Memorising the Hiragana and Katakana

This website introduces a powerful way of remembering the Japanese kana alphabets. For a novice Japanese learner, knowing these from the outset is a great boost to ones confidence. The mnemonics outlined here will allow you to learn each alphabet in just a few hours, so hold tight...

Before you start:

• Grab a pen and some scrap paper.
• You may find it useful to print out a kana table. This will serve as a handy reference later on. You can obtain one from www.japan-zone.com (Go to the Language section).

You will be shown each kana symbol in turn along with the corresponding sound, and a mnemonic. Each time, you must follow these four steps:

1. Look at the symbol and read the romaji sound.

2. Read the mnemonic, and make sure you understand how it relates to the symbol.

3. Visualise the mnemonic in your head (you may want to close your eyes), then recall the shape of the kana symbol in your mind's eye.

4. Write down the symbol on paper a few times, from memory. Each time you do this, say the pronounciation out loud.