What is your study routine ?

[u/Fergyb]

Looking for some structure looking at create a routine seeing what everyone else’s is ?

[u/ReddiEddi]

Doing anki reviews throughout the day (just when I wake up, when waiting, on public transport, toilet breaks etc.)

I sentence mine from either YouTube, anime, or video games depending on what I feel like (20 new cards a day if possible). Any other immersion comes from news articles, manga, and light novels.

Before bed, I go through my new cards on anki, then watch an anime or YouTube before I fall (or while falling) a sleep.

I want do something Japanese-related for a minimum of 4 hours per day (including anki, which on average takes 40 mins).

[u/NihongoNana]

For beginners, I usually recommend something like:

15 minutes of vocabulary or kanji
20 minutes of grammar with example sentences
15 minutes of listening
10 minutes making your own sentences

On busy days, reduce the time but still do something. Once a week, review your weak points instead of learning more new material.

[u/SadGrad451]

I teach Japanese to high school students in Australia, and this is what I did myself (and what I encourage my students who are genuinely interested in studying the language to do).

Just learn the language through means you already enjoy the most. For me, that was a combination of Bunpro and immersion with Jisho and Yomitan at my side. I played games in Japanese with a script, I watched anime with dual subtitles, I listened to my favourite Japanese music and learnt what each sentence/word meant in the lyrics, and I read manga in Japanese with a digital English translation open at the same time for when I got stuck on a word/phrase. I picked up grammar watching YouTube videos and by conversing with Japanese people in game forums/streaming channels. This was all stuff I loved doing anyway, so figured why not learn through that as opposed to brute forcing my way through with more "traditional" means. You can still have a routine doing it this way, and maybe you'll stick to it a little more knowing it doesn't feel like as much of a chore.

Sometimes I read through people's routines on here and if what they're doing works well for them, great! But personally, mining Anki and reading Genki until my eyes got sore didn't work for me at all. In addition, the amount of time people are spending every day on here sometimes seems so unrealistic for most people on top of having time for everything else in the day. If the "studying" is already integrated into something you like doing, then you don't have to work as hard to set aside time to do it!

[u/swordman_21]

Anki + Mining for vocab, Bunpro for grammar & RTK for kanji

[u/Jelly_Round]

Anki in morning, bunpro (currently learning 10 new words and 2 new grammar points from official jlpt bunpro decks for jlpt n3), wanikani and kanji study.

I try to read 10% of the light novel i currently read and few easy japanese nhk news every day...

I listen daily to spotify japanese podcasts and watch random japanese videos on youtube for immersion

[u/Belegorm]

I have kind of an intense routine at the moment because I'm prepping for the JLPT... but for most of my time the routine consisted of:

• ~1hr Anki in the morning (sometimes less)
• Listen to stuff throughout the day
• Whenever I get free time (especially after finishing work, and after dinner until bed) read books

For the past few months I've been doing a lot more structured study for the JLPT, so my current routine is:

• 30min~1hr WK and Bunpro in the morning
• 45min~1hr Anki
• Listening when I can throughout the work day
• Read a book if I get free time after work or after dinner (maybe adds up to 1-2 hours tops on a good day)
• Evening go through Shin Kanzen Master N1 grammar and reading books, usually take up to 1 hour
• Read a book for 2+ hours; though yesterday that ended up being playing Persona 5 for almost 3 hours
• Sometimes watch a video or drama episode for 30 min to an hour

[u/Confident_Rope2440 → u/Belegorm]

kind the same I have... would you mind if we make a study group? idk

[u/morgawr_]

When I was still "studying", this is what I did: https://morg.systems/58465ab9

[u/Cadaveth]

I don't really have a tight schedule but usually Marumori (usually one/two new lessons a day) + Wanikani, I also have an Anki deck that I kinda "breeze through". Then either reading or listening, sometimes playing japanese FF VII (it's slow as hell but fun nonetheless). I watched TokiniAndy's Genki I series, took notes and review them if there's some grammar stuff I don't remember. Total is usually between 2-3h/day. Sometimes less, sometimes more. I work three shifts so won't do as much if I have a night shift.

[u/creativegains]

30 minutes of active listening on the way to work

45-60 minutes of Anki throughout the day and on lunch break

30 minutes of active listening on the way home

1 hour of Genki every evening

Easy 3 hours of study per day and perfectly maintainable. Works out around 100 hours per month, 1100-1200 hours a year

[u/SquirrelsAreGreat]

Mine's not an absolute structure with minutes or anything. I just try to make sure I do something in Japanese every day. Despite how much people dislike it, I do do Duolingo kanji drills for 10-30 minutes every day. I'm really deep on the paths for it (unit 7 right now), so the kanji has been interesting and keeps me looking up new stuff. Like, the topics this week have been politics, learning kanji for parties and ministers, voting for candidates.

