Japanese alphabets

The Japanese language consists of three different alphabets;

Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji (Kanji means "Chinese Character" in Japanese).

Both Hiragana and Katakana are syllabic alphabet. Each character represents a sound.

They both represent exactly the same sounds (some of them even look quite similar).

Example:  　Hiragana あいうえお（a i u e o)　Katakana アイウエオ（a i u e o)

Hiragana is used for native Japanese words.      Ex. すし

Katakana is used for foreign words.  　Ex.コンピュータ

There are 46 characters in Basic Hiragana and Basic Katakana.  There are also Mix Hiragana and Mix Katakana, and they are called Dakuon, Handakuon, and Youon.

Hiragana

Basic--46 characters 　　Dakuon and Handakuon--25       Youon-36

Katakana

Basic--46 characters        Dakuon and Handakuon--25         Youon--36 

Hiragana Chart         Mix Katakana Chart (Dakuon Handakuon Youon)


Katakana Chart        Mix Katakana Chart (Dakuon Handakuon Youon)


These are a lot!  But as long as you memorize basic letters, it is easy to learn mix letters.

The difficult part of learning Japanese writing is Kanji. But do not worry!   Even Japanese people struggle with Kanji..

Kanji—over 8000  

Kanji came from China,  An average adult Japanese speaker must know at least 2000.

If you want to live in Japan, I think you will need to know at least 1000 Kanji...^^;