The Big Question
“Is Japanese hard to learn?” — this is a question thousands of Bangladeshi students ask every year before they decide to join a Japanese language course. At first glance, Japanese looks completely foreign: new alphabets, strange sounds, unusual grammar. For someone used to Bangla or English, it feels like learning a language from another planet.
জাপানি ভাষা প্রথমে কঠিন মনে হলেও ধাপে ধাপে শেখা শুরু করলে আসলে অনেক সহজ। সঠিক গাইডলাইন, নিয়মিত প্র্যাকটিস আর কোর্স সাপোর্ট থাকলে, একজন শিক্ষার্থী তিন মাসেই N5 শেষ করে exam দিতে পারে।
At Pacific Academy, we have seen this journey many times. Since 2015, we have trained more than 1,500 Bangladeshi students. Most of them started from zero knowledge. Within months, they could pass exams like JLPT N5 or NAT Basic, and many went on to N4, N3, and even higher.
👉 Start with Japanese N5 Course
Why People Think Japanese Is Difficult
1. The Writing System
Japanese uses three scripts: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.
- Hiragana: Basic words and grammar endings
- Katakana: Foreign words like “computer” or “coffee”
- Kanji: Complex characters borrowed from Chinese
For a Bangladeshi student, Hiragana and Katakana are new but manageable. The real fear is Kanji. There are thousands of Kanji, but here’s the good news: at beginner level (N5), you only need about 100.
বাংলায় বলতে গেলে Hiragana হলো বেসিক অক্ষর, Katakana ধার করা শব্দ আর Kanji হলো জটিল অক্ষর। কিন্তু শুরুতে মাত্র ১০০–১৫০ Kanji শিখলেই চলে।
2. Grammar Order
Japanese sentences often end with verbs. For example:
- Bangla: আমি ভাত খাই।
- English: I eat rice.
- Japanese: Watashi wa gohan wo tabemasu.
The verb comes at the end. At first it feels unnatural, but students quickly get used to it once they practice with examples.
3. Vocabulary Gap
Unlike English or Bangla, most Japanese words are unique. You cannot guess the meaning. But after a few weeks of study, patterns repeat and it becomes easier to remember.
4. Cultural Context
Japanese communication style is polite and structured. Learners need to understand honorifics (keigo), greetings, and manners. But again, at beginner level, only simple polite forms are taught.
Why Japanese Is Easier Than You Think
Clear Pronunciation
The sounds are simple. Many match Bangla sounds like ka, ta, ma, na.
Step-by-Step Levels
The JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) is divided into levels:
- N5 (beginner) → Basic grammar, greetings, everyday phrases
- N4 (lower intermediate) → More vocabulary, simple conversations, extra Kanji
- N3 (intermediate) → Newspapers, short stories, workplace Japanese
- N2 (upper intermediate) → University lectures, advanced work Japanese
- N1 (advanced) → Native-level fluency
Bangladeshi students usually aim for N4/N3 first, because visas often require N4.
👉 See All Japanese Language Courses
Bangla-Friendly Teaching
আমাদের ক্লাসে শিক্ষকরা বাংলা ও জাপানি মিলিয়ে বোঝান, যাতে নতুন শিক্ষার্থীরা সহজে ধরতে পারে। This makes learning smoother for Bangladeshi students.
Useful Phrases from Day One
From the first week, you can introduce yourself, greet people, and ask simple questions. This motivates learners to continue.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Japanese?
N5 Level
- Duration: 3 months (180 hours of classes)
- Skills: Hiragana, Katakana, ~100 Kanji, simple grammar
- Mock Tests: 5
- Certificate: Yes
- With 2 hours of class per day, 6 days a week, most students pass N5 smoothly.
মানে, তিন মাস নিয়মিত ক্লাস করলে আপনি N5 শেষ করে exam দিতে পারবেন।
N4 Level
- Duration: 3–6 months
- Skills: More vocabulary, ~300 Kanji, past/future tenses, conversations
- Requirement: N5 knowledge
- Visa Relevance: Student visas usually expect N4 certificate
N3 and Beyond
Students targeting higher studies or jobs in Japan often continue to N3 and N2. But the foundation starts with N5 and N4.
Common Challenges & How to Overcome Them
Challenge 1: Memorising Scripts
Solution: Write daily for 15 minutes. Repetition is the key.
Challenge 2: Grammar Difference
Solution: Accept the Japanese order as it is. Practice simple sentences daily.
Challenge 3: Motivation
Solution: Watch anime, Japanese dramas, or YouTube with subtitles. It keeps learning fun.
Challenge 4: Lack of Practice
Solution: Structured courses plus speaking drills plus mock exams.
ছোট ছোট নিয়মিত চেষ্টাই জাপানি শেখাকে সহজ করে তোলে।
Tips to Make Learning Easier
- Study 10–15 new words daily
- Revise Hiragana & Katakana every evening
- Speak with classmates in simple phrases
- Use apps for vocabulary flashcards
- Don’t worry about mistakes — it’s part of learning
👉 Read How to Learn Japanese Effectively
Student Stories
“I joined the evening batch while working. With daily practice and 5 mock exams, I passed NAT Basic in three months.”
Shafiqul, Mirpur
“Before starting, I thought Japanese was impossible. After 3 months in the N5 course, I could read signs and hold small conversations.”
Nabila, Dhaka
FAQs About Learning Japanese
Q: Is Japanese hard to learn for Bangla speakers?
A: No. Pronunciation is simple and teachers explain in Bangla.
Q: How long does it take to finish N5?
A: Around 3 months (180 hours).
Q: Is N5 enough for Japan student visa?
A: N5 helps but most visas require N4.
Q: Which is better — JLPT or NAT?
A: Both test the same skills. JLPT is international, NAT is more frequent.
Q: জাপানি শেখা কি খুব কঠিন?
A: না। প্রথমে আলাদা মনে হলেও নিয়মিত পড়াশোনা করলে জাপানি শেখা সহজ হয়ে যায়।
Final Answer: Is Japanese Hard?
At first, yes — it looks different. But with structured classes, daily practice, and Bangla-friendly guidance, Japanese becomes much easier than you expect. Thousands of Bangladeshi students already learned it — you can too.
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