Learn Katakana: The Ultimate Guide to Mastering the Japanese katakana.

The katana is more than just a sword; it’s a piece of art and history that reflects Japan’s rich cultural heritage. With its elegant curve, razor-sharp blade, and perfect balance, the katana has been revered for its craftsmanship and effectiveness in combat. Today, it continues to inspire martial artists and enthusiasts worldwide.

Steps to Learn Katakana

Step 1: Familiarize Yourself with the Characters

Start by reviewing the katakana chart and learning how each character sounds. Break it into smaller chunks, such as focusing on one row (e.g., A-row) per day.

Step 2: Practice Stroke Order

Correct stroke order improves your handwriting and helps you memorize the characters. Follow these principles:

1. Write from top to bottom.
2. Write from left to right.

Step 3: Use Mnemonics for Memorization

Mnemonics make it easier to remember characters by associating them with visual cues. For example:

• ア (a): Looks like an “antenna” on a roof.
• カ (ka): Resembles a “kite” flying in the sky.

Step 4: Practice Writing

Dedicate time to writing each character repeatedly. Writing reinforces memory and helps with recall. Use worksheets or grid paper to practice.

Step 5: Read Katakana Words

Practice reading simple katakana words you encounter in daily life. Many are derived from English or other languages, making them easier to recognize. Examples:

• テレビ (terebi): Television
• ホテル (hoteru): Hotel

Step 6: Reinforce with Apps and Tools

Use language learning apps to make practice engaging. Popular options include:

• Duolingo: Interactive lessons.
• Anki: Flashcards for memorization.
• Kana Quiz: Focuses on reading katakana.

clicks here to learn hiragana

Because of this, I want you to learn ten katakana characters right from the very start. You can handle it, can’t you?

A	I	U	E	O
ア	イ	ウ	エ	オ

This is something that you are already familiar with from studying hiragana; the first five letters of katakana are going to be vowel sounds. From that point on, it is just that sequence of consonants and vowels until we reach the katakana equivalent of the letter “n.” Regarding the majority of things, the pronunciation of everything will be precisely the same. You can count on me to let you know if there is an exception to the norm. When it comes to pronunciation, this tutorial does not place a lot of emphasis on it since it presumes that you are already familiar with it.

ア is the katakana for あ (a).

ア contains a capital letter A that has been distorted. However, in order to get access to it, you will need to swivel your head to the side and join a few lines.

イ is the katakana for い (i).

イ seems to be an eagle, whether it is standing on the ground, on a branch, or from any other location. Have you noticed that its back and legs are curled downward, much like an eagle’s?

ウ is the katakana for う (u).

This katakana character seems to be rather similar to its hiragana cousin, shown as う. For the purpose of remembering what it is, it ought to be similar enough to be used as a mnemonic.

エ is the katakana for え (e).

Let’s pretend that this is a girder that an engineer would use while constructing structures. The form of this character is similar to that of the end of a girder, and it is also composed of girder material.

Another way to think about it is as if you were riding an elevator with the doors closed.

オ is the katakana for お (o).

This kana looks like an opera singer. His mouth is shaped like an,o and he’s singing “Ohhhh!”

KA	KI	KU	KE	KO
カ	キ	ク	ケ	コ

カ is the katakana for か (ka).

It is absolutely identical to its hiragana counterpart:, かwith the exception of the fact that it is lacking that one additional line. On the other hand, it is close enough to make it simple to recall.

キ is the katakana for き (ki).

It looks like the hiragana き (the top part at least) and also looks like part of a weird key.

ク is the katakana for く (ku).

This looks like a long cook‘s hat.

ケ is the katakana for け (ke).

It looks like the letter K!

コ is the katakana for こ (ko).

See the two 90 degree corners? The two corners are what help you to remember that this is “ko.”

アイウエオカキクケコ Tasks

It is time to take these kana out of your brain now that you have successfully implanted them there (at least in a slightly shaky manner). Your ability to recall information is the cornerstone of your memory, and you are going to begin practicing it. Make sure that you are following along correctly for each of the “tasks” sections. Leaving out these stages might result in failure in the future if you do not complete them. When working on each component, it is essential to have a solid foundation upon which to grow.

Come on over to the Japanese hub. Quiz on learning Kana. To begin, choose the “Practice Katakana” option, followed by the “a” and “ka” boxes, and finally, click the “Start Quiz!” button. If you want to be able to answer all of these kana questions in twenty seconds, you will need to train yourself repeatedly.
Make a copy of this worksheet, print it off, or download it. In order to complete the kana, you will need to go through it and fill in the boxes with the appropriate romaji. You should make every effort to avoid cheating; even if you spend some time attempting to remember a kana, it will be useful to your memory (as long as you are able to recollect it on your own). The act of looking up the solution does not in any way improve your memory, but the act of struggling (with achievement) communicates to your brain that this is something that is important to remember. When you need to remember something that you are unable to figure out straight away, you may want to try utilizing the mnemonics.

