Does anybody have tips for remembering how to write kanji? I write the same kanjis over and over, study them in flashcards, and look at examples, but when it comes to writing sentences, my mind goes blank. What is your strategy for remembering them?
For me it’s a two step process. First, figuring out which kanji I need to write, and second, how to reproduce it successfully.
I rely heavily on mnemonics to remember kanji. A useful reading mnemonic is not always the best for writing. The key thing is to remember the components in order.
Actually writing the characters I do by rote. I write as quickly as I can while still being legible. If I can’t jot down the entire character as one chunk, at least I want to chunk each component. Also, I use the largest chunks I can. Nobody can remember how seven different pieces fit together.
Break the kanji down into components. If you want your mnemonics to help you remember how to write the kanji, if you include the components in the order that they are written, you'll get clues how to draw it for free. Of course, that's not always practical, so it's useful to also include clues in the mnemonics as to where each component goes, e.g. by including words like "above," "below", "beside," "to the right of," etc.
Renshuu's dictionary has tons of mnemonics listed under each kanji which you can use, and you can always make your own.
Practice:
Here's some ways to practice on Renshuu:
-the Quick Draw game
-Kanji writing vector on Kanji schedules (Renshuu Pro users only)
-On your vocab schedule, check the "Type/write the answer when possible" option. Then use the hand writing input tool to draw the kanji. You'll soon learn how to draw the kanji you actually use.
"but when it comes to writing sentences, my mind goes blank"
Same as for writing kanji. Write sentences =p (and words too).
Writing kanji/kana, writing words and finally sentences are different skills. Writing words and sentences are "higher" skills that involve different abilities.
SRS, flashcard are good to create the basic building block. But the ability to use, combine, recall those building block is something you have to work on too.
And don't be disappointed because you can't write sentences. In a way, it's just normal since you didn't work (as much) on that. What you did was not worthless, it's just waiting for you to work on other thing =p. Ah and also don't see like another heavy exercice that you have to do. It will feed back your other abilities and make your learning journey easier overall.
A simple meaningful exercise for that is just to take a sheet of paper and write everything that come to your mind (kana, kanji, word, sentences). Work on that recall muscle with the building block that are already matured. Once it's more trained, it will be useful for "less" matured building block.
Also, really important thing, just work with you can when you work on that. Don't bother trying to create a sentences with word that you can't recall. Or word with kanji that are still not matured. Otherwise you will try to train on "hard" mode where you have to train every abilities at the same time. And if you fail (which is normal since you're on hard mode), you will be disappointed with yourself. But there is nothing to be disappointed off.
Finally, that's just an example but there is a lot of things you could do. Like writing a journal. Or put note on every object in your house. Like right now, I have one on my windows with 窓. And from time to time, I just write the kanji in my head and check if I'm correct (I got 洗 wrong the other day because I forgot a stroke :v). Or just think about a sentence with that word. It's up to you for that part.
I watch Youtube videos. Writing them along with a Japanese person on paper (and explanation of meaning) helps me wayyyy more than trying to remeber stroke order!
Somehow their nature sets me at peace, helps me concentrate.. this works best for me:
Everything else makes me feel stressed or halfpaying attention. Doing kanji with apps is a nightmare for me. Or someone insisting to look me in the eye and show me like 見 !! WTH. No step by step pictures, static or moving WHATEVER help me remember! I feel like I'm drawing.. not like I'm writing. Seeing the person's hand gives me a better grasp and understanding.
I learn it like this or don't bother at all ! My phone will get it for me anyway.. if I'm learning kaji a good lesson and concentration gives me a worksheet once and for all. I can practice from my own paper after as many times as I need. I more likely remember what I did than what somebody else did..
Writng can be done many ways! Drawing is a style however.. you can change your style but you ALWAYS DRAW A CERTAIN WAY. You might struggle to draw a kanji, but stroke order makes it easier for you to keep it nice and neat.
Seriously have you tried drawing kanji without checking stroke order ???? Maybe try that ! You'll mess up bad and then strokes will make it easier. I needa draw it myself.. remembering doesn't help. JustBUT I don't mess up much! Even when writing a kanji for the 1st time. Can't say I count or remember.. Stroke order is intuitive for me. If I think about it I'm done.. Makes me anxious and overwelmed.
SORRY FOR LONG POST IT PROBABLY WASN'T HELPFUL, BUT I HOPE IT IS WITH SOMETHING! It's just the way I am. I have a strong character and a lack of patience.. I'm a terrible student
Yes, of course Japanese people make mistakes Think about yourself or other people writing in your native language - they make mistakes all the time, right? As long as you can understand what's being said, it doesn't matter if it's 100% correct every time.
Completely agree about making mistakes -- I've seen a lot of Japanese streamers play video games and they can't read the kanji/misread the kanji and just laughed it off. It surprised me a lot at first but as Small Fish said we all make mistakes, no matter the native language
I think students learn up to 2000 kanjis, but end up forgetting them after graduation.. basically you need kanji knowledge in higher educations such as medicine.
This is my 4th year studying Chinese in high school so i think i got a hold of how to memorise characters, and 2 things that help me are:
1. Learning radicals. It can help you get to the meaning of the kanji if you know the meaning of the radical a kanji has.
2. To remember how to write kanji, break them down into its components. This pic is an example of how I study more complex characters. (This is my incomplete Chinese homework please ignore lol😭)
What is your strategy for remembering them?
It's just the way I am. I have a strong character and a lack of patience.. I'm a terrible student
Think about yourself or other people writing in your native language - they make mistakes all the time, right? As long as you can understand what's being said, it doesn't matter if it's 100% correct every time.
