Definition

A type of Japanese writing system that is angular and used mainly for foreign words, scientific terms, and official documents.

Example

In Japanese, katakana is often used to write the names of foreign countries and foods.

Conversation

Have you ever tried reading anything written in katakana?

Yeah, I saw some signs in katakana when I was in Japan.

It's interesting how it's used for foreign words, right?

Definitely! It makes those words stand out more.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Katakana originates from Japanese (カタカナ), where 'kata' (形) means 'shape' or 'form' and 'kana' (仮名) refers to 'syllabary' or 'phonetic script'. The term describes a specific script used in the Japanese writing system that represents sounds, particularly for foreign words and names.

Memory Tip

Think of 'shape' ('kata') to remember that 'katakana' is a script that represents sounds in a distinct form.

Visually Confused Words