In this lesson, we will introduce you to the two essential Japanese writing systems: Hiragana and Katakana. These two alphabets are the building blocks of the Japanese language, with each character representing a specific sound. By learning and mastering these scripts, you will be able to read and write in Japanese more effectively.

Hiragana is primarily used for native Japanese words and grammatical elements, while Katakana is used for foreign loanwords and onomatopoeia. Both scripts consist of 46 basic characters, each representing a syllable. Understanding how to properly write and pronounce these characters is crucial for developing your language skills and communicating effectively in Japanese.

Throughout this course, we will provide you a video with instructions of how to write each hiragana and katakana and a mini game in Wagotabi to help you practice and reinforce your Hiragana and Katakana knowledge. By the end of this chapter, you will have a solid foundation in these writing systems and be well on your way to mastering the Japanese language.

Key Lesson Concepts:

• Introduction to Hiragana and Katakana
• Hiragana for native Japanese words
• Katakana for foreign loanwords and onomatopoeia
• 46 basic characters in each script
• Importance of proper pronunciation and writing
• WAGOTABI (iOS, Android, Steam): Interactive exercises and games for practice