What is the alphabet in Japanese?

Question

I have just started learning the language and would like help on the japanese alphabet.

Answer 1

Uh oh, you're in for some fun :)

The japanese language uses three writing systems...stay with me now...

First of all they use Hiragana - 48 symbols which represent 48 syllables.

secondly there is katakana - this is similar but only used for 'borrowed' foreign words - again there are 48 symbols, representing 48 syllables.

Lastly and very hard to learn is Kanji. Kanji are 5,000 to 10,000 characters borrowed from the Chinese language. instead of reperesenting sounds or syllables Kanji represent individual words as a whole.

Okay, that's my best stab at explaining, but check out the link below for a better explanation and examples:-

Answer 2

The people who've been speaking about Kanji have left out a few things.

1. There is a list of about 2,000 commonly used Kanji in Japan. If a writer uses a Kanji that is not on the list then the word must be spelled out in small Hiragana characters next to or over the uncommon Kanji. These are called Furigana. So, if you get into learning Kanji, there are like 5,000 to 10,000 but you only have to know 2,000. Still alot, but less than half of what you've been told untill now.

2. Kanji aren't only used as one character = one word. They are combined with other Kanji to spell words as well. I think they are also combined with Hiragana to spell words.

3. This is where it gets difficult. Kanji have a few different ways of being pronounced. They either use the original Chinese way of pronouncing it or they use the adapted Japanese pronounciation. It's usualy based on whether the Kanji is standing alone as one word or with other Kanji or Hiragana as only part of a word.

For Example: the word Nichiyōbi means sunday. The "yōbi" part is 2 characters and together they mean "day of the week," and "nichi" is one character that means "sun." The thing is, the "nichi" Kanji is the exact same Kanji as the "bi" Kanji from "yōbi." So, all in the same word you have the "nichi" Kanji, the "yō" Kanji and the "nichi" Kanji again but this time it's pronounced "bi." It's also the same Kanji as the "ni" part of Nihon, which I'm sure you already know is the Japanese name of the country of Japan.

Answer 3

The japanese alphabet to say is the 3 types of writing.

Hirigana
Katakana
Kanji

Look here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Language

Answer 4

Japanese uses three completly different sets of symbols called Hiragana, Kana, and Kanji. Hiragana and kana are original japanese, and Kanji (used most of the time) are of chinese origin. They also use normal letters for words, which is called romanized.

Answer 5

They have two writing systems. The more complicated one that is 1 picture = 1 word or concept is Kanji. I can't remember the name of the phonetic version.

Answer 6

hiragana, katakana, and kanji.

Answer 7

i no w8.. no i dont (hahaha)

Answer 8

I don't think it has any.