How to Learn Japanese, How to learn Korean: A Guide on Getting Started and What to Know

How to learn Japanese and Korean, and where do you start? And how to become truly fluent in these languages? This is an introduction to language learning that provides a rough overview of the differences and similarities between Japanese and Korean and aims to help tackle the colossal project of ‘learning languages’ properly. (More on language-specific learning methods in future posts)

Why should you learn languages?

Learning a language offers many benefits, but the most important reason to start learning Japanese or Korean, or even any other language, should be the joy of discovering something new and having fun along the way. It’s like unlocking the secrets of different cultures, especially where English isn’t widely spoken. It’s an adventure with endless possibilities. And while technology and AI are getting smarter, they can’t fully understand the heart of a culture or the subtle things between the lines yet. In the upcoming blog, I’ll share my experiences with learning languages over the past more than 10 years and provide tips to help you on your own study journey. Learning these languages has been both thrilling and eye-opening, and I’m here to guide you on your language exploration! Let’s get started and see what kind of languages Japanese and Korean are!

What do Japanese and Korean have in common?

1. Japanese and Korean are both agglutinative languages, similar to Turkish. This means the verb stem stays the same while the ending of the verb changes depending on factors like time, politeness form, intention, etc.
2. Both languages have been influenced by Chinese. In Japanese, many Chinese characters (Kanji) are still used. While Hanja are rarely used in everyday Korean, many words trace back to Chinese terms.
3. Korean and Japanese words and grammar share strong similarities, making it significantly easier for speakers of one language to learn the other.
4. Both languages have levels of politeness in speech that depend on age and rank.

What are the differences between Japanese and Korean?

Writing

Japanese

Japanese has three different writing systems: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji (Chinese characters). Hiragana and Katakana can be learned in a few weeks. However, to understand the language on a deeper level and be able to read signs on the streets, knowledge of Chinese characters, Kanji, is essential. To read a newspaper, it is said that one should know around 1,500-2,000 characters. That’s a lot and takes a considerable amount of time to learn. However, the sense of accomplishment with each new character and sentence you can eventually read is all the more significant.

(Do you have to learn so many Kanji immediately? To be honest, for the first six months in Japan, I avoided it due to the workload. I still managed well in daily life and learned enough Japanese to communicate. However, I eventually needed Kanji for exams, studying, and the working world, and over time, I became more enthusiastic about it.)

Korean

The Korean writing system, Hangeul, is logically structured and was created to make it as easy as possible for all citizens to learn. While many Korean words are based on “Hanja,” Chinese characters, they are rarely used anymore, and in recent years, they have been taught less and less in Korean schools. Knowledge of Chinese characters can indeed help accelerate the learning process and improve understanding of the language but is not necessary.

Pronunciation

Japanese

If you’re familiar with Hiragana (and Katakana), you know that Japanese is based on a syllabary. While there are double consonants, in general, a vowel follows a consonant. There are a total of 5 vowels (a, i, u, e, o) and 14 consonants (k, s, t, h, m, y, r, w, g, z, d, b, p, n).

Depending on your native language, Japanese pronunciation may not always be easy at the beginning (as a German, I initially struggled with the Japanese “r”), but it’s generally considered simpler than Korean. Japanese is mostly pronounced as it is written, making it more accessible to beginners.

Things to consider in Japanese pronunciation:

• Long and short vowels
  ↳ Example:

• 東京/とうきょう (Toukyou/Tōkyō)
• 旅行/りょこう („Ryokou“＝Travel)

Mixing up short and long vowels can quickly confuse native speakers. Also interestingly, in Korean, there are no long and short vowels. That’s why the Japanese word for “Tōkyō” is pronounced in Korean as “Tokyo” (with short “o”s).

Korean

Due to the Hangeul script, up to four letters can be written in a “block.” For example, the word 닭 (“Dak” = Chicken) consists of the four characters “D,” “a,” “r/l” (not pronounced), and “k.” A “block” (comprising 2-4 characters) corresponds to a syllable.

However, Korean pronunciation is not easy at the beginning. On the one hand, there are many different consonants and vowels that, while similar, are pronounced differently (1). On the other hand, Korean is often spoken differently than it is written. As a result, the pronunciation of the first word may change depending on the following word (2) (I’ll spare you the exact list of the pronunciation of specific letters and combinations here).

