2023-03-25 - Japanese

Hi there! As a fellow Japanese language learner, let me tell you about my adventures with these cute and quirky hiragana characters! I’ve had some hilarious moments trying to remember them, so I hope my experiences will make you smile.

First up, we have あ (A). It’s like saying “ahh” after taking a sip of your favorite drink. Imagine saying “Ahhh, this bubble tea is amazing!” See, easy as pie!

Next is い (I). I like to think of it as the “I” in “ice cream.” Because, let’s face it, who doesn’t love ice cream? So, whenever I come across this character, I remind myself of the sweet treat waiting for me after my study session.

Now, う (U) is a bit tricky. It’s like saying “ooh” in amazement. For example, “Ooh, I can’t believe I just got that Japanese grammar rule right!” It’s a great feeling, trust me.

Moving on to か (KA), it reminds me of “ka-ching!” like the sound of a cash register. This character often appears in words related to money, such as “お金” (okane), which means “money.” So, I imagine a cash register ringing every time I see this character.

As for こ (KO), it’s like saying “co” in “cold,” so I think of an icy-cold drink on a hot summer day. Whenever I need to remember this character, I remind myself of how refreshing it would be to have a cold drink in my hand.

Then there’s さ (SA), which reminds me of a sunny day. It’s like saying “sa” in “sun.” So, I picture myself basking in the warm sunshine, which always puts me in a good mood.

Now, し (SHI) is like the “sh” in “sheep.” But let’s not think of a sheep, that’s too boring. Instead, let’s imagine a shish kebab. Mmm, delicious! This character often appears in words related to food, such as “寿司” (sushi), which means “sushi.”

Finally, we have す (SU). It’s like saying “su” in “soup.” So, I imagine a steaming hot bowl of soup on a cold winter day. Yum! This character often appears in words related to food, such as “すき焼き” (sukiyaki), which is a type of Japanese hotpot.