Japanese · Hiragana
Writing system course · 8 lessons · 104 entries
Learn 104 Hiragana entries in eight short lessons, from basic kana through voiced forms and the listed yōon combinations.
Each entry retains the supplied romaji and the corresponding kana from the paired chart. The lessons move from basic forms to voiced and semi-voiced forms and then the listed yōon combinations.
Use the romaji to identify the reading, then focus practice on the Japanese character. The paired kana is included in the card notes for comparison. Kana tracing uses Japanese script only; romaji is a reading aid.
The supplied chart uses the same romaji for some distinct kana, including じ and ぢ (ji), and ず and づ (zu). These written forms remain separate entries; no readings have been added.
How to practice
Look at the Hiragana form and its supplied romaji, then trace the Japanese character and quiz yourself. Use the paired katakana form in the notes to compare the syllabaries. Romaji supports reading but is not traced.
Read these examples freely without an account. In the app you can preview lessons, study a private copy and progress through the course one lesson at a time.
Examples from the lessons
Compare the original written form with the reading or equivalent. Try covering the answer column before checking it.
| Written form | Reading | Meaning or equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| あ | a | a |
| い | i | i |
| う | u | u |
| え | e | e |
| た | ta | ta |
| ち | chi | chi |
| つ | tsu | tsu |
| て | te | te |
Course outline
Use the outline to choose what to preview. Starting the interactive course begins with the first lesson; later lessons become available as you continue.
- Basic kana · vowels, k and s
Begin with the five vowels and the k and s rows.
- Basic kana · t, n and h
Compare the t, n and h rows, keeping the supplied romaji.
- Basic kana · m, y, r, w and n
Complete the remaining basic kana, including y, r, w and syllabic n.
- Dakuten · g and z
Practice the g and z forms with dakuten.
- Dakuten and handakuten · d, b and p
Compare the d, b and p rows; keep kana with shared romaji distinct.
- Yōon · k, sh and ch
Read the listed combinations formed with small ya, yu and yo.
- Yōon · n, h, m and r
Continue with the n, h, m and r combinations.
- Yōon · voiced forms
Finish with the listed g, j, b and p combinations.