Learn katakana with short iPhone practice rounds.
Hane helps you master katakana — the script used for foreign loanwords, names, menus, and scientific terms — through quick recognition games on iPhone and iPad.
Free during the public beta on Apple TestFlight.
Why katakana matters
Katakana looks like the "second alphabet" beginners can skip, but in real Japanese it is everywhere: restaurant menus, product names, foreign place names, and onomatopoeia. Being slow at katakana means being slow at daily life in Japan.
Practice katakana in context
Hane’s Kana Trio includes a dedicated katakana mode that mixes character recognition with real words you will actually encounter:
Master katakana on iPhone
Install TestFlight and start katakana practice rounds in Hane today.
Join TestFlight betaFrom katakana to real reading
Once katakana is comfortable, Hane moves you into reading passages that mix all three scripts. You will see katakana in its natural habitat — alongside hiragana grammar particles and kanji vocabulary — instead of isolated drills.
Frequently asked questions
Is katakana harder than hiragana?
Not really — there are the same number of base characters. Many learners find katakana slightly harder because the shapes are more angular and less frequently practiced in beginner courses. Hane gives katakana equal attention.
When should I learn katakana?
Right after hiragana. Do not wait until you "need" it. The sooner you know both scripts, the sooner you can read real Japanese text without switching to romaji.
Does Hane teach katakana stroke order?
The focus is on fast recognition and reading. For writing practice, the kanji library includes drawing input that you can use to trace katakana shapes as well.
Can I practice hiragana and katakana together?
Yes. The Kana Trio game can mix both scripts, and the dedicated kana practice hub lets you drill them together before moving to kanji.
Master katakana on iPhone
Install TestFlight and start katakana practice rounds in Hane today.