# hiragana

/ˌhɪrəˈɡɑːnə/ (US) · /ˌhɪrəˈɡɑːnə/ (UK) · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hiragana
Updated: 2026-10-24

## Definition

A Japanese writing system that uses characters to represent syllables, commonly used for grammatical elements, native Japanese words, and words without kanji (Chinese-derived characters).

For teachers: A phonographic syllabary used in the Japanese writing system, comprising characters that represent morae, the rhythmic units of Japanese phonology. Hiragana is employed primarily to encode grammatical morphemes, inflectional endings, function words, and native Japanese lexical items that are conventionally unwritten in kanji. It is also used to indicate the pronunciation of kanji and to facilitate reading acquisition.

## Examples

- Children often learn hiragana before studying kanji.
- In contemporary Japanese orthography, hiragana is frequently used to represent inflectional suffixes attached to kanji stems.

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