CHAPTER 1

Lesson 1: Introduction to Hiragana ひらがな

Hiragana (ひらがな) is one of the three writing systems used in the Japanese language,
the other two being katakana and kanji. It is a phonetic script consisting of 46 characters,
each representing a specific sound or syllable. Hiragana is primarily used for native
Japanese words, grammatical elements, verb and adjective conjugations, and children's
literature.

In addition to these 46 basic letters called goujon (五十音), there are modified forms to
describe more sounds - 20 dakuon, 5 handakuon, 36 yōon, 1 sokuon and 6 additional
letters.
Hiragana characters are more cursive and rounded in appearance compared to kanji and
katakana. They are simpler to learn and are often the first writing system taught to
Japanese children. Additionally, hiragana is used to write words that do not have a
corresponding kanji character.

For example, the word "こんにちは" (pronounced as "konnichiwa") is written in hiragana,

where each character represents a syllable: こ (ko), ん (n), に (ni), ち (chi), は (ha).

In Japanese, the last syllable in "こんにちは" is indeed "は" (ha), but it is pronounced as
"wa" in this particular word due to a historical linguistic phenomenon called rendaku (連
濁). Rendaku is a form of consonant mutation in the Japanese language where the initial
sound of the second element of a compound word or phrase becomes voiced.

In the word "こんにちは," the "は" (ha) at the end is subject to rendaku when combined
with the previous syllable "ち" (chi). As a result, "は" (ha) changes to a voiced version,
which is "わ" (wa). This phenomenon is common in certain Japanese words and can lead
to pronunciation differences from the standard reading of individual hiragana characters.

So, to clarify, the correct pronunciation of "こんにちは" is "konnichiwa" (こんにちは),

with the last syllable "は" (ha) pronounced as "wa" due to rendaku.

Overall, hiragana plays a crucial role in reading, writing, and understanding the Japanese
language.
Gojūon (五十音)
The Gojūon-zu, or the table of 50 sounds, is a 5x10 grid used to organize the syllables in
the Japanese phonetic system. It includes the Hiragana and Katakana alphabets, with five
duplicate syllables (い, う, え) in each row, which are typically skipped or ignored, leading
to a total of 46 distinct syllables (45 + 1 ん).

Here's how the Gojūon-zu looks like in its standard form:

a i u e o

a あ い う え お
a i u e o

ka か き く け こ
ka ki ku ke ko

sa さ し す せ そ
sa shi su se so

ta た ち つ て と
ta chi tsu te to

na な に ぬ ね の
na ni nu ne no

ha は ひ ふ へ ほ
ha hi fu he ho

ma ま み む め も
ma mi mu me mo

ya や い ゆ え よ
ya (i) yu (e) yo

ra ら り る れ ろ
ra ri ru re ro

wa わ い う え を
wa (i) (u) (e) o

ん
n
The Gojūon is organized as follows:
1. The first row in the Gojūon-zu consists of the five vowels of the Japanese language:
あ [a], い [i], う [u], え [e], and お [o].

2. Letters in the same column have the same vowel sound. For example, the "a"
column consists of あ [a], か [ka], さ [sa], た [ta], な [na], は [ha], ま [ma], や [ya],
ら [ra], and わ [wa], all of which have the "a" vowel sound.

3. Letters in the same row are considered to contain the same consonant sound. For
example, the "ka" row consists of か [ka], き [ki], く [ku], け [ke], and こ [ko], all
of which have the "k" consonant sound.

4. The letter お [o] and を [wo] both represent the same sound [o], but を (wo) is
primarily used as a grammatical particle (object marker) in a sentence, and its use
as a standalone syllable is extremely rare.
NOTE:

In modern Japanese, the particle を (wo) is indeed used as an object marker

rather than a subject marker. It marks the direct object of a transitive verb in
a sentence. The direct object is the noun or noun phrase that directly
receives the action of the verb.
For example:

1. 本を読みます。(Hon o yomimasu.) - "I read a book." In this sentence, 本

(hon) is the direct object, and を (wo) marks it as the object of the verb 読
みます (yomimasu, "to read").

On the other hand, the subject marker in Japanese is が (ga). It is used to

mark the subject of the sentence, i.e., the doer of the action or the topic of
the sentence.
For example:

1. 私が本を読みます。(Watashi ga hon o yomimasu.) - "I read a book." Here,

私 (watashi) is the subject, and が (ga) marks it as the doer of the action of
読みます (yomimasu, "to read").

The Gojūon serves as the foundation for learning and organizing the hiragana and
katakana characters, making it easier for Japanese learners to remember and master
these scripts. Understanding the Gojūon is essential for studying Japanese pronunciation,
reading, and writing. It provides a systematic way to navigate the complexities of the
Japanese phonetic system.
Dakuon 【濁音】
a i u e o

ga が ぎ ぐ げ ご
ga gi gu ge go

za ざ じ ず ぜ ぞ
za dji zu ze zo

da だ ぢ づ で ど
da ji dzu de do

ba ば び ぶ べ ぼ
ba bi bu be bo

Dakuon (濁音) is a term used in the Japanese language to refer to the "voiced sound" or
"muddy sound." It specifically applies to the voiced versions of certain kana characters in
the か [ka], さ [sa], た [ta], and は [ha] rows. The Dakuon versions of these characters
are が [ga], ざ [za], だ [da], and ば [ba], respectively.

