Katakana I: Core Symbols

Begin katakana by learning the core symbols and sounding out short everyday loanwords.

Recognize katakana as a separate sound-based script.Read the vowel row and k-row without switching back to romanization.Sound out short borrowed words one chunk at a time.

About 9 minutes · written and reviewed by Haruki Yamamoto

Lesson article

Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context

Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.

Section 1 of 3

Meet the katakana shapes

Katakana uses the same sound system as hiragana, but the shapes are different. Start with the vowel row and the k-row, and say them as Japanese sounds rather than as English letters.

Target signal
アイウエオ
a i u e o
These are the katakana vowels.
Vocabulary notes
ア
katakana letter a
エ
katakana letter e
イ
katakana letter i
Compare in context
カキクケコ
ka ki ku ke ko
The k-row keeps the same sound order.
Vocabulary notes
カ
katakana letter ka
ケ
katakana letter ke
キ
katakana letter ki
Compare in context
ペン
pen
A short everyday loanword.
Vocabulary notes
ペン
pen

Section 2 of 3

Read short loanwords

Once you know a few shapes, short katakana words become much less intimidating. Read them as Japanese sound chunks from left to right.

Target signal
テスト
test
Notice how Katakana I: Core Symbols shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
テスト
test
Preview
カメラ
camera
Notice how Katakana I: Core Symbols shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
カメラ
camera
カ
katakana letter ka
Preview
アイス
ice cream
Notice how Katakana I: Core Symbols shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
アイス
ice cream
ア
katakana letter a
イ
katakana letter i

Section 3 of 3

Do not force English spelling

Katakana words often come from other languages, but you should still read them as Japanese. Hear the Japanese sounds first, then guess the familiar word.

Target signal
ホテル
hotel
Notice how Katakana I: Core Symbols shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
ホテル
hotel
Preview
バス
bus
Notice how Katakana I: Core Symbols shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
バス
bus
Preview
ノート
notebook
Notice how Katakana I: Core Symbols shapes the meaning of this sentence in context.
Vocabulary notes
ノート
notebook

Reading in context

Read for meaning before checking the answer

Before you read

Read once for the situation. Then notice how Katakana I: Core Symbols changes the meaning before you check the translation.

アイウエオカキクケコペンテストカメラアイスホテルバスノートもう一度読みましょう。もう一度読みましょう。もう一度読みましょう。も

Show English translation

a i u e o ka ki ku ke ko pen test camera ice cream hotel bus notebook

Contextual questions

Answer from the passage before you reveal each explanation.

What is the first reading job for this passage?
- Identify the situation and how Katakana I: Core Symbols changes it.
- Translate every word before using context.
- Ignore the ending because only vocabulary matters.
- Choose an answer before reading the full passage.
Check the answer
Identify the situation and how Katakana I: Core Symbols changes it.
The goal is to use the situation first, then confirm the role of Katakana I: Core Symbols in context.

Guided practice

Apply the lesson in a few different ways

Work through each prompt, then check the explanation before moving on.

Activity 1 of 4Choose the best context

Which script is used for many loanwords in Japanese?

Activity 2 of 4Fill the blank

Complete the chunk that carries the lesson meaning (Katakana I: Core Symbols).

＿＿＿イウエオ

Your answer

Activity 3 of 4Put it in order

Put these related examples back into the order used in the lesson.

1カキクケコ
2ペン
3アイウエオ

Activity 4 of 4Infer from the passage

What should guide your interpretation of Katakana I: Core Symbols in the mini-reading?

Mastery check 1/4