In Japanese writing, katakana is primarily used for foreign loanwords (such as words borrowed from English), onomatopoeia, scientific and technical terms, and for emphasis (similar to italics in English). It is also used to write the names of foreign people, places, and companies.

Katakana represents the same set of sounds as hiragana. For each hiragana character, there is a corresponding katakana character that represents the same sound. In the chart below, the organization follows the same row-and-column structure as the hiragana chart, with rows grouping related sounds and columns reflecting consistent vowel patterns. Italicized letters in parentheses in the following chart indicate typing input (how the katakana sequence is entered on an English keyboard). As you practice, focus on connecting each sound with the distinct, more angular shape of its katakana form.

Katakana Chart
Row/Column A-column I-column U-column E-column O-column
Vowel row

ア

a

イ

i

ウ

u

エ

e

オ

o
K-row

カ

k a

キ

k i

ク

k u

ケ

k e

コ

k o
S-row

サ

s a

シ

s i or s h i

ス

s u

セ

s e

ソ

s o
T-row

タ

t a

チ

t i or c h i

ツ

t u or t s u

テ

t e

ト

t o
N-row

ナ

n a

ニ

n i

ヌ

n u

ネ

n e

ノ

n o
H-row

ハ

h a

ヒ

h i

フ

h u or f u

ヘ

h e

ホ

h o
M-row

マ

m a

ミ

m i

ム

m u

メ

m e

モ

m o
Y-row

ヤ

y a		 …

ユ

y u		 …

ヨ

y o
R-row

ラ

r a

リ

r i

ル

r u

レ

r e

ロ

r o
W-row

ワ

w a		 … … …

ヲ

w o
ん-row

ン

n or nn

The same caution we discussed in hiragana ん applies here, too. The last symbol ン in the chart is considered as a syllable by itself and NEVER begins a Japanese word. To write the sound n a, n i, n u, n e, and n o, the characters ナ, ニ, ヌ, ネ, and ノ (N-row) must be used. As explained in the hiragana section, the sequences like ンア or ンイ... are considered two separate characters and never combined into a single character. Katakana ヲ (bottom row in the table) is almost never used in modern Japanese.

🌸 Cultural Note

School children in Japan learn katakana by using the katakana chart arranged vertically starting from the top-right katakana ア as shown below. It is read vertically like ア, イ, ウ, エ, オ, and each column is read from the right to the left.
Katakana Chart
Katakana Chart Used in Japan
Japanese manga comic books are rich in sound expressions and onomatopoeia (e.g., footsteps, swift movement through the air, collisions). These are typically written in katakana. Can you find the following katakana characters in the comic book below?
a Japanese manga: Ranma 1/2 「らんま1/2」 (Vol. 1),
by Rumiko Takahashi

ダダダダ… ダンッ ビッ フワ… ドビュ

2: Additional Activities

Try to become familiar with the pronunciation and forms of each katakana character at your own pace. Ask your instructor how to write your name in katakana, and practice reading and writing it in ways that work best for you.

  1. Create flexible flashcards. You may use note cards, a digital flashcard app, or a screen reader–friendly document. Include the katakana character and its reading (in katakana or another format that supports your learning, such as audio). Review them whenever it is convenient for you.
  2. Practice writing in an accessible format. Repetition can help reinforce learning, but you may choose the method that suits you best—handwriting on paper, typing on a keyboard, or tracing digitally. Focus on recognizing and producing each character rather than the number of repetitions.
  3. Use multiple modes of support. Combine visual, auditory, and/or tactile approaches (さわるグリフ) as needed. For example, listen to audio while viewing the characters, or use assistive technologies that read the text aloud.
  4. Seek additional support. If you need help, contact your instructor for guidance or alternative materials. You may also use supplementary resources such as Genki Self Tutor or other accessible learning tools.