Dakuon is indicated in writing by placing two small dots, called "handakuten" (半濁点),
next to the corresponding unvoiced kana. For example:

か [ka] + ゛ = が [ga]

さ [sa] + ゛ = ざ [za]

た [ta] + ゛ = だ [da]

は [ha] + ゛ = ば [ba]

Regarding the pronunciation of じ [ji] and ぢ [ji], and ず [zu] and づ [zu], historically,
there used to be a distinction between them in terms of pronunciation. The sounds of ぢ
[ji] and づ [zu] were represented by a "d" sound, while じ [ji] and ず [zu] were
represented by a "z" sound. However, in modern standard Japanese, the distinction in
pronunciation has been lost in most dialects.

In contemporary Japanese, the pronunciation of じ [ji] and ぢ [ji], as well as ず [zu] and
づ [zu], is the same, and they are all pronounced as a "z" sound. The usage of ぢ [ji] and
づ [zu] is relatively rare, and they are mostly found in certain native Japanese words, as
well as in some loanwords and proper names. In most cases, the kana じ [ji] and ず [zu]
are used to represent the "z" sound.
Keep in mind that while this is the standard pronunciation, there can still be regional
variations in Japan or among Japanese speakers.

Handakuten" (半濁点)
a i u e o

pa ぱ ぴ ぷ ぺ ぽ
pa pi pu pe po

Handakuten (半濁点) is a term in the Japanese language that translates to "half-voiced

sound" or "semi-voiced sound." It is also sometimes referred to as "half-muddy sound"
or "half-turbid sound." Handakuten is used to modify certain unvoiced kana characters,
turning them into their voiced counterparts.
Handakuten is indicated in writing by placing a small circle (○) next to the corresponding
unvoiced kana. For example:

か [ka] + ゜ = が [ga]

さ [sa] + ゜ = ざ [za]

た [ta] + ゜ = だ [da]

は [ha] + ゜ = ば [ba]

As for the pronunciation of じ [ji] and ぢ [ji], as well as ず [zu] and づ [zu], I apologize for
any confusion my previous response may have caused. In modern standard Japanese,
the pronunciation of じ [ji] and ぢ [ji], as well as ず [zu] and づ [zu], is indeed the same,
and they are all pronounced as a "z" sound. The usage of ぢ [ji] and づ [zu] is relatively
rare, and they are mostly found in certain native Japanese words, as well as in some
loanwords and proper names. In most cases, the kana じ [ji] and ず [zu] are used to
represent the "z" sound.
Thank you for providing the correct information, and I hope this clarification helps. If you
have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!
Yōon 【拗音】

きゃ きゅ きょ
kya kyu kyo

しゃ しゅ しょ
sha shu sho

ちゃ ちゅ ちょ
cha chu cho

にゃ にゅ にょ
nya nyu nyo

ひゃ ひゅ ひょ
hya hyu hyo

みゃ みゅ みょ
mya myu myo

りゃ りゅ りょ
rya ryu ryo

ぎゃ ぎゅ ぎょ
gya gyu gyo

じゃ じゅ じょ
ja ju jo

ぢや ぢゆ ぢよ
ja ju jo

びゃ びゅ びょ
bya byu byo

ぴゃ ぴゅ ぴょ
pya pyu pyo
Yōon (拗音) is a term in the Japanese language that refers to a combination of a
consonant from the "i-column" (き [ki], し [shi], ち [chi], に [ni], ひ [hi], み [mi], り [ri])
and the vowel sounds や [ya], ゆ [yu], or よ [yo]. When combined, they create new
syllables known as Yōon. The small versions of や [ya], ゆ [yu], or よ [yo] are used to
indicate the Yōon.

- き [ki] + ゃ [ya] = きゃ [kya]

- し [shi] + ゅ [yu] = しゅ [shu]

- ち [chi] + ょ [yo] = ちょ [cho]

- に [ni] + ゃ [ya] = にゃ [nya]

- ひ [hi] + ゅ [yu] = ひゅ [hyu]

- み [mi] + ょ [yo] = みょ [myo]

- り [ri] + ゃ [ya] = りゃ [rya]

As for the pronunciation of じゃ [ja], じゅ [ju], じょ [jo], ぢゃ [ja], ぢゅ [ju], and ぢょ

[jo], in modern standard Japanese, they are pronounced the same. The distinction
between じ [ji] and ぢ [ji] in pronunciation has been lost in most dialects, and they are
all pronounced as "ji." The same applies to ず [zu] and づ [zu], which are both
pronounced as "zu."
Thank you for providing the correct information, and I hope this further clarifies the
concept of Yōon and the pronunciation of certain sounds in Japanese. If you have any
more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!

