仮名
kana[ka̠ɾʲina̠]
kana is the Japanese term for Japanese syllabaries.
Meaning: Japanese syllabaries (noun)
Which one should you use?
In Japanese writing, kana is used in contrast to kanji, which are logographic characters. The term kana encompasses two major types: ひらがな (hiragana), which is the most common type used for native Japanese words and grammatical particles and カタカナ (katakana), which is primarily used for foreign loanwords and emphasis.
How do you pronounce it?
kana
Did you know?
- The term has a deeper connection to Buddhist philosophy, where it was used to translate the Sanskrit word for 'provisional naming' of things that do not truly exist.
Examples in context
- 日本語を勉強していたとき、漢字はたくさんは使われてなく、仮名に置き換わっていることに気づいた。When learning Japanese, I quickly discovered that many kanji are rarely used, and are often replaced with kana.This sentence shows how kanji are sometimes replaced with 仮名.Tatoeba #7894105 by say123, translation #7894104 by say123
- 祖父は古い仮名遣いで書くことがあるの。My grandfather sometimes writes in the old kana orthography.This sentence illustrates the use of the term in the context of old kana orthography.Tatoeba #13714003 by GreySquirrel, translation #13714004 by GreySquirrel
- 私は仮名を学んでいます。I am studying kana.
- ひらがなとカタカナの違いを教えてください。Please teach me the difference between hiragana and katakana.
- 仮名はひらがなとカタカナのことです。kana wa hiragana to katakana no koto desu.Kana refers to hiragana and katakana.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are studying Japanese characters at a cafe.
- 健太 Kenta仮名を全部覚えるのは大変だね。kana o zenbu oboeru no wa taihen dane.It's hard to memorize all the kana.
- 結衣 Yuiそうだね、でも練習すれば大丈夫だよ。soudane, demo renshuu sureba daijoubu dayo.That's true, but if you practice, you'll be fine.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんはもうマスターしたの？Yui-san wa mou masutaa shita no?Have you mastered them already, Yui?
- 結衣 Yuiまだ練習中だよ。mada renshuu chuudayo.I'm still practicing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kana” translations and entries 仮名, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 仮名, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
