Pokémon is undoubtedly one of our favorite franchises ever; however, you may have noticed that many of the names of the Pokémon we know and love in English are completely different in Japanese. So, why is that? Turns out Pokémon names are not translated directly from Japanese to English, since the names wouldn’t make much sense if they were. 

So, let’s find out how the names for your favorite Pokémon are actually translated into English and, of course, how to actually say your favorite Pokémon in Japanese! Since there are over 1000 Pokémon, we will just go over some of the most popular pokémon!

Why are Pokémon Names Different in Japanese vs English

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While all pokémon names are written in katakana, the Japanese writing system often used for foreign words, most names do not translate directly to English, even if they borrow some English words. The Japanese language is inherently structured differently from English, so to make the names more culturally relevant to English speakers, they had to localize them extensively. Let’s explore how literal Japanese descriptions and wordplays make it essentially impossible to simply translate the names into English.

1. Pokémon Names are Literal Descriptions in Japanese

Most Japanese pokémon names are literal descriptions of their personality, characteristics, abilities, or origin, which often might not make sense or won’t roll off the tongue as well in an English context. For instance, the pokémon Snorlax’s Japanese name is actually カビゴン (kabigon) with カビ (kabi) being the Japanese word for “mold.” This is referring to the fact that Snorlax will eat just about anything, even moldy food. 

The name also comes from the Pokémon’s original nickname, “Kirby” (not a Pokémon!), after another Nintendo video game character, for the way it eats. The name English Snorlax focuses more on its sleepy characteristics and sounds much better than something to do with mold.

2. Pokémon Names are Based on Japanese Play-on-Words 

Many original Japanese pokémon names are also based on specific Japanese wordplays, which you probably can guess don’t translate to English very well. The popular pokémon, Bulbasaur, is actually called フシギダネ (fushigidane) with fushigi meaning “mysterious” or “strange” and dane or tane meaning “seed.” Together, the name literally translates to “mysterious seed.” However, it’s actually a double entendre, where “dane” is a verb ending that attaches to “fushigi” to make the phrase “strange, isn’t it?”

The name of this Pokémon plays on its unknown origin, evoking a sense of wonder and mystery. In English, the name Bulbasaur focuses on its physical characteristics, with bulb referring to the plant bulb that forms the back of Bulbasaur. In Japanese, フシギダネ makes sense given the language’s structure, but it would need to be localized to a completely different name for English speakers.

3. Direct Translation Exceptions

Some pokémon names are directly transposed from Japanese to English, which may be an exception rather than the standard. Likely the most popular example would be Pikachu, ピカチュウ, who, despite having a name that doesn’t mean anything in English, has become one of the popular icons for pokémon around the world. The name actually comes from the Japanese onomatopoeia ピカピカ (pika pika), which means “shiny” or “sparkly”, referencing Pikachu’s electric powers. It also comes from another onomatopoeia, チューチュー (chuu chuu), which is a sound that mice make. 

In Japanese, you could say Pikachu’s name means “sparkly mouse,” but really, it was just made up specifically for the character. The creators actually put a lot of thought into creating a name that would sound cute even to an American audience. They also wanted the character to be memorable and unique so it could be the mascot of pokémon. In fact, the name was actually created before the character was even designed. For these reasons, Pikachu is one of the few pokémon that have the same name all over the world.

How Are Pokémon Names Adapted into English

Rather than using literal translations of pokémon names, they are adapted into English and other languages as well. As we mentioned, Pokémon names in Japanese consist of wordplays, cultural references, and word blends that really only make sense in Japanese. As a result, most localization occurs in different regional Nintendo locations. Nintendo of America and the Pokémon Company International handle most of the English localization and often work closely with Nintendo’s headquarters in Kyoto. 

This allows the pokémon names, moves, powers, and dialogue to adapt to a context that makes sense to English speakers. Most Pokémon names are localized portmanteaus, a fancy word for word blends. For instance, the name Charmander comes from the word char (as in to burn), referencing its fire powers, as well as salamander, since it essentially looks like a big salamander/lizard-like creature. In Japanese, the name is quite similar: ヒトカゲ (hitokage), which literally translates to “fire lizard,” with ヒ (hi) meaning “fire” and トカゲ (tokage) meaning “lizard.” 

They aren’t direct translations, but the localized English name makes Charmander sound like an actual species unique to the Pokémon world. Much of the localization involves creating memorable, unique names that fit the in-game universe.

However, certain things like pokémon categories tend to align more closely to the original; for instance, ネズミポケモン (nezumi Pokémon) was directly translated to “mouse pokémon” in English. But the word ネズミ can mean either “mouse” or “rat,” so the localization team likely chose “mouse” because it carries more positive associations in English. 

Localization has to consider a variety of factors to ensure that Pokémon names capture the spirit of the original while drawing on culturally relevant English expressions to describe something recognizable yet unique to English speakers.

List of Pokémon Names in Japanese

Below is a list of some of the most popular pokémon’s official English and Japanese names, so you can find out how to say your favorite pokémon in Japanese! We also wrote each Japanese name in Romaji.

