The Alphabet in Japanese language is the first thing you should start with before learning anything. Unlike English, which uses a single alphabet, Japanese alphabet includes three distinct scripts: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji, each serving different functions within the language. This guide will walk you through these scripts, providing a clear understanding of when and how each is used.
Hiragana and Katakana, which are syllabaries, where each character represents a particular syllable; and Kanji, which are characters borrowed from Chinese that represent whole words or concepts.
The overview of Hiragana and Katakana alphabets
Hiragana and Katakana, collectively known as “Kana”, are phonetic scripts in Japanese. Each character in these scripts represents a specific sound. Together, they cover every sound in the Japanese language, making them the phonetic backbone of Japanese writing.
Hiragana: This script is primarily used for grammatical purposes, such as verb conjugations and particles. It is also used to write native Japanese words.
Katakana: This script is used mainly for foreign words and names, loanwords, onomatopoeia, scientific names, and the names of plants and animals. Essentially, it is the go-to script for any word borrowed from another language.
The 3 Japanese Writing Systems
1. Hiragana alphabet
Hiragana is often the first script learned by Japanese students. It’s used primarily for native Japanese words, as well as grammatical elements such as particles and verb endings. For example, the word for “party” in Japanese, “パーティー” (paatii), uses Katakana, but the verb form “to do” in its polite form, “します” (shimasu), uses Hiragana for the verb suffix (-masu).
Hiragana characters are rounded and fluid in appearance. Learning Hiragana is essential as it provides the fundamental phonetic elements of the language, enabling learners to read and write basic Japanese. There are 46 basic Hiragana characters, and mastering these is crucial for advancing in the language.
How to Learn Hiragana
To begin learning Hiragana, it’s useful to start with a few characters at a time, typically the vowels (あ, い, う, え, お) and practice writing them while also learning their pronunciation. Tools like flashcards, apps that use Spaced Repetition Systems (SRS), and writing practice sheets can be immensely helpful. Consistent practice is key, as it helps to solidify your memory of each character.
2. Katakana alphabet
Katakana is used primarily for foreign words and names, technical and scientific terms, and the names of plants, animals, minerals, and often for emphasis. The characters are more angular and straight-lined compared to Hiragana.
For instance, the English word “computer” is adapted into Japanese using Katakana, resulting in “コンピュータ” (konpyuuta). Katakana is also used for onomatopoeia and the transcription of sound effects, which are prevalent in manga and anime. Like Hiragana Alphabet, Katakana also includes 46 basic characters as below.
How to Learn Katakana
After mastering Hiragana, moving on to Katakana is generally smoother as the phonetic sounds are the same; only the symbols change. Learning Katakana can also follow the method used for Hiragana—using flashcards, apps, and practice sheets. It’s also beneficial to start recognizing Katakana in everyday contexts, such as in menus, signs, and product packaging.
3. Kanji
Kanji are logographic characters borrowed from Chinese. Each Kanji represents a concept or a whole word. For example, the Kanji for “tree” is “木”. Kanji can be daunting because there are thousands of them, and they have multiple readings depending on their context.
Kanji are integral in Japanese writing because they compact complex meanings into single characters, allowing for the concise conveyance of ideas. They are used in combination with Hiragana and Katakana to form full sentences, with Hiragana often used to indicate the grammatical function of a sentence.
Mastery of enough Kanji to read newspapers or literature requires knowledge of thousands of these characters. To be considered fully literate in Japanese as a native adult speaker might be, knowledge of about 2,000 to 3,000 Kanji is typically required. This range covers the most common Kanji used in daily life and literature.
How to Learn Kanji
Starting with commonly used Kanji and learning them in the context of vocabulary is usually the best approach. Many learners find it helpful to use mnemonics or stories to remember the shape and meaning of each Kanji. Tools like Kanji textbooks, SRS-based apps like MochiKanji, and Kanji practice books are effective for systematic study.
Learning Kanji through mnemonics like this:
Or using a supportive app – MochiKanji Learn Japanese. This is an app helping you master Kanji by using the Spaced Repetition method, which helps you memorize 1000 Kanji and vocabulary in just one month!
Now, you understand what the Japanese alphabet is and how to approach them. In the later guide, we will show you how to learn them specifically. See you soon!
