Hiragana and katakana charts

Structure of Japanese Spring 2017

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This chart displays the hiragana and katakana symbols, and shows how they can be romanized or
transliterated using a slightly modied version of the kunrei system.

Remember that transliteration is a type of spelling system, which may not always correspond directly to
linguistically motivated mental representations.

I. The "50 Sound" chart basic kana syllabary

Hiragana is shown on the left, katakana on the right

see (II) for additional information

<a> <i> <u> <e> <o>
no longer used

no onset; vowel only | | | | |

< k > onset | | | | |

< s > onset | | | | |

< t > onset | | | | |

< n > onset | | | | |

< h > onset | | | | |

< m > onset | | | | |

< y > onset | | |

< r > onset | | | | |

< w > onset | ( | ) ( | ) ( | )

Special kana for mora nasal (< N >): |

 II. Hiragana from (I) with special uses

Kana Compositional value Special value

< ha > < wa > when used as topic marker

< he > < e > when used as locative

(< wo >
< o > when used as accusative case sux
no longer in use)

III. Consonant-glide combinations

Pa ern: Use < Ci > kana plus small < ya yu yo > to make < Cya Cyu Cyo >

< ki > + small < ya > > < kya > (katakana )

Examples: < ni > + small < yu > > < nyu > (katakana )

< ti > + small < yo > > < tyo > (katakana )

IV. Kana with diacritics

Hiragana is shown on the left, katakana on the right

<a> <i> <u> <e> <o>

< g > onset | | | | |

< z > onset | | | | |

< d > onset | | | | |

< b > onset | | | | |

< p > onset | | | | |

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