↳Example:

• (1) Similar consonants: 방 (“Bang” = Room) vs. 빵 (Bbang, bread)
• (1) Similar vowels: 어서오세요 (“Eoseo-oseyo” = Welcome) → The word contains two “open” o’s (often written as “eo”) and one closed.
• (2) Differently pronounced ending: 옷 (“Ot” = Clothing/clothes) vs. 옷이 (“Osh i” = The clothes are…)

Another difficulty is that sounds like ㄱ and ㅂ, as in the words 고기 (meat), 강남 (Gangnam), or 바람 (wind), are transcribed in the alphabet as “Gogi” = meat, “Gangnam,” and “Baram” = wind. In reality, these characters are pronounced at the beginning of a word not as “G” and “B” but as a mixture of “G+K” and “B+P.” This leads to the words being pronounced more like 고기 (“Kogi”), 강남 (“Kangnam”), and 바람 (“Param”).

Other Differences

• Future Tense:
  • Korean has a future tense, while Japanese typically uses present tense when talking about the future, with the context determining the timeframe (words like “tomorrow,” “next week,” “sometime,” etc., providing context).
• Masculine and Feminine Language:
  • Japanese has”masculine” and “feminine” language. While this distinction is not very significant in business and formal situations, it is more noticeable in everyday life, especially with the different language use between men and women. There are also various nuances within genders.
• Politeness Levels:
  • Both Korean and Japanese have multiple levels of politeness used depending on the situation. In both languages, there are ways to speak respectfully to others and elevate them linguistically. However, Japanese also has a polite form in which the speaker positions themselves lower than the person they are addressing (謙譲語, Kenjōgo), which does not exist in Korean.
• Passive Speech:
  • Korean uses less passive speech than Japanese.
• In-group and Out-group Language:
  • In Japanese, a distinction is made between one’s own circle and everything outside it. This is expressed by the terms 内 (“uchi” = inside) and 外 (“soto” = outside). The inner circle includes family, school, or the workplace, where polite language is used when speaking to someone higher in status. However, outside this circle, polite language is not used when talking about someone from the inner circle. In Korean, polite language is used even when discussing one’s own mother with an outsider. This is not the case in Japanese.
• Swear Words:
  • Korean has more swear words.
• Language Use After High School:
  • In Japan, after high school or during university, informal language is used more quickly, especially if the person is of similar age. In Korea, polite language is often maintained even if the other person is just one year older. (Variations are possible depending on the individual and the relationship.)
    

Should I learn Japanese and Korean at the same time?

In my opinion, it depends on your learning goals. If you aim to pick up a few sentences for travel or to write down and remember words from your favorite series in both languages, you’ll be pleased to discover the similarities between Japanese and Korean.

But if you want to go beyond the basics, it’s better to focus on one language at a time. Even though Japanese and Korean seem similar initially, they have very different cultures. This cultural gap affects how language is used because language and culture go hand in hand. Despite some commonalities in these languages, not just in terms and words but also in emphasis and pronunciation, there are differences to be aware of.

For example, many words in both languages originally come from Chinese, resulting in many verbs being formed with Noun+”do.” The meanings and uses of these words are often similar (1), but in many cases, they can also have different nuances (2).

Example: (1) Similar Terms:

• Korean: 준비 (“Junbi”) + 하다 (“hada”) = (to) prepare
• Japanese: 準備 (“Junbi”) + する (“suru”) = (to) prepare

(2) Different Terms:

• Korean: 실망 (“Shilmang”) + 하다 (“hada”) = To be disappointed
• Japanese: 失望 (“Setsubō”) + する (“suru”) = To lose hope (deep disappointment)
  More natural: がっかり (“Gakkari”) + する (“suru”) = To be disappointed

To learn a language at a higher level, it is necessary to develop a sense of the language, which requires a lot of time, interest and commitment. It is actually similar to building romantic relationships. Even if you can perhaps (maybe secretly? Hmm…) simultaneously manage more than one relationship, you also have to split your ressources like time, attention, and passion if you do so. Thus the relationships you build are less deep.
However, rushing into a commitment without getting to know each language or figuring out your preferences isn’t advisable, right? But while a bit of exploration in the first stages is fine, in the long run, it’s wiser to commit to one language.