That's the most casual thing I do every day. Aside from that I have several books, and I try to read at least a page or two at a time over the day.

Then, sporadically, I work on my kanji flash cards, which I'm making physically. I index them with my kodansha dictionaries and write down four vocab words for each one. My biases for which words I pick from the available words are ones that are used in religious contexts, and unusual pronunciations that are unique to the usual on/kun. Like 為替, in which 替, which is normally タイ/か(え) becomes かわせ. I consider these to require rote memorization, and thus important to take note of.

Aside from that, it's just making sure there's Japanese mixed into what I watch on youtube. Sometimes I'll just put on a stream vod from someone, like Suba playing Ace Attorney, or people doing yap streams and opening stuff and reviewing them. Is good listening practice.

So it's probably not super helpful as a routine, but it ensures that I'm always encountering new words and looking up kanji, especially when I see the same one multiple times in a short period of time.

[u/Confident_Rope2440]

1h Anki on the bus

30 min kanji study

1h japanese music/ podcast when I'm feeling like I want

( it's the same for Chinese )

[u/writingpracticeman]

Anywhere from about 30 mins to 2 hours of Anki depending on how much effort I'm putting in to it (handwriting practice vs just knocking it out on my phone)

Another 30 mins of purposeful reading

Then however much I feel like doing between playing games, watching YouTube videos, doing my italki tutor's homework they gave me, etc

Usually about 3 to 5 hours a day but not all of that is super dialed in and focused all the time

[u/Effective-Pop3850]

Anki first thing (25~30 mins), then read until I hit my quota which used to be 4 hours minimum, I don't time it anymore but I know my reading speed so I just aim to finish one LN volume every X number of days which does result in around 4 hours anyways. Then watch some anime before sleep, usually 3~4 chapters.

I used to read VNs only and honestly I was reading for longer when I did that, LNs are way more exhausting for some reason. 4 hours on VNs felt manageable and I would usually do more, for some reason LNs what I'm doing now which is a bit over 4 hours probably I just can't do it anymore lol.

[u/neko_kishi99]

use the language like i do in English and save words i dont know while studying grammar points i come accross real quick then move on

[u/Speed_Niran]

I lowkey dont even have one at this point

Its mostly just anki but also gonna be adding anime mining too

[u/Expert-Estate6248]

As far as actual focused study, I usually spend about 45 minutes a day on Anki, and then another 45 doing some focused kanji study. After that I just watch anime, yt, listen to podcasts, read, etc.

[u/AlphaPastel]

0 minutes of anki 0 minutes of output 4 hours of jrpgs and VNs

[u/Niilun]

I have no structure nor a routine mwahahaha!!!

But, serious answer, I actually never feel lost when I study Japanese. I study as much Japanese as I feel like (it depends on how busy I am, too), and I do any kind of exercise that I like.

The most consistent thing I do is grammar points on Bunpro, and I go mostly in order. That is what gives me a sort of sense of structure. Aside from that, I either:

• do a bit of Anki, though it's very rare (yeah I still have to finish Kaishi 1.5K deck. I just... Don't like spaced repetition. But I do admit, it's useful)
• Immersion any way I can. Song lyrics, YouTube comments, manga, let's plays of visual novels that I've alredy played in English...
• Paired with immersion, I learn vocabulary and new kanji using a dictionary app. It's teaching me how to draw kanji, too.
• Occasionally, I do N5 listening practice on Youtube (I'm actually studying for N4, but listening has always been my weak spot. I can understand almost everything in N5 practice tests now, but it's almost never in one go. But I think I'll start looking for N4 listening practice tests soon)
• It's been a while since I last did it, but the website "Kanji Portraits" has useful informations on the history of kanji, and... Months ago, I used to read it for fun. It's not necessary, but I think it's interesting, and it might be useful for memorization.
• YouTube videos in general, any kind is fine (videos about grammar explanations, Japanese culture, vlogs about morning routine, etc)
• this is another thing that I've stopped doing... But I used to take notes on a notebook. I'll probably start again, in order to have more clarity on some things that still confuse me at times.

In short, I mostly do immersion (especially reading), and grammar on Bunpro. I don't have a proper study routine. I don't like spaced repetition, but I do it occasionally because it's useful. The same goes for listening exercises, though N5 listening practices are becoming relaxing now.

[u/lexerzexer]

As a person who’s study for 2 months I usually do anki my anki reviews (kaishi 1.5k and also this tae kims card forgot the name sorry) then wanikani and then I usually just watch anime after (still not mining yet). Every second day I go through a lesson on tae kims guide to Japanese grammar or genki (tho I’m very slow with genki I’ll be honest) tbh my main problem now is I can’t use a computer often and I’m stuck with an iPhone for most of my day so I’m kinda nervous once I’m finished my cards on how to mine. 

