How to Learn Hiragana
Hiragana is the first Japanese script every learner masters — 46 basic characters, each a single syllable. Learn it and you can read and sound out an enormous amount of Japanese. This deck drills every character with a spaced-repetition method built for exactly this.
There are 46 cards in the deck below. You can read through them, practise them right here with the flip-card player, and then save the deck to study properly with spaced repetition — the method that makes them stick for months, not minutes.
Why the 46 basic hiragana characters is hard to memorize (and the fix)
The characters have no connection to their sound (unlike an alphabet you can guess at), so each one is pure memorization. A few look alike (さ/ち, は/ほ, ぬ/め) and need careful attention.
The fix is active recall plus spaced repetition. Instead of re-reading the list (which feels productive but barely works), you test yourself — pull each answer out of memory — and you review each card on a schedule that stretches over time. Every time you successfully recall a fact, the memory gets stronger and the next review is pushed further out. That's how you go from "I saw it once" to "I just know it."
The fastest way to learn the 46 basic hiragana characters
- Break it into small batches. Learn it row by row: the 5 vowels (a i u e o) first, then ka-row, sa-row, and so on. Master one row before adding the next.
- Test, don't re-read. Look at the question, say the answer out loud before flipping the card. The little struggle to recall is what builds the memory — a smooth re-read does almost nothing.
- Review on a schedule. Spaced repetition shows you each card right before you'd forget it. Get one right and it comes back in a few days, then a week, then a month. Miss one and it comes back sooner.
- Keep sessions short and daily. Five to ten minutes a day beats a two-hour cram every time. Consistency is the whole game.
One fact per card. Learn to write each character, not just recognise it — the stroke order helps it stick.
The full deck: Hiragana
Here's every card in the set. Practise them above, or save the deck and let spaced repetition schedule your reviews automatically.
| Sound (romaji) | Hiragana |
|---|---|
| How do you write "a" in hiragana? | あ |
| How do you write "i" in hiragana? | い |
| How do you write "u" in hiragana? | う |
| How do you write "e" in hiragana? | え |
| How do you write "o" in hiragana? | お |
| How do you write "ka" in hiragana? | か |
| How do you write "ki" in hiragana? | き |
| How do you write "ku" in hiragana? | く |
| How do you write "ke" in hiragana? | け |
| How do you write "ko" in hiragana? | こ |
| How do you write "sa" in hiragana? | さ |
| How do you write "shi" in hiragana? | し |
| How do you write "su" in hiragana? | す |
| How do you write "se" in hiragana? | せ |
| How do you write "so" in hiragana? | そ |
| How do you write "ta" in hiragana? | た |
| How do you write "chi" in hiragana? | ち |
| How do you write "tsu" in hiragana? | つ |
| How do you write "te" in hiragana? | て |
| How do you write "to" in hiragana? | と |
| How do you write "na" in hiragana? | な |
| How do you write "ni" in hiragana? | に |
| How do you write "nu" in hiragana? | ぬ |
| How do you write "ne" in hiragana? | ね |
| How do you write "no" in hiragana? | の |
| How do you write "ha" in hiragana? | は |
| How do you write "hi" in hiragana? | ひ |
| How do you write "fu" in hiragana? | ふ |
| How do you write "he" in hiragana? | へ |
| How do you write "ho" in hiragana? | ほ |
| How do you write "ma" in hiragana? | ま |
| How do you write "mi" in hiragana? | み |
| How do you write "mu" in hiragana? | む |
| How do you write "me" in hiragana? | め |
| How do you write "mo" in hiragana? | も |
| How do you write "ya" in hiragana? | や |
| How do you write "yu" in hiragana? | ゆ |
| How do you write "yo" in hiragana? | よ |
| How do you write "ra" in hiragana? | ら |
| How do you write "ri" in hiragana? | り |
| How do you write "ru" in hiragana? | る |
| How do you write "re" in hiragana? | れ |
| How do you write "ro" in hiragana? | ろ |
| How do you write "wa" in hiragana? | わ |
| How do you write "wo" in hiragana? | を |
| How do you write "n" in hiragana? | ん |
Save this deck and actually remember it
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Study this deck free →FAQ: learning the 46 basic hiragana characters
How long does it take to learn the 46 basic hiragana characters?
Most people can lock in the 46 basic hiragana characters within one to three weeks of short daily sessions. With spaced repetition doing 10–20 cards a day, you'll recognise them within days and recall them reliably within a couple of weeks.
What's the best way to memorize the 46 basic hiragana characters?
Active recall plus spaced repetition. Test yourself instead of re-reading, and review on a schedule that spaces the cards out over time. Flashcards are built for exactly this — which is why the deck above is the fastest path.
Is this deck free?
Yes. You can practise all 46 cards on this page for free with no account. Sign up (also free) to save the deck and let spaced repetition schedule your reviews so it sticks long-term.