Why Learning Hiragana First Speeds Up Your Japanese Fluency
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Time to read 5 min
If you are starting to learn Japanese, the first step might seem intimidating. Many learners hesitate when they first encounter the characters あいうえお (a i u e o – a, i, u, e, o). Some skip them altogether and rely on romaji instead. But if you want to succeed in Japanese, the smartest move is to learn Hiragana first.
Hiragana is more than just a set of symbols. It is the foundation of the Japanese language. Learning it early changes how you think, read, and understand Japanese. In this blog, we will explore why you should learn Hiragana first and how it transforms your entire language learning journey.
What Is Hiragana?
Hiragana is one of the three writing systems used in Japanese. It includes 46 basic characters, each representing a single sound. Unlike English, where spelling can be inconsistent, Hiragana is regular and predictable. Language experts at Tofugu reinforce that mastering Hiragana is the first step toward fluency in Japanese.
When you learn Hiragana first, you gain access to how Japanese is really spoken. The sounds match exactly with the characters. No silent letters. No confusing spelling. Every symbol has one sound and one sound only.
Academic linguists explain that phonetic alphabets like Hiragana help learners internalize pronunciation faster.
Why Romaji Slows You Down
Romaji refers to using the Latin alphabet to write Japanese. Beginners often find it comforting. It looks familiar and seems easier. But depending on romaji can hurt your progress in the long run.
When you do not learn Hiragana first, romaji becomes a crutch. You start to depend on English thinking. This weakens your pronunciation, slows your reading speed, and causes confusion with grammar patterns.
For example:
The word “ ookii ” in romaji hides the long vowel sound that is obvious in Hiragana: おおきい (o o ki i – big)
Grammar particles like は (ha, read as wa – topic marker) and へ (he, read as e – direction marker) are misread when shown as “wa” or “e”
Word boundaries become unclear, especially in complex sentences
If your goal is fluency, romaji is not your friend. Learn Hiragana first to build skills that actually move you forward.
The Benefits When You Learn Hiragana First
Here is what you gain when you learn Hiragana first:
1. Clearer Pronunciation
Each character matches a sound. You train your ears and mouth at the same time. You speak Japanese the way it is meant to sound.
Watch this 3-minute video to see and hear the Hiragana vowels in action:
2. Natural Reading Flow
Reading becomes smooth. You stop stumbling through sentences. You start seeing real Japanese, not English-based guesses.
3. Faster Grammar Learning
Grammar is often marked using Hiragana. Particles like は (wa), を (wo – direct object), に (ni – location/time), and が (ga – subject marker) show how words connect. You will recognize them immediately when you learn Hiragana first.
4. Stronger Vocabulary Memory
Words feel like Japanese words — not translated versions. This helps your brain retain vocabulary naturally.
5. Access to Real Resources
Children’s books, native apps, beginner manga, and websites all use Hiragana. When you learn Hiragana first, you unlock these resources right away. Classroom Resources offers free Hiragana mini‑books that beginners can use immediately
How to Learn Hiragana First: A Step-by-Step Plan
Learning all 46 Hiragana characters might sound difficult, but it is actually easier than memorizing English spelling rules. With the right plan, you can master it in a week.
Day 1: Start with あいうえお (a i u e o – vowels)
Focus on these five core sounds. Write them by hand and say each one out loud. WaniKani users report that handwriting exercises greatly enhance retention of Kana.
Day 2–6: Add 5 to 10 Characters Each Day
Break the full chart into small sets. Use tools like:
Handwriting practice sheets
Flashcards with visual mnemonics
Apps like LingoDeer and Kana Quiz. The Kana Quiz app forces quick recall of Kana through timed testing.
Always pronounce the character as you write it. This connects your muscle memory with your listening skills.
Day 7: Do a Reading Quiz
Test yourself with simple words made from the Hiragana you have learned. Do not use romaji. Recognize the symbols directly.
Want a faster, visual way to learn and remember each character?
Try our Hiragana Flashcards — designed with clear symbols, pronunciation help, and no English interference, so your brain gets used to pure Japanese from the start.
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Visit the official Verbacard Flashcards Amazon Store for fast delivery and global access.
Tricks to Make Learning Faster
The more senses you engage — sight, sound, and movement — the faster you will learn.
Use memory hooks. For example, さ (sa) looks like a fish hook → think “sa-fish”
Pair each new character with a real Japanese word to give it context
Practice reading children’s books that use Hiragana only. Graded reader sites like Tadoku offer free beginner‑level stories in Hiragana.
Speak the sounds daily while pointing to the characters
Here are a few extra tips to make sure you succeed when you learn Hiragana first:
When Should You Start Katakana or Kanji?
Many learners wonder if they should learn all three scripts at once. The answer is no. Always learn Hiragana first. Only after you are confident reading and writing Hiragana should you begin Katakana. Kanji can wait even longer.
Hiragana shows up in every sentence. It appears in verb endings, grammar particles, and native words. You cannot read Japanese without it.
Once you learn Hiragana first, Katakana and Kanji become easier. Your brain is already tuned to Japanese patterns and sounds.
Mistakes to Avoid
Even motivated learners sometimes make choices that slow them down. If you want to learn Hiragana first and do it well, avoid these common mistakes:
Skipping writing practice. Typing is not enough. Write by hand to build strong recall. An academic article links handwriting to cognitive reinforcement during alphabet learning.
Using romaji alongside Hiragana. Remove all romaji once you start learning.
Trying to rush through all 46 characters in a single day. Space your learning.
Not reviewing old characters as you learn new ones. Use spaced repetition.
Your goal is not just to memorize symbols. It is to read them effortlessly. That takes daily review and smart repetition.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Hiragana?
Most learners can master the full chart in seven to ten days with consistent practice. Learning Hiragana first does not take months. But the benefits will last your entire Japanese journey.
Spending your first week learning Hiragana gives you a huge advantage. Every resource, lesson, and conversation afterward becomes easier.
Language blogs like FunJapaneseLearning confirm that pacing your study enables mastery in under two weeks.
Your Real Journey Starts Here
If you are serious about Japanese, do not skip the basics. Learn Hiragana first. It is not a side task or a beginner chore. It is the key that unlocks the entire language.
Once you master it, you will:
Stop relying on English
Understand real Japanese sentence structure
Speak with better rhythm and tone
Read and listen with growing confidence
Your fluency begins the moment you stop seeing squiggles and start recognizing real characters. Learn Hiragana first. Then watch how fast your Japanese skills grow.
Ready to expand your skills after mastering Hiragana?
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