Hiragana
Nº 1. First Step
Learn the first Japanese writing system
Hiragana Chart
* Click on the cards to reveal them
Definition
🏛️ Structure and Characteristics
Syllabary: Hiragana is a syllabary, meaning that each character represents an open syllable (except for "ん" which represents a closed nasal syllable). This structure is fundamentally different from the alphabets used in many other languages, where each character represents an individual sound.
にほん means? Japan, yes, simply Japan, and it is usually written in kanji like this: 日本. But we'll see that later.
Characters: The basic 46 characters of Hiragana cover the vowel sounds (a, i, u, e, o), consonants followed by vowels, and the nasal "n". Additionally, diacritic modifications (such as adding dakuten or handakuten) create 23 additional sounds. As you can see on the table above ↑:
- [g] is the voiced version of [k]
- [z] is the voiced version of [s]
- [j] is the voiced version of [sh]
- [d] is the voiced version of [t]
- [b] is the voiced version of [h]
- [p] is the semi-voiced version of [h]
Form: Hiragana characters are distinct for their fluid and rounded shapes. This characteristic gives them a soft and accessible aesthetic, reflecting their original use in Japanese imperial court literature.
ア イ ウ エ オ ← Katakana
本 雨 船 人 家 ← Kanji
You will quickly notice the difference. 😉
🪜 The Japanese Writing System
The Japanese writing system is unique, consisting of three distinct yet complementary alphabets: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. Each of these systems plays a crucial and inseparable role in the Japanese language, making their mastery essential. Hiragana is used for native Japanese words and grammar, providing a phonetic foundation for the language. Katakana, on the other hand, is employed for borrowed words from other languages, foreign proper names, and certain onomatopoeias, facilitating the integration of diverse concepts and cultures. Kanji, inherited from Chinese, represents ideas or objects with unique characters, enriching the language with nuances and depth.
If Hiragana represents each sound of the Japanese language, then why not write everything with this alphabet only? Well, yes and no! Let's dispel this myth! Seriously, as you progress in learning the language, you will realize that it's not possible and that Kanji is necessary for text comprehension. Kanji may seem complicated at first, but you won't be able to do without them and you'll embrace them later.
In summary, think of the Japanese writing system as a tripod. Remove one leg and everything collapses. Think it's too long to learn? Hiragana and Katakana can be learned in just two weeks, and you'll be able to read and write Japanese at 50-60% (However, please note that this percentage can vary greatly depending on the context).
When and how to use it?
📌 General Uses
Hiragana serves several key functions in Japanese writing. It is used to write native Japanese words for which there are no kanji, or when the author prefers not to use kanji for reasons of clarity or style. It is also used for grammatical particles, verb and adjective endings, and as pronunciation guides (furigana) above or next to kanji, making texts more accessible. Hiragana thus plays a central role in the writing and reading of Japanese, with specific applications that make it indispensable for mastering the language. Here are the main uses of Hiragana:
- Particles: Grammatical particles (such as は [wa], を [o], に [ni], で [de], から [kara], and と [to]) are exclusively written in Hiragana. They are used to indicate the grammatical function of words in a sentence, such as the subject, direct object, location, direction, cause, and manner.
- Verb and Adjective Endings: Verb and adjective conjugations in Japanese are expressed using Hiragana. These endings change according to tense, aspect, modality, and politeness, reflecting the highly inflectional nature of the Japanese language.
- Phrase Connectors: Hiragana is used for conjunctions and expressions that connect sentences or clauses, such as そして (soshite, "and then"), でも (demo, "but"), and なぜなら (nazenara, "because").
- Furigana Reading: To assist with the pronunciation of Kanji, especially for less experienced readers or in texts intended for a wide audience, small Hiragana characters (furigana) are often placed next to Kanji to indicate their reading, as you can see in the image below.
を ⬅️ Marks the direct object of an action or a transitive verb.
に ⬅️ Marks the place, time, or target of an action.
で ⬅️ Marks the location where an action takes place, the manner, or the cause.