Number	English Name	Japanese Name	Romaji
1	Bulbasaur	フシギダネ	Fushigidane
2	Ivysaur	フシギソウ	Fushigisou
3	Venusaur	フシギバナ	Fushigibana
4	Charmander	ヒトカゲ	Hitokage
5	Charmeleon	リザード	Rizādo
6	Charizard	リザードン	Rizādon
7	Squirtle	ゼニガメ	Zenigame
8	Wartortle	カメール	Kameeru
9	Blastoise	カメックス	Kamekkusu
10	Caterpie	キャタピー	Kyatapī
11	Metapod	トランセル	Toranseru
12	Butterfree	バタフリー	Batafurii
13	Weedle	ビードル	Biidoru
14	Kakuna	コクーン	Kokuun
15	Beedrill	スピアー	Supiaa
16	Pidgey	ポッポ	Poppo
17	Pidgeotto	ピジョン	Pijon
18	Pidgeot	ピジョット	Pijotto
19	Rattata	コラッタ	Koratta
20	Raticate	ラッタ	Ratta
21	Spearow	オニスズメ	Onisuzume
22	Fearow	オニドリル	Onidoriru
23	Ekans	アーボ	Aabo
24	Arbok	アーボック	Aabokku
25	Pikachu	ピカチュウ	Pikachuu
26	Raichu	ライチュウ	Raichuu
27	Sandshrew	サンド	Sando
28	Sandslash	サンドパン	Sandopan
29	Nidoran♀	ニドラン♀（メス）	Nidoran mesu
30	Nidorina	二ドリーナ	Nidoriina
31	Nidoqueen	ニドクイン	Nidokuin
32	Nidoran♂	ニドラン♂（オス）	Nidoran osu
33	Nidorino	二ドリーノ	Nidoriino
34	Nidoking	ニドキング	Nidokingu
35	Clefairy	ピッピ	Pippi
36	Clefable	ピクシー	Pikushii
37	Vulpix	ロコン	Rokon
38	Ninetales	キュウコン	Kyuukon
39	Jigglypuff	プリン	Purin
40	Wigglytuff	プクリン	Pukurin
41	Zubat	ズバット	Zubatto
42	Golbat	ゴルバット	Gorubatto
43	Oddish	ナゾノクサ	Nazonokusa
44	Gloom	クサイハナ	Kusaihana
45	Vileplume	ラフレシア	Rafureshia
46	Paras	パラス	Parasu
47	Parasect	パラセクト	Parasekuto
48	Venonat	コンパン	Konpan
49	Venomoth	モルフォン	Morufon
50	Diglett	ディグダ	Diguda
51	Dugtrio	ダグトリオ	Dagutorio
52	Meowth	ニャース	Nyaasu
53	Persian	ペルシアン	Perushian
54	Psyduck	コダック	Kodakku
55	Golduck	ゴルダック	Gorudakku
56	Mankey	マンキー	Mankii
57	Primeape	オコリザル	Okorizaru
58	Growlithe	ガーディ	Gaadi
59	Arcanine	ウインディ	Uindi
60	Poliwag	ニョロモ	Nyoromo
61	Poliwhirl	ニョロゾ	Nyorozo
62	Poliwrath	ニョロボン	Nyorobon
63	Abra	ケーシィ	Keeshii
64	Kadabra	ユンゲラー	Yungeraa
65	Alakazam	フーディン	Fuudin
66	Machop	ワンリキー	Wanrikii
67	Machoke	ゴーリキー	Goorikii
68	Machamp	カイリキー	Kairikii
69	Bellsprout	マダツボミ	Madatsubomi
70	Weepinbell	ウツドン	Utsudon
71	Victreebel	ウツボット	Utsubotto
72	Tentacool	メノクラゲ	Menokurage
73	Tentacruel	ドククラゲ	Dokukurage
74	Geodude	イシツブテ	Ishitsubute
75	Graveler	ゴローン	Goroon
76	Golem	ゴローニャ	Goroonya
77	Ponyta	ポニータ	Poniita
78	Rapidash	ギャロップ	Gyaroppu
79	Slowpoke	ヤドン	Yadon
80	Slowbro	ヤドラン	Yadoran
81	Magnemite	コイル	Koiru
82	Magneton	レアコイル	Reakoiru
83	Farfetch’d	カモネギ	Kamonegi
84	Doduo	ドードー	Doodoo
85	Dodrio	ドードリオ	Doodorio
86	Seel	パウワウ	Pauwau
87	Dewgong	ジュゴン	Jyugon
88	Grimer	ベトベター	Betobetaa
89	Muk	ベトベトン	Betobeton
90	Shellder	シェルダー	Sherudaa
91	Cloyster	パルシェン	Parushen
92	Gastly	ゴース	Goosu
93	Haunter	ゴースト	Goosuto
94	Gengar	ゲンガー	Gengaa
95	Onix	イワーク	Iwaaku
96	Drowzee	スリープ	Suriipu
97	Hypno	スリーパー	Supriipaa
98	Krabby	クラブ	Kurabu
99	Kingler	キングラー	Kinguraa
100	Voltorb	ビリリダマ	Biriridama
101	Electrode	マルマイン	Marumain
102	Exeggcute	タマタマ	Tamatama
103	Exeggutor	ナッシー	Nasshii
104	Cubone	カラカラ	Karakara
105	Marowak	ガラガラ	Garagara
106	Hitmonlee	サワムラー	Sawamuraa
107	Hitmonchan	エビワラー	Ebiwaraa
108	Lickitung	ベロリンガ	Beroringa
109	Koffing	ドガース	Dogaasu
110	Weezing	マタドガス	Matadogasu
111	Rhyhorn	サイホーン	Saihoon
112	Rhydon	サイドン	Saidon
113	Chansey	ラッキー	Rakkii
114	Tangela	モンジャラ	Monjyara
115	Kangaskhan	ガルーラ	Garuura
116	Horsea	タッツー	Tattsuu
117	Seadra	シードラ	Shiidora
118	Goldeen	トサキント	Tosakinto
119	Seaking	アズマオウ	Azumaou
120	Staryu	ヒトデマン	Hitodeman
121	Starmie	スターミー	Sutaamii
122	Mr. Mime	バリヤード	Bariyaado
123	Scyther	ストライク	Sutoraiku
124	Jynx	ルージュラ	Ruujyura
125	Electabuzz	エレブー	Erebuu
126	Magmar	ブーバー	Buubaa
127	Pinsir	カイロス	Kairosu
128	Tauros	ケンタロス	Kentarosu
129	Magikarp	コイキング	Koikingu
130	Gyarados	ギャラドス	Gyaradosu
131	Lapras	ラプラス	Rapurasu
132	Ditto	メタモン	Metamon
133	Eevee	イーブイ	Iibui
134	Vaporeon	シャワーズ	Shawaazu
135	Jolteon	サンダース	Sandaasu
136	Flareon	ブースター	Buusutaa
137	Porygon	ポリゴン	Porigon
138	Omanyte	オムナイト	Omunaito
139	Omastar	オムスター	Omusutaa
140	Kabuto	カブト	Kabuto
141	Kabutops	カブトプス	Kabutopusu
142	Aerodactyl	プテラ	Puten
143	Snorlax	カビゴン	Kabigon
144	Articuno	フリーザー	Furiizaa
145	Zapdos	サンダー	Sandaa
146	Molotres	ファイヤー	Faiyaa
147	Dratini	ミニリュウ	Miniryuu
148	Dragonair	ハクリュー	Hakuryuu
149	Dragonite	カイリュー	Kairyuu
150	Mewtwo	ミュウツー	Myuutsuu
151	Mew	ミュウ	Myuu

The full list of all the Pokémon names in English and Japanese can be found on Bulbapedia here!

Conclusion: Pokémon Names were Adapted for an English Context

The localization teams adapted the Pokémon names to be more culturally relevant and capture the spirit of the original Japanese names for English speakers. Translating the names directly into English actually wouldn’t communicate the same intended purpose of their originals, and wouldn’t even make the Pokémon feel the same as we know it. This is why there was so much effort into localizing the pokémon names into English. Even when the names weren’t changed from the originals, as in the case of Pikachu, they were created to be palatable to a global audience. Try to remember some of these pokémon’s Japanese names, and see what it’s like to play the video games in Japanese!

Learn Japanese at Coto Academy to Play Pokémon in Japanese!

If you want to learn enough Japanese to play Pokémon in its original language, join our Japanese classes at Coto Academy! We offer courses to improve your reading, listening, writing, and, of course, speaking. Our small classes allow for the courses to be tailored to each student, ensuring their needs are met. If you’re coming to Japan short or long-term, join one of our campuses in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Iidabashi, Minato, or Yokohama! Or you can join us online from anywhere around the world! Ready to join or want to have a free consultation? Fill out the form below!

FAQ:

Why are Pokémon names different in Japanese and English?

Pokémon names are not directly translated from Japanese to English because most Japanese names are literal descriptions, wordplays, or cultural references that simply would not make sense to an English-speaking audience. Instead, the names are localized, adapted into English in a way that captures the spirit of the original while feeling natural and memorable to English speakers. 

Are Pokémon names written in katakana in Japanese?

Yes, all Pokémon names in Japanese are written in katakana, the writing system most commonly used for foreign words, loanwords, and onomatopoeia. This gives Pokémon names a distinctive, slightly exotic feel in Japanese, which suits the franchise’s fantastical nature. Even names with Japanese origins are written in katakana rather than kanji or hiragana.

What does Pikachu mean in Japanese?

Pikachu’s name comes from two Japanese onomatopoeia, ピカピカ (pika pika), meaning “shiny” or “sparkly,” referencing its electric powers, and チューチュー (chuu chuu), the sound mice make in Japanese. Together, the name loosely translates to “sparkly mouse.” Pikachu is one of the rare exceptions where the Japanese and English names are identical, largely because the creators deliberately designed the name to sound cute and appealing to international audiences.

Who is responsible for localising Pokémon names into English?

English localization is handled primarily by Nintendo of America and the Pokémon Company International, who work closely with Nintendo’s headquarters in Kyoto. Their job is to adapt not just Pokémon names but also moves, powers, and dialogue into versions that feel culturally relevant and natural to English speakers, while still capturing the spirit and personality of the original Japanese names.

