Katakana chart: learn the 46 basic characters
If hiragana is your first Japanese kana set, katakana is the natural second step. The sounds are largely the same; what changes is the shape. Katakana appears especially in loanwords, foreign names, brand-like terms, sound effects and some kinds of emphasis.
The 46 basic katakana
Connect katakana to sounds you already know
Do not learn each symbol as a completely new sound. γ’ is a, just like γ. γ« is ka, just like γ. This reduces the task to learning new visual forms for familiar syllables.
γ β γ« = ka
γ β γ· = shi
γ€ β γ = tsu
Why katakana matters immediately
Many everyday Japanese words borrowed from other languages are written in katakana:
γγ¬γ β television
γ’γ‘γͺγ« β America
γγγ« β hotel
That means katakana quickly turns into practical reading, not just alphabet practice.
Watch the confusing pairs
Beginners often mix up γ· / γ and γ½ / γ³. Their stroke direction and angle are important. Practice them side by side instead of waiting to confuse them repeatedly inside words.
γ½ so Β· γ³ n
Three marks you will meet soon
- γΌ extends a vowel, common in loanwords such as γ³γΌγγΌ.
- γ is a small tsu that helps mark a doubled consonant.
- Small γ£, γ₯, γ§ combine with other kana for sounds such as γγ£.
You do not need to master every extended katakana combination before you can start reading simple words.
A better practice routine
- learn 5β10 symbols at a time;
- say each sound aloud;
- compare it to its hiragana equivalent;
- read short real words;
- review recognition in spaced repetition.
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