から ⬅️ Marks the starting point of an action or movement.
と ⬅️ Marks the person with whom one performs an action or movement.
As you can see, you will find Hiragana everywhere. To conjugate verbs, adjectives, express politeness, negation, etc., it will be written alone or often associated with kanji.
Long Vowels (長音, Chōon)
Long vowels in Japanese are called "長音" (Chōon). They are important for the correct pronunciation of words and can change the meaning of a word if not pronounced correctly. Here's how they work:
For the vowels a, i, u, e, o, the length of the vowel can be indicated by doubling the vowel in Hiragana or Katakana, or by using the character "ー" (chōonpu) in Katakana to extend the previous sound.
- ああ (aa): The vowel a is doubled to create a prolonged sound. Example: "おかあさん" (okaasan) means "mother," where the vowel a is prolonged.
- いい / ええ (ii/ee): The vowel i is often doubled, but e can also be used to extend the sound i in certain occasions, although directly extending e is less common. Example: "せんせい" (sensei) where the sound e is prolonged.
- うう (uu): The vowel u is doubled to create a prolonged sound. Example: "すうがく" (suugaku) means "mathematics," where the vowel u is prolonged.
- おお / おう (oo/ou): The vowel o can be prolonged by doubling o or ou (the latter being more common in words of Chinese origin or in verb conjugations). Example: "おおきい" (ookii) means "big," where the vowel o is prolonged.
- えい (ei): Although written as e followed by i, it is often pronounced as a long vowel e. Example: "せんせい" (sensei) where the sound e is lengthened. In oral practice, it may sound like a long e.
The distinction between short and long vowels is crucial in Japanese as it can change the meaning of words. For example, 「おばさん」(obasan) means "aunt", while 「おばあさん」(obaasan) means "grandmother".
Double Consonants (促音, Sokuon)
Double consonants, or "sokuon", refer to the repetition of a consonant to indicate a very short pause before the pronunciation of the following consonant. In writing, this is represented by a small 「っ」in Hiragana or 「ッ」in Katakana before the doubled consonant. This marks a stopped consonant or a reinforced articulation that affects the pronunciation of the word.
The presence of the sokuon changes the way the word is pronounced, adding a cutting effect or emphasis on the consonant that follows. Not recognizing or mispronouncing the sokuon can lead to misunderstandings, as it can change the meaning of the word.
Contracted Sounds (縮音, Youon)
Contracted sounds, or "youon," occur when a high vowel (i or u) followed by a "y" merges with another vowel to form a shorter and contracted sound. In Hiragana, this is often represented by a character followed by a small 「や」、「ゆ」or 「よ」(ya, yu, yo).
🗒️ Table of Contracted Sounds
* Click on the cards to reveal them
Contracted sounds are essential for correct pronunciation and maintaining the natural rhythm of Japanese. They also help increase the number of sounds available in the Japanese phonetic system, thereby enriching the vocabulary.
Pitch Accent
Pitch accent, or tonal accent, is an important feature of Japanese pronunciation that significantly contributes to the meaning of words. Unlike stress in French, which primarily relies on intensity, duration, or pitch height of certain syllables to mark emphasis, Japanese uses variations in pitch to distinguish words that would otherwise sound identical. This peculiarity can sometimes change the meaning of a word depending on how it is pronounced.
↗️↘️ How Pitch Accent Works
In the Japanese pitch accent system, the pitch of the voice changes at a specific point within the word, creating a contrast between high and low syllables. There are generally four main pitch accent patterns in standard Japanese (Tokyo dialect):
- High-Low (Atamadaka): The first mora (syllable time unit) is pronounced with a high pitch followed by a low pitch on the remaining moras.
- Low-High (Nakadaka): The pitch starts low, rises at some point in the middle of the word, then may remain high or fall.
- Low-High-Low (Odaka): The pitch starts low, rises, then falls again at the end of the word or phrase.
- Flat (Heiban): The first mora is pronounced with a low pitch, and the subsequent moras are all pronounced with a high pitch, often with a drop at the end of the word or when the word is followed by a particle.