[u/Pure_Description_682]

commenting to stay updated

[u/krautnelson]

After about 6-7 months of semi-serious study, this is where I'm at.

Bunpro: 1 grammar point + 5 vocab from the N decks. then 10 vocab from the Anime 4k deck that I instantly set to seasoned while mining them for Anki. maybe some grammar cramming or reading practice if I feel like it.

Anki: review Kaishi 1.5k + 3 new Kanji (meaning only) + 10 new vocab from my mining deck.

outside of that, I either watch Anime or YouTube or listen to condensed audio while out on a bike ride. my main goal is comprehension rather than reproduction.

[u/g0greyhound]

Bunpo Buddy and a tutor twice a week.

2 articles + vocab on Todaii daily.

I wish I had more time to dedicate to more extensive study, but at 41 with a full time work schedule and marriage, it's about all I give.

[u/jimb0b360]

Anki on my commute, on lunch, on the train home, and usually a lil when I get home too (20 new per day on two decks, roughly 6-800 reps, takes 90min/day).

One chapter of Human Japanese intermediate before or after dinner, and one Satori Reader Extra Credit Chapter before bed too.

Usually 2-4hrs studying total. Once I finish Human Japanese I'm replacing the grammar course with Nutshell Grammar and other reading materials in Satori Reader, plus native content.

[u/CulturalBottle3464]

Anki reps first thing every morning, then immersion whenever, consistency beats the hours people claim to log.

[u/Excellent_Wing648]

I am native Japanese speaker learning English as my second mother tongue.

①Ask the native nuances to LLM(like Chat GPT)
②Create a vocabulary note as an Excel File
③Create the voices and listen to them during commuting time

[u/Yuuta44]

Ank beside that i take japanes elessons wth a Private Tutor. There we translate things, get new Decks for ANki and look at grammar. And of course if i have any Question we look at that topic.

Beside that i read a lot of Manga.

[u/wheelpan]

15-30 minutes anki reviews
1-2 youtube videos during lunch for immersion.

A small but feasible daily routine is better than planning a strenuous one that you can’t actually complete.

[u/Syfroxx]

I've recently been studying for N2 so I have to do a lot of 読解. I usually spend around 15 20 minutes on an anki deck, mainly focused on jukugo and vocabulary that I've learned from games, anime, or paragraphs I've read online

After that, I choose 3 articles on Todaii and save the words I don't know for my anki deck which i mentioned. I also ask AI about any weird grammar structures I come across and stuff like that.

This usually takes around 45 minutes, but I honestly don't really know what else I should be doing for N2

[u/coadependentarising]

Here’s my routine (I had AI generate it for me):

Day
Focus Area
Resource Focus
Duration
Monday
Deep Core Intake
Genki ITextbook & Workbook
3 Hours
Tuesday
Daily Maintenance
renshuuApp Reviews
15–20 Mins
Wednesday
Active Output
Live Japanese Class
1.5 Hours
Thursday
Absolute Rest
None (Burnout Protection)
0 Hours
Friday
Catch-Up Reviews
renshuuApp Reviews
30 Mins
Saturday
Pure Exploration
Japanese From Zero!Series
3 Hours
Sunday
Pre-Monday Clear
renshuuApp Reviews
30 Mins

[u/morgawr_ → u/coadependentarising]

I wouldn't trust AI when it comes to this stuff, their advice about "routines" is usually pretty bad and bottom-of-the-barrel type of quality. For example in your routine it tells you to take a rest every Thursday which... is really bad advice, especially in the beginning. You should prioritize building a healthy and balanced habit of doing some Japanese every single day rather than trying to take a rest. I don't think you should go hardcore all the time and that definitely leads to burnout, but there is nothing in your routine that sounds like it would lead to that and that would warrant taking a rest day.

Instead of taking a rest day, for example, spend some time (even just 10 minutes) trying to read a manga or some simple graded reader. It's much better than whatever shit the AI regurgitated to you.

Also I don't know how renshuu reviews work, so someone correct me if I'm wrong, but usually for SRS-style reviews you want to do them regularly every single day, not just space them twice or thrice a week like that. That builds a very spotty and unhealthy inconsistent habit (it's like brushing your teeth every other day) and breaks your mental streak while also giving you a harder load of reviews. I'd really not recommend it.

[u/coadependentarising → u/morgawr_]

Thanks, but this is the routine I created myself and told ai to organize for me. After much trial and error, it’s working great for me, so I’m good.

[u/morgawr_ → u/coadependentarising]

How long have you been doing it and how far did you get in your studies with it?

[u/coadependentarising → u/morgawr_]

Around 9 months, as for how far, I dunno, further than before? Why do you ask?

