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カJapanese Katakana Mnemonics

Lock all 46 katakana characters plus modifiers using mnemonics that build on your hiragana knowledge, then decode real Japanese menus, signs, and brand names on sight.

Foundations14 drops~2-week path · 5–8 min/daylanguages

Phase 1Why Katakana, Why Now

See why katakana runs the loanword half of Japanese

4 drops

  1. Katakana runs the loanword half of Japanese

    6 min

    Katakana runs the loanword half of Japanese

  2. Katakana is hiragana with the curves straightened

    6 min

    Katakana is hiragana with the curves straightened

  3. シ vs ツ and ン vs ソ: the four shapes that confuse everyone

    6 min

    シ vs ツ and ン vs ソ: the four shapes that confuse everyone

  4. Reuse the community's picture library

    6 min

    Reuse the community's picture library

Phase 2Row-by-Row: Lock Every Katakana

Lock each row with mnemonics contrasted against hiragana twins

5 drops

  1. A-I-U-E-O in angular form: アイウエオ

    7 min

    A-I-U-E-O in angular form: アイウエオ

  2. Ka-Ki-Ku-Ke-Ko and Sa-Shi-Su-Se-So in angular form

    8 min

    Ka-Ki-Ku-Ke-Ko and Sa-Shi-Su-Se-So in angular form

  3. Ta-Chi-Tsu-Te-To and Na-Ni-Nu-Ne-No

    8 min

    Ta-Chi-Tsu-Te-To and Na-Ni-Nu-Ne-No

  4. Ha-Hi-Fu-He-Ho and Ma-Mi-Mu-Me-Mo

    8 min

    Ha-Hi-Fu-He-Ho and Ma-Mi-Mu-Me-Mo

  5. The last 11: Ya-Yu-Yo, Ra-Ri-Ru-Re-Ro, Wa-Wo, and ン

    8 min

    The last 11: Ya-Yu-Yo, Ra-Ri-Ru-Re-Ro, Wa-Wo, and ン

Phase 3Long Vowels and Foreign-Sound Digraphs

Add long vowel marks and katakana-only foreign-sound digraphs

4 drops

  1. The long dash: ー replaces the doubled vowel

    7 min

    The long dash: ー replaces the doubled vowel

  2. Voicing marks work exactly like hiragana

    6 min

    Voicing marks work exactly like hiragana

  3. Small ァィゥェォ: katakana-only digraphs for foreign sounds

    7 min

    Small ァィゥェォ: katakana-only digraphs for foreign sounds

  4. Small ッ: the katakana pause that powers sound effects

    6 min

    Small ッ: the katakana pause that powers sound effects

Phase 4Decode Menus, Signs, and Brand Names from Memory

Decode real menus, signs, and brand names without a chart

1 drop

  1. Decode a real menu, sign, and brand shelf on sight

    20 min

    Decode a real menu, sign, and brand shelf on sight

Frequently asked questions

Why is katakana harder to remember than hiragana?
This is covered in the “Japanese Katakana Mnemonics” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
How do I tell katakana and hiragana apart at a glance?
This is covered in the “Japanese Katakana Mnemonics” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
How long does it take to learn katakana with mnemonics?
This is covered in the “Japanese Katakana Mnemonics” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
Do I really need katakana if I already know hiragana?
This is covered in the “Japanese Katakana Mnemonics” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
What's the trick to reading katakana loanwords out loud?
This is covered in the “Japanese Katakana Mnemonics” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.

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