Note that pitch accent may vary depending on dialects and regions of Japan.
💬 Importance of Pitch Accent
Pitch accent is crucial for clarity in communication in Japanese. Words that are orthographically identical can have different meanings depending on pitch accent. For example:
- 「はし」(hashi) can mean "bridge" (平板, heiban: low-high) or "chopsticks" (頭高, atamadaka: high-low), depending on pitch.
- 「あめ」(ame) can mean "rain" (頭高, atamadaka: high-low) or "candy" (平板, heiban: low-high).
🎧 Learning Pitch Accent
For Japanese learners, mastering pitch accent can be challenging, especially for those whose native language lacks a similar tonal accent system. Here are some tips for learning:
- Listen Carefully: Listen attentively to native speakers and recordings to distinguish pitch variations.
- Practice and Repetition: Repeat after native speakers or recordings to practice pitch accent patterns.
- Immersion: Exposure to the Japanese language through movies, series, podcasts, or language immersion programs can enhance the ability to recognize and produce correct pitch accent.
A Glimpse of History
Hiragana is not merely a writing system; it represents a vital component of Japanese cultural and linguistic identity. Its history and development are intimately linked to Japan's social, literary, and artistic transformations.
🔧 Development
- Origins: Hiragana originated from man'yōgana, a writing system that used Chinese characters for their phonetic value to transcribe the Japanese language. During the Heian period (794-1185), a simplified and cursive version of these kanji, known as "on'nade" (女手), or feminine writing, began to emerge. This form was primarily used by women of the court, who were often excluded from learning Chinese, the language of scholars and the male ruling class.
- Standardization: Over time, Hiragana was simplified and standardized. During the Kamakura period (1185-1333) and subsequent periods, it became an essential tool for Japanese literature, government documentation, and everyday communication. The writing system continued to evolve alongside the development of the Japanese language itself, eventually reaching its current form.
🎎 Cultural Influences
- Literature and Poetry: Hiragana played a crucial role in the flourishing of Japanese literature. Murasaki Shikibu's "The Tale of Genji," often described as the first modern novel in history, was written in Hiragana and marked a turning point in Japanese literature, showcasing Hiragana's ability to express complex emotions and narratives. Waka poetry, too, thrived through the use of Hiragana, allowing for a more personal and emotional expression than previously dominated forms by kanji and classical Chinese.
- Japanese Society: Beyond literature, Hiragana had a profound influence on Japanese society. Its accessibility enabled greater literacy and broader cultural expression, transcending social classes and genders. Hiragana facilitated the spread of ideas and contributed to the formation of a distinct Japanese cultural identity, promoting a unique language and writing system that differentiated Japan from its Chinese cultural and linguistic influences.
- Education and Communication: Hiragana became the foundation of reading and writing instruction in modern Japanese education. Its relative simplicity compared to kanji makes learning Japanese more accessible to beginners, including foreign learners. Moreover, in an increasingly digital world, Hiragana facilitates text input and online communication, reinforcing its relevance in contemporary Japanese society.
The history of Hiragana is a mirror of Japan's cultural and linguistic evolution. From its origins as a literary expression tool to its role in modern education and communication, Hiragana embodies continuity and change in Japanese culture, illustrating how a writing system can shape and be shaped by the societies it serves.
Learning Tips
Mastering Hiragana is a fundamental step in learning the Japanese language. Here are effective strategies and resources to facilitate this learning process.
🧠 Learning Methods
- Spaced Repetition: Use spaced repetition technique to effectively memorize Hiragana characters. This method involves revising the characters at increasing time intervals to reinforce long-term memory.
- Visual Association: Associate each Hiragana character with its sound. Every time you hear the sound of the corresponding Hiragana, visualize the character in your mind to strengthen the association.
- Learning Applications: Utilize the quizzes on this page to learn them through repetition and quickly recognize them.
- Handwriting Practice: Practice writing each character by hand. This not only helps in memorizing the character shapes but also enhances understanding of stroke order, important for readability.
