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 * 1. Introduction:**

When beginning Japanese Learning we must learn 3 type of Japanese syllabalies called Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji. Let’s start learning Japanese language!


 * Hiragana ひらがな
 * Katakana カタカナ
 * [|Kanji 漢字]

Hiragana and Katakana have 46 letters and Kanji for common use has 2136 letters. So we use 46 + 46 + 2136 letters to make Japanese sentences. Romaji exists to express Japanese syllabaly with english alphabet like あ=a, さ=sa, あさ=asa. Romaji make Japanese easy to read but Romaji itself is not Japanese and we don’t use it in life.

(source: http://hiragananinja.tk/wp2/hiragana-2/)



(source: https://nihongomousou.wordpress.com/2013/07/11/history-of-kanamoji-katakana-hiragana/ )
 * 2. History of Kanamoji (Katakana and Hiragana)**

Japanese language has three different alphabets; Kanji, Katakana and Hiragana. ** Kanamoji ** is a generic name for the character of ** Hiragana ** and ** Katakana **. It is equivalent to the English alphabet and the kana character has the 46 standard phonetic characters. Around 500 AD, the basis of modern Japanese Kanji developed after Japan had a culture contact with Chinese. The Chinese character in that time was called **“Manyogana(万葉仮名)**“.However, because Manyogana is too difficult, during the Heian Period (794 – 1192), manyogana was adapted to create a Japanese script that was partly syllabic (characters based on sounds; hiragana and katakana) and partly logographic (characters based on concepts; kanji). Unlike Katakana which took one part from the Kanji, Hiragana is the simplified version of Kanji. You can see how to create both characters from Kanji in the table below (Read from right to left). Reference: Table from Wikipedia ・ In our page, Katakana-kun and Hiragana-chan are twins since they were born from Kanji in the same period (Heian). See picture below. You may notice that Katakana character is angular while Hiragana characters are rounded which made Hiragana look softer than Katakana. These shape also have a meaning. ▲In the past, Women normally used Hiragana to write private expressions (ex. diary) or write Waka （Japanese poem; 和歌）/ a tale. Although most women used Hiragana, some men also used Hiragana for writing poem too. It is said that all men needed to send love letter in hiragana to express their loves. ▲On the other hand, Katakana was normally used by men as an assist sign for reading Kanji (That’s why even now Japanese still put Katakana on top of Kanji). **__Moreover, since most of academic books were in Kanji, Katakana was always together with Kanji.__** These are the reasons why Katakana-kun is a boy and Hiragana-chan is a girl. And since both two characters were born (derived) from Kanji during Heian Period (794-1192) and even now Japanese people usually put them together with Kanji-kun, that’s why Katakana-kun and Hiragana-chan love Kanji-kun so much. You can write a sentence using only Kanamoji (like when we started to learn Japanese). However, it’s very difficult to understand. Thus, Japanese is usually mix between three characters. The use of Kanamoji is as follows. References: [] [] [] (in Japanese) [] (in Japanese)
 * ★Use of Kanamoji**
 * Hiragana**
 * ending of verbs and adjectives
 * postpositional particles, auxiliary verbs
 * words without Kanji
 * indication of the reading of kanji
 * Katakana**
 * foreign words, borrowed words, Japanized English
 * foreign names and place-names
 * technical and scientific words
 * names of animals, plants, etc.
 * onomatopoeia
 * indication of the reading of kanji
 * [[image:https://s0.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/emoji/twemoji/svg/2764.svg width="124" height="124" caption="❤"]]　”Katakana was always together with Kanji.”** __Later you will see that **Katakana is ALWAYS with Kanji EVERWHERE** XD　** **__



http://kaoyux.deviantart.com/art/Hiragana-Chart-Video-277655197 :

http://kaoyux.deviantart.com/art/Katakana-Chart-Video-283240709 :



http://kaoyux.deviantart.com/art/Stroke-Order-Hiragana-and-Katakana-284288421 :



