Fun Katakana Mnemonics

To make it simpler and more enjoyable to recall each character, you can create mnemonics for fun Katakana Mnemonics. Below you will find a mnemonic for every one of the 46 fundamental Katakana characters:

 ア (a)

Mnemonic: Imagine a person with their arms stretched above their head.

 イ (i)

Mnemonic: Think of this as two i (parallel lines), with the second one being shorter.

 ウ (u)

Mnemonic: Looks like a bird with its beak pointing up.

 エ (e)

Mnemonic: It resembles a capital letter E turned on its side.

 オ (o)

Mnemonic: Imagine a fishing order hook with a line.

 カ (ka)

Mnemonic: Think of it as a ka* (cutting tool) slicing through something.

 キ (ki)

Mnemonic: It looks like a key with a handle.

 ク (ku)

Mnemonic: This resembles a bird’s beak saying "*ku*ckoo".

 ケ (ke)

Mnemonic: Picture it as a kettle pouring tea.

 コ (ko)

Mnemonic: Imagine it as two lines that have gone completely apart.

 サ (sa)

Mnemonic: Looks like a saddle on a horse.

 シ (shi)

Mnemonic: Think of it as a shelf holding up three items.

 ス (su)

Mnemonic: Resembles a superhero’s cape fluttering.

 セ (se)

Mnemonic: It looks like a sensei pointing at a blackboard.

 ソ (so)

Mnemonic: Picture it as a needle and thread sowing through fabric.

タ (ta)

Mnemonic: Looks like a table with a high back.

チ (chi)

Mnemonic: Think of it as a cheese wedge sliding down.

 ツ (tsu)

Mnemonic: Two needles pointing up like a tsunami wave cresting.

 テ (te)

Mnemonic: It looks like the cross t on top of a tennis racket.

 ト (to)

Mnemonic: Imagine it as a tornado spinning downward.

ナ (na)

Mnemonic: Looks like a nail hammered into a piece of wood.

 ニ (ni)

Mnemonic: Picture it as two nice, parallel lines.

ヌ (nu)

Mnemonic: It resembles a noodle looped over.

 ネ (ne)

Mnemonic: Looks like a net hanging down.

 ノ (no)

Mnemonic: Simply think of it as a diagonal stroke saying "*no*".

 ハ (ha)

Mnemonic: Imagine it as a half a house roof.

 ヒ (hi)

Mnemonic: Picture it as a hill with a slope.

 フ (fu)

Mnemonic: Looks like a funnel with a wide opening.

 ヘ (he)

Mnemonic: This is a heavy object lifting up.

 ホ (ho)

Mnemonic: Picture it as a horse standing with reins.

 マ (ma)

Mnemonic: Think of it as a mask with two eye holes.

 ミ (mi)

Mnemonic: Looks like three miniature lines in a row.

 ム (mu)

Mnemonic: Picture it as a cow's muzzling face.

 メ (me)

Mnemonic: Resembles a medical needle.

 モ (mo)

Mnemonic: Imagine it as a mounting hook.

 ヤ (ya)

Mnemonic: Picture it as a yacht's sail.

 ユ (yu)

Mnemonic: Looks like a yoyo with a string curling down.

 ヨ (yo)

Mnemonic: Imagine it as three yoyo strings together.

 ラ (ra)

Mnemonic: Looks like a rabbit’s ear turned sideways.

 リ (ri)

Mnemonic: Imagine it as two rivers flowing down.

 ル (ru)

Mnemonic: Picture it as a rustling leaf curling down.

 レ (re)

Mnemonic: Resembles a reclining chair.

 ロ (ro)

Mnemonic: Looks like a square room with three walls.

 ワ (wa)

Mnemonic: Picture it as a wand with a loop at the top.

 ヲ (wo)

Mnemonic: Looks like a fishing hook catching a worm.

ン (n)

Mnemonic: Imagine it as an n shape, bending down.

These mnemonics should help you remember the Katakana characters more easily as you practice!