, and be able to
apply these techniques to their own studies.

How to Master Kanji Effectively :

Traditionally, when people learn kanji, they try to memorize the individual strokes then write
them over and over again. Learning this way puts kanji in your short-term memory. By
writing it over and over again,it’s put in your long-term memory. But in the end learning
Japanese can be very hard for someone who’s is not familiar with Japanese language. But
there’s some step that we can follow in order to learn Kanji easily and effectively.

Japanese Writing System :

Whenever you look at a Japanese sentence, you probably see a bunch of small, relatively
simple characters, like this: これはひらがなです Those are hiragana, one of the ways that
Japanese people write down the sounds of their language.You might also see other, similar
characters that look a bit chunkier:カタカナ Those are katakana, an alphabet Japanese people
use to write down words that aren’t originally Japanese.But maybe, mixed in with those
characters, you spot a big, intimidating blob, like this: 漢字を読めますか Those are kanji,
and they’ve been intimidating new learners of Japanese for, well, basically as long as they’ve
existed.Which is like 1500 years at least!
Understanding the Basics of Kanji:

It's important to comprehend the fundamentals of the Kanji writing system before you begin
learning it. Because Kanji is a logographic writing system, each character represents an idea
or concept rather than a sound. Each character is made up of different parts known as
radicals, each of which hints at the character's meaning. You can remember the radicals and
the Kanji more easily if you comprehend their structure.

Follow the Stroke Order to Write Kanji Easily:

The stroke order matters mostly in relation to handwriting. Although writing may be not the
most prevalent way over typing nowadays, recent rise of touch devices allows people to
easily input characters by handwriting again. It lets you look up kanji you don’t know whose
reading; and to my experience, those recognition engines are trained with people’s normal
stroke order, while would be less accurate when written in untypical order. The Importance of
stroke order in the discussion of handwriting is more like that of the common sense.People
may say the order is not that strict but for example you don’t write capital A from its
horizontal bar.Since the previously written strokes rein in the layout of following strokes,
character produced in unusual order may look unnatural aside from good or bad.Thankfully
learning the stroke order is rule-based rather than memorizing the same number of definitions
as kanji.

Try to Find out the Context of Kanji:

The best way to master Kanji is to learn it in its context. It is best to learn Kanji in context
with vocabulary and phrases rather than memorizing them separately. You will be better able
to comprehend the Kanji's meaning and its applications in various contexts as a result.Kanji
can appear bewilderingly complex to the learner, but many are made up of a combination of
simpler parts. Creating stories based on the meaning of those parts is a useful mnemonic
technique.Some kanji are like pictures or straightforward representations of things. Two such
characters are 田, which means “field” or “rice paddy,” and 木, meaning “tree.” Most,
however, are made up of two or more parts. First-graders in Japan study 田 and 力, the kanji
for “strength” (one theory
says that 力 shows a bent arm flexing muscles on the right). Putting the two together creates
another first-grade kanji: 男, or a “man,” who traditionally used his “strength” farming in the
“fields.” Thus, 男 is a kanji where the parts indicate the overall meaning.Another
straightforward example is 明 (bright), which lines up 日 (sun) and 月 (moon), two bright
celestial bodies. Knowing what the parts signify can help in memorizing kanji. One needs to
recognize their different forms, however. In 休 (rest), 亻 is another way of writing 人
(person); the character 休 (to rest) shows somebody leaning against a tree, taking it easy.

Creating a Study Plan:

A study plan is important for learning kanji because it helps you to stay organized, focused,
and on track with your learning goals. Kanji is a complex writing system that requires a lot of
time and effort to master, so having a plan can help you to break down the learning process
into manageable steps and make steady progress over time.

