After kana: a ten-minute path into N5 vocabulary

Check recognition in both directions

Seeing ゆ and recalling its sound differs from hearing the sound and selecting ゆ. Alternate these tasks. Compare similar-looking characters instead of relying on their fixed position in a chart.

Practise katakana separately. Familiarity with hiragana does not automatically transfer to every katakana word. Small kana, the small っ and long vowels need attention to both spelling and sound.

Walk through one complete card

Try 郵便局. Recall ゆうびんきょく, then listen to check the pronunciation. Connect it to “post office” and read 郵便局は駅の前です。 to see the word in a sentence.

A picture supplies context, not an exam answer. On a later review, try recognising the Japanese before opening the picture or translation. Mark uncertainty rather than sliding past a word you cannot recall.

A workable ten-minute example

Minutes 1–2: revisit yesterday’s confusing kana and a few words. You do not need to reread every easy item.

Minutes 3–6: study a small number of new words, attempting recall before listening and reading the example. The right number depends on concentration and familiarity.

Minutes 7–9: answer meaning and reading questions. Recognising an answer after it appears is not the same as retrieving it unaided.

Minute 10: identify whether mistakes concern spelling, reading or meaning, and start there next time. This is a sample routine, not an official prescribed study duration.

Use a tool without making another spreadsheet

Aptenyo’s kana and N5 content are free. Choose a level and press GO; swipe judgements and quizzes help route uncertain or missed words back into review.

Auto-advancing cards and iPhone widgets can add exposure at your desk. Widget scheduling is still controlled by iOS, and seeing a word on screen is not proof that you remember it.

Prepare for offline use or a new phone

Download the relevant pictures and audio while connected. Missing assets will not appear merely because you switch to offline study.

Vocabulary progress is primarily device-local and does not require registration. Use the available backup/export process before changing devices. Purchase entitlement and study progress are separate things.