Rosetta Stone logo
    • Rosetta Stone logo

    Learn Japanese with Rosetta Stone

    See current deals

    Ever thought about learning Japanese? Whether it’s watching anime without subtitles, chatting with locals in Tokyo, or boosting your career, Japanese opens up a whole new world. Over 120 million people speak it, and with the right approach, you can too.

    Yes, the writing system looks complex. But with the right tools, learning Japanese is more achievable than you think — and surprisingly fun.

    Why learn Japanese?

    People learn Japanese for many reasons, from personal passions, professional opportunities, to cultural immersion.

    Top reasons to learn Japanese

    • Experience Japan fully: Travel confidently and understand signs, menus, and conversations without relying on translations.
    • Enjoy pop culture in the original language: Anime, manga, J-pop, and video games come alive when you experience them as intended.
    • Advance your career: Japan is a leader in tech, manufacturing, and business — Japanese skills give you an edge.
    • Challenge yourself: The unique writing system and structure make Japanese a satisfying intellectual goal.
    • Build connections: Make friends or network with people who speak Japanese around the world.

    Japanese language basics

    Where is Japanese spoken?

    Japanese is the official language of Japan but is also spoken in Japanese communities in the U.S., Brazil, and other countries, making it a truly global language.

    How long does it take to learn Japanese?

    With just 15–20 minutes a day, you can start holding basic conversations in a few months. Mastery takes time, but Rosetta Stone gets you speaking right away — no waiting for “someday.”

    A traveler at a ramen counter in Tokyo.

    Japanese proficiency: from beginner to advanced

    Beginner

    Start with common greetings and practical phrases:

    • Master hiragana (native Japanese words) and katakana (loan words from other languages)

    • Greetings, numbers, and basic questions

    • Building simple sentences with particles like は (wa) and を (o)

    Intermediate

    Expand your confidence:

    • Learn the most common kanji

    • Expand vocabulary for daily life and travel

    • Understand casual vs. polite speech

    Advanced

    Move toward fluency:

    • Refine grammar for natural conversation

    • Read newspapers, blogs, and novels

    • Use honorifics (keigo) in business settings

    Core Japanese skills

    Pronunciation tips

    Japanese pronunciation is consistent and usually easy for English speakers, but there are a few things to watch for:

    • The “r” sound:

    A single flap between “r” and “l”, like in ramen.

    ramen
    • Double consonants:

    Sakka (writer) has a short pause between the consonants — it changes the meaning!

    sakka
    • Pitch accent:

    Some words differ by pitch rather than spelling, but context usually makes meaning clear.

    Three friends shopping at night during a Japanese festival.

    Writing systems explained

    Japanese has three writing systems, often used together:

    • Hiragana for native Japanese words and grammar endings
    • Katakana for foreign words like konpyūta (computer)
    • Kanji for core vocabulary; these characters carry meaning and often multiple readings

    Beginners typically start with hiragana and katakana before learning essential kanji step by step.

    Useful phrases to try today

    • こんにちは (Konnichiwa) = HelloKonnichiwa
    • ありがとう (Arigatou) = Thank youArigatou
    • すみません (Sumimasen) = Excuse me / I’m sorrySumimasen
    • お願いします (Onegaishimasu) = PleaseOnegaishimasu

    Japanese verbs

    Japanese verbs are simpler than they look: they don’t change based on the subject (I, you, they). Instead, verbs change based on tense (past vs. present) and formality (polite vs. casual).

    For example, the verb to eat is:

    • tabemasu = I eat / I will eat (polite)tabemasu
    • tabemashita = I ate (polite)tabemashita
    • taberu = I eat (casual)taberu

    Start with common verbs like arimasu (to have), ikimasu (to go), and mimasu (to see). Mastering verb endings is the key to building sentences quickly.

    Nouns and articles

    Unlike Spanish or English, Japanese nouns don’t have gender or plural endings, and there’s no equivalent to “a” or “the.”

    For example:

    • hon = book (hon can mean “a book” or “the book” depending on context)
    • hon-tachi = books (adding -tachi sometimes shows plural, but it’s optional and not always used)

    This makes Japanese nouns easier in some ways — you don’t have to memorize genders or article forms, just the word itself.

    Regional variations

    Most Japanese learners start with Standard Japanese (Hyojungo), based on the Tokyo dialect. But across Japan, there are regional dialects (hōgen) with unique vocabulary, accents, and grammar.

    Examples include:

    • Kansai-ben (Osaka, Kyoto):

      Famous for its friendly tone, different vocabulary, and unique expressions like ookini (thanks).

    • Hokkaido-ben:

      Influenced by the indigenous Ainu language, with some words unique to the region.

    • Okinawan Japanese:

      Has its own distinct roots and sounds.

    All dialects are mutually understandable, but learning a few local expressions can make travel more fun and personal.

    Best ways to learn Japanese

    • Online: Study anytime with Rosetta Stone on desktop or mobile. Sign up now!
    • Classroom learning: Structured lessons with teachers and peers.
    • Private tutoring: Get 1-on-1 support tailored to your goals. The best source for Japanese tutors is Wyzant.
    • Language exchange: Chat with native speakers over video or in person.
    • Immersion: Visit Japan for real-world practice and cultural experiences.

    Media and tools to support learning

    • Books: Begin with children’s books or adapted short stories.
    • Music & podcasts: Listen to Japanese songs or learner-friendly podcasts.
    • TV & films: Watch with Japanese subtitles to improve comprehension and vocabulary.
    • Quick assessments: Use Emmersion to take a short speaking or writing test and measure your progress over time.

    Learn Japanese with Rosetta Stone

    Rosetta Stone’s award-winning program is built to get you speaking Japanese naturally and confidently:

    Real-world speaking practice

    Voice recognition helps fine-tune your pronunciation.

    Clear grammar support

    Learn structure without memorizing endless rules.

    Smart review

    Spaced repetition helps reinforce what you’ve learned.

    Cultural insights

    Understand how Japanese is used around the world.

    A young man converses with older shopkeepers at a Japanese open-air market.

    Take the first step

    Rosetta Stone offers a free first lesson so you can start right away. Whether you're learning Japanese for work, school, travel, or personal growth — Rosetta Stone will guide you every step of the way.

    Get started

    What’s included with your subscription

    Achieve fluency faster with Rosetta Stone’s expert-designed Dynamic Immersion courses.

    Perfect your accent with TruAccent speech recognition technology and sound like a native speaker.

    Access to Rosetta Stone on web or mobile—learn anytime, anywhere!

    What our customers are saying

    Customer photo for review of Rosetta Stone.

    I absolutely love the approach that Rosetta Stone utilizes. It feels like a natural and fun way to learn a new language. I also appreciate that I’m able to squeeze lessons in when I only have 10 minutes… and it’s a more productive and enjoyable activity than getting sucked into online scrolling just to distract myself. Why not learn a new language instead?

    - Turner
    Customer photo for review of Rosetta Stone.

    I have been using Rosetta Stone for over 30 years. By far, this is the best application for language learning. There are no language crutches, only immersion. You learn in a natural way and move forward quickly. Apps with games are fun, but you learn more slowly, and you are always “translating,” not immersing. Rosetta Stone makes language learning interesting and efficient.

    - Graham