Hiragana chart: learn the 46 basic characters first

Published August 28, 2026 · DeckLearn USA

If you are starting Japanese from zero, your first goal is not kanji. It is learning to recognize and pronounce the 46 basic hiragana automatically. Once these symbols stop feeling like drawings, beginner words and sentences become much easier to read.

Start with the five vowels

These five sounds are the foundation of the chart. Most other rows combine a consonant sound with the same vowel order.

Then learn the rows in small groups

Do not try to master all 46 in one sitting. A better approach is to learn a small group, read it aloud, mix the order, and then review it again later.

The complete basic set

Read tiny words as soon as possible

Recognition becomes stronger when the symbols appear inside words.

At this stage, keep the examples in hiragana. There is no benefit in forcing kanji before the writing system itself feels comfortable.

What comes after basic hiragana?

Next come voiced sounds such as が and ざ, then combinations such as きゃ, しゅ and ちょ. After that, add katakana and very short sentences.

How to review hiragana in Anki

Use short recognition cards and mix directions. See き and recall the sound, but also hear or think ki and recall the symbol. Once recognition is stable, move quickly into words and sentences so kana becomes reading rather than isolated memorization.