Start Here: Sounds, Script, and Sentence Order
Meet the three scripts, the sound-based nature of kana, and the basic Japanese sentence pattern used in beginner reading.
The three scripts at a glance
Japanese writing mixes hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Hiragana carries grammar endings and many native words. Katakana is used for loanwords and visual emphasis. Kanji carries meaning. Even when a sentence looks unfamiliar, the final predicate still gives you the main action or statement.
わたしは りんごを たべます。
As for me, I eat an apple.
The action word たべます comes at the end, so you only know the full action after you finish the line.
これは ほんです。
This is a book.
A very short sentence still keeps the final predicate at the end.
パンは ここです。
The bread is here.
パン is katakana, which is often used for loanwords. The final です still tells you the sentence type.
Practice guides for this lesson
Use these hub pages to connect this lesson with related reading practice and grammar paths.
N5 Japanese grammar lessons
Use the N5 Japanese grammar lessons guide to connect this lesson with related reading practice.
Open guideJapanese grammar practice
Use the Japanese grammar practice guide to connect this lesson with related reading practice.
Open guideJapanese grammar lessons
Use the Japanese grammar lessons guide to connect this lesson with related reading practice.
Open guide