I Love KanjiLearn Japanese: dictionary, kanji, JLPT vocabulary and practice tools
The most reliable way to learn Japanese is to learn hiragana and katakana first, then build vocabulary and kanji together through real words, test yourself instead of re-reading, and review on a spaced-repetition schedule – a little every day. The free tools below cover each step.
Look up any of 7,934 JLPT words and 1,974 kanji, see stroke order, conjugate verbs and practise – all in your browser.
Free Japanese learning tools
Japanese dictionarySearch 7,900+ JLPT words in English, kana, kanji or romajiKanji dictionaryMeanings, readings and stroke order for 1,970+ kanjiVerb conjugatorEvery form of any verb or adjective, with readingsStroke orderAnimated stroke order for any kanjiHiragana practiceChart plus a quick reading quizKatakana practiceChart plus a quick reading quizVocabulary flashcardsFlip through JLPT N5–N1 wordsJLPT vocabulary quizMultiple-choice quiz per JLPT levelKanji quizTest kanji meanings level by level
Where to start
- Hiragana and katakana – the two phonetic scripts (a few days each).
- JLPT N5 vocabulary and its kanji – the most basic everyday words.
- Core grammar: particles, は vs が and the te-form.
- Daily review with spaced repetition – for example in the I Love Kanji app.
JLPT vocabulary by level
N5
JLPT N5 vocabulary711 words · 447 kanjiN4
JLPT N4 vocabulary658 words · 332 kanjiN3
JLPT N3 vocabulary2,129 words · 658 kanjiN2
JLPT N2 vocabulary1,762 words · 243 kanjiN1
JLPT N1 vocabulary2,674 words · 293 kanjiKanji in JLPT N5 words
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Questions learners ask
How do I learn Japanese vocabulary efficiently?Active recall, spaced repetition and real contextWhat is the best way to learn and memorize kanji?A beginner-friendly method that scales to thousandsWhat is the difference between hiragana and katakana?Same sounds, different jobsHow long does it take to learn Japanese?What published estimates say, and what changes itHow many Japanese words do I need to know?Word counts for each JLPT levelWhat is the best way to prepare for JLPT N5?What the test covers and a step-by-step planHow can I practice Japanese every day?A 20-minute routine that actually fits
Quick answers
What is the best way to learn Japanese vocabulary?
Test yourself instead of re-reading (active recall), review words at growing intervals (spaced repetition), learn words in real sentences, and practise a little every day.
Should I learn hiragana or kanji first?
Hiragana first, then katakana. Both are small sets (46 basic characters each) and you need them to read any Japanese. Start kanji next, through the vocabulary that uses them.
How many kanji do I need to know?
Japan’s official list of kanji for general use (jōyō kanji) has 2,136 characters. Beginners usually start with the roughly 100 kanji in basic everyday words and build up from there.