Table of Contents

Introduction ........................................................................... 3
Hiragana Charts .................................................................. 12
Stroke Order Practice ..................................................... 14
Learning Japanese Words in Hiragana ................... 85
Practicing Double Consonants ................................... 131
Using Modified Syllables .............................................. 133
Examples of Modified Syllables ............................... 139
Exceptions and a Little Grammar ........................... 142

Introduction
There are 3 types of Japanese characters:
hiragana, katakana, and kanji. The first two
are called kana, and they are similar in that
they are both sound-based characters.
In addition, there is rmaji, which is Japanese
that is written with the Latin alphabet. You
dont really need to spend any time learning
rmaji, since you already know it.
Hiragana and katakana are the most simple
and important characters to learn, which is
why it is best to learn them first!
Japanese sentences often contain a mix
of hiragana, katakana, and kanji.

Hiragana

Hiragana is probably the most important

form of writing that you will learn. Hiragana is a
syllabary, a sound-based form of writing. Most
hiragana are made up of 2 English letters, but
one sound or syllable (e.g. ka, ma, na).
Generally hiragana is used for particles and
the ends of verbs and adjectives, while kanji
is used for stems of verbs and adjectives and
nouns. However, you can use hiragana to write
anything in Japanese.

Katakana

Katakana, similar to hiragana, is a syllabary.

Katakana is primarily used for words of foreign
origin (words that come from English, Chinese,
German, etc.).
However, this is not a hard rule. There are
other times when katakana is used, but 99%
of the time you see katakana, it will be for
foreign words.
Japanese has a lot of foreign words,
especially from English. Most Japanese
billboards and magazines are full of Katakana.

Kanji

Kanji, the oldest form of Japanese writing,

has its origin in China. Unlike hiragana and
katakana, kanji each carry a meaning with them
rather than a sound.
There are usually multiple ways to read the
same kanji, making it difficult for beginners.
However, sometimes one can guess the meaning
of the kanji based on its parts.

Romaji

Rmaji uses the Latin alphabet, making

it so that even people who havent learned
hiragana, katakana, or kanji can read and
write in Japanese.
However, only knowing rmaji can be very
limiting. Rmaji can be helpful when you are
first starting out, but since Japanese people
dont really use it, it is important to learn how
to read and write hiragana and katakana.

Furigana

Furigana (AKA rubi) is small hiragana that

is written above (for horizontal text) or next
to (for vertical text) kanji to indicate the
pronunciation.
For people who know hiragana but do not
know many kanji yet, furigana is a very helpful
reading tool. You can frequently see furigana
in childrens books and manga.

Pronunciation Guide
There only 5 vowel sounds in Japanese,
and they are always pronounced the same
way! In this way, Japanese pronunciation
is much easier than English!

a as in Ah!
i as in Eek!
u as in Moo!
e as in Hey!
o as in Oh!

Example:
Example:
Example:
Example:
Example:

ame rain
isu
chair
usagi rabbit
enpitsu pencil
ocha tea

Long Vowels
In this book, long vowels will be romanized
in the following ways.
aa
ii

ee
ei

Pronunciation Guide
When two consonants are placed next
to each other (double consonants, e.g.
kk), there is a sort of pause before the
consonant is pronounced. The best way to
master this is to listen and repeat.
Dont forget to listen to the audio that is
included in this book and repeat it out loud
to practice your pronunciation! Have fun!!

Tips on how to get the most

out of this workbook
1. Listen to the audio to hear pronunciation
and practice saying it!
2. Print out and practice writing as many
times as you want!
3. Look at the charts as much as you need
to! Eventually, you will not need to look.
4. Expand your vocabulary as you learn to
write!
5. Ganbatte!! Do your best!
If you keep on trying you will remember!
Have fun!!

Hiragana Chart
a
i

shi

chi

tsu

fu

Hiragana Chart 2: Voiced Consonants

a
i
u
e
o

ji

ji zu

Hiragana Chart 3: Modified Syllables

The following hiragana are simply modifications of the hiragana
listed in the first two figures. They are pronounced as one syllable,
and the , , or is written smaller than normal.

