Understand Japanese scripts
Tokyo’s streets, subways, and menus are full of two phonetic alphabets, so mastering katakana hiragana basics makes a big difference. In this guide, you’ll learn why these scripts exist and how they fit into everyday Japanese.
What are hiragana and katakana?
Hiragana and katakana are syllabaries, which means each character represents a syllable rather than a single sound or meaning. Both systems have 46 core symbols, plus additional diacritics and digraphs that bump the total to about 71 each (Wikipedia). Hiragana looks curvy and flowing, while katakana’s strokes are sharp and angular.
History of the kana systems
- Hiragana emerged in the 9th century as a simplified, cursive form of certain kanji. Women in the Heian court used it first for poetry and personal letters.
- Katakana also appeared around the 9th century. Buddhist monks carved parts of Chinese characters into shorthand for reading Chinese texts more easily.
Over time, reforms in the Meiji and post–World War II eras standardized these syllabaries, giving each a specific role in the Japanese writing system.
Role in modern Japanese
- Hiragana writes native Japanese words, grammatical particles, and verb endings.
- Katakana handles foreign loanwords, onomatopoeia, and names of animals or companies.
You’ll spot hiragana on every sign and menu, and katakana pops up for terms like “coffee” (コーヒー) or “Tokyo” in foreign contexts.
Master basic characters
Before you dive into phrases, get comfortable with the building blocks. Start with the five vowels, then add consonant blocks.
Vowels table
| Sound | Hiragana | Katakana |
|---|---|---|
| a | あ | ア |
| i | い | イ |
| u | う | ウ |
| e | え | エ |
| o | お | オ |
Consonant blocks
After vowels come nine consonants (k, s, t, n, h, m, y, r, w) combined with vowels. For example:
- か (ka) and カ (ka)
- し (shi) and シ (shi)
You can find full charts in many apps or PDF workbooks like Tofugu’s Learn Hiragana/Katakana Book series (Tofugu).
Diacritics and digraphs
Add a little dot (dakuten) to turn k into g, s into z, t into d, and h into b. A circle (handakuten) on h makes p. Combine an i-column character with small ya, yu, or yo for sounds like kya (きゃ) and ピョ (pyo).
Practice reading signage
Once you know characters, real-world practice cements your skills. Let’s focus on three key areas: transportation, dining, and shopping.
Transportation words
Tokyo station signs mix kanji, hiragana, and katakana. Look for:
- 駅 (eki – station)
- 出口 (deguchi – exit)
- のりば (noriba – platform)
You’ll also hear announcements in Japanese and English. Check out our japanese train announcements translation guide to boost your listening.
Restaurant and menu items
Menus often list dishes in katakana when they’re foreign, like サンドイッチ (sandwich). Native foods use hiragana or kanji, for example うどん (udon). If you need extra help, our japanese restaurant phrases ordering post has you covered.
Shopping and currency
Price tags use numerals with yen (円). You might see スーパー (supermarket) or コンビニ (convenience store). For handy shopping phrases, peek at japanese shopping phrases useful. And if you get stuck counting, this japanese numbers pronunciation reference will help.
Use essential phrases
Knowing scripts is great, but pairing them with survival phrases makes your Tokyo trip smoother. Here are must-learn categories.
Greetings and polite words
- こんにちは (konnichiwa – hello) japanese greeting phrases
- ありがとう (arigatou – thanks) japanese thank you expressions
- すみません (sumimasen – excuse me/sorry) japanese excuse me phrases
Asking directions
Pointing at your map and saying “_ はどこですか？” (_ wa doko desu ka?) gets you what you need. For more patterns, see how to ask directions japanese.
Dining and ordering
- メニューをください (menyuu o kudasai – please give me the menu)
- おすすめは何ですか (osusume wa nan desu ka – what do you recommend)
Mix hiragana and katakana to read the menu and chat with staff.
Emergencies and health
- 助けてください (tasukete kudasai – please help me)
- 医者を呼んでください (isha o yonde kudasai – call a doctor)
Save these in your phone or see japanese emergency phrases for more.
Apply learning tips
Here are clever tricks to lock in katakana hiragana basics fast so you can enjoy Tokyo, not just study.
Mnemonic techniques
Link the shape of a character to an English keyword that sounds alike. For example, し (shi) looks like a “she”ep’s ear. It’s fun and it sticks.
Read versus write
Prioritize reading first since most signage is digital or printed. Writing by hand helps memory, but focus on recognition if you’re short on time (japanese pronunciation guide).
Digital tools and apps
- Flashcard apps with spaced repetition
- Keyboard input practice on your phone
- Real-time camera translators
Apps let you snap a sign and see instant romaji or English.
Key takeaways
- Hiragana and katakana each have 46 base characters, plus diacritics and digraphs.
- Hiragana handles native words and grammar, katakana covers foreign words and names.
- Practice with real signage: trains, menus, shops.
- Pair scripts with key phrases for greetings, directions, dining, and emergencies.
- Use mnemonics, focus on reading, and lean on digital tools.
Start by memorizing the five vowels table, then tackle consonant blocks. Before long, those Tokyo neon signs will feel less like a wall of squiggles and more like a useful map to adventure.
FAQs
1. How long does it take to learn both scripts?
For most learners, memorizing 92 characters can take a few days to a couple of weeks with daily practice. Focused study sessions using mnemonics and flashcards speed things up.
2. Should I learn hiragana or katakana first?
Either order works. Many start with hiragana since it appears more often. After you nail one, switch to the other immediately to keep momentum.
3. Are diacritics hard to master?
They’re just little dots and circles added to familiar characters. Practice them together with base characters and you’ll pick them up naturally.
4. How can I remember digraphs like kya or pyo?
Treat them as unique symbols rather than two separate characters. Use flashcards that show both hiragana or katakana and the romaji.
5. Which apps help most with reading signs in Tokyo?
Try apps like Obenkyo, Kana Town, or Google Translate’s camera feature. They offer character quizzes and live text translation to reinforce your skills.
