How to write Japanese characters eS Tobira-sensee, the three types of Japanese characters, C5) __hiragana, katakana, and kanji seem hard to leara! SLY Don’t worry! If you follow the guidelines in this workbook step by step, you'll definitely learn how to read and write them easily and correctly. Tobira-sensee The goal of this pre-lesson is to learn useful tips for writing Japanese characters. Some hiragana characters are used as examples, but it’s okay if you don’t know how to read them yet. © When writing characters use a pencil with an eraser so you can easily fix mistakes. If you want to use a tablet and stylus, it’s best to have a brush stroke feature enabled. @Note how you hold your pencil. Hold your pencil as shown in the illustration. correct way ‘wrong way ‘The dynamic tripod grasp: hold the pencil with your thumb ‘and index finger about an inch from its tip, with your middle finger supporting the peneil BBasic strokes Japanese characters consist of simple lines and dots, commonly called “strokes.” If you get used to writing the strokes below, itll be easier to learn Japanese characters. Otrokes: lines Horizontal | Vertical Diagonal Curved Bent i P7\ PT) Pe 77 @ Strokes: dots and a small circl Vertical dot [Diagonal dots] [Double dots [Small circle v ND v © —_| "he double dots and the smal circle are called diacrtcal marks @ Stroke-endings Stopr The stroke ends with | Release: The stroke ends with the |Flick: The stroke ends with a flick. ‘a full stop. tip of the pencil being gradually lifted — grorbL2id b &Practice writing each of the lines, dots, and stroke-endings. Trace the gray lines and dots first, then rewrite them in the blank boxes on the right. Practice more using your notebook or tablet if necessary. How to practice writing characters in this workbook When writing Japanese characters, pay attention to points ©-® below. Example: practice handwriting characters @1—aF [E82 © Stroke direction The general rule is that characters are written from left to right and from top to bottom. Curved lines bend at varying angles. In this workbook, directions and angles of strokes are shown with red arrows. (See @ for more details.) @ Stroke order Each character is written in a pre-determined stroke order. By following this stroke order, you can write more neatly, make fewer mistakes, and memorize the characters more easily. In this workbook, the stroke order for each character is shown using Arabic numerals, The number @ indicates the first stroke. © Guiding lines All writing exercises include dashed guiding lines for writing more balanced characters. Using these lines will allow you to write cleaner, more correct characters. @ Abbreviation codes and symbols The following abbreviation codes are used to indicate the correct way to write characters. stop Filick R=release C=curvedline . > =direction (_) spaceHorizontal writing and vertical writing Japanese can be written both horizontally and vertically. You will learn the rules and features of each style in L8 (p.293) of TOBIRA |. in this workbook, you will practice writing horizontally and vertically as in the examples below. (QO wo say) Horizontal writing Vertical writing | Ly Na Practice writing in these blank boxes. Differences between handwritten and printed characters Both handwritten and printed characters are introduced in TOBIRA I (p.11). When you practice writing characters, use the handwritten styles, not the printed styles. The examples below show some of the distinct differences between handwritten and printed characters. (Different parts are indicated with) Slee Oly] Mincho font Gothic font Handwritten -Mincho font Gothic font. Handwritten eS