If you’re just starting to learn Japanese, you will probably be introduced to hiragana and the hiragana chart on your first day. This Japanese writing system is one of the fundamental building blocks of the language. But what exactly is hiragana, and why is it important?
In this blog post, you’ll find a free downloadable hiragana chart PDF, perfect for beginners, along with hiragana practice sheets to help you memorize each character. Plus, we’ve included links to some of the best apps for learning Japanese, so you can continue your practice on the go.
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What is Hiragana?
Hiragana, spelled ひらがな, is one of the three Japanese writing systems, alongside katakana and kanji.
There are 46 basic hiragana characters, and they are known for their soft, curved, and flowing strokes. These characters are used in everyday Japanese writing and are essential for reading and writing in the language.
Just started learning Japanese? Head to our main article about the Japanese writing system for a more comprehensive guide on katakana, hiragana and kanji.
Download Free Hiragana Chart
If you prefer learning Japanese the traditional way, our free hiragana chart and practice sheets are perfect for you! Below, you’ll find our popular hiragana chart.
Simply click the link to open it in a new tab, where you can easily print it out and start practicing anywhere, anytime!
In this blog, we share our own PDF learning Hiragana practice sheets and links to some popular apps for learning Japanese. Just started learning Japanese? Head to our main article about the Japanese writing system for a more comprehensive guide!
Download Free Hiragana Practice Sheet
Ready to practice your hiragana? After you’ve memorized the characters, download our free hiragana practice sheet designed specifically for beginners.
How to use the practice sheets:
- Print the sheets or complete them digitally on your laptop.
- In the first section, draw lines connecting the hiragana characters to their matching sounds.
- In the second section, practice writing each hiragana character yourself to reinforce your memory and improve your handwriting.
We have also combined hiragana chart and practice sheet! You can download them on view mode, and print them for a physical copy.
How Do You Read Hiragana?
Unlike alphabets in English and many other languages, where a group of letters represent individual sounds, each hiragana character represents an entire syllable, such as “ka,” “no,” or “mu.” This makes hiragana a syllabary rather than an alphabet.
At the core of hiragana are the five basic vowel sounds: /a/, /i/, /u/, /e/, and /o/. These simple, consistent vowels form the foundation for reading all other hiragana combinations.
| Hiragana | Romaji (Latin alphabet) | Sound |
| あ | a | like “ah” in “car” |
| い | i | like “ee” in “see” |
| う | u | like “oo” in “boot” |
| え | e | like “eh” in “get” |
| お | o | like “oh” in “go” |
These vowels might be little compared to the English language, which has 12 to 14, including diphthongs — sounds formed by the combination of two vowels in a single syllable.
Although Japanese vowels are more stable and clearly defined, there are some divergence for /a/, /e/ and /o/. For example, Japanese has what we call long vowels, or chouon, where the vowels are pronounced “twice as long as a normal vowel.
You can read more about the long vowels in our article below! But for now, let’s stay focused on the basics — beginner-level hiragana to get you reading and writing in Japanese!
Read More: Guide to Long Vowels and Double Consonants in Japanese Language
How Hiragana is Used
Once you’ve got a handle on what hiragana is, the next question is: how is it actually used in Japanese? The answer is — everywhere! Hiragana plays a critical role in reading, writing, and understanding Japanese, working alongside kanji and katakana to form the complete written language.
Here’s a breakdown of how hiragana is commonly used:
1. Grammatical particles
Most obviously, hiragana is used for small grammar words (called particles) that show the role of each word in a sentence. For example, some of the most basic Japanese particles are:
- は (wa): Topic marker
- を (o): Direct object marker
- に (ni): Used to indicate time, direction, position and more.
Read More: 11 Essential Japanese Particles to Know
2. Okurigana
These are the hiragana characters that follow kanji to complete verb and adjective conjugations. Kanji often shows the base of the word, but hiragana shows the tense, politeness, or form.
For example, take the verb 食べる (taberu), which means “to eat.” In this word, 食 is the kanji representing the meaning “eat,” while べる is written in hiragana and completes the verb form. The conjugation can be:
- 食べます (tabemasu): To eat
- 食べません (tabemasen): To not eat
Check out our handy guide on how to conjugate Japanese verbs if you want to learn more!
3. Words Without Kanji
Not all Japanese words have a kanji representation. Some common or simple native words are written only in hiragana, especially in children’s books.
For example:
- よく (yoku): Often
- さようなら (sayounara): Goodbye
4. Furigana (Pronunciation Guides)
Because hiragana is the most basic and accessible form of Japanese writing, it’s often used to support readers when they read a Japanese text. This is called furigana: small hiragana characters written above or beside kanji to indicate pronunciation that acts as a phonetic guide to help readers understand how to pronounce unfamiliar or complex kanji.
