1.
hiragana
The cursive Japanese syllabary, used for native Japanese words and grammatical elements.
平仮名で書いてください。
Please write it in hiragana.
子供はまず平仮名を習います。
Children first learn hiragana.
平仮名は46文字あります。
There are 46 hiragana characters.
この漢字を平仮名で読めますか。
Can you read this kanji in hiragana?
日本語を勉強する時は、まず平仮名から始めるのが普通です。
When studying Japanese, it's normal to start with hiragana.
平仮名 is one of the three main Japanese writing systems. It is the first script most learners study and the foundation of Japanese literacy.
ETYMOLOGY:
平 (ordinary, simple) + 仮名 (phonetic script). Developed from simplified cursive forms of 漢字.
JAPANESE WRITING SYSTEMS:
- 平仮名: cursive syllabary (46 basic characters)
- 片仮名: angular syllabary (for loanwords, emphasis)
- 漢字: Chinese characters (meaning-based)
USES OF HIRAGANA:
- Grammatical particles: は、が、を、に
- Verb and adjective endings (送り仮名)
- Words without standard kanji
- Furigana (reading aids above kanji)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 平仮名で書く: to write in hiragana
- 平仮名表: hiragana chart
Related Words
Related:
片仮名 (katakana)