Considering that there are only 10 kana, this should be very simple (and perhaps a bit dull as well), but after you have completed it, go to the following ten katakana.

SA	SI	SU	SE	SO
サ	シ	ス	セ	ソ

Now that you have the “A & K-columns” under your belt it’s time for the “S & T-columns.” You should already know about the “exception pronunciations” from the hiragana guide.

サ is the katakana for さ (sa).

Look at these two fish that are hanging on a skewer. The small one is a sardine and the bigger one is a salmon. You can tell that by the size difference. You can also remember this is “sa” because fish are called さかな (sakana) in Japanese.

シ is the katakana for し (shi).

This kana looks like a smiley face, but something is wrong with it. Both eyes are sideways and stacked on top of each other like some deep sea fish. She has a very weird face.

ス is the katakana for す (su).

What’s that up there? It’s Superman walking in the sky! Wait — upon closer inspection, it’s just his disembodied supersuit. …W-Where the heck did he go naked?

セ is the katakana for せ (se).

It looks really similar to the hiragana せ, so you should be able to use that to remember this kana.

ソ is the katakana for そ (so).

TA	CHI	TSU	TE	TO
タ	チ	ツ	テ	ト

It is one needle and a long thread, which you use to sew. Remember, needles are always vertical like this needle, because you need to stab it through something, straight down. This will help you to differentiate this one and the very similar ン, the katakana for “n.”

タ is the katakana for た (ta).

タ looks like a kite. Kites are called たこ (tako) in Japanese. This is actually a taco kite, too. It looks exactly like a giant taco flying high in the sky. Tacos are all the rage these days!

チ is the katakana for ち (chi).

Doesn’t this look like a cheerleader, doing a cheer?

ツ is the katakana for つ (tsu).

While ソ (so) had one needle and thread, ツ has two needles and thread. Remember, needles are vertical because you use them to stab into cloth, straight down. This will help you to differentiate this one from シ (shi), which has more horizontal lines. Horizontal lines means it’s a face, vertical means it’s needles. So this one has two needles.

テ is the katakana for て (te).

This kana looks like a telephone pole.

ト is the katakana for と (to).

It looks just like a totem pole.

サシスセソタチツテト Exercises

Now that you’ve done another set of ten, it’s time for exercises! As usual, these exercises will help you to practice katakana you’ve previously learned plus the ones you just learned.

1. Back to Japaneshub Learn Kana Quiz. Select “Practice Katakana” and then the ア, カ, サ, and タ boxes. Do the quiz several times and see if you can do it all in under 30 seconds (or just complete the task 5 times). Once you’re able to do either of those, move on.
2. Using this worksheet, print out, copy, or download it and fill out the boxes with the correct romaji. If you can’t remember something try to think back to the mnemonic first before cheating.

When you’re able to do these two tasks move on to the next ten kana.

NA	NI	NU	NE	NO
ナ	ニ	ヌ	ネ	ノ

Great – it’s time to learn your next ten katakana! ナ is my favorite. Who doesn’t love a narwhal?

ナ is the katakana for な (na).

See the majestic narwhal, swimming up to the surface? What a beautiful creature.

ニ is the katakana for に (ni).

This is two needles, laying on their side. Now, don’t get confused about how I said that needles are always vertical… that’s only with the katakana that have the slope in them (ソ and ツ). When they’re on their own, resting, and not being used to sew anything (no thread) they’re just two needles laying on their side.

ヌ is the katakana for ぬ (nu).

The chopsticks are grabbing onto some noodles and pulling them out of a bowl.

ネ is the katakana for ね (ne).

Look, this kana looks like a horse jumping over a hurdle saying “Neigh!” Don’t gamble, kids!

ノ is the katakana for の (no).

It looks like a really long nose.

HA	HI	FU	HE	HO
ハ	ヒ	フ	ヘ	ホ

ハ is the katakana for は (ha).

This is shaped like one of those rice paddy hats. You’ll have to connect the pieces, but you can see it, right?

ヒ is the katakana for ひ (hi).

He is saying “heehee.” Can you see his cheeky grin?

フ is the katakana for ふ (fu).

フ looks like a flag that’s triangle-shaped. Hooray for the triangle flag!

You’ll need to use your imagination to add the stick/flagpole, but you’ll know フ is a flag waving in the wind when you see that triangle shape.

ヘ is the katakana for へ (he).

This katakana looks just like the hiragana へ. If you know one you know them both!

