JAPANESE WRITING SYSTEM

Modern Japanese writing system uses:

• Logographic Kanji (漢字)
• Hiragana (ひらがな)
• Katagana (カタカナ)
漢字
Kanji was introduced in Japan in 57 AD during Yamato Era.
In ancients times, Japan did not have an established writing system and most
of communication between Korea and China used Kanji as a common
diplomatic writing system.
There were differences between Japanese language and Chinese reading
system so it was necessary to create a link between them.
Today, Japanese needs to know both* reading systems called:
音読み – On yomi (Japanese Reading)
訓読み – Kun Yomi (Native Reading – adapted)
*There are others rare readings, but usually this two represents most of uses
in Kanji today.
漢字
Example:

明 Meaning: Bright
On Yomi: Aka – Rui (明るい - Luminous) – Usually used to form a japanese word
Kun Yomi: Mei + JI (明治 – Enlightened Rule) – Usually used when combined with other Kanji
(but the Reading is no longer equal to actual chinese system)

There are more than 50.000 characters for Kanji Today.

Approximately 2.000 to 3.000 kanjis are commnly used in Japan.
ひらがな and カタカナ
Due the differences between spoken Japanese and Chinese, Hiragana
and Katakana writing system was developed to simplify it.
The first time this writing systems appeared was in ancient poetry
writen by Murasaki Shikibu (紫 式部).
ひらがな and カタカナ
The main reason for this new syllabary writing was demanded to avoid
use Kanji to adapt to japanese.
They took one part or simplified (kana) or recreated (hira) most used
Kanji to fit how japanese speakers used the language.
How sentences are built
Today, Hiragana is used to form japanese common sentences (or add to
onyomi system or connect sentences) and Katakana is used to foreign
words.
Sentence connectors
KANJI KATAGANA HIRAGANA

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How sentences are built