You may be interested in our other blogs:

Learning Japanese with Anime: Does it actually work?
Learning Japanese with Anime – Naruto
Learning Japanese With Anime – Detective Conan 名探偵コナン
15 Best J-Pop Songs to Learn in Japanese
10 Best Manga to Learn Japanese

Apples and oranges. Walking and running. Swiftly and slowly. In English, connecting ideas is usually as simple as inserting the word “and” between two items. But in Japanese, expressing “and” is a bit more nuanced. 

In fact, the language offers multiple ways to connect words, phrases, and even full sentences. This depends on what you’re linking: nouns, verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses. For instance, the casual と (to) is one of the most straightforward ways to say “and,” but it can only be used to link nouns. 

This guide is your roadmap to mastering all the different ways to say “and” in Japanese. By the end, you’ll not only know which “and” to use in each situation but also understand why native speakers make those choices. So, get ready to move beyond the simple と (to) and explore the variety of connectors.

1. と (To)

Structure: Noun 1 + と + Noun 2

The simplest way to connect two nouns in Japanese is with と (to). It functions like the English conjunction “and.” r. However, と (to) cannot connect adjectives, verbs, clauses, or sentences. It is strictly for nouns.

When you link two nouns with と (to), you’re essentially pairing them together. If you want to express a contrast, you will need to use a different word in Japanese, such as でも or しかし.

シャツとズボン。
Shatsu to zubon.
Shirt and pants. 

You can extend this pattern to include more nouns:

シャツとズボンと靴。
Shatsu to zubon to kutsu.
Shirt and pants, and shoes.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that と (to) is generally used to link a fixed, closed list of items. It highlights each item individually, rather than suggesting an open-ended or indefinite series — as in, it is just those items, and nothing else. There’s no implication of additional, unmentioned items.

For example, if you are going to a trial gym, they might say: 

タオルと水と運動靴を持ってきてください。
Taoru to mizu o mottekite kudasai.

Please bring a towel and water.

2. や (Ya)

Structure: Noun 1 + や + Noun 2

While と (to) is used for a closed, fixed list of items, sometimes you want to imply that there are more items beyond the ones you mention. In this case, you use や (ya). Like と (to), や (ya) is used only to connect nouns and cannot be used with adjectives, verbs, or clauses.

You insert や (ya) between nouns to list them, and using it suggests that the list is not exhaustive. For example:

In this sentence, you’re saying that you like cakes and pudding, but there are likely other desserts you enjoy as well. Because や (ya) implies that there are additional items not mentioned, it is often paired with など (nado), which functions like “etc.” in English and typically comes after the last noun in the list. For example:

ケーキやプリンやクッキーなどが好きです。
Keeki ya purin ya kukkii nado ga suki desu.
I like cakes, pudding, cookies, etc.

This construction makes it clear that the list is non-exhaustive. Using the same trial gym scenario:

タオルや水や運動靴などを持ってきてください。
Taoru ya mizu ya undougutsu nado o mottekite kudasai.
Please bring a towel, water, sneakers, etc.

Using や (ya) … など (nado) indicates that these are just examples, and you could bring additional items as well—perhaps similar items like a gym shirt or grip socks.

In short, use や (ya) when you want to connect multiple nouns while signaling that there are more items beyond what you’ve listed, unlike と (to), which links a specific, closed set of nouns.

3. も (Mo)

Structure: Noun 1 + も + Noun 2

Technically, the Japanese particle も (mo) usually means “also” or “too,” but it can also be used to link nouns together in a way that expresses “and” in Japanese. The key difference between も (mo) and と (to) or や (ya) is that も (mo) carries the nuance of “and also” or “both,” rather than just listing items. In other words, も (mo) is used when you are adding another item to a statement, emphasizing that each item shares the same quality or feeling.

For example:

ケーキもプリンも好きです。
Keeki mo purin mo suki desu.
I like both cakes and pudding.

Here, も (mo) highlights that you like both items, not just one of them. It’s a great way to express that multiple things share the same characteristic or sentiment, giving a sense of inclusion rather than simply enumerating items.

4. Verb ～て

Structure: Verb 1 (て-form) + Verb 2

So far, we’ve discussed the different ways to say “and” in Japanese for nouns, but what if you want to connect verbs? The easiest and most common method is using the verb て-form. When combining two or more verbs, you convert all verbs except the last one into the -て (-te) form.

For example:

家に帰ったら、シャワーを浴びて、晩ご飯を食べたいです。
Ie ni kaettara, shawaa o abite, bangohan o tabetai desu.
After I go home, I want to shower and eat dinner.

Here, the first action, “showering,” is converted into the -て form (浴びて), which links it to the next action, “eating dinner” (食べたい). 

An important thing to remember is that linking verbs with the -て form indicate a sequence of events that follow a specific order. In casual situations, switching the order might not seem like a big deal, but if you are giving precise instructions, the order of actions becomes crucial. You need to list the first step or action first, followed by the next in the correct sequence.

For example, imagine giving instructions for a simple morning routine:

手を洗って、顔を洗って、それから朝ご飯を食べてください。
Te o aratte, kao o aratte, sore kara asagohan o tabete kudasai.
First, wash your hands, then wash your face, and finally eat breakfast.

Here, the order matters: washing your face comes after washing your hands, and eating breakfast comes last. 

Additionally, conjugating a Japanese verb from its dictionary form to the -て form is not one-size-fits-all. In Japanese, verbs are categorized into three main groups, and each group has its own rules for forming the -て form.

Verb Group	Rule for -て Form	Example Verb	-て Form
Group 1 (Godan verbs)	く→いてぐ→いです→してぶ/む/ぬ→んでる/つ→って	書く (kaku)	書いて (kaite)
Group 2 (Ichidan verbs)	Drop -る and add -て	食べる (taberu)	食べて (tabete)
Group 3 (Irregular verbs)	Memorize unique forms	する (suru)来る (kuru)	して (shite), 来て (kite)

By learning the -て form (-te form), you can connect actions naturally in Japanese, like saying “I showered and ate dinner” or “I studied and went shopping.” Ready to put this into practice? At Coto Academy, you’ll get hands-on experience using verbs, particles, and connectors in real-life situations. Sign up for a class and start speaking confidently — whether in Tokyo, Yokohama, or online from the comfort of your home!

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If you want a more detailed guide on how to conjugate a Japanese verb from its dictionary form into the -て form, check out our full article: Conjugating Verb-て Form in Japanese.

5. ～たり～たり (~ Tari ~Tari)

Structure: Verb (past tense) た-form + り + Verb (past tense) た-form + り + する

When you use the -て form to connect verbs in Japanese, it implies that the actions happen in a specific order or sequence. However, if you want to link verbs with “and” without indicating any particular order, you’ll use the grammar pattern ～たり～たり (tari tari).

In short, ～たり～たり (tari tari) is used to list multiple actions or states in a random, non-sequential way, when you just want to give examples of things you did, without focusing on what came first. Let’s take a look at an example below!

週末は映画を見たり、本を読んだり、散歩したりします。
Shuumatsu wa eiga o mitari, hon o yondari, sanpo shitari shimasu.
I spend my weekends watching movies, reading books, and taking walks (among other things).

The order in which these activities happen is left vague due to the use of たり (tari). It could mean this person watched a movie first, then read a book, or maybe went for a walk first.

If this sentence were written using the -て form, it would imply a stricter order of events.

Because of this flexibility, たりたり (tari tari) is an excellent structure for listing multiple examples of actions or experiences.

