Katakana from the beginningJapanese words

*Let's learn KATAKANA!* Katakana is one of the *three Japanese character sets*. Like hiragana, it was formed during the 9th century by *simplifying* particular *Kanji parts*. Katakana is used for the transcription of *loan words* from foreign languages or to *emphasize* certain words. First, we introduce the *basic 5 vowels*: "ア" *a* "イ" *i* "ウ" *u* "エ" *e* "オ" *o*

*Syllable alphabet* Like hiragana, *katakana* vowels can be combined with 7 consonants - *k, s, t, n, h, m, r, y, or w* - which together make *46 basic katakana* letters. There are four exceptions that we must *keep in mind*: 1. Consonant *s* followed by "イ" gives us "シ" pronounced as *shi*. 2. Consonant *t* followed by "イ" gives us "チ" pronounced as *chi*. 3. Consonant *t* followed by "ウ", gives us "ツ" pronounced *tsu*. 4. Consonant *h* followed by "ウ", gives us "フ" pronounced as *fu*. Column *y* can be combined only with vowels "ア" "ウ" and "オ": "ヤ" *ya* "ユ" *yu* "ヨ" *yo* Row *w* is combined only with the vowel "ア": "ワ" *wa* Try not to confuse it with "ウ" or "フ" :) The last of the basic 46 Hiragana letters is the consonant "ン" pronounced as *n*. Do not mix it with "ソ". Katakana might be a little bit harder than hiragana but we are sure you will ace it!

*Let's practice words with these vowels!*

*Modified forms* In this set of cards, we are introducing *modified forms* of the 46 basic Katakana letters, which, like in Hiragana help us to describe more sounds. The first modifier is called *dakuten* which is indicated with *two small commas*. It represents the voiced sound of "カ", "サ", "タ" and "ハ" row syllables. Japanese does not use modified "ヂ" and "ヅ" very often, so we omitted them. *Dakuten* turns an unvoiced consonant into a voiced consonant: *k* becomes *g* *s* becomes *z* *t* becomes *d* *h* becomes *b*

*Handakuten* The second modified form is called *handakuten* which is indicated with a *small circle*. It represents the voiced sound of "ハ" row syllables. Consonant *h* becomes consonant *p*.

*Yōon* The third modified form is called *yōon*. It is a combination of the consonant of *i* column syllables and small "ャ" "ュ" "ョ". The first example is consonant *k* + "ャ" = "キャ". *Yōon* is described by *i* column letter plus small "ャ". "キ" + "ャ" = "キャ"

*Sokuon* Next, we are introducing *sokuon* which represents a *pause between two syllables* and *doubles the following consonant*. It is described by a small "ッ". Below we give a few examples to see how it works.

*Prolonging* You probably have already noticed that "ー" makes the word *sound longer*. Below we again give a few examples.

*Let's practice words with the modified forms!*