Chapter 0

Hiragana and Katakana

 Introduction
Japanese Writing system are composed of 4 types.
A. Hiragana – Used for standard Japanese Text
B. Katakana – Used for borrowed words (Foreign
Words)
C. Kanji – Used to simplify Japanese Text.
D. Romaji – means roman characters. (Text that needs
to be read in Romanized form)

Example of a Japanese Sentence using all types.

土曜日ミラーさんとＪＲで東京へ行きました。
 Starter
Tips on studying:
1. Master Hiragana – Basic
2. Get Familiar with the dotted symbols.
3. Get Familiar with YaYuYo
4. No need to master Katakana (just familiarize)
5. Once you master Hiragana. Start practicing reading
Chapter 1 onwards. Katakana are used piece by piece. So
no need to worry.
6. Reading Kanji will begin on Chapter 6.

Optional: Japanese are very sensitive with Character Strokes.

Notes on Hiragana 1
Notes on Hiragana 2
Notes on Hiragana 3
Hiragana - Basic
 Hiragana - Dotted

REMARK:
Take note of the additional “ and ° variant.

Ｈa = は
Ba = は + “ = ば
Pa = は + ° = ぱ
 Hiragana – YaYuYo

REMARK: Take note of the additional small や、ゆorよ。

Ki = き
Kya = ki（き）+ small ya(ゃ) = きゃ (This is not the same as きや kiya)
 Notes on Katakana
USES OF KATAKANA

RULES IN KATAKANA

Example:
Cookie = kukkī (with double k and long I sound)
Answer: クッキー
Katakana - Basic
Katakana - Dotted
Katakana - YaYuYo
Katakana - Foreign
Some Notes
 Writing Strokes
GENERAL RULE when writing Japanese Characters:
1. Go Top to Bottom
2. Go left to right
3. Horizontal lines first
4. Very Long Lines second
5. Minor Dashes, Dots and other trimmings are
added last
6. Symmetrical Characters that sit on the outside
come after the line which divides them
7. Boxes only have three lines

• Of course, sometimes, there are exceptions (Rare)

Stroke Sample - Hiragana
Stroke Sample - Katakana
 PRACTICE
Once you finished mastering the Hiragana, try answering the following:
Change the following Romaji to Hiragana
asa _______ tokei ______ nani _______ yūmei _______
Sushi _______ bara ______ sanbyaku _______ gyūnyū ______

Change the following Hiragana to Romaji

けいさつ _______ ほんさつ _______ くうこう _______ しんぶん _____
くつ _______ けいたい _______ りょうり _______ かんぱい _____

Change the following Romaji to Katakana (Optional)

kukkī _______ dezāto ______ yotto _______ takushii _______
sōsu _______ messēji ______ menyū _______ toire ______

Change the following Katakana to Romaji (Optional)

パーキング_______デート _______ ボタン _______ ヒーター _____
レストラン _______キャンセル _______ ページ_______ グラス _____