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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA and KATAKANA Work Sheets

Answer

1.

ROMAJI, HIRAGANA and KATAKANA Chart 1

2.

HIRAGANA work sheets and quizzes 2-8

3.

The rules in HIRAGANA 9-10

4.

HIRAGANA Review Quiz 11

5.

KATAKANA work sheets, small quizzes and rules 12-20

6.

KATAKANA quizzes 21-24

7.

HIRAGANA and KATAKANA Review Quiz 25

8.

Country and Capital 26-27

Meguro Language Center

TEL.: 03-3493-3727
Email: info@mlcjapanese.co.jp
http://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp

Meguro Language Center

There are three types of letters in Japanese.

1. Hiragana (phonetic sounds) are basically used for particles, words and
parts of words.
2. Katakana (phonetic sounds) are basically used for foreign/loan words.
3. Kanji (Chinese characters) are used for the stem of words and convey the
meaning as well as sound.
Hiragana is basically used to express 46 different sounds used in the
Japanese language.
We suggest you start learning Hiragana, then Katakana and then Kanji. If
you learn Hiragana first, it will be easier to learn Katakana next.
Hiragana will help you learn Japanese pronunciation properly, read Japanese
beginners' textbooks and write sentences in Japanese. Japanese will become a
lot easier to study after having learned Hiragana.
Also, as you will be able to write sentences in Japanese, you will be able to
write E-mails in Hiragana.
Katakana will help you read Japanese menus at restaurants.
Hiragana and Katakana will be a good help to your Japanese study and
confortable living in Japan.

On the following page is a Hiragana and Katakana chart - please stick it

somewhere visible so that you can constantly refer to it.

The MLC original Hiragana Cards and Katakana Cards

To master Hiragana, it is important to practice writing Hiragana. Revision is
also very important - please go over what you have learned several times.

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Meguro Language Center

K
S
T
N
H
M
Y
R
W
-

a
ka
sa
ta
na
ha
ma
ya
ra
wa
n,m

ROMAJI, HIRAGANA and KATAKANA

I
U
E
i
u
e

k
ku ke
sh su se
ch tsu te
n
nu ne
h
fu
he
m mu me

yu
ri
ru re

o
ko
so
to
no
ho
mo
yo
ro
o

go
zo
do
bo
po

n before b, m and p is pronounced like m in sample.

ga
za
da
ba
pa

kya
sha
cha
nya
hya
mya
rya
gya
ja
bya
pya

gi
ji
ji
b
p

kyu
shu
chu
nyu
hyu
myu
ryu
gyu
ju
byu
pyu

gu
zu
zu
bu
pu

Foreign words representation by

she che je
tsa tse tso
fa
fi
fe
ti
dhi dyu
wi
we wo
va
vi
ve

ge
ze
de
be
pe

kyo
sho
cho
nyo
hyo
myo
ryo
gyo
jo
byo
pyo

KATAKANA

fo

quo

vo

Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA
Printing

ka

ki

ku

ke

ko

[QUIZ] Write the following words in hiragana.

aka (red)

ike (pond)

ao (blue)

koe (voice)

aki (autumn)

ie (house)

eki (station)

kaki (persimmon)

ika (squid)

okii (big)

kao (face)

ue (on top)

Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

sa

shi

su

se
so

[QUIZ]
asa (morning)

seki (cough)

sushi

sake

shio (salt)

ase (sweat)

ta

chi

tsu

te

to

[QUIZ]
ashita (tomorrow)

tokei (watch)

chikatetsu (subway)

kutsu (shoes)

keisatsu (police)

tako (octopus)

Hiragana test 1 is available upon request. Please ask your teacher.

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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

na

ni
nu
ne

no

[QUIZ]
kono neko (this cat)

ano sakana (that fish)

nani (what)

anata (you)

inu (dog)

niku (meat)

ha
*wa
hi

fu

he

ho

[QUIZ]

Note that the particle WA is represented by , the E is represented by

fuku (clothes)

hito (people)

heso (navel)

hako (box)

hoshi (star)

fune (ship)

Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

ma

mi

mu

me

mo

[QUIZ]
ame (rain)

meishi (business card)

miso

mushi (insect)

namae (name)

moshi moshi (Hello)

ya

yu

yo

[QUIZ]
yasumi (day off)

fuyu (winter)

yuki (snow)

Yakiniku

Note that u and o are represented by adding .

yumei (famous)

ohayo

kino (yesterday)

kuko (airport)

yofuku (Western clothes)

koko (highschool)

Hiragana quiz 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 are available upon request. Please ask your teacher.
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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

ra

ri

ru

re

ro

wa

n,m

[QUIZ]

Note that the particle O is represented by , not

kore (this)

Yakitori

sore (that)

rosoku (candle)

sayonara

watashi (I)

haru (spring)

mikan (tangerine)

yoru (night)

sumimasen (sorry)

kuruma (car)

sentaku (washing)

[QUIZ] - Similar characters (Write the following characters in hiragana.)

a/o

ki/sa

chi/ra

ta/na

me/nu

i/ri

ma/mo

ru/ro

ke/ha/ho

//

wa/re/ne

//

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

ga
gi
gu
ge
go

Meguro Language Center

[QUIZ]
mado (window)

mada (not yet)

Sugoi desune! (Great!)

za
ji
zu
ze
zo

Dozo yoroshiku.

