Japanese for Beginners

I have shared this post before on my site but I would like to reach more learners to be helpful.

Hiragana & Katakana

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Hello learners!

Let’s talk about Hiragana and Katakana today.

Japanese writing system includes Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji. Since we all interesting in learning Japanese, we must dig in at least Hiragana and Katakana.

WHY?

Unfortunately, there are no subtitles

in real life. Besides listening and speaking, you need to acquire at least some basic reading skills for daily life at the beginning. It is the point when we realize Hiragana and Katakana are needed.

I believe you have already realized that there are some letters in anime and manga.

HIRAGANA

Hiragana is essential for reading and writing in Japanese which I highly recommend you start to learn if you don’t know from where. It’s a simplified version of the Kanji and the origin of the Hiragana considered feminine according to the historical timeline of “Language in Society”.

Japanese kids also start to learn Hiragana in the first place and then build up with other elements.

KATAKANA

There are many English words in daily life. You can even hear it in most conversations on Japanese conversation such as “新型コロナウイルス” which literally means “New Coronavirus”. These days, this word is almost everywhere to remind people to put their masks on and sanitize their hands, especially before getting inside shopping stores. Besides outsides and in television shows, manga (Japanese comics), newspapers, and any other published documents contain lots of Katakana.

Kanji

I will get this point later…

Which One Should I Start To Learn First?

You can choose whichever you want to learn first. You can study both Hiragana and Katakana at the same time if you want to push your limit a bit more. I don’t recommend you to start with Kanji which required studying “onyoumi” and “kunyoumi” (Japanese reading and Chinese reading). Therefore, you need to be able to read Hiragana and Katakana.

How Can I Learn Kana?

The answer is easy: Repeat!

To memorize them, you need to repeat and recognize them as much as you can. There are many YouTube videos that were visualized for quick learning.

There are a lot of options but there are some of YouTube channels:

• Learn Japanese with JapanesePod101.com
• Learn Hiragana fast in 3 minutes
• How to Read and Write Hiragana Alphabet
• Japanese Ammo with Misa

You can study anytime and anywhere. It’s more fun and accessible via phone applications. Here are some of my favorites on GooglePlay:

• Obenkyou
• Write It! Japanese
• Drops: Learn Japanese language, kanji & hiragana
• KanaKana — Hiragana Katakana

Keep studying and stay safe until the next post.

Peace out!