Writing/ Reading: Katakana
Katakana カタカナ
This chapter, we will learn how to read and write Katakana.
Please read “Writing System” first.
Katakana information and practice site (JOSHU)
You can use Katakana mnemonic pictures to learn katakana reading.
Learn how to read and write (stroke order )
アイウエオ Katakana カタカナ table (JOSHU)
You can practice writing with
Hira/Kata Drawing Practice pad (created by UT student Kenneth Le)
ア〜ノ
Check stroke order and sound: Katakana カタカナ table ア〜ン (JOSHU)
You can practice writing with Hira/Kata Drawing Practice pad (created by UT student Kenneth Le)
Katakana Trace with stroke order ア〜ン
N | T | S | K | ||||||
ナ | na | タ | ta | サ | sa | カ | ka | ア | A |
ニ | ni | チ | chi | シ | shi | キ | ki | イ | I |
ヌ | nu | ツ | tsu | ス | su | ク | ku | ウ | U |
ネ | ne | テ | te | セ | se | ケ | ke | エ | E |
ノ | no | ト | to | ソ | so | コ | ko | オ | O |
Trace and practice Katakana ア〜ノ (print out and write)
Use a blank Practice sheet if you would like practice more by yourself.
Katakana chart with stroke order
シとツKatakana practice sheet (print and write)
Practice Katakana sounds ア〜ノ(330)
ハ〜ン
Check stroke order and sound: Katakana カタカナ table ア〜ン (JOSHU)
You can practice writing with Hira/Kata Drawing Practice pad (created by UT student Kenneth Le)
Katakana Trace with stroke order ア〜ン
W | R | Y | M | H | ||||||||
ン | n | ワ | wa | ラ | ra | ヤ | ya | マ | ma | ハ | ha | A |
リ | ri | ミ | mi | ヒ | hi | I | ||||||
ル | ru | ユ | yu | ム | mu | フ | hu (fu) |
U | ||||
レ | re | メ | me | へ | he | E | ||||||
ヲ | (w)o | ロ | ro | ヨ | yo | モ | mo | ホ | ho | O |
Trace and practice Katakana ハ〜ン (print out and write)
Use a blank Practice sheet if you would like practice more by yourself.
Katakana chart with stroke order
ソとンKatakana practice sheet (print out and write)
Practice Katakana sounds ハ〜ン (331)
Practice Katakana sounds ア〜ン (329)
Practice Katakana ア〜ン flashcards
ガ〜ポ
Check カタカナtable ガ〜ポ
You can practice writing with Hira/Kata Drawing Practice pad (created by UT student Kenneth Le)
p | b | d | z | g | |
パ | バ | ダ | ザ | ガ | a |
ピ | ビ | (ヂ) | ジ | ギ | i |
プ | ブ | (ヅ) | ズ | グ | u |
ぺ | べ | ゼ | ゼ | ゲ | e |
ポ | ボ | ゾ | ゾ | ゴ | o |
Trace and practice Katakana ガ〜ポ (print out and write)
Use a blank Practice sheet if you would like practice more by yourself.
Practice Katakana flash cards ア〜ン ガ〜ポ audio
Practice Katakana Flash cards ア〜ン ガ〜ポ letters
Practice two-Katakana words Flash cards audio
Practice three-Katakana words Flash cards audio
Double Consonants 「ッ」
Just like Hiragana, double consonants(pp, kk etc.) are written using small tsu 「ッ」which double the sound it precedes.
beddo (bed) ベッド
kappu (cup) カップ
kukku (Cooke, Cook, cook) クック
Double Vowels 「ー」
Unlike Hiragana, double vowels (aa, ii, uu, ee, oo) are written using 「ー」a bar.
supootsu (sports) スポーツ
doraibu mai kaa (“drive my car“) ドライブ マイ カー
sakkaa (soccer) サッカー
Practice four-Katakana words Flash cards audio
キャ〜ピョ
Small ya/ yu/ yo ヤ・ユ・ヨ for glade sounds
Check カタカナtable キャ〜ピョ
W | R | Y | M | H | N | T | S | K | ||
ン | ワ | ラ | ヤ | マ | ハ | ナ | タ | サ | カ | A |
リ | ミ | ヒ | ニ | チ | シ | キ | I | |||
ル | ユ | ム | フ | ヌ | ツ | ス | ク | U | ||
レ | メ | へ | ヌ | テ | セ | ケ | E | |||
ヲ | ロ | ヨ | モ | ホ | ノ | ト | ソ | コ | O |
ry | my | py | by | hy | ny | ch | j | sh | gy | ky | |
rya
リャ |
mya
ミャ |
pya
ピャ |
bya
ビャ |
hya
ヒャ |
nya
ニャ |
cha
チャ |
ja
ジャ |
sha
シャ |
gya
ギャ |
kya
キャ |
a |
ryu
リュ |
myu
ミュ |
pyu
ピュ |
byu
ビュ |
hyu
ヒュ |
nyu
ニュ |
chu
チュ |
ju
ジュ |
shu
シュ |
gyu
ギュ |
kyu
キャ |
u |
ryo
リョ |
myo
ミョ |
pyo
ピョ |
byo
ビョ |
hyo
ヒョ |
nyo
ニョ |
cho
チョ |
jo
ジョ |
sho
ショ |
gyo
ギョ |
kyo
キョ |
o |
Trace and practice Katakana キャ〜ピョ
(print out and write)
Use a blank Practice sheet
if you would like practice more by yourself.