This grammar pattern is created by conjugating verbs into their た-form (ta-form) and then attaching り (ri). Just like with the te-form, verbs are divided into three groups (Godan, Ichidan, and Irregular), and their ta-form conjugation follows specific rules. You finish the sentence by appending the last Verb-たり with する (suru) or します (shimasu).

Example pattern:

• 食べます → 食べた → 食べたり (tabemasu → tabeta → tabetari)
• 行きます → 行った → 行ったり (ikimasu → itta → ittari)

You can also use たりたり (tari tari) in the past tense by changing the final verb (usually する) into しました (shimashita). Because the たりたり structure focuses on examples rather than order, it’s also very common to use it when talking about what you did over the weekend, on vacation, or during a specific event.

日曜日は買い物をしたり、料理をしたりしました。
Nichiyoubi wa kaimono o shitari, ryouri o shitari shimashita.
On Sunday, I did things like shopping and cooking.

6. ~くて and で (~Kute and ~De)

In Japanese, connecting multiple adjectives isn’t as straightforward as simply saying “beautiful and smart” in English. To link adjectives with “and,” Japanese uses different endings depending on the type of adjective. 

Adjectives in Japanese are classified into two types: i-adjectives and na-adjectives. I-adjectives generally end in い (i). Na-adjectives do not usually do not end in い (i), although some words are exceptions, like 綺麗 (kirei). 

I-Adjectives

I-adjectives generally end in い (i). To connect an i-adjective with another adjective, replace the final い (i) with くて (-kute).

For example, the Japanese adjective 素晴らしい (subarashii), which means “amazing,” would become 素晴らしくて (subarashiikute). 

この映画はおもしろくて、すばらしいです。

Kono eiga wa subarashiikute omoshiroi desu.
This movie is amazing and interesting.

Na adjective

For adjectives that end in -だ (-da) or -な (-na), linking them with “and” is relatively straightforward. You simply attach で (-de) to the end of the adjective. We recommend first checking out our guide on i-adjectives and na-adjectives, as some na-adjectives end with い (i) as an exception

For example, the word pretty in Japanese, 綺麗 (kirei), ends in i, but is boxed as a な-adjective, so it becomes 綺麗で when you link it with another word. 

この部屋は静かできれいです。
Kono heya wa shizuka de kirei desu.
This room is quiet and clean.

For adjectives that end in -だ (-da) or -な (-na), linking them with “and” is relatively straightforward. You simply attach で (-de) to the end of the adjective.

We recommend first checking out our guide on i-adjectives and na-adjectives, as some na-adjectives end with い (i) as exceptions.
この部屋は広くて静かできれいです。
Kono heya wa hirokute shizuka de kirei desu.
This room is spacious, quiet, and clean.

Here, 広い (hiroi) is an i-adjective, so it becomes 広くて (hirokute), and 静か (shizuka) is a na-adjective, so it becomes 静かで (shizuka de). 

7. し

Word Type	StructureStructure
Verb	Verb (dictionary form) + し
I-Adjective	Adjective (i-form) + し
Na-Adjective	Adjective (na-form) + だし
Noun	Noun + だし

The particle し (shi) is another way to express “and” in Japanese, but it carries a slightly different nuance than the others we’ve covered. Rather than simply linking two ideas, し (shi) adds an emphatic or explanatory tone. It’s often used when you want to list multiple reasons, qualities, or examples, with the feeling of “and what’s more” or “not only… but also…”.

Think of it as a way to build up information or justify a statement.

天気もいいし、公園に行こう！
Tenki mo ii shi, kouen ni ikou!
The weather’s nice, so let’s go to the park!

Here, し (shi) connects the good weather to the speaker’s decision. It implies that the nice weather is one of several reasons (maybe they also have free time or just feel like going out), even if those reasons aren’t said out loud.

You can also use し (shi) to talk about someone or something that has several positive (or even negative) traits.

日本は食べ物もおいしいし、人もやさしいです。
Nihon wa tabemono mo oishii shi, hito mo yasashii desu.
Japan has delicious food, and the people are kind too.

Compared to simply using the -て form (like おいしくて、やさしい), し (shi) adds more emotion. It feels like you’re emphasizing how great Japan is for many reasons, not just listing facts.

Of course, し (shi) has additional uses beyond simply connecting words with “and.” One important function is to indicate a reason or cause. When combined with んだ (nda), it can add a sense of explanation, often used when giving advice or justifying something.

For example, you might want to explain why you can’t go out:

疲れてるし、今日は早く帰ろうと思うんだ。
Tsukareteru shi, kyou wa hayaku kaerou to omou nda.
I’m tired, so I’m thinking of going home early today.

In situations where the reason is unfavorable or inconvenient, it’s also common to add で (de) for emphasis, stressing the negative aspect of the situation.

Another nuance of し is its use in casual conversation to trail off a sentence. You can end a sentence with し without finishing it, leaving the rest implied. This is especially useful if you want to decline politely or hint at other reasons without stating them directly.

For example, if someone asks you on a date but you don’t want to go, you might say:

明日も仕事があるし…
Ashita mo shigoto ga aru shi…
I also have work tomorrow, and…

Here, the trailing し implies there are other reasons as well, but you don’t have to say them. It’s a subtle, natural way to soften your response and avoid being too direct, which is considered more polite in Japanese culture.

Other Ways to Say “And” in Japanese

Besides particles like と (to), や (ya), and structures like ～て, Japanese also uses sentence connectors to link ideas, sentences, or actions smoothly. These connectors don’t always translate directly as “and,” but the nuance they carry often makes them the natural choice in context.

One of the most common is そして (soshite). Literally, it means “and then” or simply “and,” and it’s used to connect sentences or clauses rather than individual words. It often signals a sequence of events or adds additional information.

For example:

私は朝ご飯を食べました。そして、学校に行きました。
Watashi wa asagohan o tabemashita. Soshite, gakkou ni ikimashita.
I ate breakfast. And then, I went to school.

Other connectors like その上 (sono ue), それに (soreni), and さらに (sarani) are often used to add information, carrying meanings similar to “and also” or “on top of that.” These are useful when you want to emphasize extra points or reasons:

Example:

このレストランは料理がおいしいです。その上、店員さんも親切です。
Kono resutoran wa ryouri ga oishii desu. Sono ue, ten’in-san mo shinsetsu desu.
This restaurant’s food is delicious. On top of that, the staff is kind.

And That’s a Wrap!

By using these particles and sentence-level connectors, you can create smooth, natural Japanese sentences that link ideas clearly and even add emphasis when needed.

Of course, learning Japanese is more than just knowing how to say “and.” As we explored above, it’s important to conjugate verbs correctly, expand your vocabulary, and master other grammar points to communicate naturally.

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FAQ

What is the easiest way to say “and” in Japanese?

The simplest way to say “and” in Japanese is to use the particle と (to). It connects two nouns in a fixed list.

What’s the difference between と (to) and や (ya)?

While と lists a fixed, complete set of nouns, や (ya) is used for non-exhaustive lists, implying there are other items not mentioned. 

How does し (shi) work as “and” in Japanese?

し (shi) is used to emphasize reasons, qualities, or multiple points, similar to “and what’s more” or “not only… but also” in English. It can follow verbs, adjectives, or nouns (with だし for na-adjectives and nouns).

What are sentence-level connectors like そして, それに, and さらに?

For linking whole sentences, connectors like そして (soshite), それに (soreni), その上 (sono ue), and さらに (sarani) are often used. They function like “and then,” “and also,” or “on top of that” in English.

