Learning hiragana and katakana is an essential skill for anyone interested in Japan, especially those who want to visit Japan or learn more about Japanese culture and language. These characters are the basis for reading, writing and speaking Japanese, so learning them is extremely beneficial. Fortunately, learning hiragana and katakana is much easier and more accessible than many people imagine. In this article, the author, a Dutch resident and Japanophile, explains why learning hiragana and katakana is not as difficult as you might think and takes you on a journey into Japanese culture.
The basics of Japanese characters
The Japanese language has three main writing systems. These are hiragana, katakana and kanji. These characters play a unique role in reading and writing the Japanese language.
Hiragana: Hiragana is a phonetic character that represents the basic syllables of the Japanese language. They can represent all the sounds of the Japanese language and are the first characters learnt by native speakers of Japanese. Grammatical roles such as particles and verb conjugations are also written in hiragana.
Katakana: Like hiragana, katakana is also a phonetic script. It is mainly used to represent words borrowed from foreign languages and onomatopoeia (onomatopoeic and onomatopoeic words). They may also be used for emphasis or special effects.
Kanji: Kanji are ideographic characters that originated in China and are deeply rooted in the Japanese language. Many kanji have multiple readings and their meanings vary according to context. Kanji are used for nouns, verb stems and adjectives.
Three reasons why you should learn hiragana and katakana
Learning Japanese characters can be a gateway to the language. Hiragana and katakana are particularly important for reading and writing Japanese.
You can cover most of the Japanese language: learning hiragana and katakana will cover most of the characters needed to read and write Japanese. Hiragana alone can represent most of the sounds in Japanese. With the addition of katakana, loan words and onomatopoeia from foreign languages can also be expressed.
Advantageous for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT): many learners of Japanese want to prove their Japanese language skills by taking the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), which mainly uses hiragana and katakana, so mastering these characters will help you prepare more effectively for the test.
A deeper understanding of Japanese culture: learning hiragana and katakana also leads to a deeper understanding of Japanese culture. These characters are deeply connected to Japanese history and traditions and appear frequently in the daily lives and cultural expressions of the Japanese people.
Hiragana and Katakana are easier than you think: five reasons why
Hiragana and katakana can be the first hurdles for learners of Japanese.
However, these characters are not as difficult as you might think and are relatively easy to learn for the following reasons.
Fewer characters: hiragana and katakana each have only 46 characters (basic characters). This may seem like a lot of characters compared to the 26 letters of the alphabet, but all you need to remember are the basic characters and the sounds that can be expressed with these combinations.
Logical structure: hiragana and katakana have a very logical and regular structure. Once you understand the basic patterns, you can simply apply them to guess and remember new characters.
Many similar characters: hiragana and katakana have many similar characters. For example, the ‘A’ and ‘A’ lines have the same pronunciation and are related to each other like upper and lower case letters. There are also many characters that have similar character forms in hiragana and katakana, such as ‘ka’ and ‘ka’, and ‘sa’ and ‘sa’.
Easy-to-remember character forms: hiragana and katakana characters have easy-to-remember character forms. Many characters have meaningful shapes to represent their sounds. For example, ‘shi’ represents a finger, ‘ku’ represents a mouth and ‘a’ looks like a human face with a wide open mouth.
A wide range of learning tools: learning hiragana and katakana is a popular skill, which is why there is a wide range of learning tools available. A variety of resources, including flashcards, workbooks and online courses, make learning fun and effective.
Five steps to mastering hiragana and katakana
Here are five steps to mastering hiragana and katakana. By following these steps, you will be able to build a solid foundation in the Japanese language.
Step 1: Memorise the characters: learn the basic hiragana and katakana characters. Print out a character chart or create flashcards, and watch and memorise them repeatedly, little by little, every day.
Step 2: Understand sounds and combinations: understand the pronunciation of each letter and the sound combinations they make. There are many phonological rules in Japanese, so it is a good idea to practise using the diacritics as a guide.
Step 3: Read words: Try reading simple words written in hiragana and katakana. You can use materials written only in hiragana and katakana, such as picture books and manga for children.
Step 4: Write the word: Next, try writing the word in hiragana and katakana. Practising writing in the correct stroke order will deepen your understanding of the characters. You can also practise pronunciation by pronouncing the words as you write them.
Step 5: Understand in context: Try to understand hiragana and katakana in context. Practise reading Japanese texts, identifying the parts written in hiragana and katakana and understanding their meaning.
