Table of Contents

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 ........................................................................... 3

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 rōmaji, which is Japanese that is written with the Latin alphabet. You don’t really need to spend any time learning rōmaji, 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ひらがな

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. か ka, ま ma, な 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カタカナ

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ローマ字

Rōmaji uses the Latin alphabet, making it so that even people who haven’t learned hiragana, katakana, or kanji can read and write in Japanese.

However, only knowing rōmaji can be very limiting. Rōmaji can be helpful when you are first starting out, but since Japanese people don’t really use it, it is important to learn how to read and write hiragana and katakana.

Furiganaふりがな

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 children’s 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!

あ a as in Ah! Example: あめ ame rainい i as in Eek! Example: いす isu chairう u as in Moo! Example: うさぎ usagi rabbitえ e as in Hey! Example: えんぴつ enpitsu pencilお o as in Oh! Example: おちゃ 　 ocha tea

Long Vowels

In this book, long vowels will be romanized in the following ways.

aa ii ū ee ei ō ōああ　いい　うう　ええ　えい　おお　おう

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.

Don’t forget to listen to the audio that is included in this book and repeat it out loud to practice your pronunciation! Have fun!!

Pronunciation Guide

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. がんばって！Ganbatte!! Do your best! If you keep on trying you will remember! Have fun!!

