Learning the Japanese alphabets Hiragana and Katakana is the first step to start studying Japanese. Many find it complicated, but in this article, we will teach you 10 days to definitely learn the Kana and also start Kanji.
If you are not yet familiar with the 3 Japanese alphabets, we recommend reading the articles below first:
Table of Contents
Take a Japanese Course
Obviously, a practical way to learn Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji is by taking a Japanese course. There are free courses and paid courses, all of which can lead you to success in different ways.
Suki Desu has a course in the form of a membership area, where we post video lessons and complete articles teaching Japanese at the Japanese Club. This is our main recommendation!
Unlike other online courses, the Japanese Club has no monthly fees and provides eternal access. You will always have access to the platform and all content that appears on it.
Study the Hiragana and Katakana Tables
The Hiragana and Katakana tables are important tools for those learning Japanese. They show all the characters of the Japanese alphabet in alphabetical order, allowing you to visualize and memorize each of them.
When studying the Hiragana and Katakana tables, it is important to pay attention to the details of each character, such as its shape, strokes, and pronunciation. You can stick the table in various places in your home or electronic device to always take a look.
Additionally, it is important to practice writing the characters by hand. This helps to fix the stroke of each character in memory and improve your ability to write in Japanese.
Write the Kana Several Times
A good way to learn and memorize Hiragana and Katakana is by writing. Although it may not be the best tactic for learning Japanese, as it takes time, learning to write at least the Kana will help a lot.
Writing the Kana several times helps to memorize the shape and structure of each character. This is known as muscle or kinesthetic memorization, and it is a very powerful learning method.
Writing the Kana several times also helps reinforce the visual connection with each character and consolidate everything in memory. The more times you write each character, the easier it becomes to recognize it and remember its pronunciation.
To succeed, it is important to write the Kana frequently and consistently. Try to set aside a few minutes every day to write the Kana several times, using a calligraphy book or a notebook.
Use Flashcards and Spaced Repetition
Flashcards and spaced repetition are effective tools to help in learning the Japanese alphabet. They are useful for memorizing the pronunciation, writing, and meaning of each character, and help consolidate your long-term memory.
Flashcards are cards with information on each side, which can be used to practice reading, writing, and memorizing each character of the Japanese alphabet. You can make your own flashcards using paper cards, or use an app to create digital flashcards. To use the flashcards, just look at the side of the card with the character and try to remember its pronunciation, writing, and meaning.
Spaced repetition is a technique that helps improve the efficiency of memorization. It is based on the principle that, to consolidate long-term memory, it is necessary to review the information several times at increasingly larger intervals.
There are apps and programs that use this technique to help memorize the Japanese alphabet, such as Anki or Memrise. They present the flashcards at predetermined intervals, more frequently at first and less frequently as you memorize each character.
To use this technique, you can create a set of flashcards for each character of the Japanese alphabet and practice them daily. Over time, you will notice a significant improvement in your ability to read, write, and understand the Japanese language.
Learn Hiragana and Katakana with Words and Texts
Many people try to learn each Hiragana and Katakana individually and in isolation, but this is a big mistake. You should focus on learning words and phrases in Japanese, even before memorizing the entire Japanese alphabet.
Reading texts and learning words makes learning more interesting and engaging, in addition to helping with memorization and understanding of the Japanese language as a whole.
Choose short and simple words that use only a few characters to start practicing. Over time, you can move on to longer texts, children’s books, and many others.
The problem with learning Japanese is that many texts contain kanji, but you can work around this situation and practice reading by looking for texts with furigana or using some extension.
Use Games to Learn Hiragana and Katakana
Games are a great way to make learning fun and engaging, and this is especially true when it comes to learning Hiragana and Katakana. Here are some game suggestions that can help you learn the Japanese alphabets:
- Hiragana Battle: This game is a card battle game where you must read the words in Hiragana quickly to defeat your opponent. The game is available online and also for download on mobile devices.
- Kana Invaders: This is a game in the style of Space Invaders, where you must hit the letters in Hiragana or Katakana that are falling from the sky. It’s a great game to practice pronunciation and reading speed.
- Learn Japanese to Survive! Hiragana Battle: This is an RPG game where you must learn Hiragana to help your character survive and win battles. It’s a fun and educational game that can help you learn Hiragana in an enjoyable way.
There are many other games that can be found in the Android and iOS stores, or for download on computers. Feel free to do your search!
Use Apps to Learn Hiragana and Katakana
Apps are a great way to learn Hiragana and Katakana anywhere and anytime. They often use games, flashcards, and quizzes to test your knowledge.
Apps also often teach not only the Japanese alphabet but also vocabulary and phrases for your learning of the Japanese language. There are popular apps like Memrise, Duolingo, Anki, and many others focused solely on Japanese.
If you can use an app every day to practice writing and reading Hiragana, you can memorize Hiragana or Katakana in weeks. But always use the apps and apply yourself to reading so you don’t forget.
Use Videos and Songs to Learn Hiragana and Katakana
There are hundreds of videos and songs that help learn Hiragana and Katakana, shall we see some?
Other Tips for Learning Hiragana and Katakana
- Watch videos in Japanese: Watching videos in Japanese can help you hear the correct pronunciation of words and also familiarize yourself with writing in Japanese.
- Take regular breaks: Learning Hiragana and Katakana can be challenging, so take regular breaks to avoid burnout. Try not to push too hard and give yourself time to rest and absorb the information.
- Be disciplined: Learning Hiragana and Katakana can take time and dedication. Try to establish a daily routine for studying and practicing, and be consistent.
- Seek help from a teacher or tutor: If possible, consider hiring a teacher or tutor to help you learn Hiragana and Katakana. They can provide personalized guidance and feedback to help you improve your skills.
- Write your name and other words in Hiragana and Katakana: This will help you memorize and recognize the characters.
- Practice every day: Consistent and daily practice is key to successfully learning Hiragana and Katakana.
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