Dakuten and Handakuten
How consonant sounds change.
Japanese writing system
Kana: Hiragana and Katakana
Kana consists of two Japanese syllabaries: Hiragana and Katakana. This hub gives you a clear study order and links to every core topic.
What is Kana?
Hiragana is used for native Japanese words, endings and particles. Katakana is used for loanwords, names and emphasis. The two systems represent the same sounds with different character shapes.
Recommended order: Hiragana, additional Hiragana rules, Katakana, similar characters and extended combinations.
Recommended study order
Follow the sequence from top to bottom. Each topic builds on the foundation before it.
- 1 Hiragana The complete chart and basic reading rules.
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2 Dakuten and Handakuten Voiced consonants and the P row. Planned
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3 Small ゃ / ゅ / ょ Contracted sounds such as kya, shu and cho. Planned
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4 Small っ Consonant doubling and the short pause. Planned
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5 Long vowels Vowel length and the ー mark. Planned
- 6 Katakana The second syllabary: chart and reading rules.
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7 Extended Katakana Additional combinations for modern loanwords. Planned
Kana learning materials
The library links to published lessons and marks upcoming topics without creating empty URLs.
Hiragana chart and rules
The 46 basic characters, row patterns and reading rules.
Open lessonKatakana chart and rules
The second syllabary for loanwords and names.
Open lessonSmall ゃ / ゅ / ょ
How sounds such as kya, shu and cho are formed.
Small っ
Consonant doubling inside a word.
Long vowels
How Kana represents vowel length.
Practice in the application
Read the explanation, then make it stick
After each topic, practise recognition, reading and writing in a short balanced daily session.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start learning Kana?
Start with Hiragana, study its additional rules and then move to Katakana.
Should I learn Hiragana and Katakana at the same time?
Learning them in sequence is usually clearer because the character shapes are less likely to blend together.
How many basic Kana characters are there?
Each basic syllabary contains 46 main characters. Additional combinations build on that foundation.
Continue learning
Return to the full Japanese roadmap or continue with a focused lesson.