How to Increase Japanese Vocabulary
- 1). Create your own flash cards by buying 3" x 5" index cards. Cut index cards in half. This will make them small enough to carry in your pocket.
- 2). Look up new vocabulary words in a Japanese-English dictionary. If you don't want to purchase a dictionary, your local library may have a copy you can check out. The internet is another free source for learning Japanese vocabulary. The Voyages Université website has a list of basic Japanese vocabulary: langage.com/vocabulaire/learn_japanese.htm
- 3). Write down new Japanese vocabulary in romaji (Roman) characters on the flash cards. Writing aids in the process of memorization. Some basic words in Japanese are douzo (please), arigato (thank you), hai (yes), O hayou gozaimasu (good morning), kon-nichiwa (hello), konbanwa (good evening) and o-genki desu ka (how are you).
- 4). Look at the Japanese words on one side and try to remember what it means in English. Say the word out loud in Japanese. Use whatever senses you can, whether it's hearing or sight to help with memory retention.
- 5). Flip the cards to the English side and shuffle them. Try to remember the Japanese equivalent.
- 6). Add a few new words every day to your cards to increase vocabulary continuously.
- 7). Try different methods. Organize cards by category, such as foods, animals, numbers and colors and memorize that category for the day.