OpenCourser brand icon
Sign in
Sorry, this page is no longer available
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Udemy logo

Complete Japanese Course

Learn Japanese for Beginners

4.5 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Based on 4,128 ratings
see reviews
Linguae Learning and Linguae Teaching Assistant

The ultimate Japanese beginner course that will teach you Japanese faster than you thought possible. If you’ve ever dreamed of travelling to Japan and holding your own in real-life situations, being independent and able to communicate with the locals, this is the course for you.

During this course you will learn:

Read more

The ultimate Japanese beginner course that will teach you Japanese faster than you thought possible. If you’ve ever dreamed of travelling to Japan and holding your own in real-life situations, being independent and able to communicate with the locals, this is the course for you.

During this course you will learn:

  • Lots and lots of vocabulary

  • How to read and write in Japanese

  • Useful everyday phrases

  • Basic sentence structures

  • Basic grammar rules most beginner courses don’t teach

  • The subtle cultural nuances of the language most beginners aren’t taught

After taking this course you will be able to:

  • Greet people and introduce yourself both formally and casually

  • Pronounce words correctly without hearing them first

  • Order food and drinks

  • Structure basic sentences with ease

  • Describe yourself and other people in both personality and appearance

  • Tell the time, date

  • Make requests, describe what you want and what you plan to do

  • Express your feelings, your interests and dislikes

  • Navigate multiple types of everyday situations, like shopping

  • Give and receive directions to places you need to go to

  • Make conversations

  • Get around in the public transport

This course aims to help you master the basics of Japanese and give you a strong base onto which you will be able to build your skills as a Japanese speaker.

Start your Japanese journey with us today.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • 500+ most useful vocabulary words
  • Top most useful phrases you can use in everyday situations
  • Proper japanese pronunciation
  • How to put basic sentences together
  • Read and write in japanese
  • Easily order foods and drinks
  • Pronounce words correctly without hearing them first
  • Greet people and introduce yourself both formally and casually
  • How to get around in the public transport and in the airport
  • The building blocks of japanese grammar

Syllabus

Getting Started

  • Learn the Japanese writing script – Hiragana.

  • Learn how to write Hiragana characters.

  • Learn how to read Hiragana characters.

  • Learn how to pronounce Hiragana characters.

Read more

  • Learn the Japanese writing script – Katakana.

  • Learn how to write Katakana characters.

  • Learn how to read Katakana characters.

  • Learn how to pronounce Katakana characters.

Learn the basic Japanese greetings to greet people in Japanese.

Learn essential phrases to express politeness in Japanese.

Learn how to count in Japanese from 1 to 10.000

  • Learn vocabulary for food.

  • Learn how to say “this, that, that over there”.

  • Learn how to “here, there, over there”.

  • Learn sentence structure.

  • Learn the verb “to be; is ; are”.

  • Learn to form a question.

  • Learn to ask for something you want.

  • Learn how to ask for the time in Japanese.

  • Learn how to tell time in Japanese.

  • New words like: minute, hour, half past.

  • Learn how to ask for people‘s age in Japanese.

  • Learn how to tell your age in Japanese.

  • Learn how to name days of the week in Japanese.

  • Learn how to call months and days of the month in Japanese.

  • Learn to ask when someone’s birthday is.

  • Learn to tell the date of your birthday.

  • Learn vocabulary for colors.

  • Learn vocabulary for animals.

  • Learn vocabulary for objects.

  • Learn to ask question “whose?”.

  • Practice new grammar.

Learn the most important Japanese particles and their usage.

  • Learn to distinguish different types of verbs in Japanese.

  • Learn new verbs.

  • Learn how to conjugate verbs in the present tense.

  • Learn to use frequency adverbs in Japanese.

  • Learn how to describe how frequently you do something.

Learn how to conjugate verbs in the past tense.

Learn do differentiate different types of adjectives.

Learn most used adjectives and examples with them.

  • Learn how to call different emotions in Japanese.

  • Learn how to express emotions in Japanese.

  • Learn how to talk about your and someone else‘s family in Japanese.

  • Learn vocabulary related to family members.

  • Learn vocabulary related to different body parts.

  • GRAMMAR – Learn TE form.

  • Learn how to describe someone‘s appearances.

  • GRAMMAR – te+kudasai=please do something.

  • GRAMMAR – te+moiidesuka=can I do ___? Asking for permission.

  • Learn vocabulary related to weather.

  • Learn how to describe the weather.

  • Learn how to ask about the weather.

  • GRAMMAR – Learn “it seems like; it is said that” – sō desu.

  • Learn essential vocabulary to describe the inside of the house.

  • GRAMMAR – Learn how to ask someone to do something. LET’S DO SOMETHING. MASHOU KA.

Learn vocabulary to talk about the bathroom.

  • Learn vocabulary related to shopping and supermarket.