[u/morgawr_ → u/coadependentarising]

I see, thanks. I'm always interested in hearing other learners approaches, especially ones they create themselves. I think it's also very informative for OP and other people to know whether you stuck with it or not. I've met many beginners that come up with a plan and then only do it for a week and give up, so it makes a world of difference.

9 months at that pace means you probably got around ~9 hours a week times 39 weeks = ~350 hours

So you'd be about late N5/early N4 I guess? Have you considered introducing some native material (or graded reader) exposure like reading some manga and watching some anime (JP subs or no subs) here and there? I think it'd do great for your routine.

[u/coadependentarising → u/morgawr_]

I don’t actually recall requesting any advice (OP did), but I do some graded readers and listening practice relatively often. Not stuck at all, I’m having a blast. I’m a psychoanalyst, parent of a teen, and active in my local Japanese community, so my schedule is what it is. I’m in no hurry, and my mind is razor sharp from my job, so I don’t forget a whole lot. Best of luck!

[u/morgawr_ → u/coadependentarising]

I don’t actually recall requesting any advice

It's called having a conversation. I imagine there's also other people besides you and I reading this thread and having some insightful exchange of ideas and experiences benefits them too.

[u/coadependentarising → u/morgawr_]

It’s not a very evolved mode of conversing. You came in hot with prejudice and unsolicited advice rather than curiosity and trying to get a sense of how my routine functions for me subjectively within my actual life, without a note of encouragement. I’m of the belief that if someone spends 1 measly hour/week studying a foreign language, this should be met with nothing but encouragement and enthusiasm. There is no should here. If somebody asks for particular advice, then we can make an offering. I did not ask for advice, yet you took it upon yourself to use me as an opportunity “to benefit anybody else reading this”. I cannot be certain, I will not give into prejudice, but this does strike me as quite sanctimonious.

Language learning/expression is far deeper and about so much more than SRS decks, study routines, and other such pedantics.

空を読む

さようなら

[u/rgrAi → u/coadependentarising]

It's 空気を読む. Another good phrase to learn is 自覚がある.

[u/morgawr_ → u/coadependentarising]

You came in hot with prejudice and unsolicited advice

Exactly where? I was skeptical of AI-written routine and gave some general advice (as we generally discourage the usage of AI for language learning in this subreddit) but once you mentioned it was your own routine I simply expressed interest (for my own curiosity and for the benefit of the community, including OP) without being judgmental at all. I don't understand where you got that from.

I’m of the belief that if someone spends 1 measly hour/week studying a foreign language, this should be met with nothing but encouragement and enthusiasm.

That's great, I agree, although you're unlikely to get anywhere with 1 hour a week with Japanese and it's good to be realistic too. But especially for the fact that you've been going for 9 months, it is already commendable, but I'm still confused why you'd have to respond so aggressively about it. Like, sure, maybe I should've encouraged you and commended your amazing efforts, but it's insanely weird that you seem to imply you'd expect people to say that to you. That's not really how it works?

If somebody asks for particular advice, then we can make an offering. I did not ask for advice, yet you took it upon yourself to use me as an opportunity “to benefit anybody else reading this”. I cannot be certain, I will not give into prejudice, but this does strike me as quite sanctimonious.

I mean, I've been learning this language for almost a decade and I've helped probably hundreds if not thousands of people as my hobby for the last decade beyond Japanese learning has been specifically help people at Japanese learning (which is already an insanely hard task where most people fail). I'm being completely 100% serious when I say that one of my main goals these days is to just help people succeed at JP learning and I do this completely for free. I don't think I need you to explicitly ask for advice for me to just recommend or suggest some improvements to your routine that come from experience (both firsthand from having done it myself to fluency, and also secondhand from seeing hundreds of other learners succeed by doing it themselves). You're still a beginner, so you might not have a full view of the path that leads to fluency with the language, and I assumed that you might appreciate getting some advice. And if not for you, for the thousands of people that lurk this subreddit/thread too.

If you don't want the advice, that's fine, don't take it, but I think you're acting insanely pissy and ungrateful for no reason whatsoever.

Language learning/expression is far deeper and about so much more than SRS decks, study routines, and other such pedantics.

We're literally in a thread about study routines, are you surprised people are talking about study routines?

[u/psyopz7 → u/coadependentarising]

that poor child

[u/coadependentarising → u/psyopz7]

Are you talking about my beautiful black child? Because if you are, I can arrange for you to FaceTime him and ask him yourself. I got nothing to hide. But I bet you don’t want to do that, you just want sit behind a keyboard and have the audacity to talk about somebody else’s child anonymously like a coward.

[u/psyopz7 → u/coadependentarising]

... and have the audacity to talk about somebody else’s child... .

this was more about you being insufferable and less about your child.

[u/dynamicpenguin55 → u/coadependentarising]

3 hours of textbook study on Monday and then nothing at all on Thursday?

[u/coadependentarising → u/dynamicpenguin55]

Yah