Senpai Japanese Blog
Guides to the JLPT, Japanese grammar and culture, anime and manga Japanese, and why writing by hand still matters.
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LatestJLPTHow Long Does It Take to Pass the JLPT? Study Hours for N5 to N1Self-reported study hours for each JLPT level, for learners with and without a kanji background, and how to turn them into a plan for your own daily study time.
- JLPTHow Long Does It Take to Pass the JLPT? Study Hours for N5 to N1Self-reported study hours for each JLPT level, for learners with and without a kanji background, and how to turn them into a plan for your own daily study time.
JLPTJLPT N3 vs N2: What Actually Changes?N3 to N2 is one of the biggest jumps in the JLPT. Here is what the official descriptions, the test format, the pass marks and the study hours say.
JLPTA 33-Week Study Plan for the July 2027 JLPTWork backwards from test day: how to turn study-hour ranges into weekly hours, what to do in each phase, and how to protect your weakest section.
JLPTJLPT Test Format at a Glance: Sections, Time and Scoring (N5 to N1)How long each JLPT section is, how the test is scored, and when it is held. All figures come from the official JLPT site.
JLPTWhich JLPT Level Should You Take? A Simple Way to Choose (N5 to N1)The JLPT has five levels, N5 to N1. Here is what each level means, how the levels map to the CEFR, and how to pick the one that fits you.
JLPTWhy You Can Fail the JLPT With a High Total ScoreTo pass the JLPT you need the overall pass mark and the minimum score in every section. Here are the official numbers and what they mean for your study plan.
CultureWhat Does Senpai Mean? Senpai, Kohai and Sensei ExplainedSenpai means someone who started before you in a school, club or company. Here is how it is used in real Japan, how it differs from sensei, and why anime makes it sound so dramatic.
CultureJapanese Honorifics Explained: -san, -kun, -chan, -sama and -senseiWhen to use -san, -kun, -chan, -sama and -sensei, what happens if you use none, and a simple rule that keeps you safe in real conversations.
Japanese vs EnglishHiragana, Katakana and Kanji: Why Japanese Uses Three Writing SystemsJapanese mixes hiragana, katakana and kanji in one sentence. Here is what each one does, why they exist, and the best order to learn them.
Anime & MangaCan You Learn Japanese from Anime? What Works and What Doesn'tAnime can help your listening, vocabulary and motivation, but it will not teach you polite speech or grammar on its own. Here is how to use it well.
Anime & MangaHow to Start Reading Manga in Japanese (Even as a Beginner)A practical guide to reading your first manga in Japanese: which manga to choose, what furigana is, how to read the pages, and a simple routine for learning words.
HandwritingWhy Handwriting Helps You Learn Japanese (What the Research Says)Does writing by hand really help you remember kana and kanji? Here is what studies on handwriting, typing and Japanese characters show, and where the evidence is still limited.
HandwritingHow to Practice Writing Kanji by Hand: Stroke Order and a 10-Minute RoutineSimple stroke order rules, how to use radicals, and a 10-minute daily routine for writing kanji by hand and remembering them.
HandwritingHow to Keep a Japanese Diary: What to Write When You Are a BeginnerA Japanese diary is one of the best daily habits for a learner. Here is how to start with three sentences a day, a simple template, and how to get your mistakes corrected.
GrammarJapanese Word Order vs English: Why Japanese Sentences End With the VerbJapanese puts the verb at the end and uses particles to show who does what. Here is a clear comparison with English, with examples and a simple way to read sentences.
VocabularyHow Many Kanji Do You Need for the JLPT? N5 to N1 (and the Jōyō List)Approximate kanji counts for each JLPT level, why they are not official, how they relate to the 2,136 jōyō kanji, and how to study them.
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