Introduction to Katakana
Katakana is used primarily for foreign words, scientific terms, company names, and emphasis. It has the same sounds as hiragana but different character shapes.
When to Use Katakana
- Foreign words: コーヒー (coffee), パソコン (personal computer)
- Company names: トヨタ (Toyota), ソニー (Sony)
- Scientific terms: ウイルス (virus)
- Onomatopoeia: ドキドキ (heart beating)
- Emphasis: Similar to italics in English
The 5 Basic Vowels
アa
イi
ウu
エe
オo
Katakana Study Tips
1. Learn Similar Characters Together
Some katakana look similar. Learn them in groups:
- シ (shi) vs ツ (tsu) - stroke direction differs
- ソ (so) vs ン (n) - ソ strokes go down-right, ン goes down
- ウ (u) vs ワ (wa) - ワ has an extra stroke
2. Practice Reading Loanwords
Japanese uses many English loanwords. Practice reading:
- コンピューター (computer)
- インターネット (internet)
- レストラン (restaurant)
- テレビ (television)
3. Extended Sounds
In katakana, long vowels are written with ー:
- コーヒー (koohii - coffee)
- ケーキ (keeki - cake)
Practice Katakana
Ready to learn? Start practicing katakana now with our interactive tool!