The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Culture & Lifestyle›Writing System›Katakana
Culture & Lifestyle • Writing System

Katakana

Katakana is one of the two modern Japanese kana syllabaries, alongside hiragana.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Katakana is one of the two modern Japanese kana syllabaries, alongside hiragana. It is used mainly for foreign loanwords, foreign names, scientific and technical terms, onomatopoeia, and emphasis. Its characters have a more angular style than hiragana.

Definition

Katakana is a Japanese syllabary that forms part of the modern Japanese writing system. It is one of the two kana scripts, the other being hiragana.

Usage

Katakana is commonly used for words of foreign origin, foreign proper names, scientific and technical terms, and sound-symbolic words. It can also be used for emphasis, similar to italics in English.

Character form

Katakana characters are generally more angular and linear than hiragana. The script is phonetic, with each symbol representing a mora or syllabic sound unit rather than a meaning.

History

Katakana and hiragana developed from simplified forms of Chinese characters used in Japan. The modern system of kana emerged historically as a way to write Japanese sounds alongside kanji.

Key facts

  • Katakana is one of the two kana syllabaries used in modern Japanese.
  • It represents the same set of sounds as hiragana but is written in a different style.
  • It is used mainly for foreign loanwords and names, as well as technical and scientific vocabulary.
  • Katakana is also used for onomatopoeia and for emphasis in some contexts.
  • The standard modern set contains 46 basic characters.

Frequently asked questions

What is katakana used for?
It is mainly used for foreign loanwords, foreign names, scientific and technical terms, onomatopoeia, and emphasis.
How is katakana different from hiragana?
Both represent the same Japanese sounds, but katakana has a more angular appearance and is used for different kinds of words.
How many basic katakana characters are there?
The modern standard set contains 46 basic characters.
Is katakana an alphabet?
It is more accurately a syllabary, or kana script, because each symbol represents a sound unit rather than a single consonant or vowel.
Is katakana part of the Japanese writing system?
Yes. It is one of the two modern kana scripts used alongside hiragana and kanji.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katakana
    Supports: Katakana is a Japanese syllabary and part of the Japanese writing system.
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/kana
    Supports: Kana consists of hiragana and katakana, two parallel modern syllabaries.
  3. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/katakana
    Supports: Katakana uses and its role as one of the two syllabic Japanese scripts.
  4. Japan Guide — https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2048.html
    Supports: Katakana usage, angular appearance, historical development, and 46-sign structure.
  5. ScienceDirect Topics — https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/katakana
    Supports: Katakana use for loanwords, emphasis, and related modern functions.
  6. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_writing_system
    Supports: Katakana as part of the modern Japanese writing system and its relationship to hiragana and kanji.