Katakana

JLPT N5 Japanese self-study　·　~15–20 min　·　The script for foreign words — you already know many!

Katakana is for foreign loanwords. Coffee, taxi, hotel... how are these everyday English words written in Japanese?

What you'll learn

• Understand when katakana is used
• Recognize all 46 katakana characters
• Read foreign loanwords in Japanese
• Check your katakana reading with a 10-question quiz

How to study “Katakana”

“Katakana” (The script for foreign words — you already know many!) is a JLPT N5 chapter of our free Japanese self-study course, about 15–20 min. You learn by doing — flashcard drills and fill-in-the-blank quizzes graded on the spot — completely free, with no sign-up and no ad wall. Once it clicks, read the matching in-depth explainer over in Grammar.