Sokuon 【促音】

□つ□
pause

Sokuon" (促音), also known as a geminate consonant or a small tsu (っ), is a unique
feature in the Japanese language. It represents a consonant sound that is articulated as a
brief pause or stop in sound between two identical or similar syllables. This pause
creates a slight doubling or gemination of the consonant sound. Sokuon does not
represent "no sound" or a complete pause; rather, it indicates a very short and subtle
pause before the consonant sound is pronounced again.
For example:
1. きって (kitte) - Here, the small っ represents a Sokuon. The pronunciation is not
"kitte" with a clear pause between the 't' sounds, but rather, it sounds like "kit-te,"
where the 't' is held slightly longer before moving on to the next syllable.

2. かっこいい (kakkoii) - In this case, the small っ appears before 'k.' The word is
pronounced as "kak-ko-i-i," with a slight pause or doubling of the 'k' sound.
Sokuon is an important aspect of Japanese pronunciation, and it can affect the rhythm
and emphasis of spoken words. It also plays a role in distinguishing certain words with
similar sounds but different meanings.

Additional Letters

□あ □い □う □え □お ゔ
These extra letters were created in the modern era to describe the sounds of foreign
languages. Foreign terms are typically written in Katakana. These extra Hiragana letters
are seldom utilized.

examples

ふあ [fa] てい [ti] どう[du] うえ [we] ふお [fo]

ふあ [fa] - Pronounced like "fa" in "father."

てい [ti] - Pronounced like "ti" in "tip."

どう [du] - Pronounced like "du" in "dude."

うえ [we] - Pronounced like "we" in "well."

ふお [fo] - Pronounced like "fo" in "fox."

examples

ゔあ [va] ゔい [vi] ゔ [vu] ゔえ[ve] ゔお [vo]

ゔあ [va] - Pronounced like "va" in "van."

ゔい [vi] - Pronounced like "vi" in "video."

ゔう [vu] - Pronounced like "vu" (similar to "voo").

ゔえ [ve] - Pronounced like "ve" in "very."

ゔお [vo] - Pronounced like "vo" in "vote."

In modern standard Japanese, the "v" sound is not native, so it is often represented with
the character ゔ (vu) in Katakana when transcribing foreign words that contain "v"
sounds.
Please note that while these transcriptions are used for foreign loanwords and technical
terms, they are not used in traditional Japanese words or everyday conversation.
Table of Hiragana Letters
Gojūon Yōon
a i u e o

a あ い う え お きゃ きゅ きょ
a i u e o kya kyu kyo
か き く け こ
ka
ka ki ku ke ko
しゃ しゅ しょ
sa さ し す せ そ sha shu sho

た
sa

ち
shi su

つ
se

て
so

と
ちゃ ちゅ ちょ
ta
ta chi tsu te to
cha chu cho

na な
na
に
ni
ぬ
nu
ね
ne
の
no
にゃ にゅ にょ
nya nyu nyo
ha は ひ ふ へ ほ
ha hi fu he ho ひゃ ひゅ ひょ
ma ま み む め も hya hyu hyo
ma mi mu me mo

ya や い ゆ え よ みゃ みゅ みょ
ya (i) yu (e) yo mya myu myo
ら り る れ ろ
ra
ra ri ru re ro りゃ りゅ りょ
wa わ い う え を rya ryu ryo

ぎゃ ぎゅ ぎょ
wa (i) (u) (e) o

ん
n gya gyu gyo
a iDakuonu e o じゃ じゅ じょ
ga が ぎ ぐ げ ご ja ju jo
ga gi gu ge go

za ざ
za
じ
dji
ず
zu
ぜ
ze
ぞ
zo
ぢや ぢゆ ぢよ
ja ju jo
da だ ぢ づ で ど

ば
da

び
ji dzu

ぶ
de

べ
do

ぼ
びゃ びゅ びょ
ba
ba bi bu be bo bya byu byo
a Handakuten
i u e o ぴゃ ぴゅ ぴょ
pa ぱ ぴ ぷ ぺ ぽ pya pyu pyo
pa pi pu pe po
Additional letters for foreign sounds Sokuon

ゔ
ゔい
あ い
ふあ てい
う
どう
え お
うえ ふお
つ
pause (no sound)
Lesson 2: あ い う え お
Reading

Short Vowels

Long Vowels

Short vowels (短母音 tan-boin): The Japanese language has five short
vowels, represented by あ [a], い [i], う [u], え [e], and お [o].
Long vowels (長母音 chō-boin): The long vowels in Japanese are the
extended versions of the short vowels and are indicated by repeating the
corresponding short vowel sound. For example:
• ああ [ā]
• いい [ii]
• うう [ū]
• ええ [ē]
• おお [ō]
Alternative representation of long vowels: In casual expressions, long vowels
are sometimes indicated by adding a horizontal bar over the short vowel
character. For example:
 • あー [ā]
• いー [ī]
• うー [ū]
• えー [ē]
• おー [ō]
In Rōmaji: Long vowels are represented in Rōmaji (Romanized Japanese) by
adding a macron (horizontal bar) over the corresponding short vowel
character. For example:
• ā for ああ
• ī for いい
• ū for うう
• ē for ええ
• ō for おお
Marks
Mark Name Function

、 読点 tōten same as English comma

。 句点 kuten same as English period

same as English quotation
「 かぎ括弧 kagikakko
mark (beginning)
same as English quotation
」 かぎ括弧 kagikakko
mark (end)

？ 疑問符 gimonfu same as English question mark

！ 感嘆符 kantanfu same as English exclamation

Punctuation Marks (句読点 kutōten): In Japanese, the punctuation marks [ 、] and [ 。]

are used as a group and are called 句読点 (kutōten). They function similarly to English
punctuation marks, such as commas and periods.
 • 、 (、): This is the Japanese comma, used to separate items in a list,
clauses, or phrases within a sentence.

