Learn Japanese: Idioms, Proverbs & Kanji

Free, beginner-friendly guides to the parts of Japanese that make you sound natural — idioms, proverbs, four-character compounds, loanwords and kanji study. Every guide pairs the Japanese with English explanations, and links to a free quiz built from real Japanese junior-high entrance exams.

Yojijukugo: 50 Four-Character Idioms

What yojijukugo are and 50 common ones with readings and meanings — from 一生懸命 to 七転八起.

Japanese Proverbs (Kotowaza): 40 Common Ones

Folk-wisdom sayings with their literal meaning and the closest English equivalent.

Japanese Idioms (Kanyōku): Body-Part Expressions

Idioms organised by body part — eyes, mouth, hands, feet — the easy way to remember them.

Katakana Loanwords (Gairaigo)

50 common loanwords, the false friends that fool English speakers, and "Japanese-made English."

How to Study Kanji: 7 Methods That Work

Radicals, readings, spaced repetition and reading in context — a practical plan for learning kanji.

Ready to test yourself? The quiz draws every question from Japan's competitive junior-high entrance exams. Each Japanese question shows an English translation, and the ones you miss come back automatically — so the hard words actually stick.

▶ Try the free Japanese quiz