Katakana Chart with Pronunciation
Katakana is mainly used for foreign loanwords such as γ³γΌγγΌ (coffee), for foreign names, for sound effects and for emphasis.
Below is every katakana character in the A Star Japanese lessons with how to pronounce it. Say each one aloud as you read down the list.
All katakana characters and sounds
| Character | Pronunciation |
|---|---|
| γ’ | a β same sound as γ |
| γ€ | i β same sound as γ |
| γ¦ | u β same sound as γ |
| γ¨ | e β same sound as γ |
| γͺ | o β same sound as γ |
| γ« | ka β like γ |
| γ | ki β like γ |
| γ― | ku β like γ |
| γ± | ke β like γ |
| γ³ | ko β like γ |
| γ΅ | sa β like γ |
| γ· | shi β curves UP, dots point RIGHT. Like γ but angular. |
| γΉ | su β like γ |
| γ» | se β like γ |
| γ½ | so β long diagonal. Different from γ³ (n)! |
| γΏ | ta β like γ |
| γ | chi β like γ‘ (NOT ti) |
| γ | tsu β curves DOWN, dots point DOWN. Different from γ· (shi)! |
| γ | te β like γ¦ |
| γ | to β like γ¨ |
| γ | na β like γͺ |
| γ | ni β like γ« |
| γ | nu β like γ¬ |
| γ | ne β like γ |
| γ | no β diagonal slash, like a "no" symbol |
| γ | ha β like γ― |
| γ | hi β like γ² |
| γ | fu β like γ΅ (both lips, not teeth) |
| γ | he β like γΈ (same shape as hiragana!) |
| γ | ho β like γ» |
| γ | ma β like γΎ |
| γ | mi β like γΏ |
| γ | mu β like γ |
| γ‘ | me β like γ, looks like a Γ |
| γ’ | mo β like γ |
| γ€ | ya β like γ |
| γ¦ | yu β like γ, U-shaped |
| γ¨ | yo β like γ, looks like E with extra bar |
| γ© | ra β tongue tap between r and l |
| γͺ | ri β tongue tap + i |
| γ« | ru β tongue tap + u |
| γ¬ | re β tongue tap + e |
| γ | ro β like a square box |
| γ― | wa β like γ |
| γ² | wo/o β almost never used except as particle |
| γ³ | n β curves left then right. Different from γ½ (so)! |
| What does γΌ mean in katakana? | Long vowel mark β extends the preceding vowel sound. γ³γΌγγΌ = kΕhΔ« (coffee) |
| γ³γΌγγΌ | kΕhΔ« β coffee β |
| γγ¬γ | terebi β television πΊ |
| γ¬γΉγγ©γ³ | resutoran β restaurant π½οΈ |
| γγ³ | pan β bread π (from Portuguese!) |
| γγΌγ« | bΔ«ru β beer πΊ |
| γΏγ―γ·γΌ | takushΔ« β taxi π |
| γγγ« | hoteru β hotel π¨ |
| γΉγγ | sumaho β smartphone π± |
| γ’γγΌγ | apΔto β apartment |
| γ³γ³γγ | konbini β convenience store πͺ |
| γ’γ€γΉγ―γͺγΌγ | aisukurΔ«mu β ice cream π¦ |
| γγ§γ³γ¬γΌγ | chokorΔto β chocolate π« |
| γΉγΌγγΌ | sΕ«pΔ β supermarket π |
| γγ€γ¬ | toire β toilet / bathroom π» |
| γ¨γ¬γγΌγΏγΌ | erebΔtΔ β elevator / lift |
| γ¨γΉγ«γ¬γΌγΏγΌ | esukarΔtΔ β escalator |
| γ‘γγ₯γΌ | menyΕ« β menu |
| γ΅γ©γ | sarada β salad π₯ |
| γ±γΌγ | kΔki β cake π° |
| γΈγ₯γΌγΉ | jΕ«su β juice π§ |
| γγΉ | basu β bus π |
| γγ³γ·γ§γ³ | manshon β apartment building (NOT mansion!) |
| γ’γ«γγ€γ | arubaito β part-time job (from German Arbeit!) |
| γ«γ©γͺγ± | karaoke β karaoke π€ (kara = empty + oke = orchestra) |
| γ’γγ‘ | anime β animation / anime |
| γγ³γ¬ | manga β comics / manga π |
| γ¨γ’γ³γ³ | eakon β air conditioning |
| γγ¬γΌγ³γ | purezento β present / gift π |
Learn katakana with stroke-order practice
The free A Star Japanese app teaches katakana step by step with stroke-order animations, listening practice and quizzes. Free on iPhone and Android.
Free on iPhone and Android Β· No ads
Frequently asked questions
How many katakana characters are there?
There are 46 basic katakana characters, matching the 46 basic hiragana, with extra sounds made using the same small marks and small γ£, γ₯ and γ§.
What is katakana used for?
Katakana writes foreign loanwords, foreign names, many company and product names, sound-effect words and words that need emphasis.
Should I learn hiragana or katakana first?
Hiragana first. It is used in every Japanese sentence, and once you know it, katakana is much quicker because the sounds are the same.