Let me be clear: I didn’t become fluent in Japanese after 3 months. I didn’t pass any fancy JLPT test. But I did go from knowing almost nothing to being able to have basic conversations, understand everyday expressions, and feel genuinely excited about learning—without using a single textbook.

Here’s exactly how I did it, and why I think you might want to throw away your textbook too (at least for a while).

1. I turned my life into a Japanese bubble

I changed my phone and apps to Japanese. I watched anime, variety shows, cooking videos, and even Japanese YouTubers talking about their daily lives. No subtitles. No translation. Just vibes and immersion. At first, it felt like noise—but over time, my ears started catching patterns. Repeated phrases stuck like glue.

Tip: Don’t force yourself to understand everything. Just keep watching and let your brain absorb the rhythm.

2. I used only content that I liked

Forget about boring dialogues in a fake café. I followed Japanese YouTubers I actually enjoyed. One talked about minimalism, another about skincare, and another was a chill girl making bentos for her boyfriend. Real content. Real people. Real language.

I wanted to listen, not because I had to, but because I was curious. That made all the difference.

3. I used an app that felt like a game, not a school

Instead of grammar drills or endless vocab lists, I used apps like LingQ, Tandem, and Anki, but only to play. I never forced myself to study grammar rules. If a word popped up often enough, I would naturally remember it.

Grammar? I didn’t study it. I felt it.

4. I shadowed without shame

Shadowing is when you repeat what someone says, right after or even at the same time. I did it with anime lines, YouTube monologues, even elevator announcements. Sometimes I sounded ridiculous, but I kept going.

It trained my mouth and ears better than any classroom could.

5. I embraced mistakes like a friend

I spoke with Japanese language partners on HelloTalk and Tandem. I made tons of mistakes, but guess what? No one laughed. They were kind. And I learned fast—because I wasn’t afraid to sound stupid.

Confidence comes from doing, not knowing.

So, what did I learn after 3 months?

  • I can understand casual YouTube videos without subtitles.
  • I can introduce myself, order food, ask questions, and make small talk.
  • I feel comfortable hearing Japanese every day.
  • Most importantly, I enjoy the process.

–Note of Mr. Zhang from Singapore.

Categorized in:

Japanese for Lazy