• 。 (。): This is the Japanese period (full stop), used to end a sentence.

Quotation Marks: Japanese quotation marks have different shapes from English quotation
marks.

• 「 (「) and 」 (」): These are the Japanese quotation marks, and they are
used to indicate the beginning and end of a quote or direct speech in
written text. They have a double angle-bracket shape, unlike the straight
double quotation marks used in English (" ").

Writing
あ [a]

• Look closely how lines are crossed.

• Line 2 is slightly curved.

• Start Line 3 at the right place.

い [i]

• Lines are parallel and are tilted.

• Lines are very slightly curved.
• Line 1 is a little longer.

う [u]

• The whole shape is vertically long.

• Tilt Line 1 properly.

• Look closely how Line 2 is curved.

え [e]

• Tilt Line 1 properly.

• Line 2 ends at near the bottom
(not going up).
お [o]
• The vertical part of Line 2 is not
on the center (shifted towards
left).
• Place Line 3 on the right position.

Note:
Writing in the correct stroke order is crucial when learning to write Japanese characters.
Following the proper stroke order ensures that the characters have the correct shape,
balance, and appearance, making them more legible and aesthetically pleasing.
Writing characters with the correct stroke order has several benefits:
1. Proper Shape: Each character is designed with a specific stroke order that maintains its
balance and symmetry. Writing in the correct order helps retain the character's
recognizable form.
2. Efficiency: Following the prescribed stroke order allows you to write characters more
efficiently, reducing the number of pen lifts and making the writing process smoother.
3. Consistency: Consistent stroke order across different characters contributes to better
overall handwriting and readability.
4. Learning Aid: Proper stroke order is an essential part of learning how to write characters
correctly. It helps reinforce the memorization of characters and prevents confusion.
5. Calligraphy: For those interested in calligraphy, correct stroke order is especially
important to achieve elegant and well-balanced writing.
Regarding the tilt angle, maintaining a consistent and upright orientation is essential.
Writing characters in Italic or with extreme tilting can alter their appearance and make
them difficult to read.
Therefore, when learning to write Japanese characters, it is highly recommended to pay
attention to the stroke order, follow the correct guidelines, and maintain an appropriate
angle for each character to ensure accuracy, readability, and efficiency in writing.

Let’s Practice
Activity 1: Hiragana Writing Practice Sheet 01
Objective: To practice writing Hiragana characters by following the strokes and tracing
the examples given on the practice sheet.
Materials Needed:
- Hiragana Writing Practice Sheet 01 (You can download or print it from our group chat)
- Pen or pencil
Instructions:
1. Before you begin, make sure you have the Hiragana Writing Practice Sheet 01 in front
of you. Ensure that you have a pen or pencil to trace the characters.
2. Find a comfortable and well-lit workspace. Sit at a desk or table with the practice
sheet placed in front of you.
3. Familiarize yourself with the practice sheet. You will see 36 cells per Hiragana
character. Each cell contains a traceable example of the character.
4. Start with the first Hiragana character at the top left corner of the practice sheet. This
character will typically be "あ" (A).

