Learn kana

Make friends with
hiragana & katakana.

Japanese uses two sound-based scripts alongside kanji. Start with flowing hiragana, then meet angular katakana. Both guides include a clear chart, pronunciation and simple romaji typing practice.

Choose either script below. You can switch between them at any time. No account needed.

Your first Japanese script

Learn hiragana

The flowing script used for Japanese words, grammar and reading guides.

Open the hiragana chart →
Build on familiar sounds

Learn katakana

The angular script used for borrowed words, foreign names, emphasis and more.

Open the katakana chart →
From sounds to words

Bring your kana into kanji.

You do not need perfect kana recall before beginning. Keep these free guides nearby while MasterKanji introduces shapes, kanji meanings and readings, then vocabulary using those characters.

Try the free kanji course