Should I learn Japanese or Korean?

Theoretically, there are many logical reasons to choose a language for learning. For example, you might find more learning materials for one language. Or you might choose a language spoken by more people or one that is less commonly known by foreigners. Or perhaps you’d choose the language of a country with a stronger economy. However, these arguments often fall short of sustaining the effort needed to reach a proficient language level compared to people who study a language because they are passionate about it.

Learning a language can be a massive investment of time and energy. It can either feel like an adventure or a dreadful chore. If you’re learning a language for fun, the question on which to choose might be not too difficult. However, for those considering it for academic or career opportunities, more thought might be involved. Should you really just study and persue a language because you like it?

I studied Japanese Studies at university and I remember well how some other majors made fun of language and culture students, that we would all end up as taxi drivers one day. Even we ourselfs were scared and made jokes that we’d all life jobless under a bridge at some point.
What actually happened? In the end, nearly everyone who completed their degree in the field found good jobs. Some ended up working for chambers of commerce, consulates, and international corporations in Germany and abroad. And what we all had in common was our enthusiasm for the language and culture, as well as discipline. Sure, many of us aim to build a career, but probably almost no one would choose cultural science as a major for that purpose. (But I am also aware that a choice like this is easier in a country were there are barely any school fees.)

So, whether you want to learn a language as a hobby, in your academic pursuits, or just to pick up a few phrases for travel, choose something that you enjoy. As long as you set goals and milestones for yourself and approach it with the right motivation, things should generally go well and you might reach places one day, you can’t even imagine now.

How to get started

Learn about the country and culture

• Get to know the country: Explore the cuisine, look up religions and their everyday practices, learn more about geographics and the landscape, politics, cultural rites, whatever you can find. Talk to people if you know some. Get a feeling about the country overall.
  ↳Fun fact: Korea for example is widely known for its music and films but did you know that it has many beautiful beaches and big national parks? Getting to know a country holds up a lot of things to explore.
  
• Discover things about the country that fascinate you and dive deeper into them. Whether it’s movies, music, books, news or any other medium. Ideally, find something fun that brings you in touch with the culture and language and that doesn’t give you a feeling like it’s work. It should more be like a hobby. You love watching dramas or animes? Great, do so! Just don’t forget that Anime Japanese can be different to everyday language and dramas don’t necessarily show the truth of how living in that country is.
  
  

Get to know the language

• Start by getting used to the sound of the language through movies or other media. Write down words that pique your curiosity and try to develop an initial sense. Try to repeat the pronounciation of some words and phrases.
• Learning Japanese or Korean without Hangeul or Hiragana won’t take you far. Learn the characters using apps or practice materials and understand the sounds that make up the language. This can be done in a language course or individually.
• Explore initial vocabulary and grammar using apps like DuoLingo, LingoDeer, or Memrise (which personally helped with videos, albeit being a paid app).
• Download a dictionary app. For easy translation options like DeepL or Papago (for Korean) are good (though not 100% reliable). For a Korean dictionary, Naver Dictionary is recommended, and for Japanese, the German app “Nihongo” works well.

Study goals and Milestones

After developing a sense of the language, it’s advisable to establish clear study goals. The level of detail is something you’ll need to determine based on your preferences. While having well-defined goals is a plus for your learning progress, try to stay flexible and tailor them to your situation. Avoid letting overly ambitious goals and excessively detailed plans demotivate you overshadow the joy of learning.

Define a specific learning goal

Thoughts like “I want to be fluent in this language!” or “I want to be able to speak while traveling” are good starting points, but they’re too broad as study goals. They should prompt you to ask, “What exactly does that mean for me?”.
To narrow it down, explore learning materials online, like websites, videos, or textbooks, to get a grasp of the overall grammar and vocabulary. While getting used to the sound of the language via various media is important, looking at actual study materials will give you very different insights. See what you will get yourself into first. This exploration can guide you eventually to more specific goals, such as “I want to finish book/chapter xx by xx date”, “I want to start language classes to pass level xx” or “I will learn travel vocabulary from book xx to xx and master words related to booking a hotel,” providing clarity to your language learning journey.

