Best Language Books for Learning Japanese Like a Master!
Learning a whole new language often proves rather difficult in a number of different aspects. Japanese is one that can appear pretty intimidating in a way that most people choose not to take the time to learn it completely.
We've reviewed the best Japanese Mythology books, Cookbooks and History Books.
We're here to give you the best rescources to help you learn Japanese as easily and quickly as possible, all in time for your next trip to Japan or even as so you can turn off the subtitles to your favorite anime!
1. Japanese from Zero! 1: Proven Techniques to Learn Japanese for Students and Professionals
Professional interpreter George Trembly and co-writer Yukari Takenaka bring forth a new and easy way to approach learning the Japanese language in this workbook. Highly praised for its engaging techniques, Japanese from Zero! sets out to really get you involved in the language and to have a far more comprehensive understanding than simply knowing a couple of measly sentences. The exercises all throughout the workbook are friendly, as well as challenging, both cementing the fundamentals of Japanese in even one read through. These exercises also present themselves in a way that's not overwhelming or tedious, but rather intriguing and memorable. We highly recommend this top tier language workbook to anyone just learning the basics to Japanese, or to even those who wish to touch up their knowledge in the area. Created from experts in the field, Japanese from Zero! will definitely teach you all you need to know when deciding to take up the Japanese language.
2. GENKI: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese
Extensive lessons that really delve into the fine details of the Japanese language await those who pick up a copy of GENKI: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese. Written by authors Yoko Ikeda and Yutaka Ohno, this workbook strives to provide the utmost understanding in learning a whole new language. Along with numerous lessons on the subject, the workbook comes with a CD that really tackles the intricacies of Japanese grammar in a way that will leave you feeling like you could have a fluent conversation tomorrow. It's true that this workbook does require a fair amount of time dedicated to its activities and lessons, but afterwards it guarantees a very in depth of knowledge of speaking Japanese. The book is divided into two sections of conversation/grammar and reading/writing, which really succeed into tackling some of the harder parts of each section. If you're all ready and dedicated to fully speak Japanese, our number two on our list, GENKI: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese, will make for a fine addition to your learning materials!
3 . A Guide to Japanese Grammar: A Japanese Approach to Learning Japanese Grammar
True to the title, this book written by Tae Kim truly is a guide to learning the natural and everyday conversations of the Japanese language. A Guide to Japanese Grammar: A Japanese approach to learning Japanese grammar aims to teach all of the commplace slangs and speech patterns used, contrary to the stagnant and ordinary teaching styles of most other language workbooks. This workbook includes a broad range of the overall aspects of language, such as grammar, kanji, pronunciation, and even the regular dialect you would hear walking down the streets of Tokyo. If you're hesitant to lug around a large workbook everywhere you go, this book has a lot of options from buying online, to reading it on your kindle, which all make it a lot easier to learn on the go. Organized in the most user-friendly way, A Guide to Japanese Grammar: A Japanese approach to learning Japanese grammar is a definite must for everyone just beginning to take on Japanese to even any one wanting to touch up their previous skills.
4. Japanese for Busy People I: Romanized Version 1
Ready to embark on your journey to learn Japanese, but constantly find yourself always hard at work with little to no time to spare? If that's the case, then we can say that AJALT's book Japanese for Busy People I: Romanized Version1 is the perfect fit for you. With a CD attached featuring audio dialogue and exercises, this workbook focuses on the introductory parts of learning Japanese as so you don't have to feel too overwhelmed while still learning the basics in no time at all. The quizzes and lessons both presented in the book and the CD are specifically set up in a way that are easily incorporated with your busy work or life schedule. It also really prepares you for professional situations of all sorts, which is a great necessity for business trips oversees or even if you're planning on visiting tourist areas. We definitely recommend Japanese for Busy People I: Romanized Version1 for anyone caught up in a busy lifestyle! This workbook has been noted to really drive in the essential concepts needed to learn Japanese, all without interfering with any of your other previous everyday obligations.
5. Japanese the Manga Way: An Illustrated Guide to Grammar and Structure
Studying in your average language workbook might get boring and tedious aftter page after page filled with repetitive lessons and endless grammar quizzes. Author Wayne P. Lammers has since created an innovative workbook to expel these dull ways of learning Japanese in his work titled Japanese the Manga Way: An Illustrated Guide to Grammar and Structure. This workbook artistically teaches the ins and outs of Japanese in the form of manga, in turn producing much more memorable and lasting results. A lot of us don't have the necessary patience and time to learn a whole new language even if we wanted to; however, this workbook does an outstanding job in teaching you all you need to know with the added bonus of entertainment value while simultaneously keeping you on task and focused. This book does tend to target an audience that has previously acquired Japanese language skills, but even so, it really takes you further into the language in a fast and rapid manner. Who knew reading manga could be used as a teaching tool? We say this book's fun set up and fast lessons are a great addition to learning a new language!
