Katakana: The Essential Guide to Japanese Loanwords

If you want to read menus in Japan, understand anime character names, or recognize borrowed words in Japanese, then katakana (カタカナ) is your new best friend! While hiragana is used for native Japanese words, katakana is primarily used for foreign loanwords, onomatopoeia, and emphasis.

What is Katakana?

Katakana is one of the three writing systems in Japanese, alongside hiragana and kanji. It consists of 46 basic characters, just like hiragana, but with a sharper, more angular look.

🔹 Fun Fact: Many English words make their way into Japanese through katakana, often with a twist! For example, コーヒー (kōhī) means "coffee," and コンピュータ (konpyūta) means "computer."

The 46 Basic Katakana Characters

Here are the basic Katakana characters you’ll learn.

ア (a) イ (i) ウ (u) エ (e) オ (o) カ (ka) キ (ki) ク (ku) ケ (ke) コ (ko) サ (sa) シ (shi) ス (su) セ (se) ソ (so) タ (ta) チ (chi) ツ (tsu) テ (te) ト (to) ナ (na) ニ (ni) ヌ (nu) ネ (ne) ノ (no) ハ (ha) ヒ (hi) フ (fu) ヘ (he) ホ (ho) マ (ma) ミ (mi) ム (mu) メ (me) モ (mo) ヤ (ya) ユ (yu) ヨ (yo) ラ (ra) リ (ri) ル (ru) レ (re) ロ (ro) ワ (wa) ヲ (wo) ン (n)

How to Write Katakana (Stroke Order)

Just like hiragana, katakana characters follow a specific stroke order that helps improve legibility. Practicing correct stroke order from the start will make your writing look more natural and readable.

📝 Tip: Use our Japanese Dictionary to see animated stroke orders for each character!

Take a look at the first character you’ll learn with Katakana. ア (a). Nihongo Master shows you how to write it, pronounce it as well as print practice sheets so you can write it at home.

ア
The Katakana character for 'A'
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Katakana Pronunciation Guide

Katakana pronunciation is identical to hiragana, but because it’s often used for foreign words, some sounds may feel different.

  • ティ (ti) is pronounced "tee" rather than the native Japanese "chi."

  • ファ (fa) sounds like "fa" in "fast."

  • ヴ (vu) represents a "v" sound, which doesn’t exist in native Japanese.

Common Uses of Katakana

  1. Foreign Loanwords:

    • Taxi → タクシー (takushii)

    • Ice cream → アイスクリーム (aisukurīmu)

  2. Onomatopoeia:

    • ドキドキ (dokidoki) → The sound of a heartbeat

    • ワンワン (wanwan) → The sound of a dog barking

  3. Emphasis in Writing:

    • Similar to using ALL CAPS in English, katakana is sometimes used for emphasis in advertisements or manga.

Tricks to Memorize Katakana Faster

Memorizing katakana can be challenging, but here are some tips:

  • Use mnemonics: Associate characters with images (e.g., “シ” (shi) looks like a sideways smile!).

  • Practice daily: Writing and reading katakana frequently will help reinforce it.

  • Try flashcards or SRS apps like Nihongo Master’s drills to boost retention.

🔹 Cultural Note: Did you know McDonald's in Japan is called マクドナルド (Makudonarudo)? Some words get a whole new twist in katakana!

Want to learn Katakana?

Nihongo Master's lessons start with teaching you how to read, write and pronounce all the Katakana characters. Fast. Start learning now!

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Next Steps: Mastering Japanese Writing

Once you’ve mastered katakana, you’re ready to:

  • Learn hiragana if you haven’t already.

  • Start reading and writing kanji.

  • Practice real Japanese sentences with Nihongo Master’s structured lessons.