Japanese Learning Guides — Hiragana & Katakana

Learn more about Hiragana, Katakana, and effective study techniques.

5 Essential Japanese Phrases Every Beginner Should Know

April 11, 202611 min read

Master the most common Japanese phrases used in everyday conversation. Learn proper pronunciation, cultural context, and when to use each phrase with confidence.

5 Essential Japanese Learning Supplies for Beginners

February 13, 20266 min read

Five affordable tools to accelerate Hiragana and Katakana learning — beginner book, practice notebook, precision pencil, eraser, and sticky notes. All under $15.

Effective Learning Tips for Japanese Characters

January 25, 202611 min read

Discover proven strategies and techniques to master Hiragana and Katakana more efficiently. Learn how to make your study sessions more effective.

Understanding Katakana

January 20, 20267 min read

Discover Katakana, the writing system used for foreign words, loanwords, and emphasis in Japanese. Learn how it differs from Hiragana and when to use it.

Getting Started with Hiragana

January 15, 20268 min read

Learn the basics of Hiragana, one of the three writing systems used in Japanese. This guide will help you understand what Hiragana is and how to begin learning it.

Common Mistakes When Learning Hiragana and Katakana

January 10, 20265 min read

Avoid these common pitfalls when learning Japanese characters. Learn from others' mistakes to accelerate your learning and build a solid foundation.

Contracted Sounds: Combination Characters in Japanese

January 5, 20264 min read

Explore contracted sounds (拗音) - the combination characters created by combining certain consonants with や, ゆ, or よ. Learn how these create new sounds beyond the basic 46 characters.

Understanding Diacritical Marks: Dakuten and Handakuten

January 1, 20263 min read

Learn about dakuten (濁点) and handakuten (半濁点) - the diacritical marks that modify Hiragana and Katakana characters to create new sounds.