Hiragana Keyboard Online
Type in Hiragana Online using the virtual keyboard below and then copy it to your clipboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hiragana used for?
Hiragana is the basic phonetic script for Japanese. It's used for native Japanese words, grammatical particles (like は, を), and verb/adjective endings. It's usually the first script that Japanese children and language learners master.
How is Hiragana different from Katakana?
Hiragana has a curvy, flowing appearance and is used for Japanese words. Katakana has a more angular, sharp appearance and is primarily used for foreign loanwords (like 'computer' - コンピュータ), onomatopoeia, and for emphasis.
Can I type phonetically with this keyboard?
Yes! The easiest way to type is by enabling 'Phonetic Typing'. You can then type using Romaji (English letters), and it will automatically convert to Hiragana. For example, typing 'sushi' will produce 'すし'.
What are the '゛' (dakuten) and '゜' (handakuten) marks?
These are diacritics that change the sound of a consonant. Dakuten (゛) voices a consonant (e.g., 'か' (ka) becomes 'が' (ga)). Handakuten (゜) is only used with 'h' sounds to change them to 'p' sounds (e.g., 'は' (ha) becomes 'ぱ' (pa)).
How do I type the small 'ゃ', 'ゅ', 'ょ' characters?
These small 'y' sounds are on the bottom row of the virtual keyboard. They combine with 'i'-ending characters to create palatalized sounds, like 'き' + 'ゃ' = 'きゃ' (kya).
What is the small 'っ' (tsu) for?
This is called a 'sokuon'. It's not pronounced itself but indicates that the following consonant sound is doubled, creating a short pause. For example, 'きて' (kite) vs. 'きって' (kitte).
Is this keyboard good for a beginner learning Japanese?
Absolutely! It's a perfect tool to practice writing and recognizing the Hiragana characters. Using the virtual keyboard helps you memorize the shapes, while the phonetic mode helps you learn the sounds.
What is the 'ん' (n) character?
The character 'ん' is the only syllable-final consonant in Japanese. It's a nasal sound and has its own key, which is essential for many words.
Does Hiragana have capital letters?
No, the Japanese writing systems (Hiragana, Katakana, Kanji) do not have a distinction between uppercase and lowercase letters.
How do I use punctuation?
Japanese punctuation uses a '。' (maru) for a period and a '、' (ten) for a comma. These are standard and can be typed with your physical keyboard or found in character maps.
Why does the keyboard layout look like a grid?
This layout is based on the 'Gojūon', which means '50 sounds'. It's the traditional way of organizing Japanese syllables in a grid based on their consonant and vowel sounds, making it very logical for learning.
Do I need to install anything to use this?
No, this is a completely free, browser-based tool. You don't need to install any software or change your computer's language settings to use it.
Can I write a full sentence with just Hiragana?
Yes, you can write any Japanese sentence entirely in Hiragana. While standard writing uses a mix of Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji, children's books are often written entirely in Hiragana.
What are the 'ゐ' (wi) and 'ゑ' (we) characters?
These are obsolete characters that are no longer used in modern standard Japanese. They have been included for historical completeness but you will rarely, if ever, need to use them.
How can I copy the Hiragana I've typed?
Simply click the 'Copy Text' button above the keyboard. This will copy all the text from the input area to your clipboard, ready to paste anywhere.