Japanese Hiragana Keyboard 2025

Learn how to use a Hiragana keyboard to type in Japanese online. Discover the differences between Katakana and Kanji keyboards, how to write Hiragana words, and FAQs for beginners.

1. What is a Hiragana keyboard?

Hiragana (ひらがな) is the basic Japanese script used for native words, grammar particles, and pronunciation guides (furigana).

How to Use a Hiragana Keyboard

• Type in Romaji (English letters), and it automatically converts to Hiragana.
  • Example: konnichiwa → こんにちは
• Supports voiced sounds (dakuten):
  • ka (か) → ga (が)
  • hi (ひ) → bi (び)
• Small characters (sutegana):
  • kya (きゃ), shu (しゅ), cho (ちょ)

💡 Best for: Beginners, writing native Japanese words, and grammar particles.

2. What is a Katakana Keyboard?

Katakana (カタカナ) is used for foreign words, loanwords, and emphasis.

How to Use a Katakana Keyboard

• Functions like Hiragana but outputs Katakana.
  • Example: amerika → アメリカ (America)
  • koohii → コーヒー (coffee)
• Same Romaji input, different output script.

💡 Best for: Foreign names and borrowed words (e.g., パソコン “pasokon” = computer).

3. What is a Kanji Keyboard?

Kanji (漢字) are Chinese characters used in Japanese for nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

How to Use a Kanji Keyboard

1. Type in Hiragana first (e.g., たべる).
2. Press the spacebar to convert to Kanji (食べる).
3. Select the correct Kanji from the suggestions.

💡 Best for: Advanced Japanese writing, formal documents, and kanji-based words.

4. How to Type Hiragana Words Efficiently

• Use Romaji shortcuts:
  • shi → し
  • tsu → つ
  • fu → ふ
• Double consonants for small “tsu” (っ):
  • kitte → きって
• Long vowels with a dash (ー):
  • koohii → コーヒー

5. Conclusion

• Hiragana Keyboard: Best for beginners and native words.
• Katakana Keyboard: Used for foreign words and emphasis.
• Kanji Keyboard: Essential for advanced Japanese writing.

Using these keyboards correctly will improve your Japanese typing speed and accuracy.

FAQ