2.22. Japanese alphabet: Hiragana: Transportation vocabulary
Japanese is a rich and complex language with three different writing systems: Kanji, Katakana and Hiragana. In this chapter, we will focus on Hiragana, one of the most basic and fundamental writing systems in learning the Japanese language, and specifically in the vocabulary of transportation.
Hiragana
Hiragana is one of the three writing systems used in the Japanese language, along with Katakana and Kanji. It is a phonetic system, which means that each character represents a specific sound. Hiragana is usually the first writing system that students of Japanese learn as it is used to write native Japanese words as well as grammatical particles.
Hiragana Transport Vocabulary
Understanding transportation vocabulary is crucial to navigating Japan, whether you're a tourist visiting the country or a student of Japanese looking to improve your language skills. Here are some useful transport-related words and phrases written in Hiragana:
- くるま (Kuruma): Car
- ひこうき (Hikouki): Airplane
- でんしゃ (Densha): Train
- バス (Basu): Bus
- ふね (Fune): Boat
- じてんしゃ (Jitensha): Bike
- タクシー (Takushii): Taxi
Now that you know some basic transportation words, let's learn some useful phrases you can use when traveling:
- でんしゃにのります (Densha ni norimasu): I'm going to take the train
- バスがおくれています (Basu ga okureteimasu): The bus is late
- ひこうきでいきます (Hikouki de ikimasu): I'm going by plane
- くるまでとおります (Toorimasu's Kuruma): I'll go by car
Conclusion
Learning transportation vocabulary in Hiragana is an important step in learning Japanese. Not only will it allow you to more easily navigate Japan, it will also give you a deeper understanding of the Japanese language and culture. Remember, practice is the key to mastering any new vocabulary or writing system. So keep practicing and soon you'll be able to use these words and phrases with confidence.
We hope this chapter has been helpful to you on your journey to learn Japanese. In the next chapter, we'll continue to explore Hiragana, focusing on another important aspect of Japanese vocabulary. Until then, がんばってください (Ganbatte kudasai) - Keep pushing!