Practice to write: http://www.guidetojapanese.org/pdf/hiragana_trace_sheet.pdf http://www.guidetojapanese.org/pdf/katakana_trace_sheet.pdf

http://www.saiga-jp.com/japanese_language.html


There was no peculiar character in Japan originally. Based on the Kanji imported from China, predecessors took pains and adapted the Chinese character to Japanese in the Nara period(710-794). The Chinese character used thus is called "Manyogana". ("Manyogana" were used for old books, such as "Manyoshu", "Kojiki", and "Nihonshoki". However, it is too difficult for general people to read "Manyogana" now.) The Japanese notation of the Kana character (Hiragana, Katakana) was produced based on this "Manyogana." Then, the character culture peculiar to Japan different from China progressed.

Japanese consists of three different character sets. Many persons say, "Japanese language is difficult". One of the reason might be the kanji. However, the Kanji can be written in Kana characters. And, the Kanji is unnecessary when talking. "Japanese language education" of Japan starts from the study of Kana characters. All Kanji are not mastered even if it is a Japanese. In short, if you mastered the "Kana character" which is the alphabet of the Japanese language and know the words, you can do communication to some extent.

1. What is Kanamoji (Kana character)?
Kanamoji is a generic name for the character of Hiragana and Katakana. It is equivalent to the English alphabet and the kana character has the 46 standard phonetic characters. Kanamoji is the first step of Japanese language learning.

Hiragana was devised as what is replaced with difficult "Manyogana" at the Heian period (794-1192). Hiragana was formed into the simple style from Chinese character. That is, Hiragana is Ultimate Sosho (fully cursive style). Their shape is rounded and rather simple. For example, the character "" was changed as follows.




 * If you want to learn about "Kaisho, Gyosho, and Sosho", please see [|about the style of handwriting].

Katakana was devised to write characters easily at the Heian period (794-1192). Katakana was formed using a part of Chinese character. Their shape is angular and simple. For example, the character "" was formed from the left part of the following Kanji.



2. Pronunciation of Kanamoji
Kanamoji has 46 standard phonetic characters. These are called "Seion". There are "Dakuon", "Handakuon", "Yoon", "Sokuon" and "Chouon" besides Seion. And, "Tokushuon" was added in order to write borrowed words. If you want to listen to the basic pronunciation of kana characters with a sound, please see page of [|Listen to Basic Pronunciation Voice].

 The alphabet of the Latin alphabet is used so that everybody can read the Japanese language. Those characters are called "Romaji". This is convenient for Japanese first step learning. And, in Japan, generally Romaji is used when inputting the Japanese language into a word processor and computer. > > > The 1st line of the table is vowels. HanD and HD are the abbreviation for Handakuon. > >
 * **Seion:** Pronunciation of a clear sound.
 * **Dakuon:** Pronunciation of a muddy sound.
 * **Handakuon:** Pronunciation of a middle sound of Seion and Dakuon.
 * **Yoon:** Pronunciation of a distorted sound. "ya", "yu", and "yo" are added under other Japanese syllabaries. (Generally they are written small.)
 * **Sokuon:** Choked pronunciation of sound. Breathing is stopped and pronounced. Indicating with small "[[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/img/character/japanese_language/kanamoji_ltu.gif width="12" height="9" caption="sokuon sample"]](tsu)". (Examples: Interjection " [[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/img/character/japanese_language/kanamoji_altu.gif width="29" height="16" caption="sokuon sanple1"]]", " [[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/img/character/japanese_language/kanamoji_eltu.gif width="29" height="16" caption="sokuon sample2"]]", Verbs past form " [[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/img/character/japanese_language/kanamoji_itta.gif width="47" height="16" caption="sokuon sample3"]](said)", " [[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/img/character/japanese_language/kanamoji_totta.gif width="46" height="16" caption="sokuon sample4"]](taken)", Adverbs " [[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/img/character/japanese_language/kanamoji_motto.gif width="45" height="16" caption="sokuon sample5"]](more)", " [[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/img/character/japanese_language/kanamoji_sakki.gif width="47" height="16" caption="sokuon sample6"]](few minutes ago)", etc.
 * **Chouon:** Pronunciation which lengthens vowels. The symbol of " [[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/img/character/japanese_language/kanamoji_-.gif width="19" height="11" caption="chouon sample"]]" is used. It is used for borrowed words, a interjection " [[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/img/character/japanese_language/kanamoji_wa-i.gif width="48" height="16" caption="chouon sample1"]]" and " [[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/img/character/japanese_language/kanamoji_o-i.gif width="47" height="16" caption="chouon sample2"]]", etc.
 * **Tokushuon:** Katakana of the unique pronunciation. These are used mainly for the pronunciation of borrowed words.