a i u e oあ い う え お

k か き く け こ

s さ し shi す せ そ

t た ち chi つ tsu て と

n な に ぬ ね の

h は ひ ふ fu へ ほ

m ま み む め も

y や ゆ よ

r ら り る れ ろ

w わ を

n ん n

a i u e og が ぎ ぐ げ ご

z ざ じ ji ず ぜ ぞ

d だ ぢ ji づ zu で ど

b ば び ぶ べ ぼ

p ぱ ぴ ぷ ぺ ぽ

Hiragana Chart

Hiragana Chart 2: Voiced Consonants

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

Hiragana Chart 3: Modified Syllables

ya yu yok きゃ きゅ きょ

s しゃ sha しゅ shu しょ sho

c ちゃ cha ちゅ chu ちょ cho

n にゃ にゅ にょ

h ひゃ ひゅ ひょ

m みゃ みゅ みょ

r りゃ りゅ りょ

g ぎゃ ぎゅ ぎょ

j じゃ ja じゅ ju じょ jo

b びゃ びゅ びょ

p ぴゃ ぴゅ ぴょ

ああああああああああ

ああああああああああ

a あいai

いいいいいいいいいい

いいいいいいいいいいi いるか

irukadolphin

うううううううううう

ううううううううううu

うみumi

ocean

ええええええええええ

ええええええええええe えいが

eigamovie

おおおおおおおおおお

おおおおおおおおおお

o およぐoyogu

to swim

かかかかかかかかかか

かかかかかかかかかか

ka かさkasa

umbrella

きききききききききき

きききききききききき

ki きのこkinoko

mushroom

くくくくくくくくくく

くくくくくくくくくく

ku くまkumabear

けけけけけけけけけけ

けけけけけけけけけけ

ke けしごむkeshigomu

eraser

ここここここここここ

ここここここここここ

koこうえん

kōenpark

ささささささささささ

ささささささささささ

saさくら

sakuracherry blossom

しししししししししし

しししししししししし

shiしま

shimaisland

すすすすすすすすすす

すすすすすすすすすす

suすし

sushisushi

せせせせせせせせせせ

せせせせせせせせせせ

se せかいsekaiworld

そそそそそそそそそそ

そそそそそそそそそそ

soそらsorasky

たたたたたたたたたた

たたたたたたたたたた

ta たこtako

octopus

ちちちちちちちちちち

ちちちちちちちちちち

chiちず

chizumap

つつつつつつつつつつ

つつつつつつつつつつ

tsu つりtsuri

fishing

てててててててててて

てててててててててて

te てte

hand

とととととととととと

とととととととととと

toとらtoratiger

なななななななななな

なななななななななな

na なつnatsu

summer

にににににににににに

にににににににににに

ni にじniji

rainbow

ぬぬぬぬぬぬぬぬぬぬ

ぬぬぬぬぬぬぬぬぬぬ

nu ぬりえnurie

coloring book

ねねねねねねねねねね

ねねねねねねねねねね

ne ねずみnezumimouse

のののののののののの

のののののののののの

no のりnori

seaweed

はははははははははは

はははははははははは

ha はちhachibees

ひひひひひひひひひひ

ひひひひひひひひひひ

hi ひよこhiyokochick

ふふふふふふふふふふ

ふふふふふふふふふふ

fu ふうせんfūsen

balloons

へへへへへへへへへへ

へへへへへへへへへへ

heへやheyaroom

ほほほほほほほほほほ

ほほほほほほほほほほ

hoほし

hoshistars

ま

ま

ま

ま

ま

ま

ま

ま

ま

ま

ま

ま

ま

ま

ま

ま

ま

ま

ま

まma まんが

mangacomic book

みみみみみみみみみみ

みみみみみみみみみみ

mi みみmimiears

むむむむむむむむむむ

むむむむむむむむむむ

mu むしmushibugs

めめめめめめめめめめ

めめめめめめめめめめ

me めがねmeganeglasses

もももももももももも

もももももももももも

mo

もりmoriforest

ややや

や

ややややややや

やや ややややややや

ya やさいyasai

vegetables

ゆゆゆ

ゆ

ゆゆゆゆゆゆゆ

ゆゆ ゆゆゆゆゆゆゆ

yu ゆきyukisnow

よよよ

よ

よよよよよよよ

よよ よよよよよよよ

yo よるyorunight

ららら

ら

ららららららら

らら ららららららら

ra らくだrakudacamel

りりり

り

りりりりりりり

りり りりりりりりり

riりんごringoapple

るる るる

る

るるるるるる

るる るるるるるるる

ru るすばんrusuban

house-sitting

れれれ

れ

れれれれれれれ

れれ れれれれれれれ

re れいぞうこreizōko

refrigerator

ろろろ

ろ

ろろろろろろろ

ろろ ろろろろろろろ

roろうそくrōsokucandles

わわわ

わ

わわわわわわわ

わわ わわわわわわわ

wa わがしwagashi

Japanese sweets

をを をを

を

をををををを

をを ををををををを

o (wo) てをあらうte o arau

to wash one’s hands

んんん

ん

んんんんんんん

んん んんんんんんん

nでんしゃdensha

train

ががが

が

ががががががが

がが ががががががが

ga がっこうgakkōschool

ぎぎぎぎぎぎぎぎぎぎ

ぎぎぎぎぎぎぎぎぎぎ

giぎゅうにゅう

gyūnyūmilk

ぐぐぐぐぐぐぐぐぐぐ

ぐぐぐぐぐぐぐぐぐぐ

guぐんgun

military

げげげげげげげげげげ

げげげげげげげげげげ

ge げいしゃgeishageisha

ごごごごごごごごごご

ごごごごごごごごごご

go ごみgomitrash

ざざ ざざざざざざざ

ざざ ざざざざざざざ

ざ

ざ

za ざぶとんzabutoncushion

じじ じじじじじじじ

じじ じじじじじじじ

じ

じ

ji じてんしゃjitenshabicycle

ずず ずずずずずずず

ずず ずずずずずずず

ず

ず

zu

すずめsuzumesparrow

ぜぜ ぜぜぜぜぜぜぜ

ぜぜ ぜぜぜぜぜぜぜ

ぜ

ぜ

zeぜんzenzen

ぞぞぞぞぞぞぞぞぞぞ

ぞぞ ぞぞぞぞぞぞぞぞ

zo ぞうzō

elephant

だだ だだだだだだだ

だだ だだだだだだだ

だ

だ

da だんごdangodango

ぢぢぢぢぢぢぢぢぢぢ

ぢぢ ぢぢぢぢぢぢぢぢ

ji はなぢhanaji

nosebleed

づづ づづづづづづづ

づづづづづづづづづづ

づzu

つづく

tsuzukuto continue

でで ででででででで

でで ででででででで

で

で

de

でんわdenwa

telephone

どど どどどどどどど

どど どどどどどどど

ど

ど

do

どんぐりdonguriacorns

ばば ばばばばばばば

ばば ばばばばばばばば

ば

baばくだんbakudan

bomb

びび びびびびびびび

びび びびびびびびびび

びbi

びょういんbyōin

hospital

ぶぶ ぶぶぶぶぶぶぶぶ

ぶぶ ぶぶぶぶぶぶぶぶ

bu

ぶどうbudō

grapes

べべ べべべべべべべべ

べべ べべべべべべべべ

beべんとう

bentōboxed lunch

ぼぼ ぼぼぼぼぼぼぼぼ

ぼぼ ぼぼぼぼぼぼぼぼ