This is especially common in manga, textbooks, and literature aimed at younger readers or learners.
Should I Learn Hiragana or Katakana First?
Between learning hiragana and katakana, it is best to start with hiragana, as it forms the foundation of the Japanese writing system. Hiragana is used for native Japanese words, grammar particles, and verb endings, making it essential for reading and writing everyday Japanese.
Most beginner courses and textbooks introduce hiragana first to help you build basic literacy skills. Katakana, on the other hand, is primarily used for foreign loanwords, onomatopoeia, and emphasis, so it’s typically learned after hiragana. By mastering hiragana chart first, you’ll set a strong base that makes learning katakana easier and faster.
If you are ready to learn katakana, head to our article below to download our free chart that you can print or store on your phone!
Read More: What is Katakana? Free Katakana Chart and Learning Guide
Tips for Learning Hiragana
Some people can learn hiragana in a day, but for most, it takes consistent practice. Here are some effective tips to help you master hiragana:
- Understand all the different hiragana first
Start by getting familiar with all 46 basic hiragana characters. Focus on recognizing their shapes and associating them with the correct sounds before moving on to more complex study.
- Practice writing with your hand
While it’s easy to type in Japanese using a keyboard, writing by hand helps you build muscle memory and understand proper stroke order. Try taking five kana each day and write them out twenty times each. This repetitive practice is one of the most effective ways to retain what you learn.
- Use flashcards, like Anki
Flashcards are a great tool because they promote active recall—forcing your brain to remember rather than just recognize. Apps like Anki can be used to study Japanese. It uses spaced repetition, which shows you cards just before you’re likely to forget them.
Apps for Learning Hiragana
If you are just getting started with learning hiragana, you may think that it is easier to learn with an Japanese learning app, besides just relying on the hiragana chart.
Apps are convenient and easy to take with you to practice using while you are out and about. However, we also suggest that you take some time to physically write the characters, as it will cement them in your brain.
That being said, we recommend several apps for being fun and easy to use.
Learn Hiragana & Katakana with Dr. Moku
Dr. Moku’s Hiragana and Katakana Mnemonics are 2 separate apps. One for Hiragana and one for Katakana. In each app, they associate all the kana with pictures, making it easy for you to remember them.
It also uses mnemonic hacks (tying each character to a visual story-based meaning) rather than just rote memorization.
Mindsnacks (Limited Free Version)
Mindsnacks has a visually appealing interface, and the limited free version allows you to practice learning Hiragana and Katakana characters.
It is the closest thing to a learning video game that we have found.
If you want to learn Japanese with apps, check out our recommendation for the best Japanese learning apps!
Ready to Start Your Japanese Learning Journey?
Just started learning Japanese? After mastering hiragana, the next steps include learning katakana, basic phrases, and sentence formation. But studying Japanese doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
Start your learning journey with Coto Academy for fun, conversation-focused classes, perfect for beginners. Join intensive, part-time or online Japanese courses at Coto Academy. Reach your goals faster!
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Hiragana FAQ
What is hiragana used for?
Hiragana is a fundamental script in Japanese, used for writing sentences, grammatical particles (like は, が, を), and parts of words. It is also used for words that don’t have kanji or for furigana (small hiragana above kanji to show pronunciation).
How many hiragana characters are there?
There are 46 basic hiragana characters. Some characters can change their sounds when small marks (゛or ゜) are added, like か (ka) to が (ga) or は (ha) to ぱ (pa).
What’s the easiest way to learn hiragana?
The best ways to learn Hiragana are:
- Learn mnemonics (e.g., し (shi) looks like a smiling face)
- Practice writing daily
- Use flashcards to memorize characters
- Listen to hiragana songs or use learning apps
What’s the difference between hiragana and katakana?
Hiragana and katakana both represent the same sounds but are used differently. Hiragana is for native Japanese words and grammar, while katakana is used for foreign words, names, and emphasis. They look different but sound the same!
Can I write everything in Hiragana?
Yes, but it’s not ideal. Japanese writing combines hiragana, katakana, and kanji, so writing everything in Hiragana can be hard to read and understand.
What’s the difference between hiragana and romaji?
Romaji is the Romanized version of Japanese (using the English alphabet). Hiragana is the actual Japanese script used in writing.
How long does it take to learn Hiragana?
For most learners, it takes about 1 to 2 weeks to learn all 46 basic hiragana characters with daily practice. Some people can memorize them in a day, but becoming comfortable with reading and writing usually takes a bit longer.