The Nihongo So-Matome N2 Kanji book is a structured study guide designed to help learners master approximately 739 characters and 2,200 vocabulary words over an 8-week period. It is widely recognized for its user-friendly, daily-lesson format and is part of a larger series that includes grammar, vocabulary, reading, and listening modules. Core Book Features
Daily Study Schedule: The book is organized into 8 chapters, each containing 7 lessons. Days 1 through 6 introduce new material (about 12 characters per day), while Day 7 is reserved for a weekly review test modeled after the JLPT format.
Practical Context: Kanji are often introduced through real-world examples like advertisements, emails, and notices to show how they are used in everyday life.
Multilingual Support: Definitions and example sentences include translations in English, Chinese, and Korean, making it suitable for self-study.
Revised Edition: A newer, "high-powered" expanded edition was released in late 2022 by Ask Publishing. Content and Structure
The textbook focuses on thematic groups (e.g., daily life, education, or work) to aid memorization.
Right-hand Page: Contains the study material, including kanji, their readings (On-yomi and Kun-yomi), and related vocabulary. nihongo so matome n2 kanji pdf
Left-hand Page: Provides practice questions to immediately reinforce the lesson.
Total Characters: While the JLPT N2 exam typically requires knowledge of around 1,000 kanji, this specific book covers about 739 characters, focusing on those most likely to appear on the test. Student & Reviewer Insights
JLPT N2 vs N3: Key Differences, Difficulty & Preparation Tips
The Nihongo So-matome JLPT N2 Kanji book is a highly structured study guide designed to help you master 739 kanji and approximately 2,200 vocabulary words over an 8-week period. It is widely used for independent study due to its user-friendly layout and inclusion of English, Chinese, and Korean translations. Key Book Features
Thematic Learning: Kanji are grouped by real-life situations, such as signs, advertisements, and newspaper articles, rather than just by complexity.
8-Week Study Plan: The book is organized into 8 chapters. Each week follows a 7-day cycle: The Nihongo So-Matome N2 Kanji book is a
Days 1–6: Daily 2-page lessons introducing new kanji and vocabulary with short practice exercises.
Day 7: A "Jissen Mondai" (Practice Test) modeled after the actual JLPT N2 format to check your progress.
Visual Aids: Uses illustrations and mnemonics to make memorization easier and more engaging.
Multilingual Support: All kanji, vocabulary, and example sentences include translations in English, Chinese, and Korean (or Vietnamese in specific editions). Editions and Availability
The most recent version is the Revised & Expanded Edition (増補改訂版), published in August 2022, which features two-color printing, updated vocabulary, and an exam simulator at the end.
eBook (PDF): Official digital versions are available on VitalSource for approximately $14.00. 📅 The 8-Week Study Schedule Do not rush
Physical Book: Retails for around $19.99 - $23.04 at stores like Books A Million and White Rabbit Japan Shop.
Study Supplements: Many students pair this text with pre-made Anki decks (available on AnkiWeb) to reinforce the 12+ kanji introduced per lesson.
Do not rush. The power of So-Matome is in spaced repetition.
Assuming you have a digital copy on your iPad, Remarkable, or phone, here is the optimal workflow to ensure you retain the 300+ Kanji in this book.
Don’t just read the left page. Cover the readings and try to recall them. Write each kanji at least 3 times, paying attention to stroke order (critical for the JLPT’s multiple-choice kanji identification).
Step 1: The Input (20 Minutes)
Step 2: The Output (15 Minutes)
Step 3: Weak Point Analysis (10 Minutes)