Japanese is a language rich with nuance, and reading it proficiently involves more than just recognising characters and words. The resources and content I put out via this website and Youtube tries to focus on one thing: authentic materials and content from real Japanese speakers so that you input better and thus output better.
Many learners make common mistakes. Understanding these pitfalls and knowing how to avoid them can make a significant difference in your skills. This blog post dives into some common mistakes in Japanese reading and provides practical tips to help you navigate them effectively.
1. Confusing Similar Kanji Characters
Mistake: Japanese kanji can be visually similar but have different meanings and pronunciations. For instance, the kanji for “tree” (木) and “wood” (材).
Tip: Focus on understanding the radical components (if you don’t understand what I mean, you need to click that link) and meanings of similar kanji.
For example, the kanji 木 (tree) and 材 (material) both contain the radical 木 (tree), but 材 has additional components suggesting a different meaning. Practice by writing these kanji repeatedly and using mnemonic devices. For instance, remember that 木 is a basic tree, while 材 refers to material from a tree. Using flashcards with example sentences can also reinforce the correct usage.
Kanji textbooks and websites like kanjidamage.com are amazing for this, and many JLPT textbooks for kanji will test you very thoroughly on these points. Here are some examples to consider:
- 未 (み – Not Yet) vs. 末 (すえ – End)
- 水 (みず – Water) vs. 氷 (こおり – Ice)
- 時 (とき – Time) vs. 待つ (まつ – Wait) vs. 持つ (もつ – Hold)
2. Misinterpreting Particle Usage
Mistake: Misusing particles like は , が , and を can lead to confusion. For example, mixing up は and が often confuses learners.
Asking why these particles are different is not helpful. Asking most native speakers how they are different is similarly not helpful, as the differences between them are innately understood by native speakers and so they will find it hard to explain.
Tae Kim’s explanations for particles are quite good, and if you want to get better at particles, you have to think of them the right way. It is important to consider what particles are for and what role they serve. As you get deeper into Japanese, you’ll find additional meanings, usages and functions, but really it comes down to one thing: particles show the grammatical relationship between words.
3. Overlooking Kanji Readings
Mistake: Many learners struggle with kanji readings because kanji often have multiple readings: おんよみand くんよみ. I go through this in my kanji post linked above under point 1.
Tip: Focus on the readings in context rather than memorising them in isolation. When you encounter a kanji, read the entire word or phrase to understand its correct pronunciation. Use tools like rikaichan to check readings when you’re unsure.
5. Misunderstanding Homophones
Mistake: Japanese has many homophones—words that sound the same but have different meanings. For example, the words “神” (kami – god) and “紙” (kami – paper) are written the same – かみ – but pronounced differently.
Tip: This becomes a major problem as you progress through Japanese (well, I struggle with it) and people that have backgrounds in languages that encourage more careful management of tones / pronunciation like Chinese, Thai, Korean and others tend to do better in this regard.
Books on Japanese tones and learning to read the tone maps / pronunciation guides in dictionaries can help with this, alongside the AJATT methods of recording yourself saying Japanese phrases that you obtained from Japanese media.
7. Neglecting Sentence Structure
Mistake: Focusing solely on individual words without understanding sentence structure ie ignoring grammar is one of the most common ‘shortcuts’ that JSLers use and it always leads to disaster. Trying to speak/understand Japanese just by cramming words is like trying to a powerful car without any driving experience just because you filled it up with premium fuel.
Tip: Try and equally load your study time between content consumption, book learning and conversations with native speakers. Balance your book learning around word lists, focused kanji practice and grammar lessons.
9. Over-relying on Translation Tools
Mistake: Relying too heavily on translation tools can lead to superficial understanding and neglect of nuance. For example, machine translations may miss idiomatic expressions or subtle meanings.
Tip: Use translation tools as a supplementary aid, not a crutch. After getting a basic translation, try to understand the text on your own. Analyse phrases and words in context, and compare the translation with your understanding. Engage with native materials and practice reading without immediate translation to improve comprehension.
Conclusion
Improving your Japanese reading skills involves more than just recognising characters. By addressing specific mistakes—such as confusing similar kanji, misinterpreting particles, overlooking readings, and understanding homophones—you can enhance your comprehension and reading ability.
Focus on contextual learning, practice consistently, and engage with authentic Japanese materials. With these targeted strategies, you’ll be well on your way to reading Japanese more effectively and with greater confidence.
Happy reading!