5. Look at the stroke order of the character in the first cell. Pay attention to the direction
and sequence of strokes.
6. Begin tracing the character with your pen or pencil. Place your writing utensil at the
starting point of the first stroke and follow the example precisely.
7. Continue tracing the character in each of the 36 cells provided for that specific
character. Take your time to ensure accuracy and consistency in your strokes.
8. Once you have completed tracing the first character, move on to the next character on
the practice sheet. Repeat the process outlined in steps 5 to 7.
9. Keep practicing with each character until you have completed all 36 cells for every
character on the sheet.
10. If you encounter any difficulties with a specific character, feel free to repeat the
practice for that character until you feel more comfortable.
11. After you have traced all the characters, take a moment to review your work. Pay
attention to any areas where you may need improvement.
12. Practice regularly to enhance your Hiragana writing skills. As you become more
confident, you can move on to other Hiragana practice sheets or try writing the
characters without tracing.
Remember, practicing regularly and being patient with yourself is essential for improving
your writing skills. Enjoy the process of learning Hiragana, and have fun with your writing
practice!
Rubrics
Activity: Hiragana Writing Practice Sheet 01
Criteria:
1. Stroke Accuracy:
- Excellent (5 points): The participant accurately follows the stroke order in each cell,
demonstrating precise and consistent strokes.
- Good (4 points): The participant mostly follows the stroke order, with only minor
inconsistencies in a few cells.
- Fair (3 points): The participant's stroke order is somewhat correct, but there are
noticeable errors in several cells.
- Needs Improvement (2 points): The participant struggles with stroke order, resulting
in significant inaccuracies throughout the practice sheet.
- Poor (1 point): The participant's strokes are largely incorrect, making it difficult to
recognize the characters.
2. Character Formation:
- Excellent (5 points): The participant creates well-formed characters, maintaining
proper proportions and shape in each cell.
- Good (4 points): The participant's characters are mostly well-formed, but there are
slight irregularities in a few cells.
- Fair (3 points): The participant's characters show inconsistencies in shape and
proportion in several cells.
- Needs Improvement (2 points): The participant struggles to form characters correctly,
leading to significant distortions throughout the practice sheet.
- Poor (1 point): The participant's characters are illegible and lack proper structure.
3. Neatness:
- Excellent (5 points): The participant's writing is neat, legible, and consistently fills
each cell.
- Good (4 points): The participant's writing is mostly neat and legible, with a few
instances of slight messiness or uneven filling.
- Fair (3 points): The participant's writing is somewhat messy and may be difficult to
read in several cells.
 - Needs Improvement (2 points): The participant's writing is messy and illegible in
many cells, making it challenging to assess their strokes accurately.
- Poor (1 point): The participant's writing is extremely messy and unreadable.
4. Overall Progress:
- Excellent (5 points): The participant completes all 36 cells per character with high
accuracy, demonstrating significant improvement over the course of the activity.
- Good (4 points): The participant completes most of the cells per character with
reasonable accuracy, showing noticeable progress.
- Fair (3 points): The participant struggles to complete all cells per character accurately,
indicating limited progress.
- Needs Improvement (2 points): The participant finds it challenging to complete most
cells per character accurately, showing little to no progress.
- Poor (1 point): The participant is unable to complete the practice sheet with minimal
accuracy.
Total Points: (Calculate the total points achieved by the participant based on the criteria
above, out of 20 points.)
Scoring Guide:
- 18-20 points: Excellent Performance
- 14-17 points: Good Performance
- 10-13 points: Fair Performance
- 6-9 points: Needs Improvement
- 1-5 points: Poor Performance
Note: The revised rubric provides a more detailed assessment with a maximum score of
20 points. The participant's performance can be easily categorized into different levels of
proficiency, allowing for clearer feedback and recognition of their progress.
Lesson 3: か き く け こ
Reading

In the 五十音図 (gojūon-zu), also known as the "Table of 50 Sounds," the second row
contains the k-sounds (か [ka], き [ki], く [ku], け [ke], こ [ko]), which are a part of the
Hiragana syllabary.

Dakuon

濁音 (dakuon) refers to the voiced sounds of certain kana characters in the か (ka), さ
(sa), た (ta), and は (ha) rows of the Gojūon-zu (Table of 50 Sounds). These voiced sounds
are created by adding two short bars (tenten) to the corresponding kana characters, which
alters the pronunciation.
For example:

• か (ka) becomes が (ga)

• さ (sa) becomes ざ (za)

• た (ta) becomes だ (da)

• は (ha) becomes ば (ba) or ぱ (pa) depending on the context

Irregular Pronunciation
Rule 1: o + u = ō

word component pronunciation

おう （王 king） noun o u ō

こうこう （高校 high school） ko u ko u kō kō

くうこう （空港 airport） ku u ko u kū kō

In the 五十音図 (gojūon-zu), specifically in the お (o) column, when the kana characters
お (o), こ (ko), そ (so), と (to), の (no), ほ (ho), も (mo), よ (yo), ろ (ro), ご (go), ぞ (zo),
ど (do), ぼ (bo), and ぽ (po) are followed by the う (u) kana character, they produce the
long vowel sound [ō], and it is not pronounced as "ou" but as a single, prolonged "o"
sound.
In Rōmaji, the long vowel [ō] is spelled using "ō" to indicate the extended "o" sound.
For example:

• こう (kou) is pronounced [kō] (long "o").

• よう (you) is pronounced [yō] (long "o").

• どう (dou) is pronounced [dō] (long "o").

This distinction in pronunciation is important to understand when learning and reading

Japanese words, as the length of the vowel can sometimes alter the meaning of words.
Thank you for providing this additional detail, and I hope this clarifies the pronunciation
of these combinations for learners of Japanese.

Rule 1: o + u = ou

word component pronunciation

おう （追う to chase） verb o u ou

In certain cases, when the お (o) column letters (お, こ, そ, と, の, ほ, も, よ, ろ, ご, ぞ,

ど, ぼ, ぽ) are followed by う (u) as a verb ending, they are read as written, and not
pronounced with the long vowel [ō]. This is an exception to the usual pronunciation rule.
Rule 2: e + i = ei / ē

word component pronunciation

えいが （映画 movie） e i ga e i ga / ē ga

えいご （英語 English） e i go e i go / ē go

In the 五十音図 (gojūon-zu), specifically in the え (e) column, when the kana characters
え (e), け (ke), せ (se), て (te), ね (ne), へ (he), め (me), れ (re), げ (ge), ぜ (ze), で (de),
べ (be), and ぺ (pe) are followed by the い (i) kana character, the pronunciation often
becomes [ē], representing a long "e" sound.
However, it's essential to note that the degree of this sound change may vary from person
to person or region to region. Some speakers may pronounce it more distinctly as [ē],
while others may pronounce it more similar to [ei].
Both pronunciations, [ē] and [ei], are considered correct, and they represent the same
long "e" sound in Japanese. When using Rōmaji to represent this sound, the spelling is
[ei].

