Advance your learning by Thinking in Japanese

Learning Japanese may seem like a challenging task, but there is an effective method that has helped many students, including myself, to progress in a more natural and intuitive way. Today I will share with you a technique that I regularly use to enhance my vocabulary and fluency: the "Thinking in Japanese" method. It's a simple and accessible approach that can be applied every day, anywhere. The best part? The results are remarkable and lasting.

The central concept of the method is to train your mind to think directly in Japanese, instead of translating from Portuguese. As you are already used to thinking in your native language, the idea here is to gradually replace that habit by directly relating your daily activities with Japanese expressions. And the most interesting part is that this practice can become a part of your routine, making learning happen in a constant and spontaneous manner. Want to see how it works in practice?

How the "Thinking in Japanese" Method Works?

The method is incredibly simple to understand and apply. Basically, it involves learning to express all the actions you take throughout the day, in Japanese. Think of the countless activities we do, such as brushing our teeth, studying, or leaving home. These actions are constant and, therefore, create numerous opportunities to practice. For example, you could start by learning phrases like:

私は食べます。
Watashi wa tabemasu

I'm going to eat.

歯を磨いて日本語を勉強します。
Ha o migaite nihongo o benkyō shimasu

I'm going to brush my teeth and study Japanese.

学校行きます。
Gakkō ikimasu

I will (go) to school.

Once these sentences become natural for you, the process of speaking Japanese will become more automatic. What makes this approach even more useful is that human actions are practically infinite. Every day offers new activities for you to describe and practice.

How to Study the Right Way?

The practical application is simple, but requires consistency. To get started, you should focus on basic actions and build your sentences with them. See how useful it can be to break down the process:

1. Create a bank of sentencesList the daily activities you frequently do. It can be something like “Having breakfast,” “Working,” “Resting,” or “Going to the gym.” Then, translate these sentences into Japanese and memorize them.
2. Practice throughout the dayWhen you are about to do something, say the action in Japanese. For example, before leaving home, think: "I'm going out" (出かけます - dekakemasu). Or, while preparing dinner, say: “I am cooking” (料理しています - ryouri shiteimasu). This way, you reinforce the words and expressions by associating them with what is happening in real time.
3. Include questions and interactionsDon't limit yourself to talking about yourself. Also memorize phrases to ask or comment on other people's actions, such as: "What are you doing?" (何をしていますか - nani wo shiteimasu ka?) or “Where are you going?” (どこへ行きますか - doko e ikimasu ka?). This further expands your vocabulary and makes the method more interactive.

Long-Term Benefits

Following this method daily offers several benefits. First, you begin to think in Japanese automatically, which is essential for becoming fluent. The continuous practice of the same actions engraves words and phrases into your long-term memory, facilitating spontaneous communication. Additionally, you will learn to use different verb tenses (past, present, and future) practically, which helps you master the nuances of the language.

Another interesting benefit is the ability to expand your vocabulary without relying heavily on books or word lists. By interacting with the world around you, you'll encounter new situations and words naturally, and your learning will become more dynamic. Think of learning as a cycle: the more you use the words in your daily life, the more comfortable you will feel using them in real conversations.

Tips to Make the Method More Efficient

• Use a notebook.: Write down phrases you don't know yet, especially those that refer to common actions in your day. Review these notes regularly.
• Adapt to your levelIf you are a beginner, start with simple sentences. As you gain confidence, add complexity, such as describing emotional states or using more advanced grammatical particles.
• Incorporate media in JapaneseWatch videos or listen to audios that showcase everyday dialogues. This reinforces how actions are used in context and helps refine your pronunciation.

The "Thinking in Japanese" method is not just practical; it's a fun and engaging way to make language study a part of your daily life. How about starting today?

Phrases to Study

昼食を食べてお風呂に入って学校に行った。
Chūshoku o tabete o furo ni haitte gakkō ni itta

I had lunch, showered and went to school.

今、私はショッピングモールに行きますよ。
Ima, watashi wa shoppingumōru ni ikimasu yo

Now, I'm going (will) to the mall.

昨日「花町」というイベントに行きました。
Kinō 'hanachi' to iu ibento ni ikimashita

Yesterday I went to an event called "City of Flowers."

週末は寿司を食べた。
Shūmatsu wa sushi o tabeta

This weekend I ate sushi.

テレビを見ている。
Terebi o mite iru

I am watching TV.

私は日本語を勉強しています。
Watashi wa nihongo o benkyō shite imasu

I am studying Japanese.

今日、学校に行きません。でも明日行きます。
Kyō, gakkō ni ikimasen. demo ashita ikimasu

Today, I won't go to school but tomorrow I will.

アニメを見ました。
Anime o mimashita

I watched anime.

Study sentences with actions you do in your daily life, so your vocabulary will gradually improve.