HIRAGANA · CHARACTER GUIDE
は (ha, wa) in hiragana
Ha in hiragana is は. As the topic particle, it is read wa.
On this page
How は is written, and why it is not ほ or け.
The full model: 3 strokes, numbered in order.
start end
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Memory hook: Picture a post on the left and, on the right, a cross with a rope looped at its foot. Make your own · All 46 hiragana mnemonics
More hiragana activities
WRITE IT
How to write は: stroke order
Shape: About square, in two parts: a tall line on the left, and a wider right part, a cross with a loop at the bottom.
In this model, stroke 1 ends in a hook and stroke 2 stops. Sources differ on how stroke 3 ends, so no ending is marked: copy the model. Japanese schools name three kinds of ending: Ending: Stop とめ, Ending: Hook はね, Ending: Sweep はらい. Textbooks and teachers differ on some.
Stroke 1Ending: Hook はね
Starts far left, a little below the top of the box. Down with a gentle curve to near the bottom; stop, then flick up toward stroke 2.
Stroke 2Ending: Stop とめ
Starts just left of the vertical center line, above the horizontal one, lower than the top of stroke 1. A line rising gently to the right.
Stroke 3
Starts right of the center line, near the top, a little higher than stroke 1. Straight down through stroke 2, then curve left into a small, flat loop at the bottom, and finish toward the lower right. Models differ on how it ends: a stop or a short sweep. Many teachers keep the loop a little above the bottom of stroke 1; in this model it sits level with it.
One mistake to avoid: stroke 3
- Watch for
- Starting stroke 3 lower than stroke 1.
- Fix
- Start stroke 3 at least as high as stroke 1, as in the model.
Stroke diagrams adapted from KanjiVG, © Ulrich Apel and contributors, CC BY-SA 3.0. License and attribution.
READ IT
Read は in print and in words.
は in handwriting and three typefaces
Handwriting model Textbook style Print, plain (gothic) Print, serif (mincho)
In every typeface は keeps one bar on the right and a loop at the bottom. Copy the handwriting model.
Find は inside a word.
- はなhanaflowerはな also means “nose” (鼻); in writing, kanji tell them apart.. Up to the H row