Japanese Writing Systems: Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji

A set of Q&A flashcards covering the three Japanese scripts (Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji), their functions, readings, and teaching tips from the lecture notes.

What are the three types of Japanese letters?

Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.

Which script is described as the basic Japanese alphabet and essential for reading, writing, and recognizing words?

Hiragana.

Approximately how many basic Hiragana characters exist?

46 characters.

How are Hiragana characters organized in columns, and what is special about the vowels column?

There are 46 characters organized into columns with five vowel sounds (a, i, u, e, o); the vowels form their own column, while other columns add consonants.

What is the relationship between Hiragana and Katakana in pronunciation and character count?

They have the same pronunciation, and each script has about 46 characters, but they look different.

What are Kanji and what do they represent?

Kanji are ideograms; each character represents a meaning or concept.

What are On’yomi and Kun’yomi readings?

On’yomi is the Chinese-origin reading of a Kanji; Kun’yomi is the native Japanese reading.

Why can the same Kanji have multiple readings?

Reading depends on context and which words or characters it combines with; Kanji can have multiple readings.

What is furigana?

Small Hiragana written above or beside Kanji to show pronunciation and aid reading.

What are the two main functions of Kanji?

1) Convey meaning; 2) Make reading easier by clarifying word boundaries and meaning in a script without spaces.

What are the primary uses of Katakana?

Foreign loan words and non-Japanese names; brand names and borrowed terms.

In what order should learners study the scripts, according to the notes?

First Hiragana, then Katakana, and finally Kanji.

Why is it helpful to study Katakana together with Hiragana?

Because Katakana and Hiragana have the same pronunciation; memorize their shapes as a set to avoid confusion.

Why is Kanji considered a difficult and ongoing study?

There are thousands of Kanji; even native speakers continue to study, making it a long, ongoing challenge.

How does Kanji aid reading a Japanese sentence that lacks spaces?

Kanji provides meaning, helping to distinguish words and make reading easier without spaces.

Where is furigana commonly used to assist reading?

In textbooks and forms, where furigana helps readers read Kanji, especially for names and unfamiliar terms.