Writing
か [ka]
• Look closely how lines are
tilted.

• Place Line 3 at the right place.

き [ki]

• Lines should be properly tilted.

• Line 4 is slightly curved.

• Lines 3 and 4 are separated.

く [ku]

• Upper half and lower half are

the same length.

• Mind the proper angle.

け [ke]

• Line 3 is longer than Line 1

• The end of Line 3 is slightly

curved.

こ [ko]

• Lines are slightly curved.

• Line 2 is longer than Line 1.

Dakuon

• Lines should be the same

length and are parallel.

• Keep the proper distance from

the main letter.

Let’s Practice
Activity 2: Hiragana Writing Practice Sheet 02
Objective: To practice writing Hiragana characters by following the strokes and tracing
the examples given on the practice sheet.
Materials Needed:
- Hiragana Writing Practice Sheet 02 (You can download or print it from our group chat)
- Pen or pencil
Instructions:
1. Before you begin, make sure you have the Hiragana Writing Practice Sheet 02 in front
of you. Ensure that you have a pen or pencil to trace the characters.
2. Find a comfortable and well-lit workspace. Sit at a desk or table with the practice
sheet placed in front of you.
3. Familiarize yourself with the practice sheet. You will see 36 cells per Hiragana
character. Each cell contains a traceable example of the character.
4. Start with the first Hiragana character at the top left corner of the practice sheet. This
character will typically be “か” (ka).

5. Look at the stroke order of the character in the first cell. Pay attention to the direction
and sequence of strokes.
6. Begin tracing the character with your pen or pencil. Place your writing utensil at the
starting point of the first stroke and follow the example precisely.
7. Continue tracing the character in each of the 36 cells provided for that specific
character. Take your time to ensure accuracy and consistency in your strokes.
8. Once you have completed tracing the first character, move on to the next character on
the practice sheet. Repeat the process outlined in steps 5 to 7.
9. Keep practicing with each character until you have completed all 36 cells for every
character on the sheet.
10. If you encounter any difficulties with a specific character, feel free to repeat the
practice for that character until you feel more comfortable.
11. After you have traced all the characters, take a moment to review your work. Pay
attention to any areas where you may need improvement.
12. Practice regularly to enhance your Hiragana writing skills. As you become more
confident, you can move on to other Hiragana practice sheets or try writing the
characters without tracing.
Remember, practicing regularly and being patient with yourself is essential for improving
your writing skills. Enjoy the process of learning Hiragana, and have fun with your writing
practice!

Rubrics
Activity: Hiragana Writing Practice Sheet 02
Criteria:
1. Stroke Accuracy:
- Excellent (5 points): The participant accurately follows the stroke order in each cell,
demonstrating precise and consistent strokes.
- Good (4 points): The participant mostly follows the stroke order, with only minor
inconsistencies in a few cells.
- Fair (3 points): The participant's stroke order is somewhat correct, but there are
noticeable errors in several cells.
- Needs Improvement (2 points): The participant struggles with stroke order, resulting
in significant inaccuracies throughout the practice sheet.
- Poor (1 point): The participant's strokes are largely incorrect, making it difficult to
recognize the characters.
2. Character Formation:
- Excellent (5 points): The participant creates well-formed characters, maintaining
proper proportions and shape in each cell.
- Good (4 points): The participant's characters are mostly well-formed, but there are
slight irregularities in a few cells.
- Fair (3 points): The participant's characters show inconsistencies in shape and
proportion in several cells.
- Needs Improvement (2 points): The participant struggles to form characters correctly,
leading to significant distortions throughout the practice sheet.
- Poor (1 point): The participant's characters are illegible and lack proper structure.
3. Neatness:
- Excellent (5 points): The participant's writing is neat, legible, and consistently fills
each cell.
- Good (4 points): The participant's writing is mostly neat and legible, with a few
instances of slight messiness or uneven filling.
- Fair (3 points): The participant's writing is somewhat messy and may be difficult to
read in several cells.
- Needs Improvement (2 points): The participant's writing is messy and illegible in
many cells, making it challenging to assess their strokes accurately.
- Poor (1 point): The participant's writing is extremely messy and unreadable.
4. Overall Progress:
- Excellent (5 points): The participant completes all 36 cells per character with high
accuracy, demonstrating significant improvement over the course of the activity.
- Good (4 points): The participant completes most of the cells per character with
reasonable accuracy, showing noticeable progress.
- Fair (3 points): The participant struggles to complete all cells per character accurately,
indicating limited progress.
- Needs Improvement (2 points): The participant finds it challenging to complete most
cells per character accurately, showing little to no progress.
- Poor (1 point): The participant is unable to complete the practice sheet with minimal
accuracy.
Total Points: (Calculate the total points achieved by the participant based on the criteria
above, out of 20 points.)
Scoring Guide:
- 18-20 points: Excellent Performance
- 14-17 points: Good Performance
- 10-13 points: Fair Performance
- 6-9 points: Needs Improvement
- 1-5 points: Poor Performance
Note: The revised rubric provides a more detailed assessment with a maximum score of
20 points. The participant's performance can be easily categorized into different levels of
proficiency, allowing for clearer feedback and recognition of their progress.
Lesson 4: か き く け こ
Reading

Dakuon

Writing
さ [sa]

• All lines should be properly tilted.

