Hiragana [ひらがな - 平仮名]

A phonetic letter script consisting of 46 characters representing every sound in the Japanese language. All Japanese word can be written in Hiragana. Hiragana is one of three Japanese writing scripts (Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji).

There are also modified forms to describe more sounds in addition to the 46 basic letters. Dakuon, Handakuon, and Yōon.

Dakuon, meaning murky sound (g,z,d). Example: Ka か with two small dots is now Ga が

Handakuon, meaning half murky sound (p). Example: Ha は with a small circle is now Pa ぱ

Yōon, "i" combinations (Ki,Shi,Chi,Ni,Hi,...) with Ya, Yu or Yo. Example: み (Mi) + ゃ (Ya) = みゃ (Mya)