ya

yu

sha

shu

yo

cha

ja

chu

ju

sho

cho

jo

ai

iruka
dolphin

umi
ocean

eiga
movie

oyogu
to swim

ka

kasa
umbrella

ki

kinoko
mushroom

ku

kuma
bear

ke

keshigomu
eraser

ko

ken
park

sa

sakura
cherry blossom

shi

shima
island

su

sushi
sushi

se

sekai
world

so

sora
sky

ta

tako
octopus

chi

chizu
map

tsu

tsuri
fishing

te

te
hand

to

tora
tiger

na

natsu
summer

ni

niji
rainbow

nu

nurie
coloring book

ne

nezumi
mouse

no

nori
seaweed

ha

hachi
bees

hi

hiyoko
chick

fu

fsen
balloons

he

heya
room

ho

hoshi
stars

ma

manga
comic book

mi

mimi
ears

mu

mushi
bugs

me

megane
glasses

mo

mori
forest

ya

yasai
vegetables

yu

yuki
snow

yo

yoru
night

ra

rakuda
camel

ri

ringo
apple

ru

rusuban
house-sitting

re

reizko
refrigerator

ro

rsoku
candles

wa

wagashi
Japanese sweets

o (wo)

te o arau
to wash ones hands

densha
train

ga

gakk
school

gi

gyny
milk

gu

gun
military

ge

geisha
geisha

go

gomi
trash

za

zabuton
cushion

ji

jitensha
bicycle

zu

suzume
sparrow

ze

zen
zen

zo

z
elephant

da

dango
dango

ji

hanaji
nosebleed

zu

tsuzuku
to continue

de

denwa
telephone

do

donguri
acorns

ba

bakudan
bomb

bi

byin
hospital

bu

bud
grapes

be

bent
boxed lunch

bo

bonsai
bonsai

pa

pan
bread

pi

piyopiyo
tweet tweet

pu

purin
pudding

pe

penki
paint

po

poketto
pocket


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

aki

FALL/AUTUMN

ari

ANT

ai

LOVE

ashi

FOOT/LEG


Examples:
1.
ishi

3.

2.

4.

STONE

iruka

DOLPHIN

inu
DOG

isu

CHAIR


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

ushi
COW

uma

HORSE

usagi

RABBIT

umi

OCEAN


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

PICTURE

ebi

SHRIMP

esa

PET FOOD

eiga

MOVIE


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

oni

DEMON

oyogu

TO SWIM

ocha
TEA

origami
ORIGAMI


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

kai

SHELL

kaeru
FROG

kasa

UMBRELLA

gakk

SCHOOL

ka


Examples:

1.

3.

2.

4.

kinoko

MUSHROOM

kitsune
FOX

gink
BANK

gyny
MILK

ki


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

kuma
BEAR

kumo
SPIDER

kuruma
CAR

gun

MILITARY

ku


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

ken

SWORD

keshigomu
ERASER

keisatsu
POLICE

geisha
GEISHA

ke


Examples:

1.

3.

2.

4.

ken
PARK

koi

ROMANTIC LOVE

gomi

GARBAGE

gokiburi

COCKROACH

ko


Examples:

1.
sakura

3.

2.

4.

CHERRY BLOSSOM

same
SHARK

zaisan

FORTUNE

zabuton
CUSHION

sa


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

shika
DEER

shima
ISLAND

jisho

DICTIONARY

jitensha
BICYCLE

shi


Examples:
1.
sushi

3.

2.

4.

SUSHI

sum
SUMO

suzume
SPARROW

suika

WATERMELON

su


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

semi

CICADA

sekai

WORLD

zen
ZEN

zenzai
ZENZAI

se


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

sora
SKY

soba
SOBA

ELEPHANT

zsui
ZSUI

so


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

tako

OCTOPUS

taiyaki
TAIYAKI

dango
DANGO

daikon

DAIKON RADISH

ta


Examples:

* both and are pronounced ji, but in most cases, is used. is only used in a few specific cases.

1.

3.

2.

4.

chizu
MAP

chcho

BUTTERFLY

chi

chiky
EARTH

hanaji

NOSEBLEED

tsu

Examples:

* both and are pronounced zu, but in most cases, is used. is only used in a few specific cases.

FISHING

DESK

1.
tsuri

3.

2.

4.

tsumiki
BLOCKS

tsukue

tsuzuku

TO CONTINUE


Examples:
1.
te

3.

2.

4.