Feeling Japan from the Netherlands: buying Japanese products in the Netherlands
For those living in the Netherlands who are interested in Japan, visiting Japan can be a wonderful experience. However, there are also many ways to feel Japan in the Netherlands. In particular, you can get a closer look at Japanese culture by visiting shops that sell Japanese imports and Japanese-style products.
Japanese grocery shops: there are a number of Japanese grocery shops in the Netherlands. In these shops you can buy imported foods from Japan and Japanese-style foods. You can find everything you need to enjoy Japanese food, such as rice, noodles, seasonings and sweets.
Online shops: online shops are another convenient way to buy Japanese products. Some shops offer delivery not only within the Netherlands, but also across Europe and from Japan. Online shops offer a wider range of Japanese products, including groceries as well as sundries, books and clothing.
Japanese-style cafés and restaurants: there are an increasing number of Japanese-style cafés and restaurants in the Netherlands. These establishments offer Japanese-style décor, music and service, allowing visitors to enjoy a meal while experiencing Japanese culture.
Travelling to Japan: a Japanese shopping experience
If you have the opportunity to visit Japan, you should definitely enjoy the shopping experience. A variety of shopping experiences, from traditional to contemporary, await you in Japan.
Department stores: There are many large department stores in Japan. These department stores offer a full range of products, including fashion, cosmetics, household goods and food. In particular, don't miss the food sections in the basements.
Drugstores(Pharmacy store): Japanese drugstores differ slightly from Dutch pharmacies. Japanese drugstores offer a wide range of cosmetics, skin and hair care products and health foods. You can also buy souvenirs, snacks and drinks.
100 yen shops: Unique to Japan, 100 yen shops sell a wide range of products for 100 yen (or close to that price). You may find unexpected bargains in daily necessities, stationery, kitchen utensils, confectionery and more.
Traditional markets: There are traditional markets and shopping streets throughout Japan. At these markets, you can buy fresh produce, local specialities and crafts. You can interact with the locals and enjoy a uniquely Japanese shopping experience.
Deepen your knowledge of Japanese culture: learn Japanese!
Learning Japanese is key to gaining a deeper understanding of Japanese culture. By learning Japanese, you will be exposed to Japanese history, traditions and ways of thinking, and gain a deeper understanding of the Japanese mentality.
Japanese language learning resources: there are a wealth of resources for learning Japanese, both online and offline. Choose an online course, app or textbook that suits your learning style and schedule.
Japanese language teachers: Japanese language teachers are there to support you in your Japanese language studies. There are a variety of formats available, including private and group lessons. Japanese language teachers will teach you not only Japanese grammar and conversation, but also Japanese culture and etiquette.
Japanese language community: by learning Japanese, you can become part of a Japanese language community. Through interaction with other learners and speakers of Japanese, you can improve your Japanese language skills and deepen your understanding of Japanese culture.
Conclusion
Learning hiragana and katakana is an important step in your introduction to the Japanese language and culture. These characters are easier to master than you might think and can be useful for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) and for understanding Japanese culture. Even if you live in the Netherlands, you can feel closer to Japan by buying Japanese imports and learning Japanese. And if you have the opportunity to visit Japan, you will have the chance to experience Japanese culture and practise your Japanese through shopping. Learning Japanese will make your trip to Japan richer and more meaningful.
FAQ
Q1)Are there any recommended online shops in the Netherlands where I can buy Japanese products?
A1)Yes, there are several online shops in the Netherlands where you can buy Japanese products. For example, Japan-Store.nl and Japonica offer a wide range of imported and Japanese-style products from Japan.
Q2)Are there any Dutch cafés or restaurants offering Japanese-style interiors and services?
A2)Yes, there are cafés and restaurants in the Netherlands that offer Japanese-style interiors and services. For example, Cafe Manga and Sakura Restaurant are known for their Japanese-style interiors, music and service.
Q3)Do you have any recommendations for online courses or apps for learning Japanese?
A3)Yes, there are many online courses and apps for learning Japanese. For example, apps such as Duolingo and Lingodeer offer gamified lessons for learning Japanese. Online courses such as JapanesePod101 and Japanesebase are also popular.
Q4)How can I find a Japanese language teacher?
A4)You can find Japanese language teachers by searching online or by contacting Japanese language schools or Japanese culture centres. For example, websites such as ‘Italki’ and ‘Verbalplanet’ allow you to connect with Japanese language teachers online and take lessons.