boぼんさいbonsaibonsai

ぱぱ ぱぱぱぱぱぱぱぱ

ぱぱ ぱぱぱぱぱぱぱぱ

paぱんpan

bread

ぴぴ ぴぴぴぴぴぴぴぴ

ぴぴ ぴぴぴぴぴぴぴぴ

pi ぴよぴよpiyopiyo

tweet tweet

ぷぷ ぷぷぷぷぷぷぷぷ

ぷぷ ぷぷぷぷぷぷぷぷ

puぷりんpurin

pudding

ぺぺ ぺぺぺぺぺぺぺぺ

ぺぺ ぺぺぺぺぺぺぺぺ

peぺんきpenkipaint

ぽぽ ぽぽぽぽぽぽぽぽ

ぽぽ ぽぽぽぽぽぽぽぽ

po ぽけっとpokettopocket

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

あ あ

ああ

き い

しり

akiFALL/AUTUMN

aiLOVE

ANT

ari ashiFOOT/LEG

あ

a

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

ishiSTONE

い しinuDOG

い ぬ

irukaDOLPHIN

い るisu

CHAIR

い すか

iい

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

ushiCOW

う しusagiRABBIT

う さ

umiOCEAN

う みumaHORSE

う ま

ぎ

う

u

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.ebi

SHRIMP

え び

ePICTURE

え

が

esaPET FOOD

え さ

eigaMOVIE

え い

え

e

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.ぐoyoguTO SWIM

お よ み

oniDEMON

お に ゃocha

TEA

お ち

がorigamiORIGAMI

お り

お

o

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.るkaeru

FROG

か え

kaiSHELL

か い

う

kasaUMBRELLA

か さ

こgakkōSCHOOL

が っ

か

ka

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.ねkitsune

FOX

き つ

こkinoko

MUSHROOM

き の こginkōBANK

ぎ ん

うgyūnyū

MILK

ぎ ゅ

う

に ゅ う

き

ki

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

まkuruma

CAR

く るまkumaBEAR

く

もkumoSPIDER

く んgun

MILITARY

ぐ

く

ku

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

んken

SWORD

け

しkeshigomuERASER

け ご む

いkeisatsu

POLICE

け さ つ

いgeishaGEISHA

げ し ゃ

け

ke

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.いkoi

ROMANTIC LOVE

こ

みgomi

GARBAGE

ご

きgokiburiCOCKROACH

ご ぶ り

うkōenPARK

こ え ん

こ

ko

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.めsameSHARK

さ

くsakura

CHERRY BLOSSOM

さ ら いzaisanFORTUNE

ざ さ ん

ぶzabuton

CUSHION

ざ と ん

さ

sa

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

かshikaDEER

し

まshimaISLAND

し

ょjisho

DICTIONARY

じ し

んjitensha

BICYCLE

じ て ゃし

し

shi

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

めsuzumeSPARROW

す ず

かsuika

WATERMELON

す いうsumōSUMO

す も

sushiSUSHI

す し

す

su

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

semiCICADA

せ みzenZEN

ぜ ん

zenzaiZENZAI

ぜ ん ざ いsekaiWORLD

せ か い

せ

se

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

soraSKY

そ ら

sobaSOBA

そ ば

zōELEPHANT

ぞ う

zōsuiZōSUI

ぞ う す い

そ

so

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

takoOCTOPUS

た こ

taiyakiTAIYAKI

た い

dangoDANGO

だ ん

や き

ご

だ い こ んdaikon

DAIKON RADISH

た

ta

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

chizuMAP

ち ず

chōchoBUTTERFLY

ち ょ う ち ょ

chikyūEARTH

ち き ゅ う

hanajiNOSEBLEED

は な ぢ

ち

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

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

tsuriFISHING

つ り

tsumikiBLOCKS

つ みき

tsukueDESK

つ くえ

tsuzukuTO CONTINUE

つ づく

つ

tsu

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

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.denwa

TELEPHONE

で んわ

deguchiEXIT

で ぐち

teraTEMPLE

て ら

teHAND

て

て

te

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

tokeiCLOCK

と けいtoriBIRD

と り

らとtoraTIGER

donguriACORNS

ど んぐり

と

to

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

natsuSUMMER

な つ

namidaTEARS

な み

nasubiEGGPLANT

な す

nattōNATTO

な っだ

び

と う

な

na

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

nikuMEAT

に くniji

RAINBOW

に じ

nikkiJOURNAL

に っ きniwatori

CHICKEN

に わ と り

に

ni

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

nukuTO PULL

ぬ くnumaSWAMP

ぬ ま

nuigurumiSTUFFED ANIMAL

ぬ い ぐ る みnurie

COLORING BOOK

ぬ り え

ぬ

nu

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

nekoCAT

