One of the most popular ways to learn Japanese is via textbooks. Luckily, there are plenty of textbooks out there to use! However, it can be difficult to find the one that’s right for you.
Even then, you might discover that textbooks are not your preferred learning method. If you do like learning with books, however, you might feel a little lost on where to begin.
Here, we are going to go through two of the most popular textbooks used to learn Japanese – Genki and Minna No Nihongo.
Keep reading to find out the prices and reviews, as well as the pros and cons. By the end of this article, you should have a good idea of which textbook will serve you best (as well as some other options you could consider).
Genki Vs Minna No Nihongo
In the sections below, we will cover a quick comparison of the books and determine which textbook will ultimately be better for you
Price on Amazon: $39.90 (volume 1, third and multilingual edition)
Number of books in the series: 2
Vocabulary in the book’s first volume: 850
Does it come with audio?: yes
This two-volume Japanese textbook was originally published in 1999 and has since been updated. The book is fantastic for beginner learners and is commonly used across Japanese university classes all over the world.
While Gneki is intended for classroom use, it can be used by self-learners with a passion for being a pro at Japanese. The book contains illustrations and tests, and everything a beginner could need to start learning Japanese.
Why this textbook is great:
Workbook and CDs available for use
Explanations of grammar are clear and concise
Lesson structure is reliable
Scaffolding progression
Fantastic for beginners
What we don’t love about this textbook:
The book is not well-designed for self-learners
Not good if you want to learn kanji
Who Is This Textbook Suitable For?
Genki is fantastic for anyone who would like to efficiently learn Japanese but is intimidated by the language. You can use this textbook as an absolute beginner, especially if you are prone to getting frustrated with learning languages.
While this textbook is better suited to classroom learners, you can do self-learning if you are very motivated. You might need to do some switching around to make this work, but it is entirely possible.
As you work through the book, you can get up to the point where you can take JLPT levels 4–5.
This is not the right kind of textbook for tourists to try and learn things on the go. It also is not a good option if you intend to do self-learning, but are not as motivated as you should be.
The book will come with its own set of challenges, so you need to be prepared to put in some extra effort to make it work.
What Does Genki Cover?
Genki covers a range of topics that any learner will need to know in order to proceed with the language. The book covers conversations and grammar, dialogues, vocabulary lists, art, explanations, and much more.
There are also plenty of practice exercises to help you learn better, as well as expression notes.
The reading and writing section will further your skills after the conversation and grammar section, and you will cover numbers, maps, and a variety of other useful things.
As possibly the most well-known book when it comes to learning Japanese, Minna No Nihongo is a great addition. The book is perfect for beginner-level learners but is completely in Japanese – not even Romaji.
This book was initially published in 1998 and is a classic textbook that is used globally by teachers and learners alike.
Why this textbook is great:
Grammar explanations are in-depth and intense
Covers a lot of ground (more than most textbooks)
You can get a lot of reading practice as all the text is Japanese
What we don’t love about this textbook:
Learners will need a second “translation” book in order for the main textbook to be used
Complex terms are used in explanations
Who Is This Textbook Suitable For?
Minna No Nihongo is an extensive book that is used for learning Japanese around the world. This book is written completely in Japanese, which offers a fantastic opportunity to get extra reading practice in!
However, this does mean that an additional translation book is needed, or it is better suited to being used with a tutor or Japanese-speaking friends.
With this book, you will ultimately end up learning much more than you would with Genki. However, because of the challenges associated, many people might struggle a little more with the translation aspect of learning.
The book is technically suitable for beginners, and covers all the groundwork for furthering your knowledge of Japanese.
The in-depth explanations can go a long way, but there are some confusing explanations to do with grammar that some learners might struggle with.
The great thing about this book is that you really can take your time. While translating everything might be frustrating, it does pose an excellent opportunity to learn more and gain a better understanding of the language.
What Does Minna No Nihongo Cover?
Minna No Nihongo will cover all the same things that Genki does. However, this book will also explain pitch accents to learners – something that is hardly ever covered.
All new grammar you learn will come with notes and information on pitch accents to make you sound like a real professional.
Which Japanese Textbook Should You Use?
Unfortunately, there is no real answer to this! The textbook you want to use will depend on your learning style and preference.
Both Genki and Minna No Nihongo are suitable for beginners. The textbooks cover a lot of ground and will introduce you to the language to a proficient level. However, both come with their challenges.
Genki is better suited to classroom-style learning, and Minna No Nihongo requires a separate translation book as it is all in Japanese.
You can use both, but you will need to decide if you want to put that extra effort into making Genki suitable for self-learners, or if you want to translate everything word for word in Minna No Nihongo.
What Other Options Are There?
There will be books that do and do not suit you. If you would like to try a few other Japanese textbooks, the ones listed below are great books to try out:
Please be aware that the prices of these textbooks vary greatly, so double-check before you buy! You could be spending $100 or more on a few of the above options.
Final Thoughts
These two textbooks are incredibly popular around the world – and for good reason.
However, they are not perfect and do come with their own issues for learners. Ultimately, both will work well for beginners, but either way, you are going to have to put the effort in to learn Japanese.
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
