Correct way to say "I am a beginner in Japanese"

Question

What is the correct way to say: "I am a beginner in Japanese".

Google Translate shows the translation is:

私は日本語で初心者です

However, Google search shows:

私は日本語の初心者です

has a lot more hits.

Which one of these is correct?

Answer 1

The right way to say it is:

私は日本語の初心者です。

I'm a beginner of Japanese language.

However, if you use the other variant, you'll still be understood, of course. After all, you are a beginner. :)

Still, it's kind of difficult to say this. Why not say something simple, like:

私【わたし】は日本語【にほんご】を勉強【べんきょう】します。まだ上手【じょうず】じゃありません。

I study Japanese. I'm not skilled yet.

You'll likely be saying the first thing in any case, and the second part is what you're looking for.

Edit: as pointed out by Shizuma_Hanazono, it's better still to say:

私【わたし】は日本語【にほんご】を勉強【べんきょう】しています。

This means you are currently studying Japanese. The 〜ている form (progressive tense) is used to indicate ongoing actions. The earlier sentence I gave you is simplified, and if you're a beginner you're probably only familiar with the 〜ます form.