20/09/2025
What my daily Japanese study routine looks like (as a busy learner)
I don’t have hours every day to study Japanese, so I try to keep things simple and steady. My goal is to learn a little every day, even if it's just 15-30 minutes. Here's what my usual routine looks like:
Morning: I open my flashcards or review app right after waking up. It helps me remember better because my mind is still fresh. Usually, I check about 20-30 words I studied the day before. Sometimes, I also listen to a short Japanese podcast while getting ready.
During lunch or break time: This is where I use the MochiKanji app. I like that it doesn't just test me randomly, it knows which words I forget often and helps me focus on them more. The images are cute and fun, and the review system is smart. It also shows how much I’ve remembered and what I still need to work on. Even when I only have 10 minutes, I can feel like I’m learning something. I’ve been using it to review N3 words, and I feel much more confident now when reading short Japanese texts.
Evening: At night, I spend around 20 minutes reading short passages. If I find a grammar point I don’t understand, I write it down and look it up. I also try to make my own sentence with it so I remember it better. Sometimes, I re-read old notes or check example sentences online.
Weekend: On weekends, I watch Japanese shows or YouTube videos with Japanese subtitles. I pause and repeat some phrases out loud to practice speaking. I also like writing short diary entries in Japanese and asking a friend to check them.
Being busy doesn’t mean we can’t learn a language. I just try to do something small every day, even 10 words for each topic per day (like this Pin post). It really adds up over time.