HAND

tera

TEMPLE

deguchi
EXIT

denwa

TELEPHONE

te


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

tori
BIRD

tora

TIGER

tokei

CLOCK

donguri
ACORNS

to


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

natsu

SUMMER

namida
TEARS

nasubi

EGGPLANT

natt
NATTO

na


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

niku
MEAT

nikki

JOURNAL

niji

RAINBOW

niwatori
CHICKEN

ni


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

numa
SWAMP

nurie

COLORING BOOK

nuku

TO PULL

nuigurumi

STUFFED ANIMAL

nu


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

neko
CAT

negi

GREEN ONION

neru

TO SLEEP

nezumi
MOUSE

ne


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

noru

TO RIDE

nomu

TO DRINK

nori

SEAWEED

noboru
TO CLIMB

no


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

hachi
BEES

hasami

SCISSORS

pan

BREAD

bakudan
BOMB

ha


Examples:

1.

3.

2.

4.

hiyoko
CHICK

himawari
SUNFLOWER

byin

HOSPITAL

piyopiyo

TWEET TWEET

hi


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

fune
SHIP

fsen

BALLOONS

purin

PUDDING

bud

GRAPES

fu


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

hebi

SNAKE

heya
ROOM

penki
PAINT

bent

BOXED LUNCH

he


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

hoshi
STARS

hon

BOOK

poketto
POCKET

bonsai
BONSAI

ho


Examples:
1.
mame

3.

2.

4.

BEANS

mado

WINDOW

manga

COMIC BOOK

mah
MAGIC

ma


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

mimi
EAR

mizu

WATER

michi
ROAD

mikan
ORANGE

mi


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

mushi
BUGS

mushiba
CAVITY

muzukashii
DIFFICULT

murasaki
PURPLE

mu


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

me

EYES

meron
MELON

megane
GLASSES

medamayaki
FRIED EGG

me


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

momo
PEACH

mochi
MOCHI

mori

FOREST

mogura
MOLE

mo


Examples:

1.

3.

2.

4.

yakan
KETTLE

yasai

VEGETABLES

yagi
GOAT

yakitori

GRILLED CHICKEN

ya


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

yuki

SNOW

yrei
GHOST

yume
DREAM

yenchi

THEME PARK

yu


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

yoru
NIGHT

yotei
PLANS

ysei
FAIRY

ychien

KINDERGARTEN

yo


Examples:

1.

3.

2.

4.

rappa

TRUMPET

rakuda
CAMEL

raion
LION

rakugaki
GRAFFITI

ra


Examples:
1.
risu

3.

2.

4.

SQUIRREL

ringo
APPLE

ribon

RIBBON

ry

DRAGON

ri


Examples:

1.

3.

2.

4.

rusuban

HOUSE SITTING

saru

MONKEY

hiru

AFTERNOON

kuruma
CAR

ru


Examples:

1.

3.

2.

4.

rekishi
HISTORY

renai

ROMANTIC LOVE

renga
BRICKS

reizko

REFRIGERATOR

re


Examples:

1.

3.

2.

4.

rya

PRISON

rjin

OLD PERSON

roba

DONKEY

rsoku
CANDLES

ro


Examples:
1.

3.

2.

4.

wani

ALLIGATOR

wagashi

JAPANESE SWEETS

wasabi
WASABI

wataame

COTTON CANDY

wa


Examples:

1.
te o arau

TO WASH ONES HANDS

2.
gohan o taberu
TO EAT RICE

3.
osake o nomu

TO DRINK ALCOHOL

o
(wo)


Examples:

1.

3.

2.

4.

hondana
BOOKSHELF

ninja
NINJA

densha
TRAIN

benky
STUDY

Double Consonants
Words that have double consonants are written with a small which indicates the short pause that
you take when pronouncing these words. Take a look at the examples below and pay close attention to
the difference in pronunciation.

kk
ss
tt
pp

kitte
STAMP

zasshi
MAGAZINE

rappa
TRUMPET

nikki
DIARY

Practice
Practice writing the following words, paying close attention to double consonants.

1.
2.

nikki
DIARY

rappa

TRUMPET

Practice (continued)
Practice writing the following words, paying close attention to double consonants.

3.
4.

5.

6.
7.
8.

9.

zasshi

MAGAZINE

kitte

STAMP

gakk

SCHOOL

natt

NATTO

futt

BOILING

nett

BOILING WATER

hokkaid
HOKKAIDO

Modified Syllables
When a hiragana has a small or next to it, they are pronounced together as a
single syllable. The small or are about a quarter the size of a regular character,
and should be written in the lower left corner of the practice square.

kya

kyu
kyo
gya

gyu
gyo

Modified Syllables
When a hiragana has a small or next to it, they are pronounced together as a
single syllable. The small or are about a quarter the size of a regular character,
and should be written in the lower left corner of the practice square.

