New letters Chapter 2 · Katakana · Lesson 16 of 50
ア row · The vowels
The letters
Tap a letter to hear it. The picture and the line under it help you remember the shape.
Why a second alphabet?
Katakana has the same 46 sounds as hiragana, in sharper, straighter strokes. Japan uses it for words from other languages — coffee, taxi, hotel — so learning it unlocks a menu's worth of words you already know.
- あ → アaSame sound, new shape