Is there a mnemonic for remembering the order of kana signs?

The gojūuon order

		K	S	T	N	H	M	Y	R	W
A	あ	か	さ	た	な	は	ま	や	ら	わ
I	い	き	し	ち	に	ひ	み	¹	り	ゐ³
U	う	く	す	つ	ぬ	ふ	む	ゆ	る	²
E	え	け	せ	て	ね	へ	め	¹	れ	ゑ³
O	お	こ	そ	と	の	ほ	も	よ	ろ	を

There is no kana for "ye" or "yi".
See Is there a kana symbol for ye or yi?
There is no kana for "wu".
The "we" and "wi" kana are seldom used.
See What is the use of the "we" and "wi" kana?

The most common ordering of kana is the gojūon (五十音) ordering shown in the table on the right, where the kana are grouped by consonant and vowel sound. Several mnemonics have been invented in order to help remember the order of the beginning consonants of the kana in this table. One is

Kana Symbols Think Now How Much You Read and Write them.

Another,

A King Surely Tests No Home-Made Yellow/Red WiNe

also contains the order of the vowels, A I U E O.

Yet another:

Ah, Kana Symbols: Take Note How Many You Read Well.

The origin of the gojūon kana ordering, which this helps memorize, is explained in What is the origin of the gojūon kana ordering? Another kana ordering is discussed in How does the i-ro-ha ordering go?

If you have questions, corrections, or comments, please contact Ben Bullock or use the discussion forum / Privacy policy


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