Just started learning Japanese? You might be interested in checking out:

• Japanese Writing System: Katakana, Hiragana, and Kanji
• Basic Japanese Words to Know
• 10 Basic Japanese Phrases You Need to Know

If you’ve ever cheered on a friend in Japan, you’ve probably shouted “ganbare!” or “ganbatte!” at least once. But what do they actually mean? Ganbare (頑張れ) or ganbatte (頑張って) is a Japanese phrase that means “Come on!” “Let’s go!” or “Go for it!” in English. It literally translates to “Do your best” and can be used to motivate your friends or peers during a sporting event, a big exam, or any moment that needs an extra boost of encouragement.

But did you know that this uniquely Japanese word carries more nuance than just a simple “good luck” or “do your best”? In this guide, we’ll explore the verb ganbaru, its various conjugations, its cultural significance, and how to use each form appropriately. Make sure to watch the YouTube video below, and read our full guide!

Meaning of Ganbaru and Ganbarimasu

The Japanese words ganbare, ganbatte, and ganbarimasu are based on the same Japanese verb: ganbaru. On its own, this verb means to persevere, do one’s best, or work hard.

The meaning becomes clearer when you look at the individual kanji:

• 張 means “stretch” or “extend,” suggesting effort and pushing oneself.
• 頑 means “stubborn” or “firm,” conveying determination and resolve.

So in a literal sense, 頑張る conveys the idea of stretching yourself to your limit or pushing through something with effort and determination.

There are two main theories about the origin of 頑張る (ganbaru). One suggests it comes from 我を張る (ga o haru), meaning “to insist on one’s own ideas.” The other traces it to 眼張る (ganharu), meaning “to keep watch” or “stretch one’s eyes.” Both origins highlight the kanji 張 (haru), which means “to stretch” or “strain,” reflecting the idea of sticking to something and never giving up.

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Variations of Ganbaru, Ganbatte, and Ganbare

Form	Japanese	Meaning / Nuance	Usage / Context
Dictionary / Base	頑張る (ganbaru)	to do one’s best, to persevere	Basic form; casual or dictionary use.
Polite Present / Future	頑張ります (ganbarimasu)	I will do my best	Polite form for conversation, work, or school.
Polite Volitional	頑張りましょう (ganbarimashou)	Let’s do our best	Polite, inclusive way to motivate a group.
Imperative / Casual Encouragement	頑張れ！ (ganbare)	Do your best! / Hang in there!	Cheer someone on; casual/familiar tone.
Te-form / Friendly Encouragement	頑張って！ (ganbatte)	Keep it up! / Do your best!	Soft, casual encouragement in speech or messages.
Past / Completed Effort	頑張った (ganbatta)	I did my best / You did your best	Reflects effort already made; praise or self-reflection.
Volitional / Let’s Do Our Best	頑張ろう (ganbarou)	Let’s do our best	Casual, motivational way to invite others to join in effort.

If you’re just starting out with Japanese, you probably know 頑張る (ganbaru) in its basic form. But you’ll also encounter many variations: 頑張ります (ganbarimasu), 頑張って (ganbatte), 頑張れ (ganbare), 頑張ろう (ganbarou). Why so many?

It all comes down to verb conjugation.

Each form keeps the core meaning of “to do your best”, but adds a different nuance: polite, casual, encouraging, or collective. Let’s break them down so you can use each one.

Note: Ganbaru is considered a う-verb (u-verb), a Japanese verbs that end in an “-u” sound in its dictionary form, such as う, つ, む, ぬ, る, く, ぐ, す, ぶ, ぷ. They are also called 五段活用動詞 (godan katsuyou doushi). These verbs change their ending depending on tense, mood, or politeness, which is why conjugation rules differ from those of other verbs. This affects how it’s conjugated into forms like ganbarimasu, ganbatte, ganbarou, and ganbatta. Knowing its verb type helps you apply the right endings naturally.

1. Ganbaru (頑張る)

The verb 頑張る (ganbaru) in its plain form is the base form you’ll find in a Japanese dictionary. On its own, ganbaru can mean “to persevere,” “I persevere.”

Since Japanese does not technically have a distinct future tense like English, ganbaru can also mean “I will persevere.” This form also combines easily with grammar structures, such as ことにしました, which expresses a decision:

だから頑張ることにしました。
Dakara ganbaru koto ni shimashita.
That’s why I decided to do my best.

In the plain present tense, ganbaru can describe ongoing effort, though actual present-moment usage is rare because the present is fleeting. For example, when asking why someone is trying hard:

なぜ、そんなに頑張るんですか。
Naze, sonna ni ganbarun desu ka.
Why do you try so hard?

You can also use it when talking about your own plans in a neutral way:

明日テストを頑張る。
Ashita tesuto o ganbaru.
I’ll do my best on the test tomorrow

2. Ganbarimasu (頑張ります)

Japanese distinguishes between formal and informal speech, and that’s where the -ます form comes in. The only difference between 頑張る (ganbaru) and 頑張ります (ganbarimasu) is the polite ~ます ending, which replaces the plain る ending.

Use ganbarimasu when you are speaking to strangers, colleagues, or superiors—anyone where politeness is expected. Interestingly, your superiors might still respond to you in plain form; in Japanese, this is not rude. Instead, it reflects the social hierarchy: the language you use signals your relative position in the conversation.

Example:

明日も頑張ります。
Ashita mo ganbarimasu.
I’ll do my best tomorrow too.

By switching to -masu, you keep the same meaning as ganbaru, but with the polite tone appropriate for formal or professional settings.

3. Ganbatte (頑張って)

Now we move to a slightly more complex conjugation: the te-form. In general, the -て form is used to connect verbs or indicate ongoing actions, acting as a bridge that lets you create more complex or compound expressions.

In the case of 頑張って (ganbatte), it’s often short for 頑張ってください (ganbatte kudasai). The te kudasai (～てください) grammar point is used to make polite requests, so here it translates roughly as “Please do your best.” Think of it as a soft command—similar to saying “Go for it!” in English. It’s direct, but friendly and encouraging.

試験、頑張って！
Shiken, ganbatte!
Good luck with your exam!

明日も頑張ってください。
Ashita mo ganbatte kudasai.
Please do your best tomorrow, too.

While ganbatte is technically a command, it’s used in a positive, supportive way. Adding ください makes it polite, which is perfect for teachers, colleagues, or anyone you want to encourage respectfully.

Read More: How to Conjugate Te Form

4. Ganbare (頑張れ)

Ganbare is another form of encouragement, but it’s a stronger, more intense command than ganbatte. While ganbatte is like saying “Go for it!” in a friendly way, ganbare is closer to “Fight!!!” or “Give it everything you’ve got!” It carries a sense of urgency and intensity, which is why you often hear it shouted during sports matches or competitive situations.

Because of its forceful tone, ganbare should be used carefully, especially in polite or formal situations. Using it too casually can come across as rude, since you’re giving a strong command rather than a gentle encouragement.

頑張れ、チーム！
Ganbare, chiimu!
Go for it, team!

For learners, it’s best to stick with ganbatte in everyday situations. Over time, as you get a feel for social context in Japanese, you’ll know when it’s appropriate to use the heavier-hitting ganbare. 

5. Ganbarou (頑張ろう) 

Ganbarou is the volitional form of 頑張る (ganbaru), which in Japanese expresses “let’s …”. Unlike ganbatte or ganbare, where you position yourself as a commander or instructor to someone else, ganbarou is more collective. 

It has a friendly, rallying energy, like a verbal high-five that says, “We’ve got this!” It is similar to “let’s…” in English:

さぁ、今日も一日頑張ろう。

Saa, kyou mo ichinichi ganbarou.
Alright, let’s give it our all today, too!

The volitional form isn’t just for inviting others to take action with you. You can also use it to show personal determination or commitment:

期待に応えられるように、頑張ろう。

Kitai ni kotaerareru you ni, ganbarou.
I’ll work hard to meet everyone’s expectations.