3. Use of Kanamoji
It is possible to write a sentence by only Kanamoji. However, the sentence of only Kana characters will have pauses of words difficult to understand, and will turn into a sentence which is very hard to read. Therefore, Japanese is usually written by using both Kanamoji and Kanji. Each Kana character does not have a meaning. The use of Kanamoji is as follows. > ending of verbs and adjectives > postpositional particles, auxiliary verbs > words without Kanji > indication of the reading of kanji > foreign words, borrowed words, Japanized English > foreign names and place-names > technical and scientific words > names of animals, plants, etc. > onomatopoeia > indication of the reading of kanji > >
 * **Hiragana**
 * **Katakana**

4. Borrowed Words and Japanized English
Japan is a country with many borrowed words. Katakana is used when writing borrowed words, foreign names and place-names. The borrowed word is the word established with the original meaning. "Japanized English" was constructed by combining English words. Although they sound like English, they are the words of expression which is not in original English. As a matter of course, only Japanese people can understand "Japanized English". And, in order that they have flooded too much, we are confused to the difference with original English.

> || || The word borrowed from Portuguese "Castella". This is the baked confectionery imported from Portugal to Nagasaki at the Muromachi period (1338-1573). || > || || The word borrowed from French "Croissant". The word about cooking and dress has much borrowing from French. || > || || The word borrowed from English "Radio". || > || || The word borrowed from Spanish "Medias" or Portuguese "Meias". A meaning is stretchy cloth. || > || || "Personal computer" was abridged. || > || || "Back" and "mirror" were combined. It is used in the same meaning as "Rear-view mirror" of English. || > || || "Pair" and "look" were combined. It is used in the same meaning as "same outfit, matching outfits" of English. || > || || "Paper" and "driver" were combined. It is used in the same meaning as "Sunday driver" of English. || The symbol of " " is used when lengthening a vowel sound.
 * **Examples of borrowed words**
 * [[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/img/character/japanese_language/arubaito.gif width="94" height="37" caption="Arbeit"]] || The word borrowed from German "Arbeit". A meaning is "work". In Japan, it means short-term labor contracts, such as a side job and temporary employment. ||
 * **Examples of Japanized English**
 * [[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/img/character/japanese_language/sarariman.gif width="116" height="38" caption="Japanized English sample1"]] || "Salary" and "man" were combined. People who are working for a company by getting salary. It is used in the same meaning as "Office worker" of English. ||

1. What is Kanji?
The Chinese character was imported from China. However, the Chinese character of Japan has improved so that a Chinese character can be written briefly. For example, the basis of the Kanji "" was "". There are many kanjis which Japanese character culture produced. (The kanji of 10,000 or more are in the "Chinese-Japanese dictionary" of Japan. There is a kanji of 6000 or more which can be used with a personal computer. There are about 2000 also with the "Chinese characters in common use" used usually now.) Please see [|Japanese Kanji Dictionary with Pronunciation] and [|Japanese Kanji Dictionary help page], if you want to learn in detail about each Kanji.

The Kanji can be written using Kana characters. If so, why does we use the Kanji purposely? The Kanji has the advantage that we can understand a meaning on the shape. For example, it is "" when Kanji is written in Hiragana. There are some words pronounced "" as follows. (Chinese character), (organizer), (inspector), (feeling), a name of a person called Kanji. If it is written as "" in hiragana, we have to interpret the meaning in the context. However, if it has written with the Chinese character, we can understand the meaning only by seeing the word. Of course, if we do not know the Kanji, it is not meaningful. So, it is significant to study the kanji.