Tobira-sensee, | can just type characters on my computer, tablet, etc., so why do | have to practice writing characters by hand? First, handwriting helps to improve both focus and memory. Particularly when learning kanji, handwriting the characters makes them easier to memorize! Handwriting can be time-saving and convenient in some situations, too. In fact, there are many situations where you have to write by hand. For example, when filling out paperwork at a city hall or hospital, jotting down memos or spoken messages, writing your name and answers on a test, etc. It’s also good to note that there’s an artistic appreciation for handwriting and calligraphy in Japan, so being able to skillfully write these characters will help make a good impression. As you can see, there is much to be enjoyed through handwriting these characters, and | hope this workbook Is a great resource for you!TSSCheck W In the chart below, each hiragana is shown with an illustration of a word that contains it. Most highlighted hiragana are at the start of the word, but some are not. After learning all hiragana, come back to this chart to see if you can read and write all characters. bEL eH [RR | AA | It RO Oleh | E. a a 5 é ea" a DALD al Below are the lyrics to A-I- ‘0 Song), which can be sung to the tune of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, BUS 2k Bb 4d De SG TAKS @ 0 B® A EWES Coy F & GH BIUB YE eS Lo # B50 D PWD R £BLS fB DT EBKH Tam BA 23 = < came) or Sut Be BR DBD SH MCW F Fe WELED (sluggishly) (Now. let's sing the next verse.) pW sk BT H A TW5SKS BD DO (ond that's it for the day) 10Class: Name: Ores Soy Ved eM Me Eur nea 6 Trace the gray hiragana first, then write each hiragana as neatly as you can in the boxes below. urved line | > sdirection 2 2 3 [Os 2, 2. e 2 e 3 2 3 23, . °, . Circle the indicated stroke in each hiragana as in the example. For each hiragana, mark the correct one with a y, then circle the mistake(s) in the other ones. Ex. 0 xb Van De 5, VIALS 2 23 b ® V1 oo 19 9 FI 2 ~ | XN a6 A) 8) pbb nClass: Name: | GJ tece the gray hiragana first, then rewrite each word in the space provided. Write horizontally or vertically, following the arrow. » or 2) ° 4) dove) (above) (blue) (picture) 5) ¢ 8) (ator) Convert each romanized word into hiragana in the space provided. Write horizontally or vertically, following the arrow. yi e 1 2) 0 @=e (house) 3) a u AG) 4) ° eh 5) 6)Class: Name: UShiigONAL 5 | Hiragana practice Trace the gray hiragana first, then write each hiragana as neatly as you can in the boxes below. S=stop F=flick R=release C=curved line direction As Howto adda diacritical marks 3 Following the stroke order and O.& arrows, add a ‘in the top right corner of the hiragana at about 4 @ a 45-degree angle. 13Class: Name: For each hiragana, mark the correct one with av, then Cciee the indicated stroke in B each hiragana as in the example. Circle the mistake(s) in the other ones. Ex. » 2) ERS VY) S|) 2) OlS|c |P4>o 2nd 2nd 3rd as ai 2 =? 7 5) . + 4+ +4 efziep slelehiiho Cte the gray hiragana first, then rewrite each word in the space provided, following the arrow. 1D > = (foreign country) (lay) Wert each romanized word into hiragana in the space provided. Write horizontally or vertically, Com following the arrow. 