Yukimoji - Learn Japanese

VocabJLPT N1

kana

Noun

Definitions

1. kana
2. Japanese syllabaries (i.e. hiragana and katakana)

This noun refers to the Japanese phonetic writing systems, namely hiragana and katakana, which represent syllables rather than meanings. It is an essential concept for Japanese learners, as these scripts form the phonetic foundation of the written language alongside kanji.

Example sentences

Sentence 1

If that note is all in kana, isn't the meaning kind of ambiguous?

Sentence 2

Where do you draw the line between kana and kanji?

Sentence 3

Somehow, a text written entirely in kana is actually harder to read.

Sentence 4

"The flow of kana looks like waves," he said poetically.

Sentence 5

Even when the kanji are too hard, kana can still get the message across.