Set Milestones

Setting high goals from the beginning is okay, but it is better to break down the goal into several small, flexible milestones. For example, wanting to pass the highest language test is a huge goal. What is needed for that? The study material for all levels of lower-level language tests. How long do others typically take for each language test? How many hours per week should you study for it, and what is realistic? Having a big goal is a high motivator but can also be overwhelming. Try to set as many small milestones as possible and reward yourself for them.

Discipline

Motivation is good, but routine and discipline are better. If you’re learning on your own, consider setting specific times and designated places. Try to create an environment where you can focus.

Study Methods

Language Course vs. Self-Study

Consider enrolling in a language course as well. Personally, a combination of both, attending language classes and studying alone at home or in cafes, works best for me.

Studying alone allows me to delve into the materials at my own pace and I tend to spend hours to take notes and sum up vocab and grammar. Try to explore different apps, textbooks, youtube channels and various other media and methods. Try to find a way to occupy yourself with the language when you are alone.

In class, however, I could deepen my understanding of grammar and vocabulary through conversation exercises and by asking questions to the teachers. Almost everything required for the JLPT and TOPIK, after reaching an intermediate level, I taught myself using study materials. Most of the basics and everything I actually use in university and business, especially speaking and text writing, I learned at class. This doesn’t mean that this method is the most effective for everyone, but I would recommend a combination of both to those who want to see results quickly.

Quantitative and Qualitative Learning

Try to find a balance between qualitative and quantitative goals and learning to make progress while still keeping the fun.

Quantitative Studying

Set realistic times (quantitative) to sit down and study and reward yourself for it, regardless of how much you got done in that time (qualitative). What matters initially is that you’re doing it! Enjoy the small milestones to motivate and reward yourself. Try integrating the language into your life outside the study zone. Order your food in that language at a restaurant or chat with a language buddy, whether online or in person, a few times a week. Try taking small regular steps, such as practicing characters or vocabulary for half an hour every day and build from there. If you don’t have much time and are an auditive study type, listning to lessons and vocab on the train or in your car when driving back from school or work can also help.

Try to talk as much as possible in the language, even if the fear of making mistakes creeps in. Speaking a new language can be intimidating, especially when your vocabulary and grammar are still a work in progress. Yet, even living in that country wouldn’t accelerate your proficiency unless you fully immerse yourself. Consider it this way: speaking and making mistakes are essential steps to improvement. Even if you spend 5 or 50 more hours learning, some things can only be discovered through conversation and errors. Most native speakers are thrilled that you’re learning their language, so there’s really nothing to fear.

Qualitative Studying

Focus on quality during your language learning time. It’s better to learn and remember 5 words well than to struggle with 10 you might forget. Take the time to ask native speakers to write a word for you. Look up words from songs you like. Make sure to check the spelling before sending a message if you’re not sure. Small things like that will make a huge difference in the end.

Look for a “Parent Speaker”

A “Parent Speaker” is a native speaker with whom you can interact and converse in the language. In theory, this could be anyone, but in my opinion, before reaching an advanced level in the language, it’s advantageous to have two types of Parent Speakers.

(1) A teacher, as they know how to effectively communicate a language and comprehend the specific challenges foreigners might face. I had a Korean instructor with over 20 years of experience who could accurately identify when I made errors typical for a German speaker and when I mixed Japanese with Korean grammar. This was immensely helpful for me.

(2) Having a private “Parent Speaker” can also be beneficial. These could be friends, acquaintances, partners, or even colleagues. Private “Parent Speakers” are not teachers and may not catch incorrect expressions and pronunciation. This can be frustrating, but there’s nothing better for your own learning progress. As a beginner, it might be challenging to talk with a Parent Speaker who doesn’t speak another common language. In this case, it’s essential to gather the courage to speak despite errors and uncertainties.

(Find out more in Part 2)

About the Author

Asian languages and the topic language studying has accompanied me for at least10 years. I’ve been learning Japanese for more than 9 years, initially in language courses and then at university. I passed the N1 language proficiency test after several years and started reading novels in Japanese. After completing my studies, I found a job in a large IT company in Tokyo, where I worked full-time in Japanese.
I started learning Korean less than 2 years ago, but with my knowledge of Japanese and learning strategies, I passed the TOPIK 5 after about a year and began working as a translator in Seoul after around 1.5 years. I hope to encourage other language lovers and to share experiences with people all around the world. ♡