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El Salvador flagBryan
Is it essential to learn and know how to write kanji by hand when learning Japanese? I am currently self-teaching myself Japanese and was wondering if I should focus more on learning how to read kanji than trying to remember how to write each one of them correctly. What I usually do is write down the kanji I encounter in a new word several times on a small whiteboard until I memorize it. This has increased my vocabulary significantly and was wondering if I should stick with this method or not. What are your thoughts on this topic?

Answers · 7

1
Ho, It depends on your goal. If you want to read books or something in Japanese, it's better focusing on learning how to read them. If you like writing kanji, keep on learning how to write them would be better. However, if you want to learn Japanese with the general way, learning how to read, write and how to use them are necessary. In my opinion, if you don't know how to use kanji/words, it's not very useful though you know haw to read, write and the meaning. We learn kanji reading the story in the school though knowing how to read, write and their meaning are needed and we practice and remember them. After all, learning all about kanji would be useful. *Please remember that what I wrote is only my opinion. Espero que te haya ayudado aunque sea solo un poquito. ¡Mucha suerte!
1
I like your idea. A lot of native speakers especially the younger generation don't even know how to write most of complicated kanjis. As long as you can read and understand, I don't think it really matters . If you can write many high level kanjis it's super impressive though. But I think If your focus is on increasing vocabulary, memorizing each one of them perfectly isn't the best way. I would increase vocabulary first and then go to kanjis if it's necessary.
0
Yes, I've previously tried to learn them simply by looking at them but it wasn't effective for me since I would soon forget them. Thanks for your sharing your opinion.
0
I will just share my opinion from experience. Before I started writing kanji, it became impossible for me to remember. Now, the more I write by hand, the more I can recall clearly.

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