Complete reference with all 46 katakana characters, voiced and semi-voiced variants, and combination characters. Hover any cell to see a loanword example.
Also see: Hiragana Chart →Katakana serves five distinct functions in modern Japanese writing.
Katakana covers exactly the same syllables as hiragana. Each character maps directly to a hiragana counterpart. Hover to see a loanword example.
The same dakuten (゛) and handakuten (゜) system from hiragana applies identically to katakana, producing the same sound changes.
ガ行
ザ行
ダ行
バ行
パ行 (handakuten)
Katakana combination characters work exactly like hiragana yōon — a large character plus a small ャ、ュ、or ョ forms a single syllable. These are extremely common in loanwords.
Base キ
Base シ
Base チ
Base ニ
Base ヒ
Base ミ
Base リ
Base ギ
Base ジ
Base ビ
Base ピ
Both scripts represent identical sounds. The difference is entirely contextual.
| Feature | Katakana (カタカナ) | Hiragana (ひらがな) |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Angular, sharp, geometric strokes | Curved, flowing, rounded strokes |
| Primary use | Foreign words, names, technical/scientific terms | Native Japanese words, particles, verb endings |
| Example | コーヒー (coffee) | たべる (to eat) |
| Feeling/register | Foreign, technical, modern, emphatic | Native, soft, grammatical, everyday |
| Historical origin | Buddhist scholarly annotations (9th century) | Cursive simplification of man'yōgana (9th century) |
What is katakana?
Katakana (カタカナ) is one of Japan's three writing systems. Like hiragana, each character represents a syllable, and the two scripts represent identical sounds. Katakana is used primarily for foreign loanwords, foreign names, scientific terms, and onomatopoeia. Its angular appearance makes it visually distinct from the rounded hiragana.
How many katakana characters are there?
There are 46 base katakana characters, matching exactly the 46 base hiragana characters in the sounds they represent. Adding voiced (濁音) and semi-voiced (半濁音) variants brings the total to 71, and with combination characters (拗音) the full system covers approximately 104 sounds.
Should I learn katakana after hiragana?
Yes — most learners study hiragana first, then katakana immediately after. Since both scripts cover identical sounds, katakana is much faster to learn once you know hiragana. Many learners complete both in 3–4 weeks combined. Katakana is essential for reading menus, product labels, and any text with foreign words.
Why does Japanese need both hiragana and katakana?
The two scripts evolved separately in the Heian period (794–1185). Hiragana developed from simplified cursive kanji, used in literature and poetry. Katakana developed from kanji components, used in scholarly annotation. Over centuries they settled into complementary roles — hiragana for native grammar, katakana for foreign vocabulary — that persist in modern Japanese.
Using katakana correctly in real writing (knowing when to use it, correct long vowels with ー) takes practice. ZISTICA MOJIIQ spots your mistakes instantly — for free.
Check My Japanese →Hiragana chart