5 Best Ways to Remember Kanji: Ditch the Flashcards, Grab a Pen!

By Prachi Ratnakar Jadhav

Learning Japanese? You've probably encountered those beautiful, complex characters called kanji. They can feel overwhelming at first, like mountains of squiggles blocking your path to fluency. But fear not, language learners! There's a simple, powerful tool that unlocks the secrets of kanji: writing them down.

Yes, putting pen to paper may seem old-fashioned, but it's the most effective way to master these characters. Why? Here are 5 reasons:

1.    Build Muscle Memory: It's like learning a dance. As you write each stroke, your hand remembers the rhythm, the flow. This muscle memory becomes your secret weapon, helping you recall the kanji even when your mind goes blank.

2.    Spot the Sneaky Similarities: Kanji can be tricky characters, sometimes masquerading as twins with tiny differences. Those slight twists in a stroke, the addition or absence of a dot, can change everything. But writing comes to the rescue again! As you carefully recreate each stroke, your eye sharpens, noticing the nuances that set these imposters apart. Soon, you'll see through their disguises, recognizing those subtle details that make each kanji unique.

3.    Go Beyond Memorizing: Writing isn't just about cramming characters into your brain. It's about understanding them. As you trace the lines, you see the smaller parts, the building blocks that make up the kanji. This gives you a deeper understanding of its meaning and how it connects to other characters.

4.    Make it Fun! Learning doesn't have to be boring. Turn kanji practice into an art project! Decorate your notes, write poems using kanji, even try calligraphy. The more you enjoy the process, the more your brain will engage, making those kanji stick like glue.

5.    Embrace the Journey: Learning kanji is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be stumbles, forgotten meanings, and moments of frustration. But with every stroke you write, you're building a bridge to fluency. So, celebrate every new kanji you conquer, and remember, the power of that simple pen in your hand is a powerful tool in your journey.

Forget the flashcards, grab a pen, and let's write our way to kanji mastery! Remember, every stroke is a step closer to unlocking the beauty and depth of the Japanese language. Now go forth, language warriors, and conquer those kanji!

(The author is a certified Japanese language trainer with over nine years of experience, having taught over 1000 students. Her journey began with achieving the JLPT N1 certification, leading her to found URJA Japanese Learning and Consulting in 2023. Dedicated to making Japanese language learning accessible, Prachi offers personalized guidance and effective learning strategies.)