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PokotypeJapanese typing practice
Pokotype - Practice Japanese typing, from kana to full articles | Product Hunt
HIRAGANA & KATAKANA

Kana practice

Start with one kana. Type Japanese into memory.

あ
Hiragana · Romaji input
a

See the kana · Type the romaji · Remember it

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English keyboard · Romaji input

TYPING GUIDE

Typing rules

Use an English keyboard layout and type the kana as written.
Pronunciation and keyboard input are not always the same.

01 Particles: pronunciation and typing

ParticlePronunciationKeyboard input
はwaha
へehe
をowo
私はwatashiha

私は is pronounced “watashi wa”, but you type watashiha.

02 More than one spelling works

しshi / si
ちchi / ti
つtsu / tu
じji / zi

Hints show one valid spelling. If you use another accepted spelling, the remaining hint adjusts as you type.

03 Double consonants and small kana

For っ, usually double the first consonant of the next kana. You can also type it separately.

きってkitte
ざっしzasshi
っxtu / ltu / xtsu / ltsu
ゃxya / lya

04 The nasal ん: check what follows

Before most consonants, a single n works. Before a vowel or y, use nn or n' to separate the sounds.

さんまsanma
しんようshin'you / shinnyou
みんなminna

The two n characters in minna belong to ん and な. Type them continuously.

How Pokotype completes んA standalone or sentence-final ん completes after one n; a second n is not needed. This is a Pokotype practice rule. In a standard Japanese IME, nn explicitly enters ん.

n-n is not a spelling of ん. Use - for the long-vowel mark ー.

05 Contracted and voiced kana

しゃsha / sya
ちゅchu
にゃnya
がga
ぴょpyo

しゃ is a combination. shia spells しあ, so it does not enter しゃ.

06 Practice conventions

  • Type - for the long-vowel mark ー, for example コーヒー → ko-hi-.
  • Punctuation and whitespace are skipped automatically. No spaces are needed between romaji groups.
  • An incorrect key does not advance your progress. Just type the correct key; no backspace is needed.
  • Timing starts with your first correct key. Pressing Esc, switching tabs, or leaving the window pauses practice.
  • Opening this guide pauses practice. After closing it, select “Resume practice” to continue.

Reference: Microsoft romaji input chart (PDF, new window)

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Basic kana

Voiced kana

Semi-voiced kana

Contracted kana

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WORDS MADE FOR YOU

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Tip: type し as shi or si. Use whichever feels natural.

From kana to Japanese typing practice

Pokotype is an online Japanese typing practice tool. Learn romaji input with hiragana and katakana, then build fluency with short passages that include kana readings and Chinese translations.

How do I start?

  1. Choose hiragana or katakana and a practice range above. Start with basic kana, then add voiced sounds, semi-voiced sounds and contracted sounds.
  2. Practice on a computer, phone or iPad. Type romaji directly with an English keyboard on a computer. On touchscreens, tap the question or romaji area to open the keyboard, then switch to an English alphabet keyboard. Keep hints on while learning, then try without them.
  3. Review your speed and accuracy after each session and revisit unfamiliar kana. Practice records stay in your current browser.

More than one spelling can be correct

Pokotype accepts each of these romaji spellings. The remaining hint adapts to the valid spelling you choose.

  • しshi / si
  • ちchi / ti
  • つtsu / tu

Type kana as written in article practice: the particles は, へ and を use ha, he and wo. Punctuation and spaces are skipped automatically. Open Input rules during practice for the full guide.

Do I need an account or payment?

Kana practice and built-in sample articles are free, with no account or API key required. Optional AI article generation uses your own API key and is billed under your model provider’s terms.

What comes after kana?

Start with a short passage about daily life. Read the Japanese text, kana reading and Chinese translation, then practice by sentence, in groups or as a full article. Type romaji with an English keyboard on a computer, phone or iPad.

Read the beginner passage 小さな朝の習慣