NihonNestHiragana and katakana
Quick answer
Hiragana and katakana are the two Japanese sound charts. Learn the basic 46 hiragana first, then the basic 46 katakana. Kana is free in NihonNest, and the basic 46 of each script are the gate before words.
How to study them
Do one row at a time. Say the sound, trace the shape, then cover the romaji and recall it. The vowels あいうえお come first. After that, each row adds a consonant: ka, sa, ta, and so on. The ya row and the wa row are shorter. ん is the only consonant that stands alone.
Katakana is the same sounds with different shapes. It is used for foreign words, names, and some food words. Study it only after hiragana feels familiar, so you are matching a new shape to a sound you already know.
Voiced sounds such as ga and za, and the small-character combinations, come after these two charts. In NihonNest they are free as well, and they are not required to clear the kana gate. Kana is free. You do not spend credits on it.
Hiragana, basic 46
Katakana, basic 46
FAQ
How many characters are on this page?
46 hiragana and 46 katakana. These are the basic charts. Voiced sounds and combinations are extra.
Is kana free?
Yes. Kana is free in NihonNest. The hiragana check and the katakana check do not cost credits.
Should I learn katakana first?
No. Learn hiragana first. Katakana uses the same sounds, so the second chart is faster once the first one is steady.
Does finishing kana mean I pass N5?
No. Kana is the start. Words, grammar, reading, and listening come after it. Not an official JLPT score.
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NihonNest is not affiliated with or endorsed by the JLPT. Not an official JLPT score.