Japanese Language Exchange by Letter — Free Tandem Partners

Japanese is the language that letter-writing helps most, because the things that make it hard are all things you can take your time over. Kanji you can look up. Particles you can think about. Politeness levels you can choose deliberately instead of panicking in the middle of a sentence. A conversation exchange asks you to do all of that at speed; a letter does not.

The arrangement that works: write your letter in Japanese at whatever level you have, then add a short version in English underneath so your partner can see what you meant. That second part is what makes corrections useful — without it, a native speaker often cannot tell whether an odd sentence is a grammar mistake or a different intention.

Ask for corrections in a specific format, because Japanese speakers are often reluctant to hand back a page of red ink. What you want is: the sentence as you wrote it, the natural version, and a short note on the difference. Say that you genuinely prefer to be corrected. It usually needs saying more than once.

On writing system: use kanji you actually know rather than pasting in everything your IME offers. A letter written honestly in hiragana with a few reliable kanji tells your partner exactly where you are; a letter of perfect machine-produced kanji tells them nothing, and the corrections you get back will be pitched at the wrong level.

On politeness: pick です／ます and stay there until you are told otherwise. It is never wrong with someone you have just met, and getting the plain form or keigo subtly wrong is far more jarring to read than being slightly over-formal.

Most Japanese members here are studying English seriously, so the trade is real — you are not asking for a favour. Write about your week and ask about theirs. Filter Discover by Japanese under "Speaks", choose the Language Exchange purpose, and send someone an honest first letter.

Frequently asked questions

How do I practise Japanese with a pen pal?

Write your letter in Japanese at your level, then add a short English version underneath so your partner can see what you meant and correct accurately. Ask explicitly to be corrected.

Should I write in hiragana or use kanji?

Use only the kanji you actually know. An honest letter in hiragana shows your partner your real level, so the corrections come back pitched correctly.

Which politeness level should I use?

Stay with です／ます until your pen pal suggests otherwise. It is never wrong with someone new, and mistakes in plain form or keigo read as much stranger than over-formality.

Practise Japanese with a pen pal

Members waiting for a letter

Frequently asked questions

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