Katakana · Beginner guide
Learn katakana with shapes you can remember.
Connect each kana shape to a sound using a memory picture, then check your recall with a short quiz. A small group at a time is an approachable way to get started.
Free kana learning and practice · No account neededWhat is katakana?
Katakana appears in loanwords, foreign names, sound effects and words given special emphasis. Recognizing it helps you read menus, signs and everyday Japanese. Hiragana and katakana are phonetic scripts: most symbols represent a syllable-like sound, rather than one English letter. Together they are called kana. If you are looking for Japanese alphabet practice, these two scripts are the place to start.
Learn the vowels, then one row at a time
Begin with ア (a), イ (i), ウ (u), エ (e), オ (o). Open a memory picture, notice how the illustrated shape relates to the character and listen to its sound. Then try recalling the sound from the character alone. Move on to the k-row and s-row when those first five feel familiar.
Use pictures as a bridge to reading
Memory cues are reminders, so let the Japanese audio guide your pronunciation. Compare easily confused shapes such as シ and ツ, or ソ and ン. Alternate the picture guide with multiple-choice quizzes, then type readings without hints to see what you can recall.
Keep meeting the characters in words
Return to a few difficult kana each day and look for them in simple words. Once both scripts feel familiar, use the Japanese 3,000-word vocabulary deck to practice readings and meanings with spaced repetition. Your homepage shows where to continue your review.
Good to know
How long does it take to learn katakana?
It depends on your experience and how often you practice. Focus on steady recall instead of a fixed deadline: learn a small group, revisit misses and read simple words to make the characters familiar.
Are there memory pictures for both scripts?
Yes. The kana guide includes illustrated memory cues for the 46 basic hiragana and 46 basic katakana, with additional sounds built from the same shapes. You can listen and test your memory inside the guide.