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Post #1: Katakana

Japanese children learn katakana after they have learned hiragana, for the simple reason that katakana has limited uses. However, learning this syllabary is still important and its study should not be done last minute; start studying the table in post #2 as soon as possible.

Katakana Uses

Katakana is mainly used to write foreign words, which have been previously adapted to the Japanese language. About 11% of Japanese words are foreign loan words and most of which come from the English language. For example:

• Computer (English) becomes コンピュータ or konpyūta
• Part-time work (from the German word Arbeit) becomes アルバイト or arubaito
• Prêt-à-porter (French) becomes プレタポルテ or puretaporute
• Spaghetti (Italian) becomes スパゲッチイ or supagetti
• Bread (Portuguese) becomes パン or pan

Katakana is also used to put emphasis on words, similar to italics or quotation marks, and is frequently used to write onomatopoeia.

Translating Into Japanese

All non-Japanese names (and non-Chinese names) of people and places, including names of cities and geographic areas, must be written in katakana. The first step is to transcribe the word we want to write into Japanese phonetics. However, the main problem with doing so is that Japanese has no individual consonant sounds (with the exception of the n). So, for each consonant pronounced on its own in the original language, we will add a “u” because the Japanese “u” has a soft pronunciation. The only exceptions are the “t” and “d” where we will add an “o”. For instance:

• Marc would become Maruku マルク
• Sandra would become Sandora サンドラ
• Alfred would become Arufureddo アルフレッド (keep in mind, the “l” doesn’t exist in the Japanese language and must be replaced with an “r”)

Post #3: Katakana Writing Chart Part 1

As with hirigana, there is a certain brush stroke order that should be followed when writing.

Post #5: Examples

In manga, onomatopoetic sounds which are not voices or screams are almost always written in katakana. For instance, blows, explosions, motor noises, etc... belong to this category.

This is rather similar to the 1960s Batman series with Adam West (who now does the voice of Adam West on the Family Guy). If you aren't familiar with this show, here is a little clip for you.

1960s Batman Fight Scene

Example 1: Onomatopoeia: Explosion


ドカン
dokan
(Onomatopoeia for an explosion.)

Here, were we would say "boom," the Japanese say ドカン dokan.

Example 2: Blow


ズガ
zuga
(Onomatopoeia for a blow or punch.)

And here, were we would say "smack" (or the Batman's "kapow"), the Japanese would say ズガ zuga.

Example 3: Book Titles and Names of Magazines

Below are three manga and magazine covers where katakana is used. Using English words in titles are not uncommon, especially those aimed at young readers. In Japan, English is used as an attention getter and is considered modern and "cool."


ファン
fan
Phan

Phan is a non-Japanese proper name, and is there for written in katakana.


イーブニング
iibuningu
Evening

In this example, and the one below, we have words taken directly from the English language.


ロストユース
rosuto yūso
Lost Youth

As you can see, the English words tend to get twisted when they are being transcribed into katakana, so much so it may be rather difficult to recognize them. So, don't worry if you have a hard time figuring out the original English word when you read a katakana transcription. With time, you will get used to the "katakanization" and eventually you be able to recognize the foreign words transcribed into katakana, and you'll be able to transcribe foreign words into katakana as well.