Unit 1 - Section 3: Hiragana - な行・は行

Practice Quiz

Hiragana - な行・は行

Continue learning hiragana with the な (NA) and は (HA) rows. These characters are essential for many common Japanese words.

な行 (NA Row)
Hiragana Romaji Pronunciation Memory Tip
な na na (like "nah") Looks like a knot
に ni ni (like "knee") Looks like a knee bent
ぬ nu nu (like "new") Looks like noodles
ね ne ne (like "nay") Looks like a cat's tail (ね＝cat sound in Japanese)
の no no (like "no") Looks like a "NO" sign (circle with line)
は行 (HA Row)
Hiragana Romaji Pronunciation Memory Tip
は ha ha (like "hah") Looks like a hut with smoke coming out
ひ hi hi (like "he") Looks like someone smiling and saying "hi"
ふ fu fu (like "who") Looks like Mount Fuji
へ he he (like "hey") Looks like heaven's gate
ほ ho ho (like "hoe") Looks like someone waving (saying hello)
Important Note:

When は (ha) is used as a particle (topic marker), it's pronounced as "wa". Example: わたしは (watashi wa)

Common Words Using These Characters

な行 words:
なに (なん)
nani (nan)
Meaning: what
なまえ
namae
Meaning: name
ねこ
neko
Meaning: cat
犬いぬ
inu
Meaning: dog
は行 words:
はな
hana
Meaning: flower / nose
ひと
hito
Meaning: person
ふね
fune
Meaning: ship / boat
本ほん
hon
Meaning: book

Practice Combinations

Try reading these words that combine characters you've learned so far:

あに
ani - older brother
いぬ
inu - dog
はな
hana - flower
きのう
kinou - yesterday
なつ
natsu - summer
ひかり
hikari - light
きんようび
kinyoubi - Friday
にほん
nihon - Japan
ほし
hoshi - star

Study Tips

  • の (no): Very common particle meaning "of" or possessive - わたしの本 (my book)
  • に (ni): Important particle for location and time - 学校に行く (go to school)
  • は (ha/wa): Remember it's pronounced "wa" when used as a particle
  • ふ (fu): Note it's "fu" not "hu" - this is unique to Japanese
  • Practice: Write each character 15 times while saying it aloud
Course Navigation
Study Tips
  • Read each example carefully
  • Practice pronunciation aloud
  • Create your own sentences to reinforce memory
  • Finish the section quiz