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The Yamasa Institute, Okazaki, Japan
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6.2.3.9. Are there any mnemonics useful for remembering the hiragana order?

Whilst different mneomics work for different people, one quite effective way is to memorise the first column and first row of the hiragana syllabry. The first column are the basic vowels 'a', 'i', 'u', 'e' and 'o', and the first row are hiragana ending with the 'a' sound. Thus, starting with 'a', 'ka', 'sa', 'ta', 'na', 'ha', 'ma', 'ya', 'ra' and finally 'wa'. Once familiar with the first row, the other rows of hiragana can be easily inflected simply by changing the ending vowel.

For example: starting with,
a - ka - sa - ta - na - ha - ma - ya - ra - wa

replace 'a' with 'i', and you get the 2nd row of hiragana,
i - ki - si (shi) - ti (chi) - ni - hi - mi - (i) - ri

replacing 'i' with 'u' we move onto the 3rd row with...
u - ku - su - tu 'tsu) - nu - hu - mu - yu - ru

This may not work with everyone, but it is one method worth trying should you be running out of ways to remember hiragana. Also, since this method only allows you to memorise the sounds but not the written character, it is best combined with plenty of writing practices.

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Hattori Foundation (est.1919) - The Yamasa Institute 1-2-1 Hanehigashi-machi, Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, JAPAN 444-0832 Tel: +81 (0)564 55 8111 Fax: +81 (0)564 55 8113 Email: Inquiries

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