Arigato gozaimasu.

Hajime mashite.

da
ji
zu
de
do

denwa (telephone)

Komban wa.

(particle)

shimbun (newspaper)

ba
bi
bu
be
bo

tomodachi (friend)

Ginza

ginko (bank)

pa
pi
pu
pe
po

Omedeto gozaimasu.

Kanpai! (Cheers!)

Hiragana quiz 3-1, 3-2, 3-3 are available upon request. Please ask your teacher.
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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

kya
kyu
kyo

gya
gyu
gyo

sha
shu
sho

ja
ju
jo

cha
chu
cho

nya
nyu
nyo

hya
hyu
hyo

bya
byu
byo

pya
pyu
pyo

mya
myu
myo

rya
ryu
ryo

[QUIZ]
-

Tokyo

jusho (address)

kaisha (company)

Ja mata. (See you again.)

- -

kanojo (she)

kyuryo (salary)

okyakusan (guest)

Shinjuku

shumatsu (weekend)

shashin (photo)

sanbyakuen (\300)

chukaryori (Chinese food)

shukudai (homework)

gohyakuen (\500)

Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

The rules in Hiragana

(1) Long vowels

a is represented by adding .

okasan (mother) mama (so-so)

ii and i are represented by adding .

oniisan (older brother) ojiisan/oj i san (grandfather)

u is represented by adding .

yugata (early evening) chugoku (China)

kuki (air)

taifu (typhoon)

e is represented by adding in the words of Japanese origin.

onesan (older sister)

ei is written in in the words of Chinese origin.

Eigo (English) yumei (famous)

sensei (teacher)

gakusei (studnet)

o is represented by adding .

sayonara byoin (hospital)

kyo (today)

Domo arigato gozaimasu.

n some words it is traditionally written in .

okii (big) to (ten)

tori (street)

(2) Double consonants

Double consonants (kk, pp, ss, and tt) are represented by small . As small indicates a
one-syllable pause, the mouth prepares for the pronunciation of the next syllable.

gakko (school) ikkai (once)

ikko (one small object)
juppun (10 min.)

ippon (one long object)

zasshi (magazine)

roppyakuen (\600)
kippu (ticket)

ippiki (one small animal)

issatsu (one book)

Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

Irasshaimase

kitte (stamp)

Itte rasshai. (So long)

Chotto matte kudasai.

Gambatte kudasai.

(3) ji and zu are usually written in and . In few cases, they are traditionally written in
and .
sanji (3:00)

chizu (map)

jisho (dictionary)
mizu (water)

(4) wa using as a particle is written in , not .

Kyo wa doyobi desu. (Today is Saturday.)

Watashi wa nihonjin desu. (Im Japanese.)

Watashi wa nihonjin dewa arimasen. (Im not Japanese.)

(5) o using as a particle is written in , not .

Osake o nomimasu. (I drink sake.)
Sore o misete kudasai. (Please show me that.)

Kore o kudasai. (Please give me that.)

(6) e using as a particle is written in , not .

Shibuya e ikimasu. (Im going to Shibuya.)
Doko e ikimasuka. (Where are you going?)

Kyoto e ikimasu. (Im going to Kyoto.)

Hiragana quiz 4-1, 4-2, 4-3 are available upon request. Please ask your teacher.
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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

Hiragana Review Quiz

(1) Write the following sentences in romaji.

_

Asatte Yubinkyoku ni ikimasu.

_

Tomodachi to isshoni toshokan de benkyo shimasu.

_

Kyo kaisha wa yasumi dewa arimasendeshita.

_

Kocha o nomimasuka.

_

Sono okii kasa o misetekudasai.

_

Watashi wa senshu gakko ni ikimasendeshita.

(2) Write the following romanized sentences in hiragana.

Gambatte kudasai.

Chotto matte kudasai.

Meguro kara Tokyo eki made densha de 20 ppun desu.

Tanaka san wa kaisha no hito to Kyoto no shisha ni ikimasu.

Watashiwa kino tomodachi to Roppongi ni ikimashita.

Uchino denwa bango wa namban desuka.

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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

Katakana is used in the following ways:

(1) For words of foreign origin
(2) For onomatopoeia

e.g. (wanwan) = bowwow

(3) For the names of some animals and insects

(4) For the emphasis of some words

e.g.

The rules in Katakana

(1) Long vowels are represented by a dash, .
(2) Double consonants (kk, pp, ss, tt etc.) are represented by small tsu, .
Printing

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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

ka

ki

ku
ke

ko

ga
gi
gu
ge
go

[QUIZ]

kikku (kick)

kokekokko (cock-a-doodle-doo)

kukk i (cookie)
koku (coke)
keki (cake)

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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

sa

shi

su

se

so

za
ji
zu
ze
zo

[QUIZ]

suk i (ski)

kesu (case)

gasu (gas)

sosu (sauce)

uisuk i (whisky)

soseji (sausage)

kosu (course)

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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

ta

chi

tsu

te

to

da
ji
zu
de
do

ji and zu are usually written in and .

