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
n

k s t

shi

m w n y r

n h

chi

tsu fu

Hiragana Chart 2: Voiced Consonants a i u e o g ji z ji zu d b p

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.

k n h g j r c s

ya

sha

yu

cha

shu

yo

chu

sho

cho

ja

ju

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.
aki ari
FALL/AUTUMN

3.
LOVE

ai

2.
ANT

4.
FOOT/LEG

ashi


Examples: 1.
STONE

ishi

3.
inu
DOG

2.
DOLPHIN

iruka

4.
CHAIR

isu


Examples: 1.
ushi
COW

3.
usagi umi
RABBIT

2.
HORSE

uma

4.
OCEAN


Examples: 1.
e
PICTURE

3.
PET FOOD

esa

2.
SHRIMP

ebi

4.
MOVIE

eiga


Examples: 1.
DEMON

oni

3.
ocha
TEA

2.
oyogu
TO SWIM

4.
origami
ORIGAMI


Examples: 1.
SHELL

kai

3.
kasa gakk

ka

UMBRELLA

2.
kaeru
FROG

4.
SCHOOL


Examples:
kinoko

1.
MUSHROOM

3.
gink
BANK

ki

2.
kitsune
FOX

4.
gyny
MILK


Examples: 1.
kuma
BEAR

3.
kuruma
CAR

ku

2.
kumo
SPIDER

4.
MILITARY

gun


Examples: 1.
SWORD

ken

3.
keisatsu
POLICE

ke

2.
keshigomu
ERASER

4.
geisha
GEISHA


Examples:
ken
PARK

1. 2.
koi

3.
GARBAGE

gomi

ko

ROMANTIC LOVE

4.
COCKROACH

gokiburi


Examples:
sakura same
SHARK

1.
CHERRY BLOSSOM

3.
FORTUNE

zaisan

sa

2.

4.
zabuton
CUSHION


Examples: 1.
shika
DEER

3.
DICTIONARY

jisho

shi

2.
shima
ISLAND

4.
jitensha
BICYCLE


Examples: 1.
sushi
SUSHI

3.
suzume
SPARROW

su

2.
sum
SUMO

4.
WATERMELON

suika


Examples: 1.
CICADA

semi

3.
zen
ZEN

se

2.
WORLD

sekai

4.
zenzai
ZENZAI


Examples: 1.
sora
SKY

3.
z zsui
ZSUI

so

ELEPHANT

2.
soba
SOBA

4.


Examples: 1.
OCTOPUS

tako

3.
dango
DANGO

ta

2.
taiyaki
TAIYAKI

4.
DAIKON RADISH

daikon


Examples: 1.
chizu
MAP

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

3.
chiky
EARTH

chi

2.
BUTTERFLY

chcho

4.
hanaji

NOSEBLEED


Examples: 1.
FISHING

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

tsuri

3.
tsukue
DESK

tsu

2.
tsumiki
BLOCKS

4.
TO CONTINUE

tsuzuku


Examples: 1.
te
HAND

3.
deguchi
EXIT

te

2.
TEMPLE

tera

4.
TELEPHONE

denwa


Examples: 1.
tori
BIRD

3.
CLOCK

tokei

to

2.
TIGER

tora

4.
donguri
ACORNS


Examples: 1.
SUMMER

natsu

3.
EGGPLANT

nasubi natt
NATTO

na

2.
namida
TEARS

4.


