Hola a todos! I’ve seen a lot of friends on the forum discussing learning a second or third language lately, and the atmosphere is great! I thought I’d join in and share a “magical” challenge I’m currently undertaking: self-studying Japanese from scratch as a native Spanish speaker!
It all started because I was watching new anime and couldn’t wait for the subbing groups, which sparked the idea of learning Japanese. However, most beginner Japanese textbooks are based on Chinese or English, which always felt a bit disconnected for someone like me who thinks in Spanish. Then, a thought struck me: why not use Spanish resources to learn Japanese directly? After all, Spanish pronunciation is surprisingly similar to Japanese romaji in many ways. For instance, the vowel sounds a, i, u, e, o are almost identical, which is a huge natural advantage!
But it hasn’t been a completely smooth ride. The biggest challenge is Kanji (the Chinese characters). For those of us used to an alphabetic system, these block characters can look like hieroglyphics. However, I discovered something interesting: many Japanese resources explain Kanji using relatable, everyday examples and logic, which is much more effective than rote memorization. Plus, just as with self-learning Spanish, many excellent Japanese learning apps like Duolingo, Bunpo, and LingoDeer have Spanish versions with very user-friendly interfaces and explanations.
My Spanish -> Japanese Learning Resource Recommendations
I’ve compiled a list of resources I’m currently using that I’ve found helpful. Hope this can assist others with the same idea:
Online Resources & Apps
| Resource Type | Name / Link | Spanish Support | Reason for Recommendation |
|---|
| Comprehensive Learning App | Duolingo / LingoDeer | Very High | Gamified learning, great for absolute beginners, clear Spanish explanations |
| Dictionary | Takoboto | Good | Look up words, Kanji, and example sentences; some have Spanish definitions |
| YouTube Channel | Aprende japonés con Nao | Native | A Spanish woman married to a Japanese man; her explanations of culture and language are super authentic |
| Podcast | Japonés con fluidez | Very High | Perfect for listening on your commute to practice listening skills; content is very practical and lifestyle-oriented |
Using Spanish to learn Japanese is definitely a feasible and interesting path. Not only does it allow you to reinforce both languages at the same time, but it also lets you understand Eastern culture from a completely new perspective, which is a truly amazing feeling. It’s like opening a door to a new world. Although the process can be a bit painful challenging, the sense of accomplishment is immense. Are there any other folks on the forum taking a similar route? Feel free to share your experiences and let’s support each other! ¡Ánimo!