2. Pronunciation of Kanji
Kanji has two kinds of readings "On-yomi" and "Kun-yomi". "On-yomi" is Chinese pronunciation. "Kun-yomi" is the original pronunciation of Japan. At the time of "Kun-yomi", "Okurigana(a declensional kana ending)" is added to a Kanji in almost cases. The inside of the parenthesis of the following example is "Okurigana".



3. Jyukugo (Idiom)
Kanji has a meaning in each and is equivalent to a word. They can combine and can make idioms indicating various meanings. The number of idioms has tens of thousands.



4. Yoji-jukugo (Four Character Kanji Compound Word)
Apart from the usual idioms, there are 1000 or more "Four character Kanji compound words" used as a proverb. These features are that there is much amount of information compared with the number of characters.


 * [[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/img/character/japanese_language/ishin_denshin.gif width="130" height="39" caption="yoji-jukugo sample1"]] || A partner's thought is understood without using words. To have a tacit understanding. ||
 * [[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/img/character/japanese_language/kouun_ryuusui.gif width="121" height="41" caption="yoji-jukugo sample2"]] || Clouds are drifting in the sky, and water is flowing. That is, the free heart without tenacity of purpose is expressed. ||
 * If you want to learn more about "Yoji-jyukugo", please see [|Four character Kanji compound word list].

5. Bushu (Radical)
A radical is one of the component which compose a Chinese character. They were defined as a standard for classifying Chinese characters. The dictionary of the Chinese character is arranged for each radical. When looking for Kanji which pronunciation does not understand in a dictionary, you can search by the radical. There are many radicals which are one of Kanji originally. The Kanji with the same radical often has a common point in a meaning.



1. Punctuation marks
The punctuation marks used in Japanese are Kuten "" and Touten "". As for the Touten in lateral writing, "" or "" is used. Kuten is equivalent to an English period. It is always used in the end of a sentence. Touten is used in order to make a sentence easy to read and to understand. However, there is no regular rule in this.

2. Iteration marks
Japanese does not have a grammatical plural form per se like English. However, some Kanji can indicate plurality by iterating. The iteration mark of Kanji is "".

For example,
 * [[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/dic/img/bitmap/e4baba.gif width="17" height="16"]] (hito) a person - [[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/dic/img/bitmap/e4baba.gif width="17" height="16"]][[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/dic/img/bitmap/e38085.gif width="13" height="16"]] (hitobito) people
 * [[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/dic/img/bitmap/e69982.gif width="17" height="16"]] (toki) time - [[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/dic/img/bitmap/e69982.gif width="17" height="16"]][[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/dic/img/bitmap/e38085.gif width="13" height="16"]] (tokidoki) sometimes

3. Other marks

 * "[[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/dic/img/bitmap/e38083.gif width="13" height="16"]]" : This is often used for entry of documents etc. It is used when entering the same word or phrase.
 * "[[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/dic/img/bitmap/e383bc.gif width="15" height="16"]]" : Indicates a lengthened vowel sound. The direction of writing depends on the direction of text.
 * "[[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/dic/img/bitmap/efbd9e.gif width="16" height="16"]]" : This means "from..to..". For example, the meaning of "[[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/dic/img/bitmap/e69c88.gif width="14" height="16"]][[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/dic/img/bitmap/efbd9e.gif width="16" height="16"]][[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/dic/img/bitmap/e98791.gif width="17" height="16"]][[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/dic/img/bitmap/e69b9c.gif width="17" height="16"]][[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/dic/img/bitmap/e697a5.gif width="12" height="16"]]" is "from Monday to Friday".
 * "[[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/dic/img/bitmap/e280a6.gif width="16" height="16"]]" : This expresses silence and the situation of choking up.
 * "[[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/dic/img/bitmap/e3808c.gif width="9" height="16"]][[image:http://www.saiga-jp.com/dic/img/bitmap/e3808d.gif width="9" height="16"]]" : This is the usual Japanese quotation marks.