Before we talk about any forms or vocabulary, let me just point out something very important: most students who are learning nihongo (Japanese language) will make mistakes.
1. To understand and retain the material, you must practise the same lesson multiple times. You risk forgetting the prior lesson if you don’t and jump right into the next one. Thus, give it lots of practice.
2. Follow the lesson and purchase practice books rather than practicing nihongo at random (by not watching or reading the lesson from the start). If not, learning could seem a little challenging, which would make you less enthusiastic about learning nihongo.
3. Beginning with anime and manga, people attempt to learn nihongo. I advise against it. Japan speaks in formal terms with elders and in plain form, or informal language, with juniors and colleagues. However, manga and anime primarily use simple form. Therefore, I forbid you from using it to learn nihongo.
4. Speaking and listening are valued more in Japan than writing. So, give it some good practice.
5. Having legible handwriting is very important. Make sure to write fairly, then. It will be beneficial to use a pencil rather than a pen.
6. Make an effort to avoid romanji whenever you can.
| Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji | English |
| 私 | わたし | watashi | I |
| 私たち | わたしたち | watashi-tachi | we |
| 貴方 | あなた | anata | you |
| あの人 | あのひと | anohito | that person |
| 皆さん | みなさん | minasan | ladies, gentlemen, everybody |
| 先生 | せんせい | sensei | teacher, instructor (not used when referring to one’s own job) |
| 教師 | きょうし | kyoushi | teacher, instructor |
| 学生 | がくせい | gakusei | student |
| 研修生 | けんしゅうせい | kenshuusei | trainee |
| 会社員 | かいしゃいん | kaishain | company employee |
| 会社 | かいしゃ | kaisha | company |
| 社員 | しゃいん | shain | employee |
| 研究者 | けんきゅうしゃ | kenkyuusha | researcher |
| 大学 | だいがく | daigaku | university |
| 病院 | びょういん | byouin | hospital |
| 電気 | でんき | denki | electricity, electric light |
| -さん | san | Mr. Mrs. Ms. | |
| -ちゃん | -chan | girl child name | |
| 君 | -くん | -kun | boy child name |
| 人 | -じん | -jin | nationality |
| 誰 | だれ (どなた) | dare (donata) | who |
| はい | hai | yes | |
| いいえ | iie | no | |
| 機械 | きかい | kikai | machinery |
| 自動車 | じどうしゃ | jidousha | automotive |
| 専門 | せんもん | senmon | specialty, specialization of study |
| 歳 | -さい (お-いくつ) | -sai (o-ikutsu) | years old |
| 何歳 | なんさい | nansai | how old |
