Japanese handwriting...?

Question

Whats the writing format thing that mostly all japanese use?
I know of Kanji, Katakana, Hiragana but I dont know which one is used more often in japan.
Cuz Im going to learn japanese (already taking chinese class in school) and i want to learn the one that is commonly used.

Blah.
Im gonna have to learn alot then! xD
Thanks for your answers guys.

If you can answer this other japanese related question, thank you.

if i was to write something in katakana but was meant to be written in hiragana, would it mean a different thing?

like if i wrote konnichiwa in katakan or hiragana, would there be a difference?

Answer 1

You need all thress to write proper Japanese.

For example, `I am Kimberly' would be 私はキンバリーです。
`I' is in Kanji, `Kimberly' is in Katakana and all other bits are in Hiragaga.

It is possible to write the same thing in Hiragana only, but that's someting a 6 year old would do.

*edit*
Regarding your second question, there are some words with which the nuance changes or the meaning is clearer depending on if its written in Hiragana or Katakana. But Japanese learners don't have to worry about it until they are very advanced.

Answer 2

okay, here's the skinny.

katakana is used mostly for foreign words that have been brought into japanese. for example コヒ is literally "ko hi", but it's the japanese form of the english word "coffee". you'll also see katakana used for emphasis on signs and things, the same way we'd use bold lettering or all caps. this is the most useful system for you to learn first because it'll help you read all the words you already know.

hiragana is used for japanese words and always used for articles like "wa", "ga" and "no" (these words tell you which word in a sentences is the subject, object, etc). hiragana is everywhere and is often used to transliterate kanji, in case the reader doesn't know that particular kanji character (ex. the most frequent place you'll see this is at the karaoke bar).

kanji is a bear! kanji characters are based on the chinese writing system, and as in chinese, they represent whole words and ideas not just sounds. (katakana and hiragana are both phonic, like our alphabet.) most college-educated japanese people know approximately 2000 kanji! you'll see them everywhere, and you'll pick up the basic ones quickly, especially if you're already learning them in your chinese studies. some complex characters vary slightly from their chinese cousins, but not by much. obviously, the pronunciation is different, but the meanings will get you far!


in answer to your second question, no, that wouldn't change the meaning. japanese people would just look at you funny. (they'll look at you funny anyway, so don't let it get you down.)

also, on a side note, when i lived in japan i went to taiwan on vacation, and knowing kanji helped me out a lot there, even though i didn't speak a lick of mandarin. very useful stuff.

Answer 3

From what I remember of Japanese, they are ALL commonly used.

A newspaper wil be about 40 percent Hiragana mixed in with about 40 percent Kanji (chinese characters)

Katakana is used to spell foreign words.

Answer 4

each one has it's purposes. one is used more for letters and for names since they are very basic, the others are for more things like places and distinct items or objects and the other is for phrases.