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This article showcases our top picks for the
Books To Learn Japanese. We reached out to industry leaders and experts who have contributed the suggestions within this article (they have been credited for their contributions below).
We are keen to hear your feedback on all of our content and our comment section is a moderated space to express your thoughts and feelings related (or not) to this article
This list is in no particular order.
This product was recommended by Mimi Paul from Starkflow
From my experience if you dedicate time to learning from this book you learn and gain knowledge regarding Hiragana, numbers and even basic speaking and reading in Japanese. This book has a very good pace and will take you through different stages at a decent level. This book keeps you interested throughout and is perfect for beginners in Japanese. Highly recommended.
This product was recommended by Ashley Amor from PeopleFindFast
There could be a reason why this beginner’s Japanese book is known as “The Bible” or “Yellow Book” among Japanese expats. It’s undoubtedly the best Japanese learning resource everyone has ever come across. This book is written with superior example sentences. Hence, if you’re at a more advanced level, you can check out its blue and red books. The best pros of buying this beginner’s guide are it’s comprehensive, and you will know the difference between easy and perplexed grammar points.
This product was recommended by Stella Cooper from PaydayLoansUK
In case you took Japanese at University, it’s indeed the best textbook you read. It’s undoubtedly the best beginner’s Japanese textbook, so love it or hate it. Published by the Japan Times, this Genki series is recently in its 3rd edition print run 2020 edition and has sold over 2 million copies globally. There are no shortcuts with this beginner’s textbook, and you’ve got to put in the time to learn and absorb the material.
This product was recommended by Madilyn Hill from TruePersonFinder Inc.
This book has to be the best Japanese English dictionary in print form. Kodansha gave considerable thought to the functionality and layout of this dictionary, and it demonstrated. The furigana dictionary is a must-have in your home’s library when you’re a severe Japanese learner, from novice to N1. The pros of buying this book are: Example sentences to showcase how words are used often. A special section on how to combine daily and irregular Japanese verbs.
This product was recommended by Kimberly Silva from FindPeopleFirst
Basic book to learn the Japanese language. This book teaches the concepts to use the language like a pro. After surfing the content, you will feel comfortable reading the Japanese texts and converse efficiently. The author focuses on the grammar and spelling of this language in depth. The beginners can go for it, and the content is well designed to guide the readers on an optimal path of enlightenment.
This product was recommended by Ed O’Neill from UK Language Project
For learners who already know the alphabet this is an excellent textbook that takes you through a lot of ground in an entertaining way. With lots of imagery and a varied range of exercises to do. It can be used both in a classroom setting and as a self-study text. There are also further books that follow on once you’ve finished the first. It’s important to already know the alphabet to access this book but once you do it will prove extremely useful to the elementary/intermediate learner.
This product was recommended by Lorie Carson from RealPeopleFinder
So after reading the name, you can imagine what the book is about. It is like a crash course book that makes you fluent in Japanese within 90 days. The book has everything to make you proficient in Japanese, from pronunciation to grammar and vocabulary to phrases. More than 1000 words and various idiomatic expressions are also there.
This product was recommended by Lorie Carson from RealPeopleFinder
For instant results and quick learning, you can trust this book. This book will give you enough knowledge to start communicating in Japanese in just seven days. It includes all the basics of the Japanese language, including grammar rules, vocabulary, commonly used words and phrases, etc. Everything is written in a simple tone.
This product was recommended by Jason Cordes from CocoLoan
This book contains advice on studying and what to study to learn and maintain the language swiftly. This book will teach you practical conversational terms and the fundamentals of Japanese, allowing you to introduce yourself and ask inquiries. You’ll discover the ins and outs of Japanese pronunciation. You’ll discover how to avoid the frequent mistakes made by learners, as well as nuances that only native speakers are aware of. The three Japanese writing systems, so you may not only learn the language but also recognize road and directional signs.