I heard from several people already that, in the era of smartphones and computers, it's unnecessary. Some people write out kanji to aid memorization or for fun but if there isn't a specific reason you NEED to write by hand it could be a waste of time.
I'm curious to hear what you guys think/what your learning strategy is. I enjoy calligraphy/writing by hand so I like to write out kanji, but I haven't been as fastidious in my writing practice. There are a lot of kanji I can recognize but can't write from memory. I like how Renshuu gives you the option to write out kanji using the drawing tool during vocab tests -- but I'm lazy and I just use the romaji keyboard lol. Ideally I would love to be able to write out the kanji I'm learning but it definitely is a time commitment.
I don't think there's any shortage of kanji practice apps for writing them out there. I don't use that on Renshuu, at least just yet. Not even typing.
However, in the real world, the 8Flick keyboard is still something I'm slowly beginning to get used to on my mobile devices, except the computer. However, one special benefit I have is to write either English or Japanese with a different sort of keyboard, in romaji format.
I don't think I've yet to come across a writing app which types. On one hand, it seems redundant. On another, almost impractical. Would've been nice for practice, so I'll just use the notepad app instead to the best of my ability.
I think there is genuine benefit in learning how to write kanji, as it helps build your intuition about how they work. But in an era where cursive is unable to cross the generation gap, handwritten kanji seems increasingly like an anachronism.
I usually practice kanji cause if I know how to write it, I definitely know how to read it. And it's true that nowadays you don't need to write by hand in most occasions, but now that I'm working in Japan, I feel the lack of my writing ability everyday.
Sometimes I need to fill a form, or write some notes during a phone call or during an interpretation job and I just end up writing most things in romaji or hiragana. Specially in those situations where there isn't much time to think cause the other person is talking and you need to keep paying attention, my lack of ability in handwriting really holds me back.
If that isn't your case and you don't plan on living or working in Japan, I don't think it would impact you that much.
I usually practice kanji cause if I know how to write it, I definitely know how to read it. And it's true that nowadays you don't need to write by hand in most occasions, but now that I'm working in Japan, I feel the lack of my writing ability everyday.
Sometimes I need to fill a form, or write some notes during a phone call or during an interpretation job and I just end up writing most things in romaji or hiragana. Specially in those situations where there isn't much time to think cause the other person is talking and you need to keep paying attention, my lack of ability in handwriting really holds me back.
If that isn't your case and you don't plan on living or working in Japan, I don't think it would impact you that much.
This was really enlightening to hear your experience, thank you! That's a great point about jotting down notes... I feel more motivated about keeping up with the writing practice haha
I didn't even know it was an option to ~not~ practice writing kanji until another Japanese learner told me he wasn't learning how to write, and then I came across this video where this American guy says he really regrets spending so much time learning to write. Then I started seeing more and more posts/advice about skipping on the writing aspect -- didn't know it was such a widespread thing!
I personally write out kanjis because I know that if I don't do that, I'll forget them easily. Also because I practice Japanese when I'm bored in class and I'm not allowed to take my phone so I practice on paper 😅 (don't do like me guys class is important🥲)
I did not, because most kanji are similar enough with hanzi so that I could imagine the stroke orden, I just learn the difference between the preference of orden. 🤗✨
I didn't focus much on writing in the beginning, but now I regret it very much. It was painful enough to get myself to take written notes in kana instead of romaji, it would be better not to use romaji at all.
I think even if you don't plan on writing Japanese meaningfully, it's a good idea to practice writing as it helps your brain associate the character with a meaning / sound more than writing on an app. At least for me, even in English, I will take written notes on something even if I have no plans to look at it again to help with memory.
I can read some manga, but my brain still panics a little when I see a Japanese wall of text. It's probably inherited from my trauma when learning the Chinese language as a kid. I'm trying to desensitize by writing Japanese sentences by hand, and eventually longer and longer texts. If I can write it with joy, I can read it with joy (the internal logic driving this). If I was more of an artist, I would doodle in the texts as well to make it more fun, but I'm not.
I would absolutely keep up with writing kanji by hand, and do it with TLC, but it's not an exam-oriented reason.
I suggest making a decision regarding writing in connection with your goals for learning Japanese.
I don't plan to live or work in Japan. I want to expand my options when I go there on vacations, speak to my Japanese friends (voice or text) and I want to be able to consume some Japanese media at home. Therefore I want to be able to speak, listen and read, and I want to be able to write by digital means. I don't plan to practice writing by hand.
I certainly see a value in being able to write by hand. Both as a skill in itself, and to increase your familiarity with kanji, hiragana and katakana. You could spend an hour practicing to write some kanji and know that kanji better. But I believe I would progress much more towards my goals by spending that same hour doing a lot of exercises on vocab, kanji or grammar, or reading a text to be exposed for different grammar, vocab and kanji in a natural setting, so I will always choose such activities over writing by hand.
Since you write "I enjoy calligraphy/writing by hand", that could be a good reason to practice writing. This is a personal choice, based on personal goals and preferences.
