kana
Kana (noun) means the two Japanese phonetic writing systems, hiragana and katakana, in which each symbol represents a spoken syllable rather than a whole word or idea. Example: “Beginners usually learn kana before tackling kanji.”
How to use kana
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe phonetic Japanese alphabets (hiragana and katakana), as opposed to the meaning-based kanji characters.
Don’t confuse kana (phonetic symbols, one per syllable) with kanji (characters borrowed from Chinese that represent whole words or ideas).
Word forms
kana plural, kanas plural, Kanas plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Beginners usually learn _____ before tackling kanji.
Etymology
From Japanese kana, literally "borrowed name/character" — because the symbols were originally Chinese characters repurposed just for their sound.
Rhymes for kana
See all rhymes for kana →Frequently asked questions
What does “kana” mean?
The word “kana” means the two Japanese phonetic writing systems, hiragana and katakana, in which each symbol represents a spoken syllable rather than a whole word or idea. In plain terms, the phonetic Japanese alphabets (hiragana and katakana), as opposed to the meaning-based kanji characters.
How do you pronounce “kana”?
“Kana” is pronounced KAH-nuh (/ˈkɑːnə/ in IPA).
How do you use “kana” in a sentence?
Here is “kana” used in a sentence: “Beginners usually learn kana before tackling kanji.”
What part of speech is “kana”?
“Kana” is a noun.
Where does the word “kana” come from?
The word “kana” comes from Chinese. From Japanese kana, literally "borrowed name/character" — because the symbols were originally Chinese characters repurposed just for their sound.
How many meanings does “kana” have?
“Kana” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the two Japanese phonetic writing systems, hiragana and katakana, in which each symbol represents a spoken syllable rather than a whole word or idea.
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