6. Fluent Japanese From Anime and Manga: The Fun and Easy Way to Learn Japanese Vocabulary, Kanji, and Grammar
If we told you that there's a language textbook that teaches Japanese through the use of popular anime and manga, it would sound too good to be true. Well, we're here to tell you that Eric Bodner's Fluent Japanese from Anime and Manga does all of that and more! Another creatively designed textbook makes our top ten list as it takes the complexities of learning Japanese and puts them together in a method that is easy to remember and enjoyable on all accounts. The works that Bodner incorporate into his language lessons include everything from Dragon Ball Z, Sword Art Online, One Punch Man, Naruto, and even Attack on Titan. Efficient and known to show results, this textbook is great for understanding the tools of language for the otaku and average person alike. Struggling with vocabulary and grammar will be a thing of the past with this textbook fraught with anime and manga references. We highly encourage anyone seeking to learn Japanese to check out Fluent Japanese from Anime and Manga and its enjoyable methods on teaching.
7. Japanese Sentence Patterns for Effective Communication: A Self-Study Course and Reference
Communication and sentences can both be hard concepts to learn when taking on a second language. Taeko Kamiya has perfectly composed a workbook that parallels everyday sentences with their Japanese equivalent to combat these tricky properties. Japanese Sentence Patters for Effective Communication is unique on how it focuses on giving you a better understanding on how to verbalize your thoughts and ideas into the language you are learning, rather than just the alphabet and grammar. Expressing desires, giving requests, and stating opinions can all be difficult conceptualizing in a language that's not your native tongue. The goal of this textbook involves getting you to really put together conversations and ideas in Japanese as easily as you would in your daily situations. Japanese Sentence Patters for Effective Communication is an amazing addition to your tools in learning the Japanese language. It really gives you a use for the basics you've already learned, or are currently learning, and how to put them towards a realistic setting.
8. Japanese DeMYSTiFieD with Audio CD, 2nd Edition
If you're more interested in a workbook that's classic in its teachings and styles, then Japanese DeMYSTiFieD is one you should for sure check out! Eriko Sato has collected all the necessary elements in learning Japanese and combined them into a series of quizzes, tests, and chapter questions that truly cement down all of the fundamentals. Sato has also presented the book with both Kanji and phonetic translations as so the user can not only see how specific words would be presented in Japanese, but how they would be said out loud as well. In fact, this book is one that really emphasizes the importance of pronunciation, which is crucial in learning any language. With a pretty straightforward format to follow, users will find that learning Japanese through this workbook will be concise and efficient. Japanese DeMYSTiFieD might take on a more serious tone for some, but for any willing and dedicated individual, it really gets down pact the crucial parts needed to learn Japanese.
9. Common Japanese Collocations: A Learner's Guide to Frequent Word Pairings
Sometimes just learning the basics of Japanese isn't enough if you're intent on being fluent or even holding your own in conversations with a native speaker. The switch from English to Japanese can be challenging, to say the least, as there are some definite contrasts in noun-verb and noun-adjective statements that can be a challenge to fully grasp when just learning the language. Kaku Shoji puts together a fantastic guide to combat these complicated parts of Japanese in Common Japanese Collocations: A Learner's Guide to Frequent Word Pairings. The textbook is divided into six sections all organized thematically by daily life, each one presenting a plethora of nouns and words to pair together in a concise manner. Even if you know the exact word for something in Japanese, you might still struggle with how to use that word in a way that makes sense and flows well in a regular conversation. Shoji does well in showing various usages of words and how they would be specifically used in a coherent Japanese sentence. We can say for certain that Common Japanese Collocations: A Learner's Guide to Frequent Word Pairings is great to check out if you're ready to put words you've learned or are currently learning into natural and easy-flowing conversations.
10. Read Japanese Today: The Easy Way to Learn 400 Practical Kanji
What stops most people from learning Japanese involves the overwhelming and intimidating Japanese characters called kanji. Read Japanese Today, written by Len Walsh, aspires to dissolve the stereotype of kanji being an impossible task to learn, and instead encourage the idea that kanji can be simplistic and fascinating once understood. This textbook promises to teach you over four hundred kanji characters, once read through cover to cover. Walsh takes the time to explain every meaning, history, and pronunciation for each kanji presented in the workbook, all on the intent of dispelling any confusion and to instead teach about every little element of the characters. This method is quite successful as the kanji become familiar and easy to remember, making it a lot simpler to learn Japanese to its full extent. Read Japanese Today has been highly rated again and again in teaching kanji in a way that doesn't create confusion, but rather complete understanding. Whether you're brand new to learning Japanese, or you've learned almost all there is about the language, you can't go wrong in investing in this workbook and its extensive history on kanji and how to use them properly.
