What does katakana mean?
Katakana is one of the two principal syllabic writing systems used in modern Japanese, the other being hiragana. Its characters are generally used to represent short syllables, and they are especially common for words borrowed from foreign languages, technical and scientific terminology, and emphatic versions of native Japanese expressions. A Japanese word such as “computer” may therefore appear in katakana even when it has an established meaning for Japanese speakers. In ordinary English, “katakana” can refer to the script as a whole, to its individual characters, or to loanwords written with it. The system developed historically from abbreviated forms of older Japanese writing and is now one of the clearest visual markers of foreign influence in Japanese writing.
nounOne of the two syllabic writing systems of modern Japanese, used especially for foreign words, loanwords, scientific terminology, and emphatic forms of native Japanese vocabulary. Each character generally represents one syllable.
- The syllabic Japanese writing system used chiefly for foreign words, loanwords, scientific and technical terminology, and emphasis.
"The restaurant's name was written in katakana because it was borrowed from English."
"The word 'hotel' is written ホテル in katakana."
"The textbook explains that the company's name appears in katakana on the sign."
The form is unchanged in the plural. It can refer to multiple characters or words written in the script.
"Several Japanese loanwords and brand names were displayed in katakana."
Katakana began as a practical way to write foreign sounds, and today it still acts as Japanese typography's unmistakable doorway to words from abroad.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does katakana come from?
The Japanese term カタカナ is written with kanji meaning “partial kana” and refers to the characters of the script itself. Katakana developed during the Heian period from highly abbreviated forms of man'yōgana, an early system that used Chinese characters for their sounds. The modern script is related to kana, the broader category of Japanese syllabic writing, and its use for foreign words reflects the long-standing need to represent sounds not covered naturally by the original system.
How katakana is actually used
In English, 'katakana' usually refers both to the writing system and, informally, to the characters or words written in it. It is a Japanese term that is also commonly used outside Japan.
Easily confused with katakana
Katakana is primarily used for foreign words and loanwords, whereas hiragana is primarily used for native Japanese words and grammatical particles.
Katakana and hiragana are syllabic scripts, while kanji are logographic characters used to represent words and morphemes.