  • Learn phrases that might be useful when shopping.

Learn essential vocabulary for talking about the kitchen.

  • Learn vocabulary related to clothing.

  • Learn useful questions for clothing shopping in Japan.

  • Learn vocabulary for different buildings and locations.

  • Learn vocabulary for directions.

  • Learn how to give and ask for directions in Japanese.

  • Learn sports-related vocabulary.

  • GRAMMAR - Learn TE form for joining sentences.

  • Learn continuous Japanese for TEIRU.

  • Learn new grammar – TO GO TO DO SOMETHING – STEM+NI+IKU.

  • Learn new grammar – mada teimasen - have not done something yet.

  • Learn Japanese shorts forms (verbs, adjectives and nouns).

  • Learn new grammar – from – to – kara – made.

  • Learn grammar to express your opinion – TO OMOIMASU.

Learn vocabulary related to birthplaces.

Practice the vocabulary related to birthplaces.

Exercise the learnt vocabulary in a dialogue.

Exercise the learnt vocabulary in a dialogue.

Learn vocabulary related to trips.

Practice the vocabulary related to trips.

Learn vocabulary related to jobs.

Practice the vocabulary related to jobs.

Learn vocabulary related to walking and the weather.

Practice the vocabulary related to walking and the weather.

Learn vocabulary related to looks.

Practice the vocabulary related to looks.

Exercise the learnt vocabulary in a dialogue.

Learn vocabulary related to neighbors and accents.

Practice the new vocabulary.

Learn vocabulary related to hobbies.

Practice the new vocabulary related to hobbies.

Learn vocabulary related to asking for directions.

Learn vocabulary related to giving directions.

Learn vocabulary related to making hotel reservations.

Learn vocabulary related to celebrations.

Learn vocabulary related to making promises.

Learn vocabulary related to class reunions.

Learn vocabulary related to cooking.

Learn vocabulary related to conversations in a bar.

Learn vocabulary related to working out.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers Hiragana and Katakana, which are essential for reading and writing in Japanese, providing a solid foundation for further language study
Teaches practical phrases for everyday situations, such as ordering food, asking for directions, and using public transport, which are useful for travelers
Explores subtle cultural nuances alongside grammar and vocabulary, which enriches understanding beyond basic language skills and promotes cultural sensitivity
Includes grammar instruction, which is necessary for building a strong foundation in Japanese, but may require additional study and practice for mastery
Requires learners to memorize vocabulary and grammar rules, which can be challenging and time-consuming for some students without prior language learning experience

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save

Reviews summary

Solid foundation for beginner japanese

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation for absolute beginners starting their Japanese learning journey. Students particularly appreciate the thorough introduction to the Hiragana and Katakana writing systems early on, which is seen as crucial. Many find the grammar explanations clear and easy to understand, especially the basic sentence structures and usage of particles. The course's focus on useful everyday vocabulary and practical situations like shopping and travel is highly valued for its real-world applicability. While the course covers essential beginner grammar and vocabulary comprehensively, learners note that supplementing with additional practice outside of the course is recommended to achieve fluency.
Excellent introduction for absolute beginners.
"This course is a perfect starting point if you know absolutely no Japanese."
"Highly recommend this for anyone trying to get over the initial hurdle."
"It made learning Japanese feel accessible and not overwhelming."
Teaches useful vocabulary for daily life.
"The vocabulary included is very practical for common situations like ordering food or shopping."
"I learned phrases I could actually imagine using during travel."
"Focusing on everyday conversations was very helpful for building confidence."
Covers writing systems and key grammar points.
"Learning Hiragana and Katakana was a solid start and made reading much easier."
"The grammar explanations provided a strong base for understanding sentence structure."
"It really gives you the essential building blocks if you're starting from zero."
Need to supplement learning with practice.
"The course provides the knowledge, but you definitely need to practice a lot on your own."
"I found myself needing to supplement with other exercises and resources."
"Wish there were more built-in exercises to reinforce the material."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Complete Japanese Course: Learn Japanese for Beginners with these activities:
Review Hiragana and Katakana
Review the Hiragana and Katakana scripts to build a solid foundation for reading and writing in Japanese.
Browse courses on Hiragana
Show steps
  • Review the charts for Hiragana and Katakana.
  • Practice writing each character multiple times.
  • Use online resources to check your pronunciation.
Read 'Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese'
Supplement the course with a well-regarded textbook to reinforce grammar and vocabulary.
View GENKI 1 2 an Integrated Course in Elementary... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Genki: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese'.
  • Work through the first few chapters, focusing on grammar and vocabulary.
  • Complete the practice exercises in the textbook.
Create flashcards for vocabulary
Create flashcards to memorize vocabulary words and phrases learned in the course.
Show steps
  • Gather vocabulary words from each lesson.
  • Write the Japanese word on one side and the English translation on the other.
  • Use the flashcards to practice regularly.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice verb conjugations
Practice verb conjugations to master the different verb forms and tenses.
Show steps
  • Review the verb conjugation rules.
  • Use online resources or textbooks to find verb conjugation exercises.
  • Practice conjugating different verbs in various tenses.
Write a short journal entry in Japanese
Practice writing skills by writing short journal entries in Japanese.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic for your journal entry.
  • Write a few sentences in Japanese about the topic.
  • Use vocabulary and grammar learned in the course.
Read 'A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar'
Use a grammar dictionary to deepen your understanding of Japanese grammar.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar'.
  • Look up grammar points covered in the course.
  • Read the explanations and examples provided in the dictionary.
Practice conversations with a language partner
Improve speaking and listening skills by practicing conversations with a language partner.
Show steps
  • Find a language partner who is also learning Japanese.
  • Schedule regular practice sessions.
  • Practice conversations on various topics learned in the course.