Here are some specific reasons why a study plan is important for learning kanji:

1. It helps you to set goals: With a study plan, you can set specific goals for what you
want to achieve in your kanji studies. This might include how many characters you
want to learn per day, how often you want to practice writing and reading kanji, or
which resources you want to use to support your learning.
2. It provides structure: A study plan can help you to establish a regular routine for
studying kanji. This can be especially helpful if you are studying on your own and
need to stay motivated and disciplined.
3. It helps you to track progress: By tracking your progress in your study plan, you can
see how far you've come and what you still need to work on. This can be a source of
motivation and encouragement, as well as help you to identify areas where you need
to focus more attention.
 4. It allows you to adjust your approach: If you find that your current study plan is not
working for you, you can adjust it to better fit your learning style and goals. This
flexibility can help you to stay engaged and motivated in your studies.Overall, a study
plan is an essential tool for anyone who wants to learn kanji. By setting goals,
providing structure, tracking progress, and allowing for adjustments, a study plan can
help you to make steady progress in your kanji studies and achieve your learning
goals over time.

Using Mnemonic to Learn Kanji

The use of mnemonics can help you remember Kanji. Mnemonics are memory aids that use
associations to help you remember information. A Kanji character, for instance, may be
connected to a visual or narrative work. As a result, it may be simpler to recall the character's
meaning and writing style.Examples of Kanji
● Kanji Reading Meaning 田 た / ta OR だ / da Field / Rice field: The square
shape of the plot from rice fields very well with this kanji.
 ● 川 かわ / kawa River: The three lines try to depict show the flow of a river.
● 山 やま / yama Mountain: Mountains have their peaks and come in different
elevations. The kanji depicts this difference in the height of mountains.
● 火 ひ / hi Fire: Similar to the kanji 山 (yama), the kanji of fire draws its idea
from the rise and fall of flames.一 ; 二 ; 三 いち /

Using Spaced Repetition Software

Kanji can be remembered more easily with the aid of spaced repetition software, which
employs a spaced repetition algorithm. Depending on how well you remember the characters,
the software will show you Kanji characters at increasingly frequent intervals. This makes
sure that you review Kanji characters that you find challenging more often while reviewing
characters that you can easily recall less often.

Practicing Writing Kanji

Writing kanji is important for learning kanji because it helps with retention and recognition of
the characters. Kanji is a logographic writing system, meaning that each character represents
a specific word or concept. There are over 2,000 commonly used kanji characters in
Japanese, and each one has its own unique shape and stroke order. By writing kanji, you are
engaging in a process called "motor learning," where you are using your muscles and brain to
physically produce the characters. This process helps to reinforce the memory of the
character, making it easier to recognize and recall later on. It also helps to develop a sense of
familiarity with the character's structure and components, which can be helpful when learning
new characters.In addition, writing kanji can improve your overall Japanese language skills.
It can help you to understand the meaning and usage of the character, as well as its
pronunciation and context within a sentence.Overall, while it is possible to learn kanji
without writing them, actively practicing writing them can significantly enhance your
understanding and retention of the characters, and ultimately improve your proficiency in
Japanese.
Using Kanji Learning Resources

There are many tools at your disposal to aid in your Kanji learning. These consist of books,
online classes, flashcards, and dictionaries of the Kanji character. It's critical to select
resources that are appropriate for your learning level and style.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, learning kanji is a crucial first step to mastering the Japanese language. One
should start with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of stroke order and radicals in order
to do so successfully. Following that, it is advised to study kanji in context, utilizing tools like
textbooks or online resources that give examples of how each character is used in actual
contexts. To ensure retention and understanding, it's crucial to practice frequently and mix
reading and writing activities. A helpful method for expanding your vocabulary and spotting
patterns is to separate kanji into smaller parts and memorize them as individual units. It can
also help to use mnemonic techniques, such as associating each character with a special
picture or tale. Finding a study strategy that suits you, whether it be through flashcards,
online materials, or in-person classes, is essential if you want to progress in learning kanji.
Anyone can successfully learn and comprehend the intricate kanji character system with time,
effort, and patience.
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Reference:
<https://japanswitch.com/top-15-japanese-kanji-tips/>
<https://www.fluentu.com/blog/japanese/how-to-learn-kanji/>
<https://www.wikihow.com/Study-Japanese-Kanji-Easy >
<https://workinjapan.today/study/how-to-learn-kanji-more-effectively/>