Practice Katakana flash cards ガ〜ポ キャ〜ピョ(audio)
Practice Katakana flash cards ガ〜ポ キャ〜ピョ(letters)
Practice キャ〜ピョ audio (332)
Practice words audio (333)
Katakana Translation meaning (335)
Katakana Typing from English(334)
Practice five-Katakana words Flash cards audio
Practice six-Katakana words Flash cards audio
Katakana transcription practice all
English Words in Katakana
Some sounds in the other languages are not existed in Japanese. (Please see Pronunciation/ Syllables chapter) So, when those words becomes “loaned words (aka Katakana words),” some transformation will be applied.
Check カタカナ table イェ〜ヴォ
sounds | replace | examples |
[l] and [r] | ラリルレロ | rice (ライス) lice (ライス) rock (ロック) lock (ロック) |
[si] | シ | seat (シート) |
no vowel ; consonant sound only | insert vowels after consonants | strike (sutoraiki: ストライキ) beer (biiru; ビール) |
[th] | サ ザ | thank you (サンキュー) the star (ザ スター) Stranger Things (ストレンジャーシングス) |
[f] | ハヒフへホ | coffee (コーヒー) foot ball (フットボール) smart phone (スマホ) |
[v] | バビブベボ | volley ball (バレーボール) violin (バイオリン) Darvish (ダルビッシュ) vitamine (ビタミン) |
[s] | シ | sheet (シーツ) system(システム) |
[tu] | ツ | twitter (ツイッター) tuna(ツナ) |
Practice Katakana meaning in English (251)
Practice Katakana meaning in English 2 (254)
Practice US states in English 1 (340)
Practice US states in English 2 (341)
Practice World in English (366)
Practice Katakana words (2 letters) (336)
Practice Katakana words (3 letters)(337)
Practice katakana words (4 letters) (338)
Practice to type Katakana words (3 letters audio)(351)
Transcription Practice ALL glade etc.
Listen to Katakana words and check katakana writing and meaning of each word.
1 | ビール | biiru | beer |
2 | コーヒー | koohii | coffee |
3 | クラシック | kurasshikku | classic |
4 | ゴルフ | gorufu | golf |
5 | バスケットボール | basuketto booru | basketball |
6 | デート | deeto | date |
Yookoso Textbook Practice Part 5
Katakana and Meanings
Innovative Katakana
After many loan words that sounds are not existed in Japanese are introduced, new innovative katakana, combination with other vowels or changing size, are created.
innovative Katakana | Sounds | innovative Katakana | meaning | alternative Katakana |
イェ | ye | イェール | Yale (University) | イエール |
ウィ | wi | ウィキペディア | wikipedia | |
ウェ | we | ウェブサイト | website | |
ウォ | wo | ウォッチメン | Watchmen | |
(キェ) | (kye) | キェル | Kjeld (name) | ケル |
(ギェ) | (gye) | ギェルダグヴェルフィ | Gerdahverfi (iceland) | |
クァ | kwa | クァンダ | Qanda | |
クィ | kwi | クィア・アイ | Queer Eye | |
クェ | kwe | クェスチョンマーク | question mark | クエスチョンマーク |
クォ | kwo | クォーター | quater | クオーター |
シェ | she | シェイクスピア | Shakespeare | |
ジェ | je | ジェトロ | JETRO | |
チェ | che | チェス | chess | |
ツァ | tsa | ツァー | Czar; Tsar | |
ツィ | tsi | ツィ | Tzi (name) | |
ツェ | tse | ツェッペリン | Led Zeppelin or Zeppelin | |
ツォ | tso | カンツォーネ | Canzone | |
ティ | ti | オースティン | Austin | オースチン |
ディ | di | ディズニー | Disney | |
デュ | du | デューク | Duke (name or Uni.) | |
トゥ | tu | アルトゥーべ | Altuve (name) | アルテューベ |
ドゥ | du | ドゥ | do (What do you mean?) |
(ヒェ) | (hye) | デヒャンツキルヒェ | Dechantskirchen (place) | |
ファ | fa | ファーゴ | Fargo(place) or Fargo | |
フィ | fi | オフィス | office | |
フュ | fyu | パフューム | perfume or Perfume | |
フェ | fe | カフェ | cafe | |
フォ | fo | フォーク | fork | |
ヴァ | va | ヴァイオリン | violin | バイオリン |
ヴィ | vi | ヴィーナス | venus | ビーナス |
ヴ | vu | ラヴ | love | ラブ |
ヴェ | ve | ベートーヴェン | Beetoven | ベートーベン |
(ヴォ)) | (vo) | ヴォイス | voice | ボイス |
Practice Katakana mixed (innovative) words (352)
You can check your name in Katakana(JOSHU)
Katakana words Flash cards (JOSHU)
Onomatopoeia Usage
Japanese Onomatopoeia: The Definitive Guide (from Tofugu)
(Although this article is not using Katakana specifically, Katakana is commonly used for onomatopoeia.)
