Learn Basics of Japanese Language - Hiragana & Katakana
Published: 2024-07-31 07:50:36
Mastering Hiragana and Katakana is the gateway to unlocking the fascinating world of the Japanese language. These two foundational writing systems, with their 46 characters each, provide the building blocks for reading and writing in Japanese. By learning these syllabaries, you'll be able to read basic texts, understand common phrases, and even start forming your own words. Remember, every journey begins with a single step – or in this case, a single character.
Learn Japanese Hiragana & Katakana - Basics of Japanese Language
Basic Japanese Language
Japanese Language course consists of 5 levels, starting from N5 the most basic level to the N1 the super advanced level.
N5 level - Basic level of Japanese Language
- Reads hiragana, katakana, and basic kanji
- Understand basic discussions slowly
N4 level - Intermediate Japanese language course
- Read brief text using basic vocabulary and kanji.
- Understands discussions in many common scenarios at a slow pace.
N3 level - Pre-advanced Japanese language course
- Read and comprehend everyday texts
- Understanding communications in various daily life circumstances at regular pace
N2 level - Advanced Japanese language course
- Capable of reading newspaper articles with an ease.
- Ability to pursue talks and presentations on many subjects.
N1 level - Super Advanced Japanese language course
- Reads high-logic materials on several themes
- Fully comprehend high-logic talks and presentations at natural pace
Learn Basic Japanese Words and Phrases along with Hiragana & Katakana
Hiragana
Each of the 46 major sounds that are utilized in Japanese is represented by the Hiragana alphabet, which is the most fundamental Japanese alphabet.
What do you think of the chart that is below?
As a beginner, you will be able to learn all the fundamentals of writing with this very first writing system. You will learn how to read, how to build words from these characters, and how to write Japanese in the right sequence!
Katakana
It is fortunate that the Hiragana character set and the Katakana character set both feature the same sounds. Given that you have previous expertise with Hiragana, you are now ready to arrive!
Wait, why does it seem to be a little bit different?
Hiragana and Katakana are two distinct writing systems that serve separate functions within the Japanese language system. Despite the fact that they may have the same notion and certain strokes that are similar to one another here and there, they are clearly distinct from one another.
From the moment you begin to study them, you will acquire more knowledge! Once you will be able to read Katakana you can easily learn and create new words using Katakana and Hiragana.
Hiragana & Katakana - Learn to Read and Write
Start your journey by learning common Japanese words made with hiragana and katakana and move 1 step forward to reach your goals of Japanese language.
Every letter in the Japanese alphabet represents a syllable, and the Japanese language is written using two alphabets, each of which has 46 letters. The hiragana alphabet is used for Japanese words and grammatical purposes, but the katakana alphabet is utilized for foreign words and for emphasis (in a manner that is comparable to bold writing in other alphabets). It is referred to as kana for the solitary letters.
With the exception of one letter (the letter "n"), the Japanese alphabet does not have any consonants that are considered to be independent. Consonants, on the other hand, are always coupled with a vowel (from ka to na to ma and so on).
There is a row-based structure to both hiragana and katakana typography. The first letter is the "a-row" (a-i-u-e-o), then they go on to the "ka-row" (ka-ki-ku-ke-ko), and so on until they reach the last letter (n).
These kana are referred to as furigana or ruby/rubi when they are superimposed over kanji. The majority of textbooks written for students who are not native Japanese speakers, as well as regular publications that are geared at Japanese readers (such as comics, novels, and so on), include furigana in some form or another.
At first glance, the kana alphabets may seem to be intimidating; nonetheless, the majority of students are able to remember them in a matter of days to weeks. When compared to the other alphabet, katakana is the one that foreigners have the most trouble learning and remembering. Katakana are used less often, yet because of their straightforward geometric forms, many of them are similar to one another.
Basic Japanese Words and Phrases
Here we represent you a list of basic Japanese phrases to avoid you you from embarrassing situations.
- #1 Konnichiwa (こんにちは) – Hello
- #2 Ohayou gozaimasu (おはようございます) – Good morning
- #3 Konbanwa (こんばんは) – Good evening
- #4 Moshi moshi (もしもし) – Hello (but only if you’re on the phone or something like Skype)
- #5 Ogenki desu ka? (お元気ですか) – How are you?
- #6 Genki desu (元気です) – I’m good/I’ve been doing well, thanks
- #7 Ohisashiburi desu ne (お久しぶりですね) – Long time no see
- #8 _______–san mo? (______-さんも?) – And you? (Hint: fill in the blank with your friend’s name. This is a great response to things like “How are you?” because you can say, “I’m good! And you?”)
4 Conversational Phrases
- #1 Namae wa nan desu ka? (名前は何ですか) – What’s your name?
- #2 Watashi no namae wa _____ desu (私の名前は__です) – My name is ______
- #3 Doko kara kimashita ka? (どこから来ましたか) – Where are you from?