1) a ki 2) ke ga et, (autumn) st (eolisten to) (key) Go write) i | ka ka ki ku ki ke | gi kuClass: Name: Odo y ey We ee MMe Ee es Gree the gray hiragana first, then write each hiragana as neatly as you can in the boxes below. S=stop F=flick R=release C=curved line | =direction 2 e. 3, Insert a diacritical mark “¥ for each hiragana in the appropriate place at the correct angle. [lL irlele| 5BO Circle the indicated stroke in each hiragana. Class: ‘Name: the mistake(s) in the other one(s). (G5 For each hiragana, mark the correct one with a, then circle Fie) als) UL 4) ZF Pe -™~ fe/z/e7C1Clt Trace the gray hiragana first, then rewrite ea vertically, following the arrow. ich word in the space provided, Write horizontally or 1) 2) x 4 NS B + l (sushi) (constellation) ar, ] a 5) J» ‘ J @ a | (this morning) (ire (destructive | 7 (bell) Convert each romanized word into hiragana in the space provided. Write horizontally or vertically, following the arrow. 1) su zu shi i | (coo! [as temperate) 2) ka 20 ku 4) shi ki a 5 | F (number) | | | jaa ka (quiet) a (wind)Class: Name: Oks a ASOy el ee MNCs Eun oO Trace the gray hiragana first, then write each hiragana as neatly as you can in the boxes below. S=stop Feflick R=release C=curved line | ~ =dlrection 2 °. 3 3. 4 4 2 z 0, °. ° 2 ®, 2 Choose the correct direction for the diacritical mark. a b c. d “u=s%4yyy 7Class:________—_ Name: Circle the indicated stroke For each hiragana, mark the correct one with a, then circle in each hiragana. the mistake(s) in the other one(s). D 2) DE Qs 72 a =\T- + . aa + end ist a2 Ot se ate) (PIN 2nd 1st Trace the gray hiragana first, then rewrite each word in the space provided. Write horizontally or vertically, following the arrow. 1) 2) \ f) | | Aprin (the first day ofthemonth) | {ro encounte) 3)/ a, 4 qe : ET ya a Sapa Ey (sometimes) (ap) 8) o{ > oy _ ee 2 © — a } hm FS | ; (Cather) = (free of charge) | (the Moon) oO Convert each romanized word into hiragana in the space provided, following the arrow. 1) te tu dau Gai chi kate _tsu l | (ohelp) L | | Gubway) 3) ta 4) da i ga ku ] T mls (to stand up) | (oniversity)Class; Name: Ores Sey Wel ee MM CLE eid ffl Trace the gray hiragana first, then write each hiragana as neatly as you can in the boxes below. ‘=curved line | - =direction 2 2 . teri pst a e. 2 o * oo 0, T o 7 t Circle the indicated stroke For each hiragana, mark the correct one with a y, then circle in each hiragana. the mistake(s) in the other ones. 1) 2) 1) % ayic 42)ta fel l=llall - o ¢ db _ Y ~ ist 3rd 3) 4) _ Playa | eke) 71 f2Q #4. <4, | 5) M 2nd (st J) Z%) 19Class: Name: Trace the gray hiragana first, then rewrite each word in the space provided. Write horizontally or vertically, following the arrow. dD 2) L K 4 fp (fever) 3) 4) 68) ~a- 4 Fi (what) nt) (aside) Convert each romanized word into hiragana in the space provided. Write horizontally or vertically, following the arrow. 1) sa ka na 2) ni ku (neat) 30 ka ine 4) no do Py a (throat) 5) 6) hi a ga ne (tory) (older brother) (older sister) tsu 8) 9) 10) 11) nu & na @.™ gu 4 ™ tsu ad u (o ake off (commer) (seed) 20Class: Name: Oreo L eel eM Me CUE Ded (h race the gray hiragana first, then write each hiragana as neatly as you can in the boxes below. S=stop Feflick R=release C=curved line | —-=direction 3 o 2. 4 2Class: Name: © Or each hiragana, mark the correct one with av, then circle the mistake(s) in the other one. “alae Y TEE va Mud) (tee the gray hiragana first, then rewrite each word in the space provided, following the arrow. 1) 2) 3) 4) 7 7 L 7 G46 Sa Fe (tooth) | (fe) (oaks) » Zi bral ]s : c eB S ig) oe (noodles)) (Pon) 8) 9) 10) : ; aes : | é it é Us q Ar||” CIs [onomatopoeia for eating alot; {cnomatopoeta for being shiny/sparkly; (onomatopoeia for Thethanaernne Pachan’ QB» Tectrroane ste Sena verraonan! (GMs originates fom tis word) oxime tom is word) HY 0 Convert each romanized word into hiragana in the space provided, following the arrow. 