Hey everyone,

I've been studying Japanese for almost 1.5 years now and I am currently trying to conquer N4.

I am not having ANY trouble with vocab and kanji, but the grammar is making me go absolutely crazy.

My current approach is literally just "working off" a list of N4 grammar on JLPT Sensei and checking off items I've already learned. I usually look at the rule definiton, the example sentences of JLPT Sensei and then make my own ones.

But I don't really feel confident at all and I am not sure what I can do to try to make my grammar better. I already Bunpro before but that became more of a "sentence silhouette matching", because I more so remembered the shape of the sentence instead of the actual grammar.

Any tips?

Her voice is kinda of crazy, but I love the Cure Dolly videos

To be honest, I never really focused on any of the JLPT tests, but do you take in a lot of (comprehensible) input? Like watching gaming streams in Japanese, AHK Easy news podcasts, watching movies? It is pretty active and difficult to do, but over time it gets easier.

I found that my "speaking ability" totally skyrocketed after hearing certain grammar structures so many times from native speakers in actual conversations. For some situations, I came to realize that I don't even know why I say certain things-- just that it feels right to word it that way. And I haven't really had strange looks from native speakers when it happens like that. The only way you can build up those kinds of instincts is to hear it repeatedly.

The comprehensible input also helps you after awhile when it comes to speaking, since you'd be prepared to keep up with a conversation and can just parrot variations of what you've heard more easily.

Granted, this is all under the pretense that you can already understand basic sentences and such.

Satori Reader added a bunch of grammar stuff at some point. I occasionally go through chunks as a refresher.

Not really helpful advice for learning it, but I think just getting familiar is a good start.

I like the way https://sakubi.neocities.org/ emphasizes it:

Basically, this guide is a primer. This guide takes a very specific stance: The only way to acquire language features and become fluent is to consume them in a real context. This guide doesn't try to drill you, and that's a good thing.

When you read this guide, don't try to memorize it. It won't work.

You shouldn't spend a week on each lesson. In fact, I think one new lesson a day is far too slow, even if you're also reviewing old lessons.

Every single main lesson in this guide covers basic grammar. You should read the entire thing as quickly as possible. It's important to get stuff in your head sooner rather than later. It gives it time to grow, subconsciously, and even if you didn't feel like you learned it the first time, it makes it easier to remember it for good next time. Just don't get stuck reviewing it forever.

After you get far enough in this guide, you should start trying to read.

That is specific to that guide, but the idea being just not to worry about perfectly memorizing. Reading will be enough to better understand the points.

But if you're trying to push it to the next level, grabbing a textbook's workbook would probably be a good idea.

I tried many methods but it feels like it's not sticking completely. Currently trying BunPro and it feels like I can use it to fill up the cracks but only time will tell how far it works for me.

I started learning Japanese by learn kana and reading The Handbook of Japanese Verbs with a good dictionary (now there are good online dictionaries). I now know that it's not intended for beginners, but it helped me a lot and I would recommend it.

Edit:
https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Japanese-Verbs-Kodansha-Dictionary/dp/1568364849

https://www.tofugu.com/japanese-learning-resources-database/the-handbook-of-japanese-verbs/

Thanks for your reply!

I'm also not really studying for a specific JLPT test. Just for fun, really! :D

[...] do you take in a lot of (comprehensible) input?

I'm actively reading Satori Reader stories on my commute and also occasionally read NHK Easy news.

I've also tried watching gaming videos, streams, etc.. But those are still way above my level.
If I had to guess my comprehension level for those, I'd say I understand around 15-20% of the words.
If they have subtitles baked into the video, then that helps a lot as well.

The only videos I am able to fully understand are the videos by a YouTuber called Shun.

I came to realize that I don’t even know why I say certain things [...]

I've noticed this after learning English. At some point it just switches over and you don't really have to think about it.
Though I feel like it's quite a lot harder with Japanese, since it's so linguistically different to English.

I'll definitely get some more input in! Thanks for your help! :D

Oh! That looks really good!

I've only ever tried Tae Kim's guide and I felt like that was too much of a "dictionary" rather than an actual guide.

I'll definitely take a look at this! Thanks! :D

Definitely keep me updated on this!
I'd be interested to hear how BunPro works for you. :D

I’m actively reading Satori Reader stories on my commute and also occasionally read NHK Easy news.

These are really great! You should be in good shape if you keep practicing those. (Another thought: sometimes, try playing the audio and see if you can understand that way. Listening is a somewhat separate skill that's hard to learn, and they're good sources for that too.)

The only videos I am able to fully understand are the videos by a YouTuber called Shun.

Another one I'd recommend giving a shot is いろいろな日本語. I struggle with listening comprehension, but I found their videos approachable.

If the voice is off-putting, there's a markdown transcription here: https://kellenok.github.io/cure-script/

Ooo! This might just be what I need honestly.
Thanks a lot!

Grammar? I hardly know her!

the one proven way to learn anything is spaced repetition.

could try flash cards with multiple example for each of your most 苦手な (personally difficult) phrases.

could also try using it in conversation with everyone, even who don't learn/speak Japanese. embrace the awkwardness, as they say.

I'd also like to recommend YouTube channels that teach Japanese phrases using clips from dramas, films, anime, books, comics. unfortunately, Japan copyright law gives corporations the power to create a chilling effect across social media and Japan society as a whole. but maybe you can use this English learning channel by reverse engineering to observing the Japanese explanations for English terms & phrases

Oh, that's actually an interesting idea!
I'll try it out, thanks!

I use Anki for my own spaced repetition but I find myself often recognizing a grammar card not because I think a have a great understanding of the grammar being used but more because I recognized a few specific kanji so I know which specific example it's giving me.

Do you guys know if it's possible with Anki to feed it something like a template sentence and then a list of acceptable nouns, verbs, adverbs, etc to swap in randomly? I'd like to make it harder to just memorize a card and instead have to think about everything in-between those randomized parts of speech.

Just saw this, really helpful!

It's especially easy to read on my commutes now!
Thanks!