Hiragana is your foundation. Learn it quickly with short, daily sessions that mix recognition, handwriting, and out‑loud practice. Aim for steady accuracy over raw speed; speed arrives naturally once forms are clear.
What to master (scope)
- 46 basic characters (あ〜ん)
- Dakuten/handakuten variants (が/ぱ rows)
- Small ゃゅょ for yōon (きゃ/きゅ/きょ など)
- Small っ for gemination (きって、がっこう)
- Long vowels (おばあさん, こうこう)
7‑day plan (fast start)
- Day 1–2: あ‑こ, さ‑と (write 3× each, read simple words)
- Mix old + new in tiny words (あさ、いえ、ここ、そこ、すし)
- Read aloud to tie sound to shape
- Day 3–4: な‑よ, ら‑ん (mix old + new in words)
- Build short phrases (いぬの え、ねこが いる)
- Start listening to slow dialogs while tracking text
- Day 5: small ゃゅょ, っ; practice gemination
- きゃ/きゅ/きょ, しゃ/しゅ/しょ in real words (しゃしん、きゅう)
- Contrast きて vs きって; feel the tiny pause
- Day 6: reading drills; shadow simple audio with text
- Two short graded passages; summarize each in one simple sentence
- Day 7: speed review + mini test
- Mixed recognition (50 cards), 1 handwriting quiz (10 words)
14‑day consolidation (keep it)
- Days 8–10: Mix all rows; add dakuten/handakuten (が/ざ/だ/ば/ぱ)
- Day 11: Dictation—hear 10 words, write in hiragana
- Day 12: Read a children’s page; mark unknowns and move on
- Day 13: Minimal pairs (おばさん／おばあさん, いて／いって)
- Day 14: Mini mock + error review; rebuild 10 weak cards
Handwriting and stroke order (why it matters)
- Correct stroke order produces consistent proportions, which improves recognition.
- Write each new character 2–3× while saying the sound aloud.
- Anchor tough forms by contrasting with neighbors (ぬ vs め, ね vs れ).
Mnemonics without overdoing it
- Use visual hooks only for sticky shapes (ぬ = noodle with a loop, め = eye).
- Replace mnemonics with real words quickly (ぬいぬい、めがね、ねこ、れいぞうこ).
Read before you write… but write a little
- Prioritize recognition so you can read fast.
- Keep a 3–5 minute handwriting block to stabilize similar shapes.
Daily micro‑drills (10–15 minutes total)
- Recognition sprint: 20–30 mixed characters
- Dictation: 6–8 simple words
- Read‑aloud: one short sentence; focus on long vowels and っ
Metrics to track
- Recognition accuracy on 30–50 mixed cards (aim ≥ 90%)
- Time to read a 100‑character passage (steady decline)
- Number of persistent confusions (shrink weekly)
Common pitfalls
- Learning hiragana and katakana at the same time (separate them: hiragana first, katakana immediately after)
- Skipping stroke order completely (write a little to stabilize form)
- Overreliance on romaji (wean off quickly to build real literacy)
How Kanji Koi helps with hiragana
- Guided stroke‑order animations show proper form and sequence.
- Interactive drawing anchors shapes with quick repetitions.
- Adaptive SRS keeps reviews short and focused as accuracy rises.
- Offline mode enables reliable 5–10 minute phone sessions anywhere.
Use Kanji Koi to tag look‑alike pairs (ぬ/め, ね/れ). When they resurface, draw each once and read a sample word out loud. Tying shape, sound, and a real word accelerates retention.
FAQ
- Q: How long to read simple texts?
- A: Most learners can read short graded lines comfortably within 1–2 weeks of daily practice.
- Q: Do I need to master pitch accent for hiragana?
- A: Not yet. Focus on mora timing (っ, ー, ん) and clear vowels.
- Q: When should I start katakana?
- A: After week one or two of hiragana, once recognition is ≥ 90% on mixed drills.
A phone‑friendly stroke‑order trainer makes short sessions add up fast.