- #4 Watashi wa ______ kara kimashita (私は__から来ました) – I’m from __________.
6 Basic Japanese Questions
- #1 Doko desu ka? (どこですか) – Where is it?
- #2 Itsu desu ka? (いつですか) – When is it?
- #3 Doushite? (どうして) – Why?
- #4 Dochira desu ka? (どちらですか) – Which one is it?
- #5 Nan desu ka? (何ですか) – What is it?
- #6 Dare desu ka? (だれですか) – Who is it?
Simple Answers to Basic Japanese Questions
- #1 Hai (はい) – Yes
- #2 Iie (いいえ) – No
- #3 Mada mada (まだまだ) – Not yet
- #4 Kamoshiremasen (かもしれません) – Maybe/I’m not sure
- #5 Tokidoki (時々) – Sometimes
- #6 Zenzen (全然) – Never
- #7 Itsumo (いつも) – Always
- #8 Taitei (たいてい) – Usually
- #9 Daijoubu desu (大丈夫です) – That’s okay
- #10 Ii desu (いいです) – That’s good
Few Simple Steps to Learn Japanese
Japanese is spoken by around 128 million people worldwide. Japan's national language is spoken in Korea, the U.S., and Brazil due to large immigrant groups.
Is Japanese learning difficult? Many learners think studying Japanese is harder than any other language. However, every language learning path is difficult.
However, with Japanese classes and this article's tools, resources, and advice, you'll achieve fluency. Browse our online Japanese lessons to improve your abilities.
Learning Japanese Alphabets
Starting with the letters is excellent for learning Japanese. To read Japanese, you must master Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.
Hiragana
All beginners must read Hiragana. Hiragana, with 46 or 51 phonetic letters, is used for native Japanese words. It's essential to knowing Japanese word pronunciation.
Hiragana is simple to learn since most characters have one pronunciation. Learning Hiragana will provide the groundwork for a native-sounding accent.
Katakana
Non-Japanese terms or loanwords are written in Katakana instead of Hiragana. Many technical and scientific words and plant and animal names are included.
Katakana is less common than Hiragana, making it harder to master, particularly in the start. Katakana occur more often as you level up. Basic Katakana reading is adequate for beginners.
Kanji
Kanji represents words, concepts, and phrases using thousands of Chinese symbols. Kanji is considered the hardest aspect of learning by many. However, it's crucial to learning Japanese. You can read, write, and speak elementary Japanese using basic Kanji.
English meanings can't always be translated from Japanese terms, making kanji complicated. So a single Kanji word might have many acceptable English interpretations. We never claimed learning Japanese would be simple, but Kanji gives you many methods to express oneself.
Practicing Japanese Grammar
Learning Japanese grammar from scratch: how? They vary greatly, therefore you must forget all you know about English grammar to grasp it. Japanese has just past and non-past tenses, unlike many romance languages. Two types of Japanese exist: polite and simple. The last is for informal speaking.
We advocate learning grammar using textbooks. The top Japanese grammar books are:
Basic Japanese: Practice Makes Perfect.
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide.
Japanese Hiragana and Katakana for Beginners.
Japanese writes from right to left and top to bottom, which is unique. These textbooks include many practical lessons on Japanese grammar and writing.
Japanese Language Learning Schedule
One of the most common Japanese language queries is “How long does it take to be fluent?” Language acquisition specialist Benny Lewis estimates it takes 400–600 hours to become proficient. First-time foreign language learners should study 600 hours, he says.
But it depends on how hard you try to improve your Japanese.
Daily practice is necessary for rapid growth! With hundreds of applications and tactics, you may learn a language on a hectic schedule and at your own speed. Want to start studying with hourly lessons? Go for it! Can you only study Japanese for 15 minutes daily? No problem! Take advantage of this moment.
Use Flashcards
Flashcards help language learners. You must remember the information on this card. A Japanese phrase flashcard might help you remember it. Flip the card to view your local language translation.
- Start learning using flashcards if you haven't. Flashcards let you:
- Tag household things with Japanese names to view them daily.
- Repeat new terms and quiz yourself.
- Ask a buddy to test your word recall.
- Flashcards are ideal since you can buy or build them online. Flashcards help you improve your vocabulary in Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.
Whether you're planning a trip to Japan, interested in anime and manga, or simply passionate about languages, the skills you gain from learning Hiragana and Katakana will serve as a springboard for your entire Japanese language adventure. So why wait?
Grab a pen, download a language app, or find a study buddy, and start your exciting journey into the land of the rising sun through its beautiful writing systems. *がんばってください!* (Ganbatte kudasai! - Good luck!)
Or you can contact TLS- Best Japanese Language School in Delhi and Online also. From JLPT levels to Japan Visa Assistance we covers most. Whether you are a beginner or have some knowledge of Japanese language; TLS at Laxmi Nagar is always here to help you master the language. From understanding why Japanese is one of the best foreign languages to learn to mastering grammar and vocabulary; TLS offers you all.