Examples: 1.
niku
MEAT

3.
RAINBOW

niji

ni

2.
JOURNAL

nikki

4.
niwatori
CHICKEN


Examples: 1.
numa
SWAMP

3.
TO PULL

nuku

nu

2.
COLORING BOOK

nurie

4.
STUFFED ANIMAL

nuigurumi


Examples: 1.
neko
CAT

3.
TO SLEEP

neru

ne

2.
negi

GREEN ONION

4.
nezumi
MOUSE


Examples: 1.
TO RIDE

noru

3.
SEAWEED

nori

no

2.
TO DRINK

nomu

4.
noboru
TO CLIMB


Examples: 1.
hachi
BEES

3.
BREAD

pan

ha

2.
SCISSORS

hasami

4.
bakudan
BOMB


Examples:
hiyoko
CHICK

1. 2.
himawari
SUNFLOWER

3.
HOSPITAL

byin

hi

4.
TWEET TWEET

piyopiyo


Examples: 1.
fune
SHIP

3.
PUDDING

purin bud

fu

2.
BALLOONS

fsen

4.
GRAPES


Examples: 1.
SNAKE

hebi

3.
penki
PAINT

he

2.
heya
ROOM

4.
BOXED LUNCH

bent


Examples: 1.
hoshi
STARS

3.
poketto
POCKET

ho

2.
BOOK

hon

4.
bonsai
BONSAI


Examples: 1.
mame
BEANS

3.
COMIC BOOK

manga mah
MAGIC

ma

2.
WINDOW

mado

4.


Examples: 1.
mimi
EAR

3.
michi
ROAD

mi

2.
WATER

mizu

4.
mikan
ORANGE


Examples: 1.
mushi
BUGS

3.
muzukashii
DIFFICULT

mu

2.
mushiba
CAVITY

4.
murasaki
PURPLE


Examples: 1.
EYES

me

3.
megane
GLASSES

me

2.
meron
MELON

4.
medamayaki
FRIED EGG


Examples: 1.
momo
PEACH

3.
FOREST

mori

mo

2.
mochi
MOCHI

4.
mogura
MOLE


Examples:
yakan
KETTLE

1. 2.
VEGETABLES

3.
yagi
GOAT

ya

yasai

4.
GRILLED CHICKEN

yakitori


Examples: 1.
SNOW

yuki

3.
yume
DREAM

yu

2.
yrei
GHOST

4.
THEME PARK

yenchi


Examples: 1.
yoru
NIGHT

3.
ysei
FAIRY

yo

2.
yotei
PLANS

4.
KINDERGARTEN

ychien


Examples:
TRUMPET

1.
rappa

3.
raion
LION

ra

2.
rakuda
CAMEL

4.
rakugaki
GRAFFITI


Examples: 1.
risu ringo
APPLE SQUIRREL

3.
RIBBON

ribon ry

ri

2.

4.
DRAGON


Examples:
HOUSE SITTING

1.
rusuban saru

3.
hiru

ru

AFTERNOON

2.
MONKEY

4.
kuruma
CAR


Examples:
rekishi
HISTORY

1. 2.
ROMANTIC LOVE

3.
renga
BRICKS

re

renai

4.
REFRIGERATOR

reizko


Examples:
PRISON

1.
rya

3.

DONKEY

roba

ro

2.
OLD PERSON

rjin

4.
rsoku
CANDLES


Examples: 1.
wani
ALLIGATOR

3.
wasabi
WASABI

wa

2.
JAPANESE SWEETS

wagashi

4.
COTTON CANDY

wataame


Examples: 1.
TO WASH ONES HANDS

te o arau

3.
TO DRINK ALCOHOL

o (wo)

osake o nomu

2.
gohan o taberu
TO EAT RICE


Examples: 1.
hondana
BOOKSHELF

3.
densha
TRAIN

2.
ninja
NINJA

4.
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

rappa TRUMPET

kitte STAMP

zasshi MAGAZINE nikki DIARY

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

1. 2.

TRUMPET

rappa

nikki
DIARY

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

3. 4. 5. 7. 8.

MAGAZINE

zasshi
STAMP

SCHOOL

gakk
NATTO

kitte

6.

natt futt

BOILING

BOILING WATER

9.

hokkaid
HOKKAIDO

nett

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

ocha isha

hyaku

green tea doctor

one hundred

ryokan

untenshu driver

Traditional Japanese Inn

EXAMPLES

chcho kaisha ninja

butterfly

company ninja

benky densha

study train

EXAMPLES

ry omocha gyny byki jisho

dragon toy milk sick

dictionary

 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.

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