Learn to recognize Hiragana: the Japanese writing system in useful words. The readings above kanji in the examples let you find the kana even in mixed-script sentences.
The idea
English writing uses an alphabet; Japanese combines kana, which largely represent sound units, with kanji, which help write words and have readings learned in context. A single sentence can contain all three scripts. Hiragana normally represents Japanese sound units. The 46 basic signs include vowels, consonant–vowel combinations and ん; small signs and marks make further sounds. Hiragana also writes particles and verb endings alongside kanji, such as を and ます. The chart pairs five signs with their katakana counterparts. Katakana represents the same sound system as hiragana. It commonly writes loanwords, many foreign names and sometimes words for emphasis. In コーヒー, each ー lengthens the preceding vowel; compare the kana pairs in the chart before reading the examples.
| Hiragana | Katakana |
|---|---|
| あ | ア |
| か | カ |
| さ | サ |
| た | タ |
| な | ナ |
Examples
- コーヒーを飲みます。I drink coffee.
- バスで駅へ行きます。I go to the station by bus.
- ノートに名前を書きます。I write my name in a notebook.
- これはわたしの本です。This is my book.
- 私は日本語を勉強します。I study Japanese.
- 駅はどこですか。Where is the station?
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
A character does not always sound as its usual chart reading: the topic particle は is pronounced wa. Read particles in context rather than assuming every は is ha. Katakana is a script, not a promise that a loanword sounds or means exactly like its source. Keep both long marks in コーヒー; a missing mark changes the timing.
Try it yourself
Write the hiragana counterpart of ア.
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あ
ア and あ represent the same sound, a; あ is the hiragana form requested.
Complete か＿ (umbrella) with one hiragana character.
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さ
かさ means umbrella; さ completes its spelling.
Write the katakana counterpart of あ.
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ア
あ and ア represent the same sound, a; ア is the katakana form requested.
Complete コー＿ー (coffee) with one katakana character.
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ヒ
コーヒー means coffee; ヒ completes its spelling.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the hiragana counterpart of ア.
Complete か＿ (umbrella) with one hiragana character.
Write the katakana counterpart of あ.
Complete コー＿ー (coffee) with one katakana character.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Cover the chart. Read two words from the examples aloud, write their readings in kana from memory, then compare them with the furigana and chart.