Put it into practice

How to type in Japanese on phone and computer

You do not need a special physical keyboard to write Japanese. For a beginner, romaji input is the easiest place to start: type Latin letters and your device offers hiragana, katakana, or kanji.

On a phone

Add Japanese / 日本語 in your keyboard settings. On iPhone, go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Keyboards. On Android, the route depends on the keyboard app, but it is usually under Languages or Languages & input. Then use the globe button or hold the space bar to switch.

On a computer

In Windows, add Japanese under Time & language → Language & region. In macOS, add it in System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources. Choose the Romaji input method; the system language switcher will then let you move between keyboards.

What the input does

Type konnichiwa and you will see こんにちは. Type nihon and you get にほん; pressing space can offer 日本. A doubled consonant creates a small っ, so gakkou becomes がっこう. Long vowels and spelling variants sometimes need the keyboard suggestions, so take a moment to look at the offered forms.

Safe first attempts

• こんにちは: hello.
• ありがとう: thank you.
• にほん: Japan.
• ねこ: cat.

Practise kana in Kana Start and the signs on a Japanese keyboard will feel less foreign. That makes it easier to rely less on romaji and suggestions.