Hiragana: complete chart and reading rules
Hiragana is the first of the two Japanese syllabaries. Its 46 basic characters each represent one mora. Once you know them, you can read complete words and write the pronunciation of any Japanese word.
Reinforce Hiragana with practice
After the chart, practise recognition, guided writing and reading in short sessions.
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Contents
What is Hiragana?
Hiragana is one of the two Japanese Kana syllabaries. Each character represents a mora, a short sound unit. It is used for native Japanese words, grammatical endings and particles.
You do not need to memorise the chart as 46 unrelated shapes. The rows repeat a clear vowel pattern, which makes the system easier to read and practise.
Complete Hiragana chart
Read each row from left to right: a, i, u, e, o. The row label shows the consonant added to those vowels.
How to read the rows
Learn Hiragana by consonant row. Only the vowel changes inside most rows, so every new group reinforces the same structure.
The five pure vowels are the foundation of the whole chart. Example: 青 - blue.
The K consonant combines with each vowel. Example: 川 - river.
Notice that し is read shi, not si. Example: 寿司 - sushi.
The N row follows the regular consonant and vowel pattern. Example: 猫 - cat.
Dakuten and Handakuten
Two small marks change a character's consonant. Dakuten (゛) voices it, for example か → が (ka → ga). Handakuten (゜) changes the H row into P sounds, for example は → ぱ (ha → pa).
Common mistakes
Several characters have similar outlines. Pay special attention to these pairs when you begin reading:
- ね · れ · わ differ in the lower right stroke.
- め · ぬ - ぬ has a loop at the bottom.
- は · ほ - ほ has an extra upper line.
- る · ろ - る ends with a loop.
- さ · き differ in the number of upper strokes.
Example in a sentence
Test yourself
This short five-question quiz checks character recognition. Choose a reading and see the answer immediately.
How the application reinforces Hiragana
The chart explains the system, while practice makes recognition automatic. Short sessions combine character recognition, guided writing and spaced review.
Guided Kana writing
Trace each character, check its reading and reinforce stroke order - skills a static chart cannot train on its own.
Frequently asked questions
There are 46 basic characters. Dakuten, Handakuten and combinations such as きゃ extend the set, but those 46 form the core.
They represent the same sounds but use different characters. Hiragana is common in native words and grammar, while Katakana is common in loanwords.
Yes. Correct stroke order makes characters easier to write, recognise and remember.
With 10 to 15 minutes a day, many learners recognise all 46 characters within one or two weeks. Fluent reading develops through continued practice.