An aid to the (shi) and (tsu), remembrance and distinction.
Hiragana

shi
tsu

Katakana

1
2
3

1 2 3

Keep in mind the equivalent hiragana, (shi) and (tsu).

[QUIZ]
tekisuto (textbook)

takush i (taxi)

suteki (steak)

ch i zu (cheese)

doa (door)

dezato (dessert)

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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

na

ni

nu

ne

no

[QUIZ]
tenisu (tennis)

nekutai (necktie)

noto (notebook)

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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

ha

hi

fu

he

ho

ba
bi
bu
be
bo
pa
pi
pu
pe
po

[QUIZ]

sup i do (speed)

h i ta (heater)

pasuta (pasta)

basu (bus)

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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

ma
mi

me

mo

mu

[QUIZ]

hamu (ham)

mota (motor)

memo (memo)

messeji (message)

gamu (gum)

ya

yu

yo

[QUIZ]
yotto (yacht)

yuza (user)

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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

ra
ri
ru

re

ro

wa

n, m

Katakana is not used in modern living.

An aid to remembrance and distinction the (so) and (n,m).

Hiragana
Katakana

so
n, m

[QUIZ] - Similar characters (Write the following characters in katakana.)

shi/tsu
sa/na/me

n/so

ku/ta

fu/u/wa

ma/a

nu/su

hi/e/ni/mi

Katakana quiz 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4 are available upon request. Please ask your teacher.
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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

kya
kyu
kyo

gya
gyu
gyo

sha
shu
sho

ja
ju
jo

cha
chu
cho

nya
nyu
nyo

hya
hyu
hyo

bya
byu
byo

pya
pyu
pyo

mya
myu
myo

rya
ryu
ryo

tsa
tse
tso

she
che

je
quo

va
vi
ve
vo

fa
fi
fe
fo

wi
we
wo

ti
di
dyu

Katakana quiz 2-1, 2-2, 2-3, 2-4 are available upon request. Please ask your teacher.
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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

QUIZ 1 - MENU

Write the following words in romaji.

Example

menyu

corn soup

konsupu

wine

sarada

menu

biru

bread

wain

salad

supagetti

steak

suteki

Hamburg steak set

hambagu setto)

pizza

bifu shichu

rice

piza

beer

raisu

beef stew

pan

spaghetti

sandoicchi

chocolate cake

chokoretokeki )

lemon tea

ice coffee

ice cream

sandwich

aisukurimu

remonti

aisukohi

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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

QUIZ 2 - SIGNS and TOWN

Write the following words in romaji.

Example

Taxi

Parking

esukareta

Toilet

toire

Escalator

KARAOKE

erebeta

takushi
_

infomeshon

pakingu

Elevator

makudonarudo

Game Center

resutoran

Restaurant

karaoke

Information

sebunirebun

Sports Club

gemusenta

Disney Land

supotsukurabu

McDonaldss

depato

Department store

rentarubideo

Convenience Store

dizunirando

Seven-Eleven

hoteru

Rental Video

kombini

Hotel

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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

QUIZ 3 - DAILY LIFE and BUSINESS

Write the following words in romaji.

Example

golf

fashion

vitamin C

deto

party

gorufu

concert

basukettoboru )

computer

bideokamera

video camera

bitamin C

schedule

sukejyuru

date

kyanseru

FAX

kompyuta

discount

shisutemu

basketball

deta

maker

fakkusu

data

Emeru

system

meka

cancel

disukaunto

Email

fasshon

pati

konsato

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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

QUIZ 4 - Write in Katakana

Write the following words in Katakana
Example

glass

switch

walkman

wokuman

floppy disk

eakon

TV set

h i ta

air conditioner

fairu

fork

()

carpet

heater

white shirts

suicchi

gurasu

foku

furopp i disuku

kapetto

orenji jusu

( )

terebi

sofa

seta

file

nekutai

trousers

zubon

necktie

sofa

sweater

waishatsu

orange juice

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Meguro Language Center

HIRAGANA KATAKANA

QUIZ 5 - Write in Hiragana and Katakana

Write the following sentences in hiragana and katakana.

(1) Tomu san wa kino takush i de pat i ni ikimashita.

(2) Kono dejitaru kamera wa ikura desuka.

(3) Watashi wa igirisujin dewa arimasen.

(4) Kono painappuru wa oishii desu.

(5) Ashita garufurendo to Roppongi no resutoran ni ikimasu.

(6) Kono kompyuta wa nihon no dewa arimasen.

(7) Kore wa konsato no chiketto desu.

(8) Borubo wa suweden no kuruma desu. (VOLVO)

(9) Kentakk i furaido chikin wa doko desuka.

(10) Hambaga to furaido poteto to salada o kudasai.

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HIRAGANA KATAKANA

Katakana/Hiragana

Romaji

Meguro Language Center

English

Bagdad

Jr

North

UK

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HIRAGANA KATAKANA

Meguro Language Center

Helsinki

City

ralia

Madorido/Madoriddo

shit

Minami-afurika

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