Here, you could use 頑張る (ganbaru) instead, but the volitional form conveys a stronger intent, almost like making a promise to yourself or others. To make this polite, simply swap 頑張ろう for 頑張りましょう (ganbarimashou). This keeps the friendly, motivational tone but adds a layer of politeness for workplace or formal settings.

6. Ganbarimashou (頑張りましょう)

頑張りましょう (ganbarimashou) is the polite way of saying “Let’s do our best” or “Let’s work hard.” It’s used when you want to encourage a group—including yourself—to give it your all. The word comes from 頑張り (ganbari), the stem of 頑張る, plus ましょう (mashou), which adds the “let’s do” meaning.

Compared to the casual 頑張ろう (ganbarou), which feels more friendly and upbeat, 頑張りましょう is polite but still motivating, perfect for encouraging others in a respectful way.

The Spirit of Ganbare or Ganbatte in Japanese Culture

Although a seemingly simple term, ganbare, ganbatte, or their other modifications have roots in Japanese culture and a view on perseverance and determination, you’ll hear it chanted in sports competitions and anime series, mostly to encourage the other party to do their best and never give up, no matter how hard the challenge.

Saying those words isn’t just reserved for special occasions, though. From a young age, Japanese people are exposed to ganbatte through various mundane activities: doing homework, studying for a test, or fighting with friends.

The word ganbare is ingrained in almost every stage of life in the Japanese community. As you grow old, you’ll face even more significant problems, like finding a job, overcoming a hard breakup, or confronting a problem at work. In the end, the spirit of ganbatte reminds individuals in Japan that even in times of great hardship, you need to trust your ability.

Japanese Kanji and Writing for Ganbare or Ganbatte

The Japanese word for ganbatte originated from the verb 頑張る (read as ganbaru), which means “to do your best” or “to work hard.” However, people tend to follow the first definition more in many social contexts. The Japanese kanji 頑 (gan) means “tough” or “stubborn”, while the last character 張る (haru) means “to be prominent”.

Ganbare vs Ganbatte

How did it turn into ganbare or ganbatte? The term ganbatte (頑張って) is the conjunctive form of 頑張る. Ganbatte is the shortened form of てください, which is to turn a plain Japanese verb into a polite command or request: “I would ask you to (verb).”

The longer version of ganbatte is ganbatte kudasai (頑張ってください), but this might sound a bit too formal if you’re speaking to your friends or close family members. This is why sometimes people just opt to say “ganbatte”. It can be written in kanji as 頑張って, in hiragana as がんばって, or in katakana as ガンバッテ.

You might wonder: ganbatte is not a loanword that the Japanese language takes, so why can we use katakana? This is because katakana emphasizes things, especially on signs, advertisements, or texts. Examples are gomi (ゴミ) and megane (メガネ), each meaning trash and glasses, respectively. When you type ガンバッテ, it shows you want the reader to pay attention to your words of encouragement.

It may also be said as “ganbatte ne”( 頑張ってね) or “ganbatte yo” (頑張ってよ) for more emphasis on overcoming the task at hand.

You can also add ね or よ for more emphasis.

頑張ってね!
Ganbatte ne!

頑張ってよ!
Ganbatte yo!

Ganbare (がんばれ), on the other hand, stems from the same verb, but it’s in a command form. The verb conjugation changes action in solid commands, and it’s less polite than saying ganbatte kudasai (がんばってください).

The Best Time to Use Ganbare or Ganbatte

Ganbare has a positive connotation; you need to use it with empathy and without being flippant or joking, which could be seen as insensitive.

• A coworker or friend is taking an exam or a test
• A friend is playing in a sporting match or running a marathon
• A friend will do something difficult, like asking someone to marry them.
• A friend has expressed a worry about a big event or challenge that they have coming up.

Inappropriate Situations to Use Gabare or Ganbatte

Despite the versatility of ganbare and ganbatte, there are some situations where it’s far from appropriate. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to face your vulnerability. When someone is facing genuine trouble, read the room and show empathy. Saying, “Let’s do our best!” to someone having a hard time can make us sound tone-deaf and insensitive instead.

Here are a couple of situations where saying ganbare or ganbatte is not advisable.

• A friend has had something tragic happen to them or their family
• A friend is expressing a deep level of sadness or worry

Video Transcript

頑張れ！頑張れ！
Ganbare! Ganbare!
Ganbare! Ganbare!

皆さん、「頑張れ」この言葉聞いたのことがあすか？
Minasan, “ganbare” koto kotoba kiita no koto ga arimasuka?
Hi everyone, have you heard the word “ganbare” before?

「頑張れ」は試合毛ていると応援する時に使う言葉です。
“ganbare” wa shiai geteiru to ouensuru toki ni tsukau kotoba desu
When people are at a sporting match and they are supporting their team, they will use this word!

例えば、野球の試合を呼びに行きます好きな選手が出ています。
Tatoeba, yakyuu no shiai o yobini ikimasu suki na senshu ga deteimasu
For example, next time you go to a baseball game and your favorite player appears,

「頑張れ！頑張れ！」
“ganbare! ganbare!”
You can scream “Ganbare! Ganbare!”

ラグビーやサッカーのワールドカップオリンピックでも「頑張れ頑張れ」と応援することができます。
Ragubi ya sakka no Warudokapu orinpikku demo “ganbare ganbare” to ouensuru koto ga dekimasu.
You can use the word to support your team at the Rugby and Soccer World Cup, and the Olympics.

「頑張れ」この言葉は「頑張って」や「頑張ってください」よりも
“ganbare” kono kotoba wa “ganbatte” ya “ganbatte kudasai” yori mo
The word “ganbare” is similar to “ganbatte” or “ganbatte kudasai.”

強いの言葉です。
tsuyoi no kotoba desu.
But it has a stronger meaning.

すこし、男っぽくて強い言葉なので試合を応援する時に使います。
Sukoshi, otokoppokute tsuyoi kotoba nano de shiai o ouensuru toki ni tsukaimasu.
It’s a very manly word that you can use to support your team during a sporting match.

試合はワクワクドキドキしますね、ですから女の人も試合の時は「頑張れ」と言ってもいです。
Shiai wa waku waku doki doki shimasune, desukara onna no hito mo shiai no toki wa “ganbare” to itte mo idesu.
When you get excited during a football match or a baseball game, and you want to support your team, women can also use “ganbare”.

「頑張って」この言葉は色々なシチュエーションでいろことができます。
“Ganbatte” kono kotoba wa iro iro na tsuchinoeshion de iro koto ga dekimasu.
“Ganbatte” is a word that can be used in many different types of situations.

例えば、友達がこーいます「あ、明日試験があるんだ」
Tatoeba, tomodachi ga koiimasu: “a, ashita shiken ga arunda.”
For example, when your friend tells you: “Ugh, I have an exam tomorrow.”

「頑張って！」
“Ganbatte!”
“Do your best!”

「あ、明日彼女にプロポーズするんだ」
“a ashita kanojo ni puopozu surunda”
“I’m going to propose to my girlfriend tomorrow.”

「頑張って！」
“Ganbatte!”
“Do your best!”

「頑張って」はカジュアルの表現なので家族や恋人友達に使ってください。
“Ganbatte” wa casuaru no hyougen nanode kazoku ya koibito tomodachi ni tsukatte kudasai.
“Ganbatte” is a casual expression that you can use when talking to family and friends.

最後に、もう一つ「頑張ります」を紹介します。
Saigo ni, mou hitotsu “ganbarimasu” o shoukai shimasu.
Finally, we have one more word to introduce: “ganbarimasu.”

