One of the biggest challenges in learning Japanese is to balance the many different aspects of studying the language. From memorizing thousands of kanji, to learning sentence structure, to practicing speaking and listening, there are a lot of facets to the language. Becoming fluent requires that you make progress in all of them.

Media can be a great way to combine multiple modes of study. But the best way to learn Japanese is reading.

Let’s dive into why and how reading improves your Japanese.

Reading Goes Hand In Hand With Speaking

Reading and speaking are complementary skills since practicing one of them makes you better at the other.

For instance, reading aloud helps you become accustomed to Japanese pronunciation. Making reading aloud a regular habit pays dividends, as the practice helps you to speak more smoothly and be easier to understand.

On the flip side, speaking practice gives you an idea of which words native Japanese speakers prefer using during conversations; this enables you to differentiate between words commonly found in text and conversational words while you read.

The difference between 買う (かう) and 購入する (こうにゅうする) is a case in point. Both mean “to buy,” but 買う is more conversational, 購入する feeling more like “purchase.”

Understand The Flow Of Japanese Conversations With Dialogue

Reading dialogue is a great way to acquaint yourself with how Japanese people speak in real life.

Native Japanese speakers often don’t complete their sentences and explain every detail because they rely on context. The subject and other parts of the sentence are sometimes omitted, too, so there’s a lot to learn for beginners. Reading dialogue gives you a chance to see examples of natural speech in slow motion, allowing you to get used to how it works at your own pace.

Dialogue also enables readers to comprehend when and how people use keigo (polite form) and tameguchi (casual form).

Japanese people use keigo when communicating with people who are older, have a higher rank, or are strangers. On the other hand, they use tameguchi with people who they know well like friends and family. Reading dialogues that take place in various contexts exposes you to both modes of speech.

Reading Stories Is Fun

Motivation can become a challenge for many when learning Japanese, as the sheer number of kanji characters, vocabulary words, and grammar points to memorize can make it feel like a chore. In contrast, reading engaging stories keeps people eager to learn more, making it a perfect study tool for those who need motivation.

Because stories carry emotional resonance, readers care about what they read. As a result, language learners become invested in the story and are more willing to put in the effort to break down the complex sentences in a story to understand what happens next.

You may be thinking, “This all sounds great, but how do I get access to stories written in Japanese?”

Satori Reader is an app that has over 1,300 episodes of short stories for Japanese students to read. From fantasy to mystery, it offers a wide variety of stories, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Since the definition of each word is embedded directly in the story text, readers don’t have to pull out a dictionary every time they come across new vocabulary. And because the stories feature recordings of native voice actors, it’s a great opportunity for listening and shadowing practice, too.

If you like anime, you may want to consider adding manga to your list of study tools. The pairing of sentences and visuals can give you a deeper understanding of the emotions conveyed. However, when you read manga, keep in mind that manga characters don’t use a lot of keigo and often speak in an exaggerated, overly-dramatic, or coarse way that would not be appropriate for real-life conversations.

Improve Your Vocabulary And Kanji Knowledge

Reading reinforces vocabulary you already know while introducing new words.

When readers encounter a new word in a story and have to look it up, they often encounter the same word later on in the story. It’s akin to using flashcards to review, but it’s built into the actual process of reading.

Also, the words in stories hold emotional weight because they are tied to a story you care about, so they become easier to remember.

Satori Reader helps students learn new words and kanji while reading by enabling readers to add words from stories to a deck of flashcards. Each flashcard includes not only the word selected but also the full sentence in which you originally saw it, so that when you review the flashcard, you also get a chance to understand the context and remember the story, which helps cement the word into your memory.

Learn New Grammar Patterns

Reading allows you to review the grammar patterns you already know, while also exposing you to new grammar patterns you don’t know yet. Exposure to new grammar patterns, even ones you haven’t formally learned yet, prepares you to better understand them when you do study them because you’ve already seen examples of what they look like. And after you do learn a new grammar pattern, seeing it in your reading material feels exhilarating and gives you a chance to review.

Reading clears up confusion around the nuances between similar grammar points, as well. Two grammar patterns that seem to have the same purpose but have slightly different meanings frequently appear in textbooks. For example, 間 (あいだ) and ながら both mean “while,” but they’re not used exactly the same way. Exposure to these types of patterns while reading helps clarify the differences.

Satori Reader’s stories have grammar explanations embedded directly in them, so whenever readers encounter an unfamiliar pattern or complex sentence, they can click on the sentence to read a detailed explanation.

Conclusion

Students should incorporate reading into their study routine as much as they can. It’s the ultimate tool to improve other skills such as speaking, writing, kanji, and vocabulary.

Consistency is key. Read often to build your knowledge, and the words and grammar you expose yourself to will stick over time.

Satori Reader is a great resource for students looking for reading practice. Click the button below to learn more about how Satori Reader works.