ね こneru

TO SLEEP

ね る

negiGREEN ONION

ね ぎnezumi

MOUSE

ね ず み

ね

ne

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

noruTO RIDE

の るnori

SEAWEED

の り

nomuTO DRINK

の むnoboruTO CLIMB

の ぼ る

の

no

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.hasamiSCISSORS

は さ みbakudan

BOMB

ば く だ ん

hachiBEES

は ちpan

BREAD

ぱ ん

は

ha

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.himawariSUNFLOWER

ひ ま わ りpiyopiyo

TWEET TWEET

ぴ よ ぴ よ

byōinHOSPITAL

び ょ う い んhiyoko

CHICK

ひ よ こ

ひ

hi

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

purinPUDDING

ぷ り ん

budōGRAPES

ぶ ど うfūsen

BALLOONS

ふ う せ

funeSHIP

ふ ね

ん

ふ

fu

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

hebiSNAKE

へ び

heyaROOM

へ や

penkiPAINT

ぺ ん き

bentōBOXED LUNCH

べ ん と う

へhe

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.bonsaiBONSAI

ぼ ん さ い

pokettoPOCKET

ぽ け っ とhoshiSTARS

ほ し

ほ んhonBOOK

ほho

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

mameBEANS

ま め

madoWINDOW

ま ど

mangaCOMIC BOOK

ま ん が

mahōMAGIC

ま ほ う

ま

ma

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

mimiEAR

み みmichiROAD

み ち

mizuWATER

み ずmikanORANGE

み か ん

み

mi

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.mushiba

CAVITY

む し ば

mushiBUGS

む し

murasakiPURPLE

む ら さ き

muzukashiiDIFFICULT

む ず か し い

む

mu

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.meronMELON

め ろ ん

meEYES

めmeganeGLASSES

め が ね

medamayakiFRIED EGG

め だ ま や き

め

me

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.mogura

MOLE

も ぐ ら

moriFOREST

も りmomoPEACH

も も

mochiMOCHI

も ち

も

mo

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.yasai

VEGETABLES

や さ い

yakanKETTLE

や か んyagiGOAT

や ぎ

りyakitori

GRILLED CHICKEN

や き と

や

ya

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.いyūreiGHOST

ゆ う れ

yukiSNOW

ゆ き

ちんyūenchi

THEME PARK

ゆ う え

yumeDREAM

ゆ め

ゆ

yu

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4. んえyōchien

KINDERGARTEN

よ う ち

いyōseiFAIRY

よ う せ

いyoteiPLANS

よ て

yoruNIGHT

よ る

よ

yo

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

ぱrappa

TRUMPET

ら っ

だrakuda

CAMEL

ら く

おraion

LION

ら い ん

がrakugaki

GRAFFITI

ら く き

ら

ra

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

んribonRIBBON

り ぼ

うryū

DRAGON

り ゅごringoAPPLE

り ん

risuSQUIRREL

り す

り

ri

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.saru

MONKEY

さ る

hiruAFTERNOON

ひ る

kurumaCAR

く る ま

rusubanHOUSE SITTING

る す ば ん

る

ru

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.renai

ROMANTIC LOVE

れ ん あ い

rekishiHISTORY

れ き しrengaBRICKS

れ ん が

reizōkoREFRIGERATOR

れ い ぞ う こ

れ

re

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.rōsokuCANDLES

ろ う そ くrōjin

OLD PERSON

ろ う じ ん

rōyaPRISON

ろ うroba

DONKEY

ろ ばや

ろ

ro

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4.

waniALLIGATOR

わ に

め

wasabiWASABI

わ さ び

wataameCOTTON CANDY

わ た あwagashi

JAPANESE SWEETS

わ が し

わ

wa

1.

2.

Examples:

3.らte o arau

TO WASH ONE’S HANDS

て を あ う をosake o nomuTO DRINK ALCOHOL

お さ け の む

をgohan o taberu

TO EAT RICE

ご は ん た べ る

を

o(wo)

1.

2.

Examples:

3.

4. ょbenkyō

STUDY

べ ん き うゃninjaNINJA

に ん じ

なhondanaBOOKSHELF

ほ ん だ ゃdensha

TRAIN

で ん し

ん

n

Double ConsonantsWords that have double consonants are written with a small つ 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.

kksstt

pp つ

きってkitte

STAMP

らっぱrappa

TRUMPET

ざっしzasshi

MAGAZINE

にっきnikki

DIARY

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

1.

2.

に っ き

ら ぱ

nikkiDIARY

rappaTRUMPETっ

3.

4.

ざ し

き て

5.

6.

が こ

な と

7.

8.