sha

shu
sho
ja

ju
jo

Modified Syllables
When a hiragana has a small or next to it, they are pronounced together as a
single syllable. The small or are about a quarter the size of a regular character,
and should be written in the lower left corner of the practice square.

cha

chu
cho
nya

nyu
nyo

Modified Syllables
When a hiragana has a small or next to it, they are pronounced together as a
single syllable. The small or are about a quarter the size of a regular character,
and should be written in the lower left corner of the practice square.

hya

hyu
hyo
bya

byu
byo

Modified Syllables
When a hiragana has a small or next to it, they are pronounced together as a
single syllable. The small or are about a quarter the size of a regular character,
and should be written in the lower left corner of the practice square.

pya

pyu
pyo

mya

myu
myo

Modified Syllables
When a hiragana has a small or next to it, they are pronounced together as a
single syllable. The small or are about a quarter the size of a regular character,
and should be written in the lower left corner of the practice square.

rya

ryu
ryo

EXAMPLES

hyaku

one hundred

ocha

green tea

ryokan

Traditional
Japanese Inn

isha

doctor

untenshu driver

EXAMPLES

chcho

butterfly

ninja

ninja

kaisha

benky
densha

company

study
train

EXAMPLES

ry

dragon

omocha

toy

gyny

milk

jisho

dictionary

byki

sick

 is not always ha
When is written as a particle, it is pronounced wa. Be
careful not to confuse (wa) with (wa).

Example:

Watashi wa tanaka desu.

I am Tanaka.

Practice: Write the correct hiragana for the sentences

below. Make sure to pay attention to particles!

1. _____________________________________
Kore wa kaban desu.
This is a bag.

2. _____________________________________
Sore wa watashi no kasa desu.
That is my umbrella.

3. _____________________________________
Watashi wa daigakusei desu.
I am a college student.

4. _____________________________________
Suzuki san wa nihonjin desu.
Mr./Ms. Suzuki is Japanese.

5. _____________________________________
Are wa tomodachi no kuruma desu.
That is my friends car.

 is not always ha
answers
1.
Kore wa kaban desu.
This is a bag.

2.
Sore wa watashi no kasa desu.
That is my umbrella.

3.
Watashi wa daigakusei desu.
I am a college student.

4.
Suzuki san wa nihonjin desu.
Mr./Ms. Suzuki is Japanese.

5.
Are wa tomodachi no kuruma desu.
That is my friends car.

 is not always he
When is written as a particle, it is pronounced e. Be careful
not to confuse (e) with (e).

Example:
Gakk e ikimasu.
I will go to school.

Practice: Write the correct hiragana for the sentences below.

Make sure to pay attention to particles!

1. _____________________________________
Suzuki san wa nihon e kaerimashita.
Mr./Ms Suzuki returned to Japan.

2. _____________________________________
Shigoto e ikimasu.
I will go to work.

3. _____________________________________
Uchi e kaerimasu.
I will return home.

4. _____________________________________
Tky (toukyou) e ikimasu.
I will go to Tokyo.

5. _____________________________________
Gink (ginkou) e ittekimashita
I went to the bank.

 is not always he
answers
1.
Suzuki san wa nihon e kaerimashita.
Mr./Ms Suzuki returned to Japan.

2.
Shigoto e ikimasu.
I will go to work.

3.
Uchi e kaerimasu.
I will return home.

4.
Tky (toukyou) e ikimasu.
I will go to Tokyo.

5.
Gink (ginkou) e ittekimashita.
I went to the bank.

 vs.
The hiragana can be romanized as wo or o, but it is usually
pronounced o. Do not confuse (o) with (o). is only used as
a particle in modern Japanese. If you dont know what a particle
is, or how this particle is used, please visit our website! We have
a lot of videos about Japanese particles!

Example:

Ringo o tabemasu.
I will eat an apple.

Practice: Write the correct hiragana for the sentences below.

Make sure you pay attention to particles!

1. _____________________________________
Mizu o kudasai.
Please give me water.

2. _____________________________________
Hon o yomimasu.
I will read a book.

3. _____________________________________
Eiga o mimashita.
I watched a movie.

4. _____________________________________
Sji (souji) o shimashita.
I did the cleaning.

5.

__________________________________________
Benky o shimashita.
I studied.

 vs.
answers
1.
Mizu o kudasai.
Please give me water.

2.
Hon o yomimasu.
I will read a book.

3.
Eiga o mimashita.
I watched a movie.

4.
Sji (souji) o shimashita.
I did the cleaning.

5.
Benky o shimashita.
I studied.

Test your kana knowledge! Find

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