Katakana

Introduction

Katakana is one of the Japanese alphabets. They are not used in the same way as Katakana: Katakana are not used for grammar or for writing Japanese words, but for writing foreign words.

They are also known as Japanese syllabaries because they do not represent letters (as we know from the English alphabet) but syllables.

Usage

Katakana are used to write:

• words of foreign origin
• proper nouns of foreign origin, for example : Steven (スティーブン, sutiibun)
• onomatopoeia or small expressive words, for example : when something shines (ピカピカ, pika pika)
• words you want to emphasise (e.g. in TV programmes or newspapers)

Classification

Basically, Katakana consists of a set of fundamental characters: the Gojūon (literally ‘fifty sounds’, although only 46 remain today).
In addition, some Katakana can be modified or combined to form other sounds, these sets are: the Dakuon, the Handakuon and the Yōon.

Gojūon

See the list of Gojūon.

Dakuon & Handakuon

The dakuten ゛(also called tenten) is put at the top right of a Katakana (like an exponent).
The Katakana on which the dakuten can be added are : カ (ka), キ (ki), ク (ku), ケ (ke), コ (ko), サ (sa), シ (shi), ス (su), セ (se), ソ (so), タ (ta), チ (chi), ツ (tsu), テ (te), ト (to), ハ (ha), ヒ (hi), フ (fu), ヘ (he), ホ (ho).

For example, adding a dakuten to the Katakana ハ (ha) will give バ (ba).

The handakuten ゜(also called maru) is like the dakuten, it looks like the degree symbol and is also placed at the top right of a hiragana.
The Katakana on which the handakuten can be added are: ハ (ha), ヒ (hi), フ (fu), ヘ (he), ホ (ho).

For example, adding a handakuten to the Katakana ハ (ha) will give パ (pa).

See the list of Dakuon & Handakuon.

Yōon

The Katakana combination will always include 2 characters.
The first Katakana will be from among: キ (ki), ギ (gi), シ (shi), ジ (ji), チ (chi), ニ (ni), ヒ (hi), ビ (bi), ピ (pi), ミ (mi), リ (ri).
The second Katakana that forms the composition will be among: ヤ (ya), ユ (yu), ヨ (yo). It will be written smaller.

For example, combining the Hiragana キ (ki) and や (ya) will result in キゃ (kya).

See the list of Yōon.