Japanese uses three writing systems: hiragana, katakana and kanji. For beginners, a common question is: where do I start? This guide will help you understand the differences and the best learning order.
The Three Japanese Writing Systems
Hiragana (ひらがな)
Hiragana is the fundamental Japanese writing system. It contains 46 characters, each representing a syllable. It has soft, rounded shapes. It's used for native Japanese words, grammatical particles and to write words whose kanji you don't know.
Examples: あ (a), い (i), う (u), え (e), お (o), か (ka), き (ki), く (ku)...
Katakana (カタカナ)
Katakana also has 46 characters representing the same sounds as hiragana, but with more angular, sharp shapes. It's used for foreign words, foreign names, onomatopoeia and for emphasis.
Examples: ア (a), イ (i), ウ (u), エ (e), オ (o), カ (ka), キ (ki), ク (ku)...
Kanji (漢字)
Kanji are characters of Chinese origin. Each kanji represents a concept and can have multiple readings. Modern Japanese uses about 2,136 common kanji. They're more complex but allow for faster reading.
Examples: 山 (mountain), 川 (river), 日 (day), 月 (moon), 人 (person)
Quick Comparison
| System | Characters | Appearance | Main Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiragana | 46 | Rounded | Native words, grammar |
| Katakana | 46 | Angular | Foreign words, emphasis |
| Kanji | 2,136+ | Complex | Nouns, verbs, adjectives |
The Right Order: Which to Learn First?
1. First: Hiragana
Hiragana is absolutely the starting point. With hiragana you can write any Japanese word and read beginner materials. Most textbooks use hiragana for the first lessons. Time needed: 1-2 weeks.
2. Second: Katakana
After hiragana, learn katakana. Many everyday words in Japan are in katakana (コーヒー = coffee, パン = bread, テレビ = TV). If you go to Japan, you'll be able to read menus and signs. Time needed: 1-2 weeks.
3. Finally: Kanji
Once you've mastered hiragana and katakana, start with kanji. Begin with the simplest and most frequent (N5). Kanji is a long but rewarding journey. Time needed: ongoing, for years.
How Long Does Each System Take?
- Hiragana: 1-2 weeks (studying 30 min/day)
- Katakana: 1-2 weeks (studying 30 min/day)
- Basic kanji (N5): 2-3 months
- All common kanji: 2-4 years
Important Tip
Don't use romaji (Latin script) as a crutch. Many beginners rely too much on romaji and this slows learning. Switch to hiragana as soon as possible to build a solid foundation.
