Using Anki for Japanese Courses

Introduction

Anki is a popular flashcard application for language learning that has been used by many people to study and review vocabulary, grammar, and other course material over time.

We have created Anki decks for studying Japanese in a manner consistent with classroom instruction. These decks are designed to reinforce the material introduced in class and provide structured practice outside the classroom.

Use the assigned course deck. Do not download a different deck with a similar name unless your instructor tells you to do so.

Basic Workflow

1

Download

Download the assigned deck from the Japanese Anki Decks section below. Make sure that the deck matches your course and textbook before continuing.

2

Import

Open the downloaded .apkg file with Anki and confirm the import. The assigned deck will then appear on your main Decks screen.

3

Review

Study all cards due for the day. Try to recall each answer before revealing it, and choose the answer button that honestly reflects how well you remembered.

4

Repeat

Return to Anki every day, even when only a few cards are due. Short, consistent reviews help you retain the Japanese introduced in class.

How to Install Anki

The best approach is to use Anki on a cellphone because it allows you to study wherever you are and makes it easier to complete a short review every day. Android users can install the free AnkiDroid app. The official AnkiMobile app for iPhone and iPad is not free, so iOS users should check the current price in the App Store before downloading it.

You may also install Anki on a Windows, macOS, or Linux computer. A computer can be helpful for importing decks and setting up synchronization, while a cellphone is generally the most convenient device for regular study.

Platform	Application	Cost	Download
Windows	Anki	Free	Official download
macOS	Anki	Free	Official download
Linux	Anki	Free	Official download
Android	AnkiDroid	Free	Google Play
iPhone / iPad	AnkiMobile	Paid	App Store

AnkiWeb can also be used in a browser. If you use Anki on more than one device, create an AnkiWeb account and synchronize your collection so that your study progress remains up to date.

How to Use an Anki Deck

Download the deck file from the Japanese Anki Decks section.
Locate the downloaded file. Its filename should end in .apkg.
Double-click the file. If Anki does not open, choose File → Import in Anki and select the file.
Confirm the import. The new deck will appear on the main Decks screen.

What the import process looks like

Anki import options screen for a Genki deck — Review the import options, and then select **Import**.

Anki import overview showing newly imported Genki notes — The overview confirms how many new notes were imported.

Anki import options screen for a Japanese course deck — Other assigned course decks follow the same import process.

Anki import overview showing newly imported Japanese vocabulary notes — Check the overview to make sure the notes were added successfully.

Anki Decks screen with the Import File button at the bottom — You can also begin by selecting **Import File** on the Decks screen.

Anki course deck screen showing new cards and the Study Now button — Open the imported deck and select **Study Now** to begin.

Select the assigned deck on the Decks screen.
Click Study Now.
Read the question and try to recall the answer before clicking Show Answer.
Compare your answer and choose Again, Hard, Good, or Easy.
Continue until Anki reports that your review is complete.

AgainI did not remember.

HardI remembered with difficulty.

GoodI remembered correctly.

EasyThe answer was immediate.

Tip: “Good” should be your usual answer when you remembered the card correctly.

Examples of review cards

Anki Japanese greeting card with its English meaning and answer buttons displayed — After revealing the answer, compare it with what you recalled and select the appropriate rating.

Anki Japanese vocabulary card with a university illustration, audio control, and answer buttons — Some cards include an image and audio to reinforce the Japanese vocabulary.

Create a free account at AnkiWeb.
Click Sync in the upper-right corner of Anki and sign in.
For the first sync, choose Upload to AnkiWeb if your course deck is already on the computer.
Sign in with the same account on your other devices and sync again.

Always synchronize before switching devices. This prevents review progress on one device from conflicting with another.

Japanese Anki Decks

Download the vocabulary practice deck for the chapter currently assigned in your course. Each chapter is provided as a separate .apkg file so that your Anki practice remains consistent with the vocabulary introduced in class.