平仮名(ひらがな)

平仮名(ひらがな) 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(ひら) (ordinary, simple) + 仮名(かな) (phonetic script). Developed from simplified cursive forms of 漢字(かんじ).

JAPANESE WRITING SYSTEMS:

• 平仮名(ひらがな): cursive syllabary (46 basic characters)
• 片仮名(かたかな): angular syllabary (for loanwords, emphasis)
• 漢字(かんじ): Chinese characters (meaning-based)

USES OF HIRAGANA:

• Grammatical particles: は、が、を、に
• Verb and adjective endings (送(おく)り仮名(がな))
• Words without standard kanji
• Furigana (reading aids above kanji)

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

• 平仮名(ひらがな)で書(か)く: to write in hiragana
• 平仮名(ひらがな)表(ひょう): hiragana chart