Learning Japanese: Is grammar or vocabulary more important?

[KyleGoetz]

Originally Posted by Realism

No you don't.

Nice try

I don't know a thing about grammar in my own native language. Yet I speak it perfectly.

Wow. You really embarrassed yourself there.

[duo797]

Originally Posted by Realism

No you don't.

Nice try

I don't know a thing about grammar in my own native language. Yet I speak it perfectly.

You're taught grammar as a child and you just naturally absorb it from living in an english speaking area. You see more advanced sentence patterns and grammar usages and just naturally absorb it because it's your language. You can do this to a degree with some romantic languages (I had no problem learning spanish because it seemed that for the most part the grammatical patterns were the same as english), but with an east-asian language? That's ridiculous. That's like as an adult saying 'What? Is math important? No! I can do multiplication in my head, so it's not important'.

[RickOShay]

Originally Posted by p7m13

Hi all, I'm sure a lot of people are currently studying Japanese on this forum. I've already passed JLPT N4 so I've pretty much got the basic grammar structure memorized but otherwise I'm just wondering about how to go on from there.

I know that grammar is important but it'd be pointless to know a lot of grammar when you don't know the vocabulary being used in the sentence. I feel that even if you don't really understand the grammar you can sometimes guess what is being said if you know the vocabulary.

There's only so much time in a day and it takes time to memorize vocabulary (there are thousands out there) so is it wise to concentrate more on vocabulary than grammar at this point of time?

What do you folks concentrate on when you're studying Japanese?

I'm currently living in Japan so communication skills are more essential at this point of time.

Thanks in advance!

I say vocab all the way. Once you have a basic understanding of grammar I would put 75% of my effort into acquiring new vocab and kanji. You will be surprised how much you understand and can communicate by just being able to say and pick up keywords.

[nellie1208]

Yes indeed, both vocabulary and grammar are important. That's what matters when you speak any language, because if you do it right, the message would make sense.

[Atredies]

of course grammar and vocabulary are important. there are things beyond the scope of grammar or vocabulary. it is all about processing your raw effort into good use of acquiring your desired language. never forget this.