Japanese Katakana English words
Katakana words are originally from foreign words; however, many Japanese own katakana words are also created.
Some examples 1 from Japanese Language and Culture
Some examples 2 from Japanese Language and Culture
Transcription Writing 1 ア〜ノ
romanized word | meaning in English all noun can be plural |
Katakana |
ex)aisu | ice | アイス |
auto | out | |
inh(f)uruenza | influenze | |
uuman | woman | |
enjin | engine | |
ookesutora | orchestra | |
kappu | cup | |
kikku | kick | |
kuizu | quiz | |
keeki | cake | |
koohii | coffee | |
sandoicchi | sandwich | |
shiitsu | sheets | |
sukeeto | skate | |
seetaa | sweater | |
sokkusu | socks | |
takosu | taco; tacos | |
chiizu | cheese | |
tsundora | tundra | |
terebi | TV | |
totoro | Totoro (name) | |
nattsu | nuts | |
nikorai (or nikorasu) | Nicholas / Nicolas (name) | |
nuudoru | noodle | |
nekutai | necktie | |
nooto | notebook |
Check your answer with GS_Transcription K1_answer
Transcription Writing 2 ア〜ン, long vowels, double consonants
romanized word | meaning in English all noun can be plural |
katakana |
ex) happii | happy | ハッピー |
haikingu | hiking | |
hitto | hit | |
huraipan | pan | |
heaadoressaa | hairdresser | |
hoteru | hotel | |
masuku | mask | |
mishin | sewing machine | |
muumin | moomin | |
meetoru | meter | |
monsutaa | monster | |
yakuruto | Yakult | |
yuuro | Euro | |
yooguruto | yogurt | |
raamen | ramen | |
risaikuru | recycle | |
ruuru | rule | |
rentakaa | rent-a- car | |
robotto | robot | |
wanpiisu | dress; One Piece | |
airon | iron |
Check your answer with GS_Transcription K2_answer
Transcription Writing 3 ア〜ン、ガ〜ポ
romanized word | meaning in English all noun can be plural |
Hiragana |
ex) gasu | gas | ガス |
gasorin | gasolin | |
gitaa | guitar | |
gurasu | glass | |
geemu | game | |
goruh(f)u | golf | |
piza (or pizza) | pizza | |
jiinzu | jeans | |
zuuruu | Zulu | |
zerii | jello | |
zonbi | zombie | |
daiyamondo | diamond | |
denimu | denim | |
doonatsu (doonattsu) | doughnut (donut) | |
banana | banana | |
biitoruzu | The Beatles | |
burogu | blog | |
benechia | Venezia | |
bokushingu | boxing | |
pan | bread | |
piano | piano | |
purasuchikku | plastic | |
petto | pet | |
posutaa | poster |
Check your answer with GS_Transcription K3_answer
Transcription Writing 4 all katakana
romanized word | meaning in English all noun can be plural |
Katakana |
ex)kyanpu | camp | キャンプ |
kyacchaa | catcher | |
kyuubu | cube | |
kyonshii | Jiangshi | |
shaabetto | sherbet | |
shuuru | surreal | |
misshon inpossiburu | Mission Impossible | |
chansu | chance | |
chuurippu | tulip | |
chokoreeto | chocolate | |
aanya | Anya (name) | |
nyuusu | news | |
eruniinyo | El Nino | |
piihyara | (festive flute sound) | |
hyuusuton | Houston | |
hyonjin | Hyunjin(name) | |
myanmaa | Myanmar | |
myuujikaru | musical | |
myon hyonso | Myung Hyeongseo (name) | |
paerya | paella | |
toryuhu(fu) | truffle | |
toruhiiryo | Trujillo (Peru) |
gyappu | gap | |
regyuraa | regular | |
gyo | Gyo (manga by Jun Ito) | |
adobenjaazu | Advengers | |
juusu | juice | |
jooji kuruunii | George Clooney | |
byatoka | Vyatka(place) | |
rebyuu | review | |
byooku | Björk | |
pyanicchi | Pjanić, (Miralem) name | |
pyuuritan | Puritan | |
pyonchan | Pyeonchang |
Check your answer with GS_Transcription K4_answer
Transcription from JOSHU1
Transcription and meaning practice 1 ア〜ン(JOSHU)
Answer
Transcription from JOSHU2
Transcription and meaning practice 2 ア〜ン+ガ〜ポ(JOSHU)
Answer
Transcription from JOSHU3
Transcription and Meaning Practice 3 ア〜ン;ガ〜ポ; イェ〜ヴォ (JOSHU)
Answer
Transcription from JOSHU4
Transcription Katakana words (with boxes)
Trace and Practice from JOSHU1
Transcription of useful vocabulary 1 (Trace and practice)
Trace and Practice from JOSHU2
Transcription of useful vocabulary 2 (Trace and practice)