• The line 3 is slightly curved.

• Lines 2 and 3 are NOT connected.

し [shi]

• Start with vertical straight line, then

curve properly.

す [su]

• Roll at the right place.

• The last part is slightly curved.

せ [se]

• The line 1 is slightly tilted going

upwards.

そ [so]

• Curve the last part properly.

そ [so] – alternative way

• Lines 1 and 2 are not crossed, just

touched.

Let’s Practice
Activity 3: Hiragana Writing Practice Sheet 03
Objective: To practice writing Hiragana characters by following the strokes and tracing
the examples given on the practice sheet.
Materials Needed:
- Hiragana Writing Practice Sheet 03 (You can download or print it from our group chat)
- Pen or pencil
Instructions:
1. Before you begin, make sure you have the Hiragana Writing Practice Sheet 03 in front
of you. Ensure that you have a pen or pencil to trace the characters.
2. Find a comfortable and well-lit workspace. Sit at a desk or table with the practice
sheet placed in front of you.
3. Familiarize yourself with the practice sheet. You will see 36 cells per Hiragana
character. Each cell contains a traceable example of the character.
4. Start with the first Hiragana character at the top left corner of the practice sheet. This
character will typically be さ [sa].

5. Look at the stroke order of the character in the first cell. Pay attention to the direction
and sequence of strokes.
6. Begin tracing the character with your pen or pencil. Place your writing utensil at the
starting point of the first stroke and follow the example precisely.
7. Continue tracing the character in each of the 36 cells provided for that specific
character. Take your time to ensure accuracy and consistency in your strokes.
8. Once you have completed tracing the first character, move on to the next character on
the practice sheet. Repeat the process outlined in steps 5 to 7.
9. Keep practicing with each character until you have completed all 36 cells for every
character on the sheet.
10. If you encounter any difficulties with a specific character, feel free to repeat the
practice for that character until you feel more comfortable.
11. After you have traced all the characters, take a moment to review your work. Pay
attention to any areas where you may need improvement.
12. Practice regularly to enhance your Hiragana writing skills. As you become more
confident, you can move on to other Hiragana practice sheets or try writing the
characters without tracing.
Remember, practicing regularly and being patient with yourself is essential for improving
your writing skills. Enjoy the process of learning Hiragana, and have fun with your writing
practice!

Rubrics
Activity: Hiragana Writing Practice Sheet 02
Criteria:
1. Stroke Accuracy:
- Excellent (5 points): The participant accurately follows the stroke order in each cell,
demonstrating precise and consistent strokes.
- Good (4 points): The participant mostly follows the stroke order, with only minor
inconsistencies in a few cells.
 - Fair (3 points): The participant's stroke order is somewhat correct, but there are
noticeable errors in several cells.
- Needs Improvement (2 points): The participant struggles with stroke order, resulting
in significant inaccuracies throughout the practice sheet.
- Poor (1 point): The participant's strokes are largely incorrect, making it difficult to
recognize the characters.
2. Character Formation:
- Excellent (5 points): The participant creates well-formed characters, maintaining
proper proportions and shape in each cell.
- Good (4 points): The participant's characters are mostly well-formed, but there are
slight irregularities in a few cells.
- Fair (3 points): The participant's characters show inconsistencies in shape and
proportion in several cells.
- Needs Improvement (2 points): The participant struggles to form characters correctly,
leading to significant distortions throughout the practice sheet.
- Poor (1 point): The participant's characters are illegible and lack proper structure.
3. Neatness:
- Excellent (5 points): The participant's writing is neat, legible, and consistently fills
each cell.
- Good (4 points): The participant's writing is mostly neat and legible, with a few
instances of slight messiness or uneven filling.
- Fair (3 points): The participant's writing is somewhat messy and may be difficult to
read in several cells.
- Needs Improvement (2 points): The participant's writing is messy and illegible in
many cells, making it challenging to assess their strokes accurately.
- Poor (1 point): The participant's writing is extremely messy and unreadable.
4. Overall Progress:
- Excellent (5 points): The participant completes all 36 cells per character with high
accuracy, demonstrating significant improvement over the course of the activity.
- Good (4 points): The participant completes most of the cells per character with
reasonable accuracy, showing noticeable progress.
 - Fair (3 points): The participant struggles to complete all cells per character accurately,
indicating limited progress.
- Needs Improvement (2 points): The participant finds it challenging to complete most
cells per character accurately, showing little to no progress.
- Poor (1 point): The participant is unable to complete the practice sheet with minimal
accuracy.
Total Points: (Calculate the total points achieved by the participant based on the criteria
above, out of 20 points.)
Scoring Guide:
- 18-20 points: Excellent Performance
- 14-17 points: Good Performance
- 10-13 points: Fair Performance
- 6-9 points: Needs Improvement
- 1-5 points: Poor Performance
Note: The revised rubric provides a more detailed assessment with a maximum score of
20 points. The participant's performance can be easily categorized into different levels of
proficiency, allowing for clearer feedback and recognition of their progress.
Lesson 5: た ち つ て と
Reading

Dakuon

Dakuon

Writing
た [ta]
• The line 2 should be tilted
properly.
• The length of lines 3 and
4 are the same.

