📚 Ayumi Starter Hiragana

Learn to read and write voiced sounds (ga, za, da, ba) and semi-voiced sounds (pa). Understand how adding dakuten or handakuten marks changes the pronunciation. You'll be able to read more words like "gakkō" (school), "denwa" (telephone), and "pan" (bread)!

Learn to read and write contracted sounds (kya, sha, cha, nya, hya, mya, rya, gya, ja, bya, pya, etc.). Master the use of small "ya," "yu," and "yo." You'll be able to read commonly used words like "kyō" (today), "shashin" (photo), and "ryōri" (cooking)!

Learn to read and write long vowels (okāsan, sensei, sō) and double consonants (kitte, gakkō, zasshi). Master expressions for elongating sounds and consonant gemination. You'll be able to read words with correct pronunciation like "okāsan" (mother), "gakkō" (school), and "kippu" (ticket)!

Learn to read and write basic Katakana sounds (a-row through wa-row) and special sounds. Master Katakana used for loanwords and foreign place/personal names. You'll be able to read commonly seen Katakana words like "kōhī" (coffee), "terebi" (television), and "Amerika" (America)!

Learn to read Japanese place names and basic greeting expressions. Master everyday greetings like "ohayō gozaimasu" (good morning), "itadakimasu" (before meals), and "tadaima" (I'm home). You'll also be able to ask questions using demonstratives like "kore/sore/are" (this/that) and "kore wa nan desu ka" (What is this?)!

Learn how to read numbers and ask prices using "ikura desu ka" (How much is it?). You'll be able to say phone numbers and ages, and ask prices while shopping. Use practical expressions like "watashi no denwa bangō wa ~ desu" (My phone number is ~) and "~ en desu" (It's ~ yen)!

Learn how to order at restaurants and sushi shops. Master essential expressions for dining out like "menyū o kudasai" (Menu, please), "~ o ~ tsu kudasai" (~ pieces of ~, please), and "okaikei o onegai shimasu" (Check, please). You'll be able to have practical conversations that you can actually use at restaurants!

Learn to distinguish between "koko/soko/asoko" (here/there/over there) and ask and answer location questions like "doko desu ka" (Where is it?) and "doko e ikimasu ka" (Where are you going?). You'll be able to talk about places with expressions like "kafe wa doko desu ka" (Where is the cafe?) and "konbini e ikimasu" (I'm going to the convenience store)!

Learn names of fruits, drinks, sports, vehicles, and countries, and practice asking and answering "suki na ~ wa nan desu ka" (What is your favorite ~?). You'll be able to express your preferences with statements like "watashi no suki na furūtsu wa ringo desu" (My favorite fruit is apples) and "suki na supōtsu wa sakkā desu" (My favorite sport is soccer)!

Practice a complete series of restaurant conversations using the expressions you've learned so far. You'll be able to communicate smoothly from ordering to payment. Have natural conversations from "menyū o kudasai" (Menu, please) to "gochisōsama deshita" (Thank you for the meal). You've now perfected the introductory level!