「頑張ります」はいつ使うのでしょうか？
“ganbarimasu” wa itsu tsukau no deshouka?
When should we use “ganbarimasu”?

そうれでは説明します。
Sourede wa setsumenshimasu.
Let’s break it down.

実は私来年の3月に東京マラソンに出ます。
Jitsu wa atashi rainen no sangatsu ni toukyou maranson ni temasu.
I will really be running the Tokyo marathon next year in March.

そのことを先輩や他の先生に言うと先輩や他の先生はこう言いました「え～すごいね。頑張ってね！」
Sono koto wo senpai ya hoka no sensei ni iyuto senpai ya hoka no sensei wa kouiimashita: “e~ sugoi ne. Ganbatte ne!”
So my coworkers, and other more senior teachers, told me: “Oh wow, do your best (good luck)!”

その時私はこう言います「ありがとうございます、頑張ります！」
Sono toki watashi wa kouiimasu: “arigaritou gozaimasu, ganbarimasu!”
At that time, I replied by saying: “Thank you so much, I will try my best!”

「頑張ります」は自分より上の人
“Ganbarimasu” wa jibun yori ue no hito
“Ganbarimasu” is used when people who are above me,

例えば、上司や先輩の人が頑張ってねと
tatoeba joushi ya senpaino hito ga ganbattene to
like my boss or my senior coworkers, tell me to do my best.

応援してな時に
ouen shitenatoki ni
When they show their support

「はい、頑張ります」と答えます。
“hai, ganbarimasu” to kotae masu.
I can answer them by saying: Yes, I will try my best!

はい、皆さん、今日のビデオはここまです。
Hai, minasan, kyou no bideo wa koko made desu.
Okay, everyone! That is all for today’s video.

皆さんは日本語の勉強頑張っていますね！
Minasan wa nihongo no benkyou ganbatte imasune!
Everyone, you’re all doing your best to learn Japanese!

皆さん、頑張って！
Minasan, ganbatte!
Everyone, do your best!

もし質問があったたら、是非このコメントに残してください。私たちが答えられるかもしれません。
moshi shitsumon ga atta tara, zehi kono komento ni nokoshite kudasai. Watashitachi ga kotae rareru kamoshiremasen.
If you have any questions, please share them in the comment section. We might answer them!

それでは皆さん、頑張ってね！
Sorede wa minasan, ganbatte ne!
So then, everyone, go for it/do your best!

Start taking Japanese lessons and learn beyond ganbare!

Ganbarimasu in learning Japanese! While this is one of the most useful Japanese phrases you can use, there are hundreds (if not thousands) of other things you need to know to speak Japanese confidently.

Don’t forget: it’s always better to learn Japanese with a native tutor. Why not join fun, flexible Japanese lessons at Coto Academy? Here, you will learn with an expert who makes learning simple, enjoyable, and effective. With our 18-level program, we’ll guide you through essential vocabulary, grammar, and real-life conversation, helping you speak Japanese with confidence from day one.

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FAQ

What is the difference between ganbatte and ganbaru?

頑張れ (ganbare) is the command form of 頑張る, so it has a stronger, more direct imperative tone—like saying “Do your best!” or “Hang in there!” with urgency.

頑張って (ganbatte), on the other hand, is a shortened version of 頑張ってください (ganbatte kudasai), which is more of a polite request and therefore sounds less demanding.

What is the original word for ganbare and ganbatte?

Ganbare and ganbatte come from the word ganbaru (頑張る) or ganbarimasu (頑張ります), which means “do your best”

How do you respond to “Ganbare”?

When someone says 頑張れ (ganbare) or 頑張って (ganbatte) to you, common responses include:

• Un, ganbaru: “Yeah, I’ll do my best!” (casual)
• Hai!: “Yes!” or “Okay!”
• Ganbarimasu: “I’ll do my best!” (polite)

Is “Ganbatte kudasai” polite?

Yes. 頑張ってください (ganbatte kudasai) is the polite request form of “do your best.” Adding ください (kudasai) makes it respectful,

What does “Ganbare ganbare” mean?

Repeating it (頑張れ頑張れ) is a way to cheer someone on even more enthusiastically—like shouting “Go, go, you can do it!” in a sports game or during a performance.

Love reading this? You might be interested in:

• Basic Japanese Phrases You Need to Know Before Coming to Japan
• 100 Basic Japanese Verbs

After mastering hiragana, one of the three Japanese writing systems, the natural next step is to learn katakana, the second Japanese syllabary. Commonly used to write loanwords, katakana represent the same set of sounds as hiragana, but they look completely different.

Katakana characters are typically boxier and more geometric, with sharp corners, in contrast to hiragana’s soft, flowing curves.

Many learners find katakana a bit tricky at first. Some characters look quite similar to each other, and it’s easy to mix them up. But don’t worry! In this guide, we’ll explain what katakana is, when to use it, and provide a free printable katakana chart to help you memorize and practice with ease.

Just started learning Japanese? Explore beginner-friendly courses at Coto Academy, available both online and in person in Tokyo! Contact us today!

What is Katakana?

Katakana, written カタカナ,  is one of the three main scripts used in the Japanese writing system, alongside hiragana and kanji. It is a phonetic syllabary, meaning that each character represents a specific sound or syllable, not an idea or meaning like kanji. 

Katakana consists of 46 basic characters, such as ka (カ), shi (シ), or to (ト), plus their additional modified forms. Both katakana and hiragana — and the Japanese language as a whole — are built around five core vowels: A, I, U, E, and O. 

Beyond the basic characters, there are also modified versions that represent long vowels and double consonants. There are also combination sounds like kya, shu, and cho.

The five vowels in katakana and hiragana look something like this: 

Katakana	Romanization	Pronunciation	Example
ア	A	ah	“art”
イ	I	ee	“see”
ウ	U	oo	“food”
エ	E	eh	“met”
オ	O	oh	“go”

This system might feel very different if you’re coming from English, which only has 5 vowel letters, but nearly 20 vowel sounds — plus many diphthongs (blended vowel sounds like in ride or loud).

Read More: Differences Between English and Japanese Language

Download Free Katakana Chart 

To get started, download this chart, which includes all the katakana characters (including the variations) you’ll be learning on this page. 

If you have access to a printer, printing it out can be helpful, but you can also follow along digitally if you prefer, or save them as a picture so you can review them on your phone!

If you haven’t already, be sure to also download our free hiragana chart, which also includes a printable practice sheet!

Katakana Chart Overview

Like hiragana, basic katakana consists of 46 core characters that represent the fundamental sounds of the Japanese language.

	A	I	U	E	O
	ア	イ	ウ	エ	オ
K	カ	キ	ク	ケ	コ
S	サ	シ	ス	セ	ソ
T	タ	チ	ツ	テ	ト
N	ナ	ニ	ヌ	ネ	ノ
H	ハ	ヒ	フ	ヘ	ホ
M	マ	ミ	ム	メ	モ
Y	ヤ		ユ		ヨ
R	ラ	リ	ル	レ	ロ
W	ワ				ヲ
N	ン

Click on the play icon next to each character to hear how it sounds!

ア

イ

ウ

エ

オ

カ

キ

ク

ケ

コ

サ

シ

ス

セ

ソ

タ

チ

ツ

テ

ト

ナ

ニ

ヌ

ネ

ノ

ハ

ヒ

フ

ヘ

ホ

マ

ミ

ム

メ

モ

ヤ

ユ

ヨ

ラ

リ

ル

レ

ロ

ワ

ヲ

ン

Handakuten, Dakuten, and Small Kana in Katakana

However, katakana is especially useful for adapting foreign words, and this is where dakuten, handakuten, and small kana combinations come into play. These diacritical marks allow for more flexible pronunciation in both native and borrowed words.