1) 2) 3) hi to ’ Cg BS ° & » ha fu ZO. bo| bu it | (ether) (grandmother) (wos) 22Class: Name Ors yey eed de MNEs CULM Ue) Trace the gray hiragana first, then write each hiragana as neatly as you can in the boxes below. flick R=release C=curved line | 23Class;________—s Name: For each hiragana, mark the correct one with av, then circle the mistake(s) in the other one. De Qa ao 4) Ef GALE OY = | _ 5) et DR 8) Eh kb Pp u's 8 Trace the gray hiragana first, then rewrite each word in the space provided. Write horizontally or vertically, following the arrow. 0 2) i Bf Ie oO (car) (younger sister) 3) 4) XY 5) 6) ye insect) Convert each romanized word into hiragana in the space provided, following the arrow. 2 ou mi — ) ma do ya (ea) (room) 4) yu me eB 5) to mo 2 —— (ream) (fiend) 6) mi zu § Da me mu & vater) | (oread) 24Class: Name: Okey CT ee Me EN eae) ‘Trace the gray hiragana first, then write each hiragana as neatly as you can in the boxes belo\ | S=stop Feflick R=release C=curved ine | lirection ° 3 T 2 2 o 2? oe, 2 ° °. | | ° ° | 2 2. ° o, ° °, 2 3 a 2 ° °. a 3 o 3 25Class: Name For each hiragana, mark the correct one with a y, then circle the mistake(s) in the other one. DS ay 6 at CoM YI Za nm 5) 4 8b NE BA ZR PO ke Lh Gee the gray hiragana first, then rewrite each word in the space provided. Write horizontally or vertically, following the arrow. n ) | 2) (apple) 3) 4) Ge te history) | “ (everyone) Convert each romanized word into hiragana in the space provided, Write horizontally or vertically, following the arrow. 1) go ha n oS 2 ku su ri 3) 4) 5) 8) ha ku oO | @ J A ass | {to clear up) Oo (temple) ru | shi ma ra 26Class; Name: cere de Maca) fl 1) Review: Hiragana (D Circle the hiragana that represents the romanized sound. Exa 1): ®] ki C8+*) chi (6-5) ani Ch-Kc) 4m [a- a) 5)ho Cit: 2] 6)me [va] 7)ri [+4] 8)ro [4-4] 9) wa (H-] (2) Write the hiragana that represent the romanized sounds below as neatly as you can. Exe a 1) ke 2) su 3) so 4) na 5) fu 6) ma 7) mu 8) yu 9)n oO Practice: Long vowels (See pp.25-26 in TOBIRA |.) For each vowel, trace the gray hiragana first and rewrite the word in the space provided below. Then, convert the romanized words into hiragana ¢ ‘obaasan (grandmother) aa (Coe!) waa (Wow!) aa PIES Ao | ojiisan (grandiather) chiisai (small) kiiro (etiow) (older broter) De face or « » S taifuu (hoon) kuuki Gi) Jiyuu Greedom) AMS sensee (teacher) | gakusee (tulent) tokee (watch) English) ise ueen) | foeec ws ee SES BRASH e€ (yes) hee [interjection to show your surprise and interest] (older sister) BEA SA i 2 ) (1) Match the romanized sentences to the ones in hiragana in the box on the right. Pay attention to the differences between the three sentences. 1) (Kitekudasai] 2) [Kitckudesai) 8) Ketekudassi] uae Crees \ ls C Date Cd eotc Ke Please cut.) (Please come (here),) (Please listen.) (2| Trace the gray hiragana first, then rewrite each word in the space provided. Write horizontally or vertically, following the arrow. Pay attention to the position and size of small 2. ~S]T To] » Re 4 eciNge} Spite BZ ; ‘com Weten hat | Gostage stamp) 2) (3 Provide hiragana for each romanized word in the space provided. Write horizontally or vertically, following the arrow. 1) ikkai 4) sakka 5) yottsu 6) oe “a Be B 2) issai — . (writer) (four small items) (six small animals) ae = (ove year t 3) ippun : | (| Provide hiragana for each romanized word. Ex. hikkoshi (move) > > =U 1) mika 2) ippai < Dhitoritko — ma ey & ae? ie third day) (ove cup of.) (only hid)Class: Name: Practice: Contracted sounds (small ~?, , and +) (I) Trace the gray hiragana first, then rewrite each word in the space provided. Write horizontally or vertically, following the arrow. Pay attention to the position and size of small *, "9, and £. a ») ge { hondred) hobby) (rational Jase na) ocr | ] [medical . Bae | D 3) i 1) | f - — a ~0-0-8-0-0+ year (last year) 2] Provide hiragana for each romanized word in the space provided, Write horizontally or vertically, following the arrow. 