Learning Guide
Katakana

katakana

Katakana カタカナ is a Japanese writing system used to write words of foreign origin, foreign proper names, onomatopoeia, and animal sounds. Katakana is one of three Japanese writing systems, along with hiragana and kanji.

カタカナ

Contents

  • Introduction
  • How it works?
  • Syllabary
      • - Basic Syllables
      • - Variations of sounds
      • - Combinations
    • Learn with a course

Introduction

Katakana were developed in Japan in the 9th century, originally to facilitate the reading of Buddhist texts imported from China. However, their use has evolved over time, and katakana are now used to write foreign words and sounds that have no equivalent in hiragana or kanji.

Katakana also consist of 46 characters, each representing a Japanese syllable. The characters are similar to hiragana, but they have more angular and upright strokes. Katakana are often written in large sizes and are used to draw attention to particular words or to give texts a modern, western look.

Although katakana are mainly used to write foreign words, they also have cultural and emotional connotations for Japanese people. Katakana characters are often used to express excitement, surprise, and modernity, and are often associated with Japanese popular culture.

Syllabary

a
i
u
e
o
ka
ki
ku
ke
ko
sa
shi
su
se
so
ta
chi
tsu
te
to
na
ni
nu
ne
no
ha
hi
fu
he
ho
ma
mi
mu
me
mo
ya
yu
yo
ra
ri
ru
re
ro
wa
wo
n
ga
gi
gu
ge
go
za
ji
zu
ze
zo
da
ji
zu
de
do
ba
bi
bu
be
bo
pa
pi
pu
pe
po
キャ kya
キュ kyu
キョ kyo
シャ sha
シュ shu
ショ sho
チャ cha
チュ chu
チョ cho
ニャ nya
ニュ nyu
ニョ nyo
ヒャ hya
ヒュ hyu
ヒョ hyo
ニャ mya
ニュ myu
ニョ myo
リャ rya
リュ ryu
リョ ryo
ギャ gya
ギュ gyu
ギョ gyo
ジャ ja
ジュ ju
ジョ jo
ビャ bya
ビュ byu
ビョ byo
ピャ pya
ピュ pyu
ピョ pyo

Need a Course?
Learn Katakana

Progressive Lesson

We have broken down the katakana syllabary into several lessons so that you can learn to read and write each character.

Practical Exercise

Practice each learned katakana with flashcards, memory games and word-reading exercises.

Even More

And also, stroke order, pronunciation, writing sheets (for members). As well as summary tables, wallpapers and many more.


Learn to read and write katakana now

* With a premium subscription you receive a writing book as well as writing sheets for each lesson and access to all other courses.

If you don't know hiragana yet, we recommend that you learn hiragana first Hiragana Lesson