Japanese Language Learning CH-1

Class 1 – Japanese Alphabet (Hiragana)

Chapter 1: Introduction to Hiragana

Objective: Learn the basic Hiragana letters and their pronunciation.

1. What is Hiragana?

Hiragana is a set of Japanese letters used for native Japanese words.

There are 46 basic Hiragana characters.

Each character represents one sound (syllable).

2. Vowels (あいうえお – a, i, u, e, o)

Hiragana Romanization English Sound

あ a “ah” as in “car”

い i “ee” as in “see”

う u “oo” as in “food”

え e “eh” as in “red”

お o “oh” as in “go”

あ = あめ (ame = candy)

い = いぬ (inu = dog)

う = うみ (umi = sea)

え = えき (eki = station)

お = おに (oni = demon/monster)

Chapter 2: K-Series (か, き, く, け, こ)

Hiragana Romanization English Sound

か ka “ka” as in “car”

き ki “kee” as in “key”

く ku “koo” as in “cool”

け ke “keh” as in “kettle”

こ ko “koh” as in “coal”

Make words: かさ (kasa = umbrella), くつ (kutsu = shoes).

Chapter 3: S-Series (さ, し, す, せ, そ)

Hiragana Romanization English Sound

さ sa “sa” as in “sun”

し shi “she” as in “sheep”

す su “soo” as in “suit”

せ se “seh” as in “set”

そ so “so” as in “soda”

Simple words: さかな (sakana = fish), すし (sushi = sushi).