1 kana | Definition of kana
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

kana

noun, often attributive
ka·​na | \ ˈkä-nÉ™ How to pronounce kana (audio) \
plural kana

Definition of kana

: a Japanese system of syllabic writing having characters that can be used exclusively for writing foreign words or in combination with kanji (as for indicating pronunciations or grammatical inflections) also : a single character belonging to the kana system — compare hiragana, katakana

Examples of kana in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 The NEAC 2203, released in 1960 by NEC, could handle Roman characters and Japanese kana. — Laura Moorhead, WIRED, "Memory Lane," 24 Apr. 2007

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kana.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of kana

1727, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for kana

Japanese

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on kana

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about kana

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!