a -

i -

u -

e -

o -

ka -

ki -

ku -

ke -

ko -

sa -

shi -

su -

se -

so -

ta -

chi -

tsu -

te -

to -

na -

ni -

nu -

ne -

no -

ha -

hi -

fu -

he -

ho -

ma -

mi -

mu -

me -

mo -

ya -

yu -

yo -

ra -

ri -

ru -

re -

ro -

wa -

wo - (only used as a particle)

n -

These are all the basic hiragana letters. The rest are simply combinations of two hiragana. (For Example: to make the 'sha' sound - add (shi) + (ya) = (sha) - Notice how the second letter is smaller; but we will look at this latter)

A

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ebig.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/ho.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/a.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - Ah! INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'love' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'good'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/u.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'to meet' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/u.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'to say'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hki.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hku.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hke.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hko.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET

ka

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/o.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'face' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ka.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'squid' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/u.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'to buy' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ka.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'red'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/o.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ki.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'big' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ki.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'train station' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ki.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - - This is the sound monkeys make in Japanese

- This means 'the number 9' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ku.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'to go' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/u.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ki.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'air'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ke.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'pond'- This means 'hair'

- This means 'child' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/u.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ko.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/u.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'airport' NOTE: the in this word only makes the character before it longer (It isn't pronounced as a separate syllable) INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'love' or 'carp (fish)' or a rude form of 'Come here!' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/e.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'voice'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hshi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hsu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hse.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hso.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET

SA

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ke.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'sake' - (watch the pronunciation) INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/sa.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'morning' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/sa.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'this morning' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/sa.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'umbrella'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/shi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'stone' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/shi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'leg' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/shi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'delicious' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/shi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'cow'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/su.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'chair' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/shi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'sushi'- This means 'to like (someone or something)'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/se.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'sweat' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ki.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'chair' or 'seat' (another word for seat is isu)

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/so.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'a lie' or 'not true' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ko.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'there'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hchi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/htsu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hte.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hto.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET

TA

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ta.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'down' or 'below' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ko.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'octopus' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ta.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'cel phone ' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ta.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'song'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/chi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'the number one' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/chi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'the number seven' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/chi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'mouth' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/chi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'father'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/tsu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'when?' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/tsu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'hot' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/tsu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'shoes'

- This means 'hand' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ki.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'enemy' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/te.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ki.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'nice'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/to.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'sound' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/to.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'outside' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/to.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'later'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hni.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hnu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hne.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hno.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET

NA

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/tsu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'summer' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/tsu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ka.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/shi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'sweet memory' or 'reminiscent' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/na.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'hole'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/shi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'west' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ni.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'older brother' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/o.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'smell' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ni.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'what?'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/nu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'dog' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/nu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'to die' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/nu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ki.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'raccoon'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/tsu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'fever' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ne.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'older sister' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ko.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'cat'

- This means 'apostrophe S' (possession) INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ko.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/no.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/te.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'cat's hand' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/no.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'this''

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hhi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hfu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hhe.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hho.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET

JA

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'yes' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/shi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'bridge' or 'chopsticks'- This means 'tooth'

- This means 'day' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/to.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'person'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ne.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'ship' or 'boat' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/fu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'skin'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ta.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'not good at' or 'poor at' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ki.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'calm' or 'peaceful'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/shi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'star' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/shi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'want' or 'would like' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ne.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'bone'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hmi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hmu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hme.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hmo.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET

MA

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ma.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'now' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ma.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'island' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/chi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'town' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ma.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'horse'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/shi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'bug INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/mu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'to bite' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/mu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'cold'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/shi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'business card' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/me.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'rain' or 'candy'- This means 'eye' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/me.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'princess'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/mo.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'potato' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/shi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'if' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/mo.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'heavy'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hyu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hyo.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET

YA

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ya.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'parent' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ya.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'room'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ki.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'snow' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/yu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'winter' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/me.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'dream' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/u.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/me.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'fame' or 'famous' (note: the u and the i are used here to extend the characters before it - So really 'dream' and 'fame' have the same sounds but 'fame' is pronounced longer)

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'good' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ko.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'the side' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/yo.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'strong'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hri.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hru.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hre.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hro.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET

RA

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ra.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'from' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ra.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'plate' or 'dish' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ra.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'the sky'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ri.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'bird' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ri.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'glue' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ri.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'impossible'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ru.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'to come' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ru.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'monkey' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ru.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'delicious'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'to bow' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/re.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'beautiful' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/tsu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/re.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'impolite'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ro.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'color' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ro.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'white' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/mo.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/shi.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/ro.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'interesting'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hn.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/hwo.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET

WA

- This means 'river' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/wa.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'garden'

- This means 'river' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/wa.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'garden' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/wa.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'cute'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/n.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'gold' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/n.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'three' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/n.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'yes' - more informal than hai

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/n.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/wo.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/yo.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/mu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'to read a book' - Book ( INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/n.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET ) is the direct object

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/wa.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/i.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'cute'

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/n.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'gold' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/n.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'three' INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/n.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'yes' - more informal than hai

INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/n.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/wo.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/yo.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/mu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET - This means 'to read a book' - Book ( INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/n.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET ) is the direct object

PART ONE - ADDING THE "TEN TEN"

How to make the 'ten-ten' letters. A 'ten-ten' is like a double- quote (") It changes the sound of the letter to a harder sound. You can ONLY 'ten-ten' the 'K' row, the 'S' row, the 'T' row and the 'H' row. (look at the chart to the right - the red ones are the ones with slightly difficult pronunciation)

Now look at the chart below. You will see that

the 'K' row becomes 'G' (still the same good ole ka only with a ten-ten ; notice it is a harder sound)

the 'S' row becomes 'Z' (again harder sound)

the 'T' row becomes 'D'

the 'H' row becomes 'B' or 'P' ('B' is with a ten-ten (ex. ba) and 'P' is with a circle (ex. pa))

PART TWO - Combinations

Usually easy... BASE + a smaller ya, yu, or yo

ki + ya = kya

(be careful with the boldfaced ones)

AND (be careful with the boldfaced ones)

PART THREE - Small TSU

One more thing... You have learned tsu - But sometimes it appears smaller than other letters. This causes a slight pause or break between syllables.

Example: INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/yo.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/to.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET chotto (which means 'a little') pronounced "cho - to" with a slight break between syllables. In romaji it is usually written by repeating the next consonant as with 'choTTo.'

Example: zasshi (magazine) pronounced "za - shi"

PRACTICE AT THE HIRAGANA FLASHCARDS PAGE

There are only 5 vowel sounds

All other characters (except n) are made of a consonant sound and one of the 5 vowel sounds.

The not-so-logical-pronunciation letters are chi, tsu, and fu. BE CAREFUL

The R letters are pronounced somewhere between the R and L sounds of English -

n cannot be used to start a word

You cannot 'ten-ten' vowels

Combinations are formed using only ya, yu, and yo 'helpers' and the i column (ki, shi, chi, ni, hi, mi, ri)

A small tsu causes a slight pause or break between syllables. For example in English we say a slight pause after "book" in "booK Club"Here are two examples in Japanese where the small tsu can clear up / cause a lot of problems! INCLUDEPICTURE "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/gif/hiragana/stsu.jpg" \* MERGEFORMATINET HYPERLINK "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/hki.htm" \t "new" gakki - musical instrument and HYPERLINK "http://www.thejapanesepage.com/hki.htm" \t "new" gaki - brat, annoying kid