Why an app beats raw flashcards for JLPT N5-N2
What most people don't know is that spaced repetition on its own isn't enough if your word list is messy, mismatched, or full of rare readings.
Trust me on this one: apps let you tag items by JLPT level, textbook source, and part of speech. This way, you can pull a tidy N5 review before bed and a tougher N2 kanji drill on weekends.
Pro tip: set your app to show only vocabulary that appears in your current textbook chapter, like chapter 3 of Genki I, so you review relevant words in context. Personally...
How to sort vocabulary and kanji smartly
Did you know that you can auto-sort by JLPT level, frequency rank, and textbook mapping in many modern apps?
Tagging by JLPT level
I still remember exactly how chaotic my lists were before I started tagging. I had beginner and intermediate words in the same pile, and then I failed my mock test.
For example, tag 行く (iku) as N5 and tag 応募 (oubo) as N2, so your app delivers the simpler verbs more often. From my experience...
Mapping to textbook chapters
The first time I used Minna no Nihongo with an app, I mapped each chapter's vocabulary to the app's tags. The result was a focused 10-minute daily review that actually reinforced textbook lessons.
Take Minna no Nihongo, for instance. Map chapter 6 words to a single study deck and pair them with relevant example sentences from the book. Personally...
Apps that play well with Minna no Nihongo and Genki
Question: which apps can import textbook lists easily?
Quick detour: some apps support CSV import, while others let you copy-paste or use shared decks that people upload to AnkiWeb or community sites.
Trust me on this one: Anki remains the most flexible because you can create tags like N5, Genki I Ch4, or Minna Ch7. You can also use add-ons to display furigana, example audio, and spaced repetition intervals. What I especially like is that Anki is free on desktop and widely used by JLPT candidates. From my experience...
Concrete workflow: daily routine for JLPT N5 to N2
Direct address: set aside 20 minutes each morning for active recall and 10 minutes in the evening for passive exposure.
Insider tip: morning sessions should focus on new or weak items, while evening sessions should concentrate on reading example sentences and kanji recognition. For kanji, I use a separate tag and add stroke order GIFs where possible.
Sample week
What most people don't try is alternating vocabulary-only days with kanji-focused days. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are for vocabulary and context, while Tuesday and Thursday are for kanji readings and compounds.
My tip is to sync your deck to include entries from Genki (The Japan Times, first edition 1999, revised 2011) and Minna no Nihongo (3A Corporation). That way, your JLPT N5 review is grounded in real textbook exercises. See what I mean?
Extra hacks and cultural context
Speaking of which, add culture notes to a few cards so words stick better.
For example, when you learn お祭り (omatsuri), add a short note about Tokyo's Asakusa Sanja Matsuri in May or mention Kyoto's Gion Festival in July. Classic Japan, isn't it?
On the flip side, don't overload cards with too much trivia. Keep them short and relevant. Personally...
Frequently Asked Questions
Which JLPT levels should I start with?
Start with N5 vocabulary and kanji, then build up through N4 and N3 before tackling N2 items.
Can I use one app for both vocabulary and kanji?
Yes, many apps let you create separate decks or tags so you can study both within a single program.
How do textbooks like Genki and Minna no Nihongo fit in?
You map textbook chapters to app tags or import chapter word lists so your app reviews match classroom progress.
