Hiragana vs Katakana
The Complete Guide to When to Use Each Script
One of the most confusing aspects of learning Japanese is understanding when to use hiragana (ひらがな) versus katakana (カタカナ). Both are phonetic scripts with the same sounds, yet they serve completely different purposes. Using the wrong one isn’t just a stylistic choice—it can change meaning, look unprofessional, or confuse readers.
This comprehensive guide will eliminate all confusion. You’ll learn the exact rules for when to use each script, understand the cultural and practical reasons behind these rules, and see hundreds of real examples. By the end, you’ll know instinctively which script to use in any situation.
Table of Contents
Quick Overview: Hiragana vs Katakana
- Native Japanese words
- Grammar particles (は, を, に, etc.)
- Verb endings and conjugations
- Words without kanji
- Children’s books
- Foreign loanwords (coffee, computer)
- Foreign names & places
- Onomatopoeia (sound effects)
- Scientific/technical terms
- Emphasis (like italics)
Think of hiragana as the “default” Japanese script and katakana as the “special purpose” script. Hiragana is your baseline—it represents authentic Japanese. Katakana signals “this is foreign” or “this is special/emphasized.”
When to Use Hiragana
Core Hiragana Rules
Use hiragana for words that originated in Japanese (not borrowed from other languages).
All grammatical particles are ALWAYS written in hiragana. This includes は (wa), が (ga), を (wo), に (ni), で (de), から (kara), まで (made), etc.
The okurigana (送り仮名) – the hiragana that comes after kanji in verbs and adjectives – is always written in hiragana.
When a Japanese word is typically not written in kanji (either because it has no kanji or the kanji is uncommon), use hiragana.
Small hiragana written above or beside kanji to show pronunciation (called furigana or ruby text) is always hiragana.
Text aimed at children or Japanese learners often uses all hiragana instead of kanji for easier reading.
When to Use Katakana
Core Katakana Rules
Words borrowed from other languages (primarily English, but also French, German, etc.) are written in katakana.
Names of non-Japanese people and non-Japanese countries/cities are written in katakana.
While some traditional onomatopoeia uses hiragana, modern writing often uses katakana for sound effects, especially in manga.
Scientific names, technical jargon, and specialized terminology often use katakana.
Japanese words can be written in katakana for emphasis, similar to using italics or bold in English. This is stylistic.
Modern writing often uses katakana for animal and plant names, though kanji versions exist.
The most common mistake beginners make is writing foreign words in hiragana or Japanese words in katakana. Remember: katakana = foreign/special. If you’re unsure, check a dictionary!
Side-by-Side Comparison
Let’s compare common scenarios where the choice matters:
| Scenario | Hiragana | Katakana | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| The word “cat” | ねこ | ネコ | Both acceptable. Hiragana for traditional, katakana in modern/scientific contexts |
| Coffee (the drink) | ❌ Not used | コーヒー | Foreign loanword from English |
| The particle “wa” | は | ❌ Never | Grammar particles are always hiragana |
| America (country) | ❌ Not used | アメリカ | Foreign place name |
| To eat (taberu) | たべる | ❌ Not used | Native Japanese verb |
| Computer | ❌ Not used | コンピューター | Foreign loanword |
| Pretty (kirei) | きれい | ❌ Not used | Native Japanese adjective |
| Sparkling sound | きらきら | キラキラ | Both acceptable. Katakana more modern/emphasis |
Reading Mixed Text
Real Japanese writing mixes all three scripts (hiragana, katakana, and kanji). Here’s how they work together:
Example Sentence 1: Daily Life
I drink coffee every morning.
Breakdown:
- 私 (kanji) = I/me
- は (hiragana) = topic particle
- 毎朝 (kanji) = every morning
- コーヒー (katakana) = coffee (foreign word)
- を (hiragana) = object particle
- 飲みます (kanji + hiragana) = drink (verb with ending)
Example Sentence 2: Technology
I sent an email with my smartphone.
Breakdown:
- スマホ (katakana) = smartphone (from スマートフォン)
- で (hiragana) = means/method particle
- メール (katakana) = email (from English “mail”)
- を (hiragana) = object particle
- 送りました (kanji + hiragana) = sent (verb in past tense)
Example Sentence 3: Restaurant
I ordered pasta and salad at the restaurant.
Breakdown:
- レストラン (katakana) = restaurant (foreign word)
- で (hiragana) = location particle
- パスタ (katakana) = pasta (foreign word)
- と (hiragana) = and (particle)
- サラダ (katakana) = salad (foreign word)
- を (hiragana) = object particle
- 注文しました (kanji + hiragana) = ordered (verb)
When reading Japanese, katakana words “pop out” visually due to their angular shape. This is intentional—it helps readers quickly identify foreign words and emphasized terms!
Important Exceptions & Edge Cases
cat – hiragana traditional, katakana modern
dog – both acceptable
cherry blossom – hiragana poetic, katakana modern
tobacco/cigarette (Portuguese origin)
playing cards (Portuguese origin)
bread (Portuguese origin)
Some words entered Japanese centuries ago from Portuguese or Dutch (like パン bread, タバコ tobacco, カルタ cards) and are still written in katakana even though they feel “Japanese” now. This is because they’re still recognized as foreign in origin.
Decision Flowchart
Which Script Should I Use?
Practice Examples
Test Your Knowledge
お茶を飲みます。
Answer: を (hiragana) – particle
テレビ (katakana)
Why: Foreign loanword from English “TV”
食べました
Answer: べました (hiragana) – verb ending
ジョン (katakana)
Why: Foreign name
きれい (hiragana)
Why: Native Japanese word
コンピューター (katakana)
Why: Foreign loanword
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ こーひー (kōhī)
✅ コーヒー (kōhī)
Coffee is a foreign word, so it must be katakana!
❌ 本ヲ読みます
✅ 本を読みます
Particles are ALWAYS hiragana, never katakana!
❌ タベル (taberu)
✅ たべる or 食べる
Unless you’re emphasizing it, native verbs use hiragana/kanji!
If you’re not Japanese, your name should be in katakana:
❌ じょん (Jon)
✅ ジョン (Jon)
❌ コーhiー or こーヒー
✅ コーヒー
Stay consistent within each word!
Key Takeaways:
- ✅ Hiragana = native Japanese words, particles, verb endings
- ✅ Katakana = foreign loanwords, foreign names, emphasis
- ✅ Particles are ALWAYS hiragana, no exceptions
- ✅ When in doubt, check a dictionary
- ✅ Real Japanese mixes all three scripts (hiragana + katakana + kanji)
- ✅ Katakana makes foreign words “pop out” visually
- ✅ Some animal/plant names can use either script
- ✅ Historical loanwords (パン, タバコ) still use katakana
Master the Rules, Break Them Confidently
Understanding when to use hiragana versus katakana is fundamental to reading and writing Japanese correctly. While the rules seem complex at first, they follow clear patterns: hiragana for Japanese, katakana for foreign.
The more you read authentic Japanese text, the more natural these distinctions will become. You’ll start to develop an intuition for which script “looks right” in any given context. Until then, refer to this guide, check dictionaries when uncertain, and remember the golden rule: when in doubt, foreign = katakana, Japanese = hiragana.
Your challenge: Find a Japanese menu, website, or manga page. Can you identify why each word uses hiragana or katakana? Practice analyzing real text—it’s the fastest way to internalize these rules!
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