1) ocha SR 4) jinja 5) bijutsu 6) shokuji Yee (art) (green tea) 2) shukudai 3) toshokan ibray (3) Provide hiragana for each romanized word. Ex. shashin (photograph) > Le LA 1) jitensha 2) sanbyaku Gp_ Domocna eA (bicycle) (three hundred) (toy)Class: Name: 6 Practice writing words containing long vowels, double consonants, and contracted sounds. (Trace the gray hiragana first, then rewrite each word in the space provided. Write horizontally or vertically, following the arrow. 1) | 6) & ®, BF \(if that’s the case) « ) 2) x = 1) Sy ? ‘) 3) 7 7 Eee Fe race the gray hiragana first, then rewrite each word in the space provided. Write horizontally or vertically, following the arrow. "Ln b [UTC may” “aa {one’s place of origin) Gatitte) (ogetter) 2) (one week) : : F | L ks 7 ( = F VD ) = , | L (3) Match the hiragana to their romanized word. ly E esse + Chuugoku (China) . aogier: + byooin (hospital) |- 3)e5ea5- + biyooin (hair salon) 4 NULIVA + + Tookyoo (Tokyo) B)VULIVA + + Kyooto (Kyoto) 30Class: ‘Name: Practice writing with all the special sounds. Provide hiragana for each romanized word. (School 1) juevoo Baas] 2) beniyoo a 3) shusseki apo a (class) (study) (attendance) (ona test, ete) 5) kyookasho 8) gakki 7) shokudog, 8) renshuu 2 Places in town 1) gakkoo 4) — 2) church 3) “ theater 2) kyookai oocgooG x a jeefpies| | 2 3) eegakan s & 4) yuubinkyoku me 8) ginkoo | eal e 6) kooen on Dowie r=) |e Fs sana rt ¢ 8) bijutsukan 9) biyooin 10) kuukoo 11) doobutsuen [3] Hobbies 4) ryoori yD ryokoo eat. 3) undoo (cooking) (wip) (exercise) aClass: Name: | ABNA LH 5S | Reading pra >See TOBIRA I L1 #3 (p51). In order to get to know the Japan House (JH) members better, read their member profiles on the JH | Bulletin Board. | Cre ae 1) In the profiles below, circle the particles lt and ® and underline C+ as in the example. Yar3inip =a-7 invuer FY! New Delhi #4 = kanji EMELT. HHL VHD YUKTS. Maaku shiruby AGZUROAK) LOMEOTT, EATI LETH, Cpa YezTatt. VIF LAS. Gorudo Writing sheets are available on the TOBIRA website. (See p.6.) (Self-introduction) Task: Write your self-introduction in Japanese for your classmates. (1) Pre-writing activity: Fill in the table with your own information. If you don’t know how to spell a proper name in Japanese, provide it in English or the common language in your class. BhALAD? \tacs | (optional _ Leolk FERbO/ZE (favorite thing) 2) Writing: Using the information above, write your self-introduction in Japanese. Refer to Kim-san’s self- introduction on p.46 #9 of TOBIRA | and the profiles about the JH members on p.32 of this workbook. foirin | Write horizontally from left to right. Use all the greetings and sentence structures in the box below. ‘Use the Japanese period “.” at the end of each sentence. Pay attention to its position. Refer ‘to “Punctuation marks in Japanese” on p.74, If you don’t know how to spell a proper name in Japanese, provide it in English or the common language in your class. OluvMet Os tka BAIL ET Oxayty Noun 1 ® Noun 2 OK) YALFETI SET ETH} exit Check | sw} “Wow go back to the hiragana correctly. (p.10) and check if you can read and write all 33TSSCheck W After learning all katakana, come back to this chart to see if you can read and write all characters. yialal[riyvyixi+l[sl[*lalsy y sfel[=|# lo] ele JL a 4 7 zx yy A 72 2 L xA[n aleilelr[s Gyo ale aRivyi{eriyisals "7 Is rarely used in modem Japanese, EUETEMNEIGD Which katakana words can you recognize? 34