Fun mnemonics for Hiragana characters

Old Japanese Characters

Creating mnemonics can be a fun and effective way to remember Hiragana characters. Below are mnemonic stories or associations for each of the 46 basic Hiragana characters:

あ (a)

Mnemonic: Imagine the character as an antenna with a loop. The loop at the top represents the antenna.

い (i)

Mnemonic: Picture two straight lines standing like a pair of thin, upright ii (eels).

う (u)

Mnemonic: This character looks like a u turning its head back.

え (e)

Mnemonic: The character resembles an energetic person with their arms outstretched.

お (o)

Mnemonic: This character looks like someone overflowing with joy, dancing with a loop.

か (ka)

Mnemonic: It looks like a cutting tool with a karving blade.

き (ki)

Mnemonic: Think of it as a key with a bow at the bottom.

く (ku)

Mnemonic: This looks like a kuckoo bird’s beak.

け (ke)

Mnemonic: Imagine it as a key turned sideways.

こ (ko)

Mnemonic: Two lines running parallel like companions walking together.

さ (sa)

Mnemonic: The character resembles a sailing boat on the water.

し (shi)

Mnemonic: Think of it as a sheep’s tail curling up.

す (su)

Mnemonic: It looks like a sucker, curving up to catch something.

せ (se)

Mnemonic: Picture a seahorse swimming upward.

そ (so)

Mnemonic: Looks like a sowing thread with a curl.

た (ta)

Mnemonic: It resembles a target with an arrow hitting the center.

ち (chi)

Mnemonic: This character looks like a cheese wedge.

つ (tsu)

Mnemonic: Imagine it as a tsunami wave curling up.

て (te)

Mnemonic: This looks like the top of a tennis racket.

と (to)

Mnemonic: It resembles a totalled nail sticking out of wood.

な (na)

Mnemonic: Picture it as a naughty person running away.

に (ni)

Mnemonic: It looks like a knee bent slightly forward.

ぬ (nu)

Mnemonic: Imagine a noodle swirling into a loop.

ね (ne)

Mnemonic: This character looks like a net with a loop at the end.

の (no)

Mnemonic: It’s like a no entry sign, with a circular stroke.

は (ha)

Mnemonic: Imagine it as a hat with a brim and a stick through it.

ひ (hi)

Mnemonic: Think of it as a heels walking forward.

ふ (fu)

Mnemonic: It looks like a fu (food) scoop.

へ (he)

Mnemonic: It resembles a heavy weight lifting upward.

ほ (ho)

Mnemonic: Picture it as a horse with reins hanging down.

ま (ma)

Mnemonic: It looks like a mama's knitting needle with yarn.

み (mi)

Mnemonic: This character looks like minced meat being twisted.

む (mu)

Mnemonic: Imagine it as a moo cow’s tail.

め (me)

Mnemonic: Think of it as a mended fish hook.

も (mo)

Mnemonic: This looks like a mobile fishing hook with three loops.

や (ya)

Mnemonic: It resembles a yak leaning forward.

ゆ (yu)

Mnemonic: Picture it as a yurt with a curl on top.

よ (yo)

Mnemonic: Imagine it as a yoyo with a string curling back.

ら (ra)

Mnemonic: It looks like a rabbit's ear bent backward.

り (ri)

Mnemonic: Picture it as river reeds swaying.

る (ru)

Mnemonic: Think of it as a rustling leaf curling at the tip.

れ (re)

Mnemonic: This looks like a reclining chair.

ろ (ro)

Mnemonic: Imagine it as a rope curling up on the ground.

わ (wa)

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

を (wo)

Mnemonic: It resembles a fish hook ready to catch a worm.

ん (n)

Mnemonic: Think of it as an n shape, curving down at the end.

These mnemonics can help you remember the characters more easily as you practice and become familiar with Hiragana!