Career center

Learners who complete Complete Japanese Course: Learn Japanese for Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Tour Guide
A tour guide often interacts with people from diverse backgrounds, and this course will help a tour guide who specializes in Japan. This course provides a foundation for everyday conversations, directions, and basic cultural understanding. The ability to greet people, describe locations, understand requests, and discuss daily activities are all key skills for a tour guide. This course also teaches the learner to express feelings and discuss interests, which allows the tour guide to connect on a personal level. A tour guide, therefore, may find the vocabulary, grammar, and cultural nuances taught to be greatly beneficial in their work.
See salaries and explore the career path for Tour Guide
Translator
A translator converts written or spoken Japanese to another language, and this course builds a foundation in Japanese. The vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure taught will help build proficiency in the language. This course is especially helpful for a beginning translator as it focuses on the building blocks of the language, such as basic sentence structure, grammar, and everyday phrases. A translator will also find the practice in reading and writing to be particularly important. A translator, therefore, can leverage this course to build a strong base in Japanese.
See salaries and explore the career path for Translator
Interpreter
An interpreter converts spoken language from Japanese to another language, and this course will help anyone who wishes to pursue this career. The course emphasizes building practical communication skills. The course also focuses on the core elements of the language such as grammar, pronunciation, and sentence structures, all of which an interpreter must have in order to accurately convey spoken information. The course also teaches how to ask for and give directions as well as how to navigate shopping and ordering food, all of which will help an interpreter who works in situ. An interpreter may find that this course provides an excellent base.
See salaries and explore the career path for Interpreter
Language Teacher
A language teacher instructs students in the Japanese language, and this course covers the fundamentals of Japanese. The course introduces the Japanese writing system, pronunciation, basic grammar, and basic sentence structures, which a language teacher can leverage to teach effectively. The course aims to develop a strong base in Japanese, which a language teacher requires in order to impart their knowledge. The course also introduces everyday phrases, which are important for a language teacher when creating practical lessons for learners. A language teacher will find that this course is a great place to start.
See salaries and explore the career path for Language Teacher
Travel Agent
A travel agent helps people plan and book trips, particularly to Japan. This course helps a travel agent to communicate with Japanese speakers and to understand more about Japanese culture. The course provides practical skills in basic conversation, making requests, and giving directions, all of which a travel agent can leverage when working with Japanese speakers or helping customers travel to Japan. A travel agent may find this course useful as it provides a base of knowledge about Japan and their language.
See salaries and explore the career path for Travel Agent
Customer Service Representative
A customer service representative assists customers, and this course is relevant for providing support to Japanese speakers. The course provides a foundation for understanding the nuances of communicating in Japanese, including greetings, making requests, and handling basic conversations. The course aims to build a strong base in Japanese, which is essential for a customer service representative dealing with customers in this language. The course especially focuses on learning how to order food and navigate in public transport, which may help a customer service representative understand the issues a traveler may have. A customer service representative may find this course to be a great starting point for communicating with customers in Japanese.
See salaries and explore the career path for Customer Service Representative
Blogger
A blogger creates content, often about travel or language, and this course may be useful for those who focus on Japan. This course teaches basic communication and vocabulary, which a blogger may leverage to create content about Japanese culture or daily life. The course introduces basic grammar, reading, and writing, which may also be useful for a blogger who is looking to write about the Japanese language. A blogger, therefore, may find the course to be a good place to start researching Japan and the Japanese language.
See salaries and explore the career path for Blogger
Cultural Liaison
A cultural liaison helps to bridge understanding between cultures, and this course may be useful for those who work with Japanese people. The course introduces the nuances of communicating in Japanese, which a cultural liaison can leverage to better understand and connect with people from Japan. This course teaches the fundamentals of language, which is crucial to effective cross-cultural communication. A cultural liaison may find the course beneficial for starting to learn about the Japanese language and culture.
See salaries and explore the career path for Cultural Liaison
International Business Professional
An international business professional works with businesses across different countries, and this course may be useful when dealing with Japanese counterparts. The course provides the foundation for basic communication in Japanese, including greetings, introductions, and everyday phrases. The course focuses on the building blocks of the language, which an international business professional can leverage to establish rapport with people from Japan. An international business professional may find the course to be a beneficial stepping stone.
See salaries and explore the career path for International Business Professional
Hospitality Staff
Hospitality staff work in hotels, restaurants, and other service industries, and this course may be helpful for those who interact with Japanese visitors. The course teaches practical skills such as ordering food, providing directions, and handling simple conversations, all of which are useful for hospitality staff who may be required to look after Japanese customers. The course focuses on everyday phrases, which is especially beneficial in a context where service personnel often interact with customers on a daily basis. Hospitality staff may find that this course offers a first step towards serving Japanese customers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Hospitality Staff
Immigration Officer
An immigration officer at the border interacts with people from various countries, and this course may help interact with those from Japan. The course provides a base understanding of Japanese and includes practical phrases for everyday situations, which an immigration officer can use to assist travelers. The course covers basics such as greetings, directions, and making requests, all of which will be useful when helping people at the border. An immigration officer may find the course to be useful as a starting point for learning Japanese.
See salaries and explore the career path for Immigration Officer
Retail Associate
A retail associate works in a store and interacts with customers, and this course may help when interacting with Japanese customers. The course introduces basic Japanese phrases and vocabulary, especially those related to shopping. The course teaches skills like handling basic conversations and making requests, which can be beneficial for a retail associate who wishes to serve the Japanese market. A retail associate may find this course to be a good first step towards learning to interact with Japanese customers.
See salaries and explore the career path for Retail Associate
Content Creator
A content creator produces materials such as videos or articles, and this course may help content creators who are focused on Japanese media or language learning. The course provides a base in Japanese, allowing the content creator to understand the language and culture. The course aims to build basic communication skills and introduces vocabulary related to travel, food, and everyday situations, which may be useful for creating content. A content creator who wishes to create Japanese content may find this course useful to start researching the topic.
See salaries and explore the career path for Content Creator
Librarian
A librarian helps people find resources in a library, and this course may help a librarian who is looking to assist patrons who speak Japanese or who are looking for Japanese language resources. The course teaches basic Japanese, including greetings, asking for requests, and understanding basic directions. A librarian who wants to offer Japanese resources may find this course useful to get started.
See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian
Social Media Manager
A social media manager curates and creates posts on social media, and this course may be useful for a social media manager who is looking to engage with an audience in the Japanese language. This course introduces basic Japanese including greetings, and sentence structures. A social media manager who wants to engage with Japanese audiences may find this course helps them begin to learn the language.
See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Featured in The Course Notes

