5 Common Mistakes Beginners Make When Learning Hiragana

5 Common Mistakes Beginners Make When Learning Hiragana

Hiragana (ひらがな) is the foundation of Japanese writing, and learning it properly sets you up for success. However, many beginners make avoidable mistakes that slow down progress and lead to confusion.

To save you time and frustration, here are the five most common mistakes new learners make when studying Hiragana—along with tips to help you learn faster and more effectively.

Mistake #1: Memorizing Hiragana Without Writing It

🛑 The Problem:
Many learners rely only on flashcards or apps without actually writing the characters by hand. This weakens recall and slows recognition.

✅ The Solution:

  • Write out each character multiple times while saying it aloud.
  • Follow correct stroke order to improve retention.
  • Use VerbaCard’s flashcards for reading practice and reinforce learning with a Hiragana notebook.

Mistake #2: Skipping Dakuten and Handakuten (Modified Sounds)

🛑 The Problem:
Many beginners focus only on the 46 basic Hiragana characters and delay learning dakuten (゛) and handakuten (゜) sounds—which are essential for reading and vocabulary.

✅ The Solution:

  • Learn these modified sounds early to expand your vocabulary faster:
    • Dakuten (゛) changes sounds: か → が, た → だ
    • Handakuten (゜) adds “p” sounds: は → ぱ
  • Practice words that include these sounds (e.g., かぎ (kagi - key), ぶた (buta - pig)).

Mistake #3: Learning Too Many Characters at Once

🛑 The Problem:
Trying to memorize all 46 characters in a single day can lead to overload and frustration. Without proper review, you may forget them quickly.

✅ The Solution:

  • Use the spaced repetition method to review characters gradually.
  • Follow a structured approach, like this:
    • Day 1: Learn あ～さ row (15 characters)
    • Day 2: Learn た～は row (15 characters)
    • Day 3: Learn ま～ん row (16 characters)
    • Day 4: Review everything
  • VerbaCard’s Hiragana Flashcards use spaced repetition, helping you master characters at the right pace.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Context and Words

🛑 The Problem:
Some learners memorize characters in isolation but struggle to read real words in Japanese. This slows down progress and leads to confusion.

✅ The Solution:

  • Practice reading and writing words, not just single characters.
  • Start with basic Hiragana words like:
    • さくら (sakura) – cherry blossom
    • ひる (hiru) – noon
    • たこ (tako) – octopus
  • Read simple sentences early on to get familiar with real usage.

Mistake #5: Not Practicing Consistently

🛑 The Problem:
Many beginners study Hiragana for a few days, then take long breaks. This makes characters harder to remember, requiring constant re-learning.

✅ The Solution:

  • Practice Hiragana for 10-15 minutes every day—consistency is key.
  • Set small daily goals (e.g., learning 5-10 new characters).
  • Use flashcards daily, even after completing all characters, to keep them fresh in memory.

Final Tips for Learning Hiragana Quickly

✔ Write characters by hand while saying them aloud.
✔ Use flashcards to reinforce recognition.
✔ Learn words, not just individual characters.
✔ Review every day using spaced repetition.
✔ Test yourself with reading practice.

🚀 Master Hiragana the Smart Way!
Get VerbaCard’s Hiragana Flashcards to learn faster and more effectively with spaced repetition, mnemonics, and structured learning.

👉 Start your Hiragana journey today!

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