WHY we need 3 types of alphabets in Japanese: EXPLAINED! [#8]

Summary

This video introduces the three main types of letters in Japanese: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. It explains the importance and functions of each script, including how they are used in writing and daily communication. Hiragana is the basic alphabet, Katakana is used for foreign loanwords and sound effects, and Kanji conveys meaning through characters borrowed from Chinese. The video also provides tips on learning these scripts, emphasizing the challenge of mastering Kanji and suggesting a gradual approach, starting with Hiragana, then Katakana, and finally Kanji. The goal is to help beginners understand the foundational elements of Japanese writing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji are the three types of letters in Japanese, each serving distinct purposes.
• 😀 Hiragana is the most basic and essential script, used for writing Japanese words and sentences.
• 😀 Katakana, while similar to Hiragana in pronunciation, is used for foreign loanwords, onomatopoeia, and new words.
• 😀 Kanji are characters borrowed from Chinese, representing meanings or images, and are essential for reading more complex words.
• 😀 Hiragana consists of 46 characters and is crucial for understanding and forming sentences in Japanese.
• 😀 Katakana also has 46 characters, but it is used mainly for transliterating foreign words and names.
• 😀 Kanji characters are complex, with thousands existing, but daily life typically involves about 3,000 of them.
• 😀 Kanji has two ways of reading: Onyomi (Chinese pronunciation) and Kunyomi (Japanese pronunciation).
• 😀 Hiragana is used for suffixes (Okurigana), particles, basic words, and furigana (pronunciation guides above kanji).
• 😀 Katakana serves to write foreign loanwords, sound effects (onomatopoeia), and newer, modern words.
• 😀 Learning Japanese letters should begin with Hiragana, followed by Katakana, and then Kanji, as the latter is the most difficult to master.

Q & A

What are the three types of letters in Japanese?

The three types of letters in Japanese are Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji.

What is the main purpose of Hiragana in Japanese?

Hiragana is the basic Japanese alphabet used for reading, writing, and recognizing Japanese words. It is the most fundamental and important script in Japanese.

How many characters are there in Hiragana?

There are 46 characters in Hiragana, each representing a phonetic sound.

What is the difference between Hiragana and Katakana?

While both Hiragana and Katakana contain 46 characters and have the same sounds, they differ in appearance. Hiragana characters are curvy, while Katakana characters are more angular and square-shaped.

Why is Kanji difficult to learn?

Kanji is difficult because it has thousands of characters, each representing a meaning or image. Even native Japanese speakers study Kanji throughout their lives, and memorizing the thousands of characters can be overwhelming.

What is the significance of Kanji in Japanese writing?

Kanji represents meanings through characters, making sentences easier to understand. It is especially important for conveying names and making reading sentences more efficient, as it helps distinguish words in the absence of spaces.

What is Furigana, and why is it used?

Furigana are small Hiragana characters placed next to or above Kanji to help with pronunciation. They are used in situations where Kanji is difficult to read or where a learner may not know the Kanji's reading.

What are the functions of Katakana?

Katakana is used for foreign loanwords, onomatopoeia (sound effects), and new words that already have a Hiragana or Kanji form.

What are some examples of foreign loanwords written in Katakana?

Examples include brand names like 'Nike,' common words like 'basketball,' and foreign names, such as personal names from other languages.

Why is it important to learn Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji?

Learning all three scripts is crucial because they serve different functions in Japanese. Hiragana is used for basic grammar, Katakana for foreign words and sound effects, and Kanji for conveying meaning more efficiently in sentences.