ち [chi]
• The first part of the line 2
is slightly tilted.
• The last part should be
curved properly.

つ [tsu]

• Start with straight line

(slightly tilted), then curve
properly.
て [te]

• The last part should

be curved properly.

と [to]
• The first part of the line 2
is slightly tilted.
• The last part should be
curved properly.

Let’s Practice
Activity 4: Hiragana Writing Practice Sheet 04
Objective: To practice writing Hiragana characters by following the strokes and tracing
the examples given on the practice sheet.
Materials Needed:
- Hiragana Writing Practice Sheet 04 (You can download or print it from our group chat)
- Pen or pencil
Instructions:
1. Before you begin, make sure you have the Hiragana Writing Practice Sheet 04 in front
of you. Ensure that you have a pen or pencil to trace the characters.
2. Find a comfortable and well-lit workspace. Sit at a desk or table with the practice
sheet placed in front of you.
3. Familiarize yourself with the practice sheet. You will see 36 cells per Hiragana
character. Each cell contains a traceable example of the character.
4. Start with the first Hiragana character at the top left corner of the practice sheet. This
character will typically be た

5. Look at the stroke order of the character in the first cell. Pay attention to the direction
and sequence of strokes.
6. Begin tracing the character with your pen or pencil. Place your writing utensil at the
starting point of the first stroke and follow the example precisely.
7. Continue tracing the character in each of the 36 cells provided for that specific
character. Take your time to ensure accuracy and consistency in your strokes.
8. Once you have completed tracing the first character, move on to the next character on
the practice sheet. Repeat the process outlined in steps 5 to 7.
9. Keep practicing with each character until you have completed all 36 cells for every
character on the sheet.
10. If you encounter any difficulties with a specific character, feel free to repeat the
practice for that character until you feel more comfortable.
11. After you have traced all the characters, take a moment to review your work. Pay
attention to any areas where you may need improvement.
12. Practice regularly to enhance your Hiragana writing skills. As you become more
confident, you can move on to other Hiragana practice sheets or try writing the
characters without tracing.
Remember, practicing regularly and being patient with yourself is essential for improving
your writing skills. Enjoy the process of learning Hiragana, and have fun with your writing
practice!

Rubrics
Activity: Hiragana Writing Practice Sheet 02
Criteria:
1. Stroke Accuracy:
- Excellent (5 points): The participant accurately follows the stroke order in each cell,
demonstrating precise and consistent strokes.
- Good (4 points): The participant mostly follows the stroke order, with only minor
inconsistencies in a few cells.
- Fair (3 points): The participant's stroke order is somewhat correct, but there are
noticeable errors in several cells.
- Needs Improvement (2 points): The participant struggles with stroke order, resulting
in significant inaccuracies throughout the practice sheet.
- Poor (1 point): The participant's strokes are largely incorrect, making it difficult to
recognize the characters.
2. Character Formation:
 - Excellent (5 points): The participant creates well-formed characters, maintaining
proper proportions and shape in each cell.
- Good (4 points): The participant's characters are mostly well-formed, but there are
slight irregularities in a few cells.
- Fair (3 points): The participant's characters show inconsistencies in shape and
proportion in several cells.
- Needs Improvement (2 points): The participant struggles to form characters correctly,
leading to significant distortions throughout the practice sheet.
- Poor (1 point): The participant's characters are illegible and lack proper structure.
3. Neatness:
- Excellent (5 points): The participant's writing is neat, legible, and consistently fills
each cell.
- Good (4 points): The participant's writing is mostly neat and legible, with a few
instances of slight messiness or uneven filling.
- Fair (3 points): The participant's writing is somewhat messy and may be difficult to
read in several cells.
- Needs Improvement (2 points): The participant's writing is messy and illegible in
many cells, making it challenging to assess their strokes accurately.
- Poor (1 point): The participant's writing is extremely messy and unreadable.
4. Overall Progress:
- Excellent (5 points): The participant completes all 36 cells per character with high
accuracy, demonstrating significant improvement over the course of the activity.
- Good (4 points): The participant completes most of the cells per character with
reasonable accuracy, showing noticeable progress.
- Fair (3 points): The participant struggles to complete all cells per character accurately,
indicating limited progress.
- Needs Improvement (2 points): The participant finds it challenging to complete most
cells per character accurately, showing little to no progress.
- Poor (1 point): The participant is unable to complete the practice sheet with minimal
accuracy.
Total Points: (Calculate the total points achieved by the participant based on the criteria
above, out of 20 points.)
Scoring Guide:
- 18-20 points: Excellent Performance
- 14-17 points: Good Performance
- 10-13 points: Fair Performance
- 6-9 points: Needs Improvement
- 1-5 points: Poor Performance
Note: The revised rubric provides a more detailed assessment with a maximum score of
20 points. The participant's performance can be easily categorized into different levels of
proficiency, allowing for clearer feedback and recognition of their progress.