Writing System
Learn about the Japanese writing system.
Hiragana (ひらがな)
Used for native Japanese words, grammar particles, and verb endings (okurigana). It has a cursive, rounded appearance.
Katakana (カタカナ)
Used primarily for foreign loanwords, scientific names, and emphasis (like italics). It has a sharp, angular appearance.
Kanji (漢字)
Romaji (ローマ字)
Japanese sounds represented using the Latin alphabet. Primarily used for computer input and for non-Japanese speakers.
| Kanji (漢字) | Kana | Romaji (ローマ字) |
|---|---|---|
| 私 | わたし | watashi |
| 猫 | ねこ | neko |
| 桜 | さくら | sakura |
| - | コーヒー | kōhī |
Odoriji (踊り字)
Furigana/Ruby (振り仮名)
Small Hiragana or Katakana placed above or beside Kanji to show how to read them.
Examples
- Watashi wa Nihon no gakusei desu.
私は日本の学生です。