Dakuten (゛) and handakuten (゜) are small marks that change the pronunciation of certain characters:

• Dakuten (゛) adds a voiced sound (e.g. k → g, s → z)
• Handakuten (゜) adds a “p” sound (used only with ハ-row sounds)

Here’s how they modify the basic katakana characters through dakuten and handakuten:

K to G	S to Z	T to D	H to B	H to P
カ → ガ (ga)	サ → ザ (za)	タ → ダ (da)	ハ → バ (ba)	ハ → パ (pa)
キ → ギ (gi)	シ → ジ (ji)	チ → ヂ (ji)	ヒ → ビ (bi)	ヒ → ピ (pi)
ク → グ (gu)	ス → ズ (zu)	ツ → ヅ (zu)	フ → ブ (bu)	フ → プ (pu)
ケ → ゲ (ge)	セ → ゼ (ze)	テ → デ (de)	ヘ → ベ (be)	ヘ → ペ (pe)
コ → ゴ (go)	ソ → ゾ (zo)	ト → ド (do)	ホ → ボ (bo)	ホ → ポ (po)

Handakuten and Dakuten in Katakana

G	ガ	ギ	グ	ゲ	ゴ
Z	ザ	ジ	ズ	ゼ	ゾ
D	ダ	ヂ	ヅ	デ	ド
B	バ	ビ	ブ	ベ	ボ
P	パ	ピ	プ	ペ	ポ

Combo Sounds

	YA	YU	YO
K	キャ	キュ	キョ
S	シャ	シュ	ショ
T	チャ	チュ	チョ
N	ニャ	ニュ	ニョ
H	ヒャ	ヒュ	ヒョ
M	ミャ	ミュ	ミョ
R	リャ	リュ	リョ
G	ギャ	ギュ	ギョ
J	ジャ	ジュ	ジョ
B	ビャ	ビュ	ビョ
P	ピャ	ピュ	ピョ

How to Use the Katakana Chart Effectively

Using our katakana chart effectively involves understanding its purpose, practicing regularly, and applying it in context. Here’s a guide to help you make the most out of your Katakana learning:

1. Familiarize yourself with the chart layout 

The Katakana chart is organized by consonant-vowel pairs (e.g., ka, ki, ku, ke, ko).

2. Practice slowly

Start by memorizing the basic 46 characters before moving on to extended sounds (like ガ, ギ, グ).

A tip is to learn katakana one consonant line per day — such as starting with the “K” katakana, and then moving on to the “T.” Breaking the whole chart into smaller study sessions helps with retaining the characters more effectively and avoiding burnout.

3. Practice writing each character

Use the stroke order indicated in the chart to write each character neatly. Writing helps reinforce memory and improves your ability to recognize the characters

We even recommend starting to practice writing words with katakana, so you can start applying the letters to real examples. 

4. Use flashcards or apps to test recognition

Learning through flashcard apps like Anki helps you remember katakana through spaced repetition, encouraging active recall and reinforcing your memory over time. There are many recommended Anki decks for learning Japanese available.

Besides Anki, there are other great apps designed specifically for learning katakana and hiragana. 

Read More: Top Japanese Learning Apps to Download 

How Is Katakana Used?

While hiragana is mainly used for native Japanese words and grammar, Katakana is primarily used for foreign loanwords, though its usage extends far beyond that. Because katakana looks visually distinct from Hiragana, you can easily tell them apart in text, and this difference serves an important purpose.

1. Foreign loanwords

Called garaigo, Japanese loanwords borrowed from other languages, especially English, are written in katakana — although there are plenty of Japanese loanwords that don’t come from English.

Examples of katakana use in loanwords:

English Translation	Katakana	Romaji
Computer	コンピュータ	konpyuuta
Television	テレビ	terebi
Coffee	コーヒー	koohii

2. Foreign names and places

Names of people, places, and brands from outside Japan are written in katakana.

English Name	Katakana	Romaji
John	ジョン	jon
Paris	パリ	pari
McDonald’s	マクドナルド	Makudonarudo

If you are interested in knowing your name in Japanese, check out our useful guide on how to convert your name into Japanese and use katakana!

Read More: What Is My Name in Japanese? Japanese Name Generator

3. Onomatopoeia and sound effects

Ever heard of onomatopoeia? It’s a word that phonetically imitates or suggests the sound it describes.

Japanese onomatopoeia is a bit unique because it doesn’t just mimic sounds—it’s also used to describe movements, feelings, and states. These words are often written in katakana to express sounds or conditions.

You’ll commonly find onomatopoeia in manga, anime, and advertisements.

• ドキドキ (dokidoki) — heartbeat
• ガタン (gatan) — clatter

Read More: Fun Japanese Onomatopoeia You Need to Know

4. Emphasis on a word

In the Japanese language, katakana isn’t just used for foreign words. Katakana can also add emphasis, even if those words are traditionally written in hiragana and kanji. 

Because katakana has a visually striking, angular shape, it naturally draws the reader’s attention, similar to how italics or boldface work in English.

In fact, you’ll often see katakana used this way in advertisements and signage to make key words pop.

For example:

カラダにいい！
Karada ni ii
Good for your body!

彼はすごくカッコイイ！
Kare wa sugoku カッコイイ!
He’s really cool!

5. Scientific and technical terms

Yes, katakana is also used for technical and scientific terms, including the scientific names of plants and animals. This convention helps distinguish the word from ordinary Japanese words. 

Common Katakana Writing Mistakes to Avoid

Katakana can be tricky because many characters look or sound alike. Here are a few common mix-ups of similar-looking katakana.

1. シ (shi) vs. ツ (tsu)

シ (shi) has three short strokes pointing downward, while ツ (tsu) has strokes pointing to the right.

2. ソ (so) vs. ン (n)

ソ (so) strokes slant down to the left, ン (n)strokes slant down to the right.

3. ヌ (nu) vs. ネ (ne)

Both have diagonal strokes, but ヌ is distinguished by a small loop or hook at the bottom right, while ネ has a more angular shape with straight lines and no loop. 

4. ヲ (wo) vs. ヨ (yo)

ヲ (wo) and ヨ (yo) are often mixed up because they both feature multiple horizontal strokes. However, ヲ includes a curved hook on the left side, giving it a more flowing shape, whereas ヨ consists of three straight, separate horizontal lines stacked vertically — like an inverted E! 

Conclusion

There is no single way to learn Japanese, but we hope the katakana chart becomes a powerful tool to aid your study. Remember to use the chart alongside flashcards and exercises!

Ready to Start Your Japanese Learning Journey?

So what’s next? After mastering hiragana and katakana, it’s time to learn basic phrases and sentence formation. 

Kickstart your journey with Coto Academy, where fun, conversation-focused classes are designed for beginners. Choose from intensive, part-time, or online Japanese courses tailored to help you reach your goals faster!

What is katakana used for?

Katakana is one of the Japanese syllabaries mainly used for writing foreign loanwords, foreign names, onomatopoeia, scientific terms, and sometimes for emphasis, similar to italics in English.

How many characters are in katakana?

 Katakana has 46 basic characters representing distinct syllables, plus a few additional combinations.

What is the difference between katakana and hiragana?

Both represent the same set of sounds but are used differently. Hiragana is mostly used for native Japanese words and grammar particles, while katakana is used for foreign words, names, and emphasis.

Are there any exceptions or irregularities in katakana pronunciation?

Katakana generally follows consistent phonetic rules, but some loanwords may adapt pronunciation to fit Japanese phonology, which can sound slightly different from the original.