ふ と

ね と

9. ほ か

う

う

う

う

い ど う

zasshiMAGAZINE

kitteSTAMP

gakkōSCHOOL

nattōNATTO

futtōBOILING

nettōBOILING WATER

hokkaidōHOKKAIDO

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

っ

っ

っ

っ

っ

っ

っ

Modified SyllablesWhen a hiragana has a small や、ゆ、or よ next to it, they are pronounced together as a single syllable. The small や、ゆ、or よ 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

ききき

ぎぎぎ

ゃ

ゃ

ゅ

ゅ

ょ

ょ

Modified SyllablesWhen a hiragana has a small や、ゆ、or よ next to it, they are pronounced together as a single syllable. The small や、ゆ、or よ 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

ししし

じじじ

ゃ

ゃ

ゅ

ゅ

ょ

ょ

Modified SyllablesWhen a hiragana has a small や、ゆ、or よ next to it, they are pronounced together as a single syllable. The small や、ゆ、or よ 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

ちちち

ににに

ゃ

ゃ

ゅ

ゅ

ょ

ょ

Modified SyllablesWhen a hiragana has a small や、ゆ、or よ next to it, they are pronounced together as a single syllable. The small や、ゆ、or よ 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

ひひひ

びびび

ゃ

ゃ

ゅ

ゅ

ょ

ょ

Modified SyllablesWhen a hiragana has a small や、ゆ、or よ next to it, they are pronounced together as a single syllable. The small や、ゆ、or よ 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

ぴぴぴ

みみみ

ゃ

ゃ

ゅ

ゅ

ょ

ょ

Modified SyllablesWhen a hiragana has a small や、ゆ、or よ next to it, they are pronounced together as a single syllable. The small や、ゆ、or よ 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

りりり

ゃ

ゅ

ょ

EXAMPLES

hyaku one hundredひ く

お ち

い し

り か ん

う てん んし

ocha green tea

isha doctor

ryokan Traditional Japanese Inn

untenshu driverゅ

ゃ

ゃ

ゃ

ょ

EXAMPLES

chōcho butterfly

kaisha company

ninja ninja

benkyō study

densha train

か い し

ち う ち

に ん じ

べ ん き う

ん しで ゃ

ゃ

ゃ

ょ

ょょ

EXAMPLES

ryū

omocha

gyūnyū

byōki

jisho

dragon

toy

milk

sick

dictionary

り ゅ う

お も ち

ぎ にう う

び う き

じ し

ゅ ゅ

ょ

ょ

ゃ

は is not always ha

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

Example: わたしはたなかです。 Watashi wa tanaka desu. I am Tanaka.

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

Practice: Write the correct hiragana for the sentences below. Make sure to pay attention to particles!

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 friend’s car.

は is not always ha

1. これはかばんです。 Kore wa kaban desu. This is a bag.

2. それはわたしのかさです。 Sore wa watashi no kasa desu. That is my umbrella.

3. わたしはだいがくせいです。 Watashi wa daigakusei desu. I am a college student.

4. すずきさんはにほんじんです。 Suzuki san wa nihonjin desu. Mr./Ms. Suzuki is Japanese.

5. あれはともだちのくるまです。 Are wa tomodachi no kuruma desu. That is my friend’s car.

answers

へ is not always he

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

Example: がっこうへいきます。 Gakkō 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. _____________________________________ Tōkyō (toukyou) e ikimasu. I will go to Tokyo.

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

へ is not always he

1. すずきさんはにほんへかえりました。 Suzuki san wa nihon e kaerimashita. Mr./Ms Suzuki returned to Japan.

2. しごとへいきます。 Shigoto e ikimasu. I will go to work.

3. うちへかえります。 Uchi e kaerimasu. I will return home.

4. とうきょうへいきます。 Tōkyō (toukyou) e ikimasu. I will go to Tokyo.

5. ぎんこうへいってきました。 Ginkō (ginkou) e ittekimashita. I went to the bank.

answers

　　　お vs. を

The hiragana を can be romanized as wo or o, but it is usually pronounced o. Do not confuse を(o) with お(o). を is only used as a particle in modern Japanese. If you don’t 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: りんごをたべます。 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. _____________________________________ Sōji (souji) o shimashita. I did the cleaning.

5. __________________________________________ Benkyō o shimashita. I studied.

　　　お vs. を

1. みずをください。 Mizu o kudasai. Please give me water.

2. ほんをよみます。 Hon o yomimasu. I will read a book.

3. えいがをみました。 Eiga o mimashita. I watched a movie.

4. そうじをしました。 Sōji (souji) o shimashita. I did the cleaning.

5. べんきょうをしました。 Benkyō o shimashita. I studied.

answers

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