Tae Kim
Tae Kim’s Guide explains Japanese grammar from kana through advanced topics. It is a reference and reading path, not a review system.
Good fit if
- Learners who want a free grammar explanation path
- People who prefer reading to drilling
- Textbook users who need a second explanation
Look elsewhere if
- You need typed retrieval practice
- You want lots of native audio
- You need a teacher to sequence homework
Tae Kim’s Guide to Japanese is a long-running free grammar site. Both awesome-japanese and All Language Resources treat it as a complete explanation resource, not as an app.
What job it does
It explains how constructions work, from writing systems through clauses. You can read it in order or jump to a point you met in class.
The Complete Guide starts with hiragana, then katakana. That supports the existing claim that the path begins at kana. It is still an explanation, not a review queue. Pair it with a drill from the kana shortlist if you need recall practice.
That is a different job from Bunpro. Bunpro asks you to retrieve the pattern. Tae Kim asks you to understand the explanation.
Limits
Audio is limited. There is no built-in SRS. Some wording is casual and a few older pages show their age. Pair it with example-rich practice and real input.
How to test it
Read the first grammar chapters and one page for a point you already half-know. If the explanation clears the confusion, keep it as a reference. If you need drills, add Bunpro or a textbook workbook rather than rereading the same page.
Sources checked
Product details can change. Evidence pages and their individual check dates appear below. Profile reviewed Sep 1, 2026.
- Tae Kim Complete Guide official product · checked Sep 1, 2026 · Official product page used for the public description, platform, and current offering.
- Tae Kim Complete Guide writing systems official product · checked Sep 1, 2026 · Official writing-system introduction that starts with hiragana, then katakana, before grammar.