Japanese Hiragana Mnemonics Index

Timothy Stout, Illustrations by Alexis Cowan

A: “Open your mouth SA

あ and say ‘Ahh,’” says the

dentist. さ He saw something
that made him smile.

I: The two “I’s” in SHI

い Hawaii
し She has a ponytail.

U SU

う Ew! There’s a bug on

your ear!
す It’s another perfect
dive by Super Diver.

E SE

え An elf hanging
ornaments on a
Christmas tree.
せ Mother sets Baby on
her lap.

O SO

お Oh! A hole in one!

そ Fix the rip by sewing
a zigzag stitch.

KA TA

か “Kah” a crow cries as it

flies to a tree on the top
of a cliff.
た “t” and “a” spell “ta”

KI CHI

き A key.
ち A cheerleader.

KU TSU

く A cuckoo’s beak.
つ Tsunami waves can
be very destructive.

KE TE

け Kendo is a traditional
Japanese sport using
wooden swords.
て The shape of “TE” is
in the palm of your
right hand, and the
word for “hand” in
Japanese is “TE.”
KO TO

こ A koala climbing a tree.

と Ouch! There’s a
thorn in my toe!
 NA ME

な A beaver gnawing on a
tree
This bicycle needs a
mechanic.
NI MO

に A knee
も You can catch more
fish with more bait.
NU YA

ぬ A new bicycle
や 100% wool yarn (and
two knitting needles)

NE YU

ね A nest in a tree
ゆ You stabbed the fish!

NO YO

の “No Parking”
よ A Yo-yo

HA RA

は A hockey player
ら The fan cheered:
Rah! Rah! Rah!
HI RI

ひ He has a big smile on

his face.
り A ring on your
finger.
FU* RU

ふ Mount Fuji is a dormant

volcano.
る Three (3) rubies

HE RE

へ An arrow pointing to
heaven
れ The radio tower was
struck by lightning.
HO RO

ほ Holding the hockey

stick with two hands he
is ready to play!
ろ The three (3) rubies
rolled away!
MA WA
He will mop the floor.
わ A waterfall rushing
past a tree
MI O* (sometimes WO
Who is number 21?
Me!
を “Whoa!” calls the
cowboy to his horse.
MU N
Moo!
ん It sounds a bit like
the letter “n.”

*Pronounce “FU” without your teeth and lips touching.