Study roadmap

Your path to Japanese

日本語への道

Six stages from your first hiragana to advanced JLPT N1 — with honest time estimates, what you will be able to do at each step, and where to practise it.

Where are you now?

Six stages, one path

Each stage shows what the JLPT expects, what you will be able to do, and where to practise it in the app. Tick the can-do statements as you reach them — your progress stays on this device.

  1. かな

    Stage 1 of 6 · 仮名

    First Steps

    Learn to read the scripts

    Before N5: learn both kana syllabaries so every later lesson can use real Japanese script instead of romaji.

    Study hours
    15–30 h
    Cumulative from zero
    CEFR
    —
    Before the JLPT

    Can-do checklist

    0 of 4
  2. N5

    Stage 2 of 6 · 入門

    Survival Basics

    Build your first sentences

    Understands some basic Japanese: can read set phrases and sentences in kana and basic kanji, and catch key information in short, slow conversations about everyday topics.

    Study hours
    325–600 h
    Cumulative from zero
    Kanji
    ≈ 100
    Words
    ≈ 800
    CEFR
    A1
    Pass mark 80 / 180

    Can-do checklist

    0 of 4
  3. N4

    Stage 3 of 6 · 初級

    Everyday Foundations

    Handle daily life

    Understands basic Japanese: can read passages on familiar daily topics written with basic vocabulary and kanji, and mostly follow everyday conversations spoken slowly.

    Study hours
    575–1,000 h
    Cumulative from zero
    Kanji
    ≈ 300
    Words
    ≈ 1,500
    CEFR
    A2
    Pass mark 90 / 180

    Can-do checklist

    0 of 4
  4. N3

    Stage 4 of 6 · 中級

    The Bridge

    From textbook to real Japanese

    Understands everyday Japanese to a certain degree: can read concrete texts on everyday topics, grasp the gist of headlines, and follow near-natural-speed conversations in daily situations.

    Study hours
    950–1,700 h
    Cumulative from zero
    Kanji
    ≈ 650
    Words
    ≈ 3,750
    CEFR
    A2–B1
    Pass mark 95 / 180

    Can-do checklist

    0 of 4
  5. N2

    Stage 5 of 6 · 中上級

    Real-World Japanese

    Work, news and study

    Understands everyday Japanese and, to a certain degree, Japanese in a wider range of situations: can read clearly written articles and commentary, and follow news and conversations at natural speed.

    Study hours
    1,600–2,800 h
    Cumulative from zero
    Kanji
    ≈ 1,000
    Words
    ≈ 6,000
    CEFR
    B1–B2
    Pass mark 90 / 180

    Can-do checklist

    0 of 4
  6. N1

    Stage 6 of 6 · 上級

    Advanced Mastery

    Nuance across every topic

    Understands Japanese used in a wide variety of circumstances: can read logically complex, abstract writing such as editorials and critiques, and follow lectures and news in detail, including the speaker's intent.

    Study hours
    3,000–4,800 h
    Cumulative from zero
    Kanji
    ≈ 2,000
    Words
    ≈ 10,000
    CEFR
    B2–C1
    Pass mark 100 / 180

    Can-do checklist

    0 of 4

Daily routine

The daily loop

Progress comes from a small loop repeated every day, not from occasional marathons. Four steps, in this order:

  1. 復習

    Review

    Clear your due flashcards first — spaced repetition knows what you are about to forget.

    Open

  2. 学習

    Learn

    Add one small piece of new material: a book section, or a few new words in context.

    Open

  3. 多読・多聴

    Immerse

    Read or listen to something at your level where you understand most of it.

    Open

  4. 発信

    Use it

    Say or write a few sentences with what you learned — even to an AI partner.

    Open

About the JLPT

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test is the most widely recognised Japanese certificate. A few facts worth knowing before you plan around it:

Try a JLPT mock test

  • Reading and listening only

    There is no speaking or writing section. A pass shows comprehension, not conversation.

  • Twice a year

    Held in July and December in Japan and many other countries; some cities offer only one session.

  • Two ways to fail

    You need the overall pass mark and a minimum score in every section — a strong total cannot rescue a weak section.

  • CEFR on your results

    From December 2025, score reports show a reference CEFR level (A1–C1) based on your total score.

  • No official lists

    Kanji and vocabulary counts are community estimates; the test has not published official lists since 2010.

Principles that keep you moving

  • Little and often

    15–20 minutes every day beats one long session a week.

  • Sentences over lists

    Learn words and grammar inside real sentences, with audio.

  • Tolerate ambiguity

    You will not understand everything. Keep reading — recognition catches up.

  • Speak early

    Output reveals gaps that reading never will. Start before you feel ready.

Common questions

How long does it take to become fluent?

There is no single finish line. Survey data puts N2 — a common benchmark for working in Japanese — at roughly 1,600–2,800 hours without a kanji background. Consistency matters more than intensity.

Do I need to take the JLPT?

No. It is useful for jobs, visas and universities, and as a milestone that keeps you honest. It tests only reading and listening, so balance it with speaking practice.

When should I start kanji?

Right after kana. Learn kanji through the words that use them rather than as isolated characters — a few new ones a day adds up quickly.

Can I skip kana and just use romaji?

Not for long. Romaji hides details such as long vowels and small っ, and every real text is written in kana and kanji. Most learners can read hiragana within one or two weeks.

Ready for the next step?

頑張ってね — start with the beginner guide, or jump straight into the Study Book.

Beginner guideStudy Book
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