Written by Rahul Kumar Singh · Published 14 June 2026
If you're just starting to learn Japanese, you've probably heard the same advice over and over again: "Learn Hiragana first." And honestly, it's good advice.
Hiragana is the foundation of the Japanese writing system. Before you can read simple sentences, understand grammar, or prepare for the JFT-Basic or JLPT exams, you need to become comfortable with these characters.
The good news? There are only 46 basic Hiragana characters. While they may look unfamiliar at first, they're much easier to learn than most beginners expect.
In this guide, I'll explain what Hiragana is, why it's important, how to learn it efficiently, and share practical tips that helped me remember it.
What Is Hiragana?
Hiragana (ひらがな) is one of the three writing systems used in Japanese. The other two are:
- Katakana (カタカナ) – mainly used for foreign words and loanwords.
- Kanji (漢字) – Chinese characters used to represent words and ideas.
Think of Hiragana as the alphabet you'll use every single day. While Japanese doesn't have an alphabet like English, Hiragana serves a similar purpose because every beginner learns it first.
Many grammar endings, particles, and even entire words are written in Hiragana. For example:
- わたし (watashi) – I
- あなた (anata) – you
- ありがとう (arigatou) – thank you
- おはよう (ohayou) – good morning
Why Should You Learn Hiragana First?
Some beginners want to jump straight into Kanji because it looks more "Japanese." I made the same mistake when I started.
The problem is that Kanji becomes much easier once you're already comfortable reading Hiragana. Without Hiragana, even the simplest grammar explanations become confusing.
Learning Hiragana first allows you to:
- Read beginner textbooks.
- Understand pronunciation.
- Learn grammar naturally.
- Read children's books.
- Start speaking with confidence.
- Prepare for the JFT-Basic and JLPT exams.
Simply put, everything else in Japanese builds on Hiragana.
The 46 Basic Hiragana Characters
Japanese Hiragana is organized into rows based on vowel sounds.
| Vowel | Characters |
|---|---|
| A | あ い う え お |
| K | か き く け こ |
| S | さ し す せ そ |
| T | た ち つ て と |
| N | な に ぬ ね の |
| H | は ひ ふ へ ほ |
| M | ま み む め も |
| Y | や ゆ よ |
| R | ら り る れ ろ |
| W | わ を |
| N | ん |
Don't try to memorize this entire chart in one sitting. Learning one row at a time is much more effective.
Hiragana With Dakuten and Handakuten
After mastering the basic characters, you'll notice small marks added to some Hiragana. These change the pronunciation.
For example:
- か → が
- さ → ざ
- た → だ
- は → ば
- は → ぱ
Although these look like new characters, they're simply modified versions of the originals.
Combination Sounds (Yōon)
Japanese also combines certain characters to create new sounds. Examples include:
- きゃ (kya)
- きゅ (kyu)
- きょ (kyo)
Other examples: しゃ, しゅ, しょ, ちゃ, ちゅ, ちょ, にゃ, ひゃ, みゃ, りゃ. You'll encounter these frequently in everyday vocabulary.
Long Vowel Sounds
Long vowels are common in Japanese. Examples:
- おかあさん (mother)
- せんせい (teacher)
- おにいさん (older brother)
Pay attention to these because changing the vowel length can change the meaning of a word.
Small っ (Sokuon)
The small 「っ」 indicates a brief pause before the next consonant. Examples:
- がっこう (school)
- きって (stamp)
- ざっし (magazine)
Beginners often ignore the small 「っ」, but doing so changes pronunciation.
Hiragana Stroke Order Matters
Many learners think stroke order isn't important. In reality, learning the correct stroke order helps you:
- write faster
- recognize characters more easily
- remember them longer
If you plan to handwrite Japanese, practice the correct order from the beginning.
Common Hiragana Mistakes Beginners Make
1. Confusing 「あ」 and 「お」
These characters can look similar at first. Practice writing them side by side.
2. Mixing Up 「ぬ」 and 「め」
Many beginners confuse these because of their similar shapes. Repeated writing practice helps solve this quickly.
3. Forgetting 「ん」
Unlike other characters, 「ん」 represents only one sound. It's used in many common words.
4. Reading Too Slowly
Don't pronounce every character individually forever. Instead of "あ・り・が・と・う", practice reading "ありがとう" as one smooth word.
How I Would Learn Hiragana in One Week
If I had to start over, my study plan would look like this:
- Day 1: Vowels and K row
- Day 2: S row and T row
- Day 3: N row and H row
- Day 4: M row and Y row
- Day 5: R row, W row, and ん
- Day 6: Dakuten and Handakuten
- Day 7: Combination sounds, reading/writing practice, and review
Studying for 20–30 minutes every day is much more effective than trying to learn everything in one session.
Tips That Helped Me Memorize Hiragana
Write Every Character
Reading alone isn't enough. Write each character several times while saying it aloud.
Read Simple Japanese Every Day
Children's books, signs, menus, and beginner stories all help reinforce Hiragana naturally.
Use Flashcards
Flashcards are great for quick review, especially during short breaks.
Practice Listening
When you hear Japanese while looking at Hiragana, your brain starts connecting sounds with characters.
Review Daily
Review yesterday's characters before learning new ones. This simple habit prevents forgetting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hiragana difficult?
Not really. Most learners can recognize all 46 characters within a week or two with consistent practice.
Should I learn Hiragana before Katakana?
Yes. Hiragana is used much more often, especially in beginner materials.
Do I need Hiragana for the JFT-Basic?
Absolutely. The JFT-Basic assumes you can read Hiragana comfortably, so it's one of the first skills every candidate should master.
When should I start learning Kanji?
Once you're comfortable reading Hiragana, begin learning basic Kanji alongside new vocabulary. There's no need to wait until your Hiragana is perfect.
Final Thoughts
Learning Hiragana is the first major milestone in your Japanese journey. At first, the characters may seem confusing, but after a few days of consistent practice, you'll start recognizing them everywhere.
Don't rush the process. Focus on reading, writing, listening, and reviewing a little every day. Once Hiragana becomes second nature, learning grammar, vocabulary, Kanji, and preparing for the JFT-Basic exam becomes much easier.
Remember, every fluent Japanese speaker started with these same 46 characters—and now it's your turn.
Good luck with your Hiragana preparation, and 頑張ってください! (Good luck!)
Rahul Kumar Singh
I build and write NihongoDoya. I'm a Japanese learner from Nepal — currently preparing for the JLPT N4 at a language school with native Japanese teachers — and I publish the study system I use myself, free for everyone. More about me · Say hello