“u” as in you “i” as in easy “a” as in father

3 2 1

ウ イ ア
AAAaaa!

“Oooo!” The water balloon was An easel holds your picture “AAAaaa!” cried the critter as
cold as it splashed on his back! while you work on it or display it. he fell off the edge of the cliff.

“ka” as in car “o” as in oak “e” as in red

6 5 4

9
カか
Katakana “ka” カ and
hiragana “ka” か look a bit alike.

“ke” as in Kevin
8
オ
an Olympic figure skater

“ku” as in cuckoo
7
elevator doors

“ki” as in key

ケ ク7 キき
Katakana “ki” キ and
a kangaroo a cool way to write seven (7) hiragana “ki” き look a bit alike.

サ コ
“shi” as in she “sa” as in saw “ko” as in cocoa
12 11 10

シ
She tilted her head and smiled.
A sawhorse holds
wood while you cut it. a cup of hot cocoa
 “so” as in so “se” as in set “su” as in super

セせ
15 14 13

When other kids said,

“You only have one eye,”
he said, “So!”
ス
Katakana “se” and hiragana “se”
look a little alike. It’s Superman... er, super-critter.

チ タ
“tsu” as in cats “chi” as in cheer “ta” as in tall
18 17 16

Two children are the leaning tower of Pisa

sliding down a slide. (In Japanese “tower” is pronounced
(“ts” like cats and “u” like you) a cheerleader with a “ta” as in tall).

ト テ
“na” as in not “to” as in totem “te” as in telephone
21 20 19

a knife a totem pole a telephone pole and wires

“ne” as in nest “nu” as in new “ni” as in need

24 23 22

ネ
a nest on top of a tree a new way to write seven (7) The Japanese word for “two” is ni.
 “hi” as in he “ha” as in hawk “no” as in nose
27 26 25

ヒ ハ
He drives the car.
the two wings of a fearsome
hawk (or a slightly dazed-
looking hawk)
ノ
a nose

“ho” as in Ho! Ho! “he” as in help “fu” as in Hoot!

30 29 28

ホ ヘヘ フ
The owl cries, “Hoot! Hoot!”
Mr. “Ho Ho” laughs even No significant differences between (Pronounce “fu” without touching
when stuck in a chimney! katakana “he” and hiragana “he.” the upper teeth and lower lip.)

“mu” as in moo “mi” as in meow “ma” as in mom

33 32 31

I love jamu (jam)! A cat’s three whiskers, “Meow!”

マ
Mom holds Baby while
she attends to some work.

“ya” as in yarn “mo” as in more “me” as in Mexico

36 35 34

ヤや モも Meメico
Hiragana “ya” and katakana “ya” Hiragana “mo” and katakana “mo”
look a bit alike. look a bit alike. the “X” in Mexico
 “ra” as in robber “yo” as in yogurt “yu” as in you

ヨ
39 38 37

a robber yogurt You won the “hangman” game!

“re” as in rain “ru” as in roots “ri” as in ring

42 41 40

レ リり
ル Hiragana “ri” and katakana

ロ
splashing raindrops tree roots “ri” look a bit alike.

“o” as in oak “wa” as in water “ro” as in robot

45 (same pronunciation as オ) 44 43

ヲ ワ
“Oh, this cookie is oishii (delicious)!”
(the “w” is dropped in modern Japanese) “I want a cookie!” a robot

“n” as in ink
46 (back of the tongue
touches the roof of the mouth)

An inky black iguana

is getting a suntan.