Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 4 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 4
Meet the katakana shapes
Recognize katakana as a separate sound-based script.
a
i
u
e
o
These are the katakana vowels.
Notice the variation
ka ki ku ke ko
The k-row keeps the same sound order.
More detail: how to apply this
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.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Read the kana that are actually present before guessing the source word.
Read ho-te-ru. The familiar meaning, hotel, comes after you decode the Japanese sounds.
hotel
Read the kana that are actually present before guessing the source word.
Showing Try this approach: Everyday words.
Target signal
a i u e o
These are the katakana vowels.
Vocabulary notes
- ア
- katakana letter a
- イ
- katakana letter i
- エ
- katakana letter e
Compare in context
ka ki ku ke ko
The k-row keeps the same sound order.
Vocabulary notes
- カ
- katakana letter ka
- キ
- katakana letter ki
- ケ
- katakana letter ke
Compare in context
pen
A short everyday loanword.
Vocabulary notes
- ペン
- pen
Section 2 of 4
Read short loanwords
Read short loanwords
test
Notice the variation
camera
More detail: how to apply this
Once you know a few shapes, short katakana words become much less intimidating.
Read them as Japanese sound chunks from left to right.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
test
In this example, the message is: test
test
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: test
Showing Read short loanwords: Everyday words.
Target signal
test
Vocabulary notes
- テスト
- test
Preview
camera
Vocabulary notes
- カメラ
- camera
Preview
ice cream
Vocabulary notes
- アイス
- ice cream
Section 3 of 4
Do not force English spelling
Read the kana that are actually present before guessing the source word.
Do not force English spelling
Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue
is ho, the first sound. Do not start with the English sound of “hotel.”
Step 1: Notice the clue
More detail: the reading method
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.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
hotel
In this example, the message is: hotel
hotel
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: hotel
Showing Do not force English spelling: Everyday words.
More examples
Target signal
hotel
Vocabulary notes
- ホテル
- hotel
Preview
bus
Vocabulary notes
- バス
- bus
Preview
notebook
Vocabulary notes
- ノート
- notebook
Section 4 of 4
Compare the meaning
Use the contrast to make a decision. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Example A
Example B
Your turn · decide before revealing
Which pair preserves their different readings?
More detail: what changes and why
Compare and .
Which pair preserves their different readings?
reads shi and reads tsu.
Their similar strokes do not make their sounds the same.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?
reads shi and reads tsu. Their similar strokes do not make their sounds the same.
Which pair preserves their different readings?
Supported meaning: shi / tsu
Use the sentence to choose between these interpretations; do not add information that is only in an answer choice.
Showing Compare the meaning: Everyday words.