ホ is the katakana for ほ (ho).

This is a holy cross. You can even see holy light coming off of it. So holy.

ナニヌネノハヒフヘホ Exercises

Time to practice ten at a time! It’s a lot, but you’re getting better at learning these things, right? Hopefully easier than hiragana was?

1. Using Japaneshub Learn Kana Quiz, practice the katakana from the ア, カ, サ, タ, ナ, and ハ columns. Try to complete this task five times and get your time under one minute.
2. Copy, print out, or download this worksheet and fill in all the boxes. As always, use the mnemonics and try not to cheat. If this is starting to feel easy, try to time yourself to see how long it takes to complete each section and try to beat yourself each time.

When you are done with these exercises it’s time to move on to the next set of katakana.

MA	MI	MU	ME	MO
マ	ミ	ム	メ	モ

 

Not quite ten in this set (before the exercises), but close enough. Let’s start with the “M-column.”

マ is the katakana for ま (ma).

Look at all those angles! Those lengths! Those measurements! All that math!

ミ is the katakana for み (mi).

Three missiles, flying towards you. Be careful!

ム is the katakana for む (mu).

It is shaped like a cow’s friendly face. Look at that snout! Moo.

メ is the katakana for め (me).

This looks like an “X” which is over someone’s 目め (me), which is “eye” in Japanese. Meh, I guess they’re dead now.

モ is the katakana for も (mo).

This looks very similar to the hiragana も, so you should be able to make that connection and remember both of these.

YA		YU		YO
ヤ		ユ		ヨ

ヤ is the katakana for や (ya).

This looks just like the hiragana や, minus a little line.

ユ is the katakana for ゆ (yu).

You have a hook for a hand. What are you, a pirate?

ヨ is the katakana for よ (yo).

See how this kana looks like someone doing yoga? Only a yogi could bend into such a boxy position.

マミムメモヤユヨ Exercises

Time to practice these eight katakana (and the previous ones as well). Once again, go through the steps to make sure you know everything well!

1. Using Japaneshub Learn Kana Quiz, practice the ア, カ, サ, タ, ナ, ハ, マ, and ヤ columns. Once you’ve done this three times, or you’re able to get this all done fairly quickly (1:30 or so?) move on to step 2.
2. Using this worksheet, copy, print out, or download it and write in all the boxes. When you’re all done, it’s time to tackle the last “main katakana” section. You’re almost there! Not so hard, right?

RA	RI	RU	RE	RO
ラ	リ	ル	レ	ロ

Last set! When you’re done with this you can start looking at the weird katakana stuff. Some would say that’s the horrible part, but I think it’s fun.

ラ is the katakana for ら (ra).

It is a raptor wearing some sweet sunglasses like a rapper.

リ is the katakana for り (ri).

It looks just like the hiragana り, or at least very, very similar.

ル is the katakana for る (ru).

There are two routes you can take. Route one and Route two.

レ is the katakana for れ (re).

Look at that beautiful red hair that Rei has! It’s so flowy!

ロ is the katakana for ろ (ro).

This road goes around in a square, never-ending. What a terrible road this is. What are you, a 12 year old playing Sim City?

WA				WO
ワ				ヲ

ワ is the katakana for わ (wa).

When you ask a question (that’s why this is a question mark) you often begin your question with the word what. What are you doing? What are you wearing? What are you not wearing?

ヲ is the katakana for を (wo).

To remember ヲ is “wo,” think of a dog woofing so hard its tongue is flying out. “Oh!” you exclaim, taken aback by this dog’s tongue.

N

ン

ン is the katakana for ん (n/m).

Do you remember how シ (shi) is a lady with a weird face? The two little dashes are more horizontal than vertical, which helps us to know it’s a face.

So, what about ン? It’s a man who has only one one eye. Mmnnnnn, but why only one eye, you ask? Don’t ask, I don’t know.

Overview of the Katakana Alphabet

Katakana consists of 46 basic characters and additional combinations for sounds not native to Japanese. Here’s a glimpse:

Row	Character Sounds
A	ア (a), イ (i), ウ (u), エ (e), オ (o)
K	カ (ka), キ (ki), ク (ku), ケ (ke), コ (ko)
S	サ (sa), シ (shi), ス (su), セ (se), ソ (so)
T	タ (ta), チ (chi), ツ (tsu), テ (te), ト (to)
N	ナ (na), ニ (ni), ヌ (nu), ネ (ne), ノ (no)

Conclusion

Learning katakana is a vital step in mastering Japanese. It unlocks the ability to read foreign words, navigate daily life in Japan, and build a strong foundation for further language learning. With dedication and the tips provided in this guide, you’ll be reading and writing katakana in no time. Start your journey today!

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