This course is mentioned in our blog, The Course Notes. Read one article that features Complete Japanese Course: Learn Japanese for Beginners:
A Guide to Learning Foreign Languages Using Online Courses
41 minute read

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Complete Japanese Course: Learn Japanese for Beginners.
GENKI 1 2 an Integrated Course in Elementary...
Save
Genki widely used textbook for beginner Japanese learners. It provides a comprehensive introduction to grammar, vocabulary, and cultural aspects of the language. is particularly useful for reinforcing the concepts taught in the course and provides additional practice exercises. It is commonly used in university-level Japanese courses.
GENKI 1 2 an Integrated Course in Elementary...
Paperback
Check
GENKI 1 2 an Integrated Course in Elementary...
Kindle Edition
Check

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Reddit
X
Link
Email

Similar courses

Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Course image
Rating
4.5 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Empty star
Effort
50 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructors
Linguae Learning
Linguae Teaching Assistant
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers Hiragana and Katakana, which are essential for reading and writing in Japanese, providing a solid foundation for further language study
Teaches practical phrases for everyday situations, such as ordering food, asking for directions, and using public transport, which are useful for travelers
Explores subtle cultural nuances alongside grammar and vocabulary, which enriches understanding beyond basic language skills and promotes cultural sensitivity
Includes grammar instruction, which is necessary for building a strong foundation in Japanese, but may require additional study and practice for mastery
Requires learners to memorize vocabulary and grammar rules, which can be challenging and time-consuming for some students without prior language learning experience
Featured in The Course Notes
Read one article that features this course, Complete Japanese Course: Learn Japanese for Beginners from our blog, The Course Notes:
A Guide to Learning Foreign Languages Using Online Courses
41 minute read
Share this
Share to help others discover this course.
Facebook LinkedIn X Reddit Link Email
Begin learning today
Enroll now to gain full access to Complete Japanese Course.
Enroll now
Save for later
Add this course to your list. Find it anytime.
Save
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser