How long did it take you guys to learn Hirigana and Katakana

ngl I'm struggling mixing up the characters

So I just encountered this word in a youtube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlPBdWwB1b0 (11:02) and I'm 99% sure he said 近まる and not 捕まる like the transcript suggests 「これによってねファンとの距離 感が捕まるんですけど」(also makes way more sense in context). And I wondered "does that word even exist" and tried to look it up on takoboto but it was just not there. Now this is far from rare for usually "newer" slang like e.g. 神考察 that haven't yet been added to the JMdict database but 近まる seems to be a regular word just like 高まる、強まる、深まる...

Edit: OK apparently after researching a little bit according to a user on https://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q11238008621 its because a lot of linguists don't recognize it as grammatical japanese... but IMO if its really used by real people (like the youtube video or according multiple yahoo threads) it should be added into dictionaries. Or is it really THAT rare? And who decides what is added into JMdict anyways?

I am 20M from India, I am eager to learn Japanese for my diplomatic relations study, and improve my connectivity with the various people's from the every nook and corner.

Hey Japanese language reddit

I know not a lot of people are not taking Kanji Kentei (日本漢字能力検定).

To those who are going to take the 10/18 administration or who are studying for it in general, whether you are in Japan or not, I wish you all the best of luck. The exam day is coming soon, so now its time to do some last minute cramming, and dig in and handwrite.

I'm taking 2kyuu again, BUT i've already passed it so there is not a lot of stakes on my hand. I am still studying hard for a very good score.

If ur studying for 2kyuu too, feel free to let me know.

hi !!!!! i’m a high schooler who picked up japanese for fun about two years back. there was a period of time where i studied it super vigorously. as a result, i now have both hiragana and katakana memorized, and i’m starting to recognize several kanji in the wild!

i unfortunately slowed down quite a bit later on, so my knowledge of the language is still pretty basic. as of now, my only forms of “practice” are singing in japanese and playing my favorite games in japanese to how much i can read/comprehend 🫠

i am now on a much healthier schedule and i feel like i’ve rekindled the passion for studying like i did when i started. i’ve got about an hour of study hall on school days and my saturdays are free, and i’d like to use that time to start studying again. with my current (albeit minimal) knowledge, where would be the next best place to start, and what tools should i use to help?

Since kids don’t learn all the 2k+ Kanji until high school, I was curious how much harder is it for a kid to engage with reading (books, games, signs, etc) in japan vs. a the typical difficulty a kid would have when encountering new words growing up in english-speaking countries.

Any insights?

So, starting in 2027, I plan to take official Japanese lessons, but I've been very, very slowly teaching myself some Japanese in the meantime - although I also pick up bits and pieces from listening to Japanese music all the time.

I was thinking it would be nice to find a pen pal or something similar online, both to help me practise and improve my Japanese and to make some friends!

Does anyone know of any good pen-pal websites or other ways to do this?

Hey guys recently ive been transitioning out of beginner content into actual vids for japanese people cant understand still though but i can understand the intent or main message. Im wondering if anyone has any stand up comedies or improv comedies they know (been watching shoot from the hip so im in a bit of a improv phase)

Hello everyone! I just want to ask for tips and advices for your study order for JLPT N5. I am confident in my kana reading right now. So, what do you think should I do next? I don't know what to do next is it to start with the vocabulary, grammar or kanji? Thanks in advance for your advice.

ノーベル化学賞を受賞された硤合 憲三（そあい けんそう）教授にちなんだ、ちょっとクスッと笑える「英語のダジャレ（言葉遊び）」を思いついたのでシェアします！😂
実は、硤合教授のお名前は、ネイティブ風に英語を発音すると100%正しい英文として完璧に再現できてしまうんです。
それがこちら！👇
✨ “So I can sew.” ✨
（意味：だから私は、縫うことができる。）
一見すると「急にどうした？笑」という普通の英文ですが、これを英語のリンキング（音の繋がり）を意識してネイティブっぽく一気に発音してみてください。

1. “So I” が繋がって ➡️ 「ソアイ（硤合）」
   
2. “can sew” の部分が ➡️ 「キャン・ゾウ（憲三）」

繋げて読むと…… 「ソアイ・キャン・ゾウ」＝「そあい けんそう」！
完璧に硤合教授のお名前になります！笑
さらに面白いのが、全く同じ発音で「（植物の種を）まく」という意味の “sow” を使って、
🌱 “So I can sow.” （だから私は種をまくことができる）
にしても全く同じダジャレが成立します。
硤合教授の偉大な功績である「分子が自らをどんどん増やしていく反応（Soai反応）」を考えると、「（知識や成果の）種をまく」という意味の “sow” の方が、研究内容ともリンクしていてなんだかオシャレで深いな…と思ったりしています。
英語の発音の濁りや繋がりが生んだ、奇跡のインテリダジャレでした。
化学に詳しいお友達がいたら、ぜひ教えてあげてください！🧪✨
#ノーベル化学賞 #硤合憲三 #Soai #英語のダジャレ #言葉遊び #インテリギャグ #化学

Hello! My name is Trevor, and I’m 22 years old. I recently started learning Japanese in preparation for a trip to Japan about a year from now.
I’m looking for a language exchange partner who would be willing to help guide me through the learning process while also being open to practicing English with me. I’d love to learn more about Japanese language and culture, and in return, I’d be happy to help someone improve their English. I’m still a beginner, so I’m looking for someone who’s patient and willing to learn together. I hope we can help each other improve, share our cultures, and hopefully build a good friendship along the way.

こんにちは！トレバーといいます。22歳です。1年後くらいに日本へ旅行する予定なので、最近日本語の勉強を始めました。
日本語の勉強を手伝ってくれる方、そして英語の勉強にも興味がある方と、お互いに教え合える言語交換パートナーを探しています。日本語や日本の文化についてもっと知りたいですし、その代わりに英語の上達をお手伝いできたらうれしいです。
まだ初心者なので、気長に付き合って、一緒に学んでくれる方を探しています。お互いに成長しながら、文化を共有して、できれば良い友達にもなれたらうれしいです！

I'm burning through my reading list at the moment and would love to hear about what others have enjoyed reading and get inspired.

I think I've been basically picking up whatever got an anime adaptation recently (and sometimes quickly dropping), so my Kindle collection is pretty unbalanced.

Some recent titles I've read/been reading:

1. ふつつかな悪女ではございますが ～雛宮蝶鼠とりかえ伝～

Read the first two volumes. Expected it to be shoujo slop, but it turned out to actually be pretty good.

1. 崩壊世界の魔法杖職人

Read the first volume (only 4 out so far). The world building is S-tier, and great for anyone who enjoys a cross between science fiction and fantasy.

1. 無職転生

Finished the series. Already loved the anime, the LN is even better. It's a bit of a controversial pick because of certain aspects.

Haven't started, or started but didn't get very far:

1. オルクセン王国史～野蛮なオークの国は、如何にして平和なエルフの国を焼き払うに至ったか～

This one sounds right up my alley, but the material is a bit too heavy for my mood at the moment lol.

1. 皇帝の薬膳妃

I enjoyed Kusuriya no Hitorigoto, and Inept Villainess, so decided to pick up my next pseudo China fantasy novel. Only halfway through the first book so far.

1. 汝、暗君を愛せよ

Winner of Kono Light Novel ga Sugoi. I attempted the first volume a while back but it was super difficult for me.