Hiragana · beginner

Learn Hiragana Basics — Your First Japanese Alphabet

Start learning Japanese with Hiragana basics. Master the vowel row (あ い う え お) and understand how the Japanese writing system works.

Hiragana is the foundation of Japanese reading. The five vowels あ (a), い (i), う (u), え (e), お (o) are the first characters every learner should memorize. These vowels appear in every row of the Hiragana chart and form the basis of Japanese pronunciation. Unlike English, Japanese vowels have consistent sounds that never change.

Key Vocabulary

JapaneseRomajiMeaning
あafirst hiragana vowel
いisecond hiragana vowel
うuthird hiragana vowel
えefourth hiragana vowel
おofifth hiragana vowel

Example Sentences

  • あい
    ai
    love
  • いえ
    ie
    house
  • うえ
    ue
    above
  • あお
    ao
    blue

Study Tips

  • 1Practice writing each character at least 10 times
  • 2Say the sound out loud as you write
  • 3Use the SkillDojo flashcards to test yourself
  • 4Start reading simple words made only from vowels

Next Topic

Learn Hiragana KA Row — か き く け こ

Continue Learning

HiraganaLearn Hiragana KA Row — か き く け こHiraganaLearn Hiragana SA Row — さ し す せ そKatakanaLearn Katakana Basics — Japanese Writing System for Foreign Words

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