Hiragana (ひらがな) is one of the three writing systems used in Japanese and is the first script every learner should master. It consists of 46 basic characters that represent individual sounds rather than letters, making it a phonetic alphabet, or more accurately, a syllabary. Hiragana is used to write native Japanese words, grammatical endings, and words that don't commonly use kanji.

Once you can read hiragana, you'll be able to pronounce nearly any Japanese word, read simple sentences, and begin building a strong foundation for learning grammar, vocabulary, and conversation. While memorizing a new writing system may seem challenging at first, consistent daily practice will help you recognize and write each character with confidence.

Adjectives allow you to describe people, places, food, objects, experiences, and just about everything else. Japanese adjectives are also a little different from English adjectives, so learning how they work early will make your Japanese much easier later.

If you're just beginning your Japanese learning journey, the JLPT N5 is the perfect first goal. It focuses on the fundamental grammar, vocabulary, kanji, and listening skills needed to communicate in everyday situations. The N5 measures your understanding of basic Japanese typically learned in beginner classes and is the easiest of the five JLPT levels.

Passing the JLPT N5 won't make you fluent, but it shows that you've built a solid foundation that will prepare you for more advanced study.