Whats a good way to memorize Hiragana,Katakana?

[Lord_of_Chizu]

I was just wondering what technique if any do you guys use or did use to memorize Hiragana and Katakana.
Thank You

[Bueller_007]

I was just wondering what technique if any do you guys use or did use to memorize Hiragana and Katakana.
Thank You

Flash cards followed by writing practice once you have the characters memorized.

[Fedgrub]

I agree, that is the way I have been learning it and I am finding my knowledge is growing very quickly!

[Fedgrub]

To add to this question, is there any places people know of where you can find hiragana and katakana charts which are laid out clearly? I have a pad for writing Japanese, and would like to have a chart of each at the front. I have been looking around the web, and have only found poorly laid out charts, charts which don't fit to size and require four pages when it could just fit on one page...

I have thought about copying the chart on Wikipedia's page, although the symbols are very small. I know I am asking for something not too big but not too small haha, but I figured maybe someone here might be able to help me.

[Lord_of_Chizu]

So do u recommend me to memorize Hiragana all of the characters then move on too katakana, after that learn some vocab because i'm only 16 I just learn as much as possible before i go to college but I really l don't want to learn Kanji really difficult.


On the every Hiragana on one page thing why don't u print out every charter one by one then laminate it ? Well on second thought that might take take too much time or ink idk well i tried.

[Fedgrub]

So do u recommend me to memorize Hiragana all of the characters then move on too katakana, after that learn some vocab because i'm only 16 I just learn as much as possible before i go to college but I really l don't want to learn Kanji really difficult.


On the every Hiragana on one page thing why don't u print out every charter one by one then laminate it ? Well on second thought that might take take too much time or ink idk well i tried.

I dont know whether Hiragana or Katakana should be learnt first, but either way you should know both to be able to write. Kanji has thousands of symbols, and takes Japanese people years to learn them all. Thats how many there are. haha. Its much similar to the english language, Kanji is I mean. Hiragana and Katakana can be seen as similar to the english alphabet, rather than full words like kanji is. When you think of it like that, learning Hiragana and Katakana isn't much at all. But what is most important is putting your best step foward as early as possible. Think of it like setting up a frame of a house. You want it to be sturdy right? Or do you want to take the idea that Uncle Jim taught you? And Hiragana and Katakana are the best way to start, that way you dont have any bad habits when it comes to writing and everything looks a lot more familiar when it comes to remembering all the words. I hope that helps, and if someone disagrees with me there, feel free to correct me so I can find the best way and for what reasons too!

As for my chart problem, thanks for the idea but I really want all the symbols to be on one or two pages if possible. That way I can glue it to the cover and fold it out when its required.

[Lord_of_Chizu]

Thanks for tip some guy was saying that it should only take 3 weeks to memorize Hiragana and katakana cause thats how long his college gave to memorize it and one more question how many hours do you recommend to study Hiragana and Katakana?

[Fedgrub]

Yeah, three weeks sounds about right. But thats spending probably around 4 hours a day on it, because remember, he is in college studying it. The amount of hours you should spend on it varies depending on what type of learner you are, and how great your memory is. Its hard to say exactly how many hours.

[Lord_of_Chizu]

Yeah im planning on studying ti for about three hours a day 5 days a week and what really sucks is that when school starts over hear I have to worry about Spanish its a requirement to graduate from highschool . Oh yell who said highschool was ever easy. Well anyways thanks abunch.

[Fedgrub]

Good luck man! This is the best forum I have come accross for learning Japanese, as everyone here is so helpful and selfless.

[attwad]

3 weeks is OK, It took about 2-3 weeks, I just had the 2 charts in a table sorted by a e i o u columns and I learned about 2 lines a day, that did the trick.
I think you don't really need flashcards or drawing practice or anything to learn hira and kata they are quite easy(and few...) compared to kanji, it sure helps but the one thing you need is motivation

[Some person]

[quote="Fedgrub
As for my chart problem, thanks for the idea but I really want all the symbols to be on one or two pages if possible. That way I can glue it to the cover and fold it out when its required.[/quote]

The chart I used was this one
http://www.learn-japanese-kanji-hiragan ... 6Chart.htm

There is also a katakana chart on the same site.

[Fedgrub]

[quote="Fedgrub]
As for my chart problem, thanks for the idea but I really want all the symbols to be on one or two pages if possible. That way I can glue it to the cover and fold it out when its required.[/quote]

The chart I used was this one
http://www.learn-japanese-kanji-hiragan ... 6Chart.htm

There is also a katakana chart on the same site.[/quote]

Thanks a lot for that!

[jkeyz15]

my method, memorize each row one at a time and write over and over and over. As you advance each row try to choose random ones from previous ones and write it. If you can't remember, look it up and write it 20 times. Do this for each one and each one you forget.
I memorized both in about 45 mins.

Then afterwards, print out a kana chart and find some children's sources with only kana or a source that has furigana. Then try to read, don't worry about understanding, just read aloud. You will rely heavily on the chart at first, as you encounter characters more often you won't have to look them up anymore.
I got to where I could read at a decent speed in about an hour or so.

Then just randomly, at any random time in the day, write random characters, or make your own kana chart.

Basically lots of repetition and exposure. No need to waste any other money than already used money for paper and pencils.

[Shumiston]

my method, memorize each row one at a time and write over and over and over. As you advance each row try to choose random ones from previous ones and write it. If you can't remember, look it up and write it 20 times. Do this for each one and each one you forget.
I memorized both in about 45 mins.

Then afterwards, print out a kana chart and find some children's sources with only kana or a source that has furigana. Then try to read, don't worry about understanding, just read aloud. You will rely heavily on the chart at first, as you encounter characters more often you won't have to look them up anymore.
I got to where I could read at a decent speed in about an hour or so.

Then just randomly, at any random time in the day, write random characters, or make your own kana chart.

Basically lots of repetition and exposure. No need to waste any other money than already used money for paper and pencils.

Hey! thanks for the advice I'll print this out. I also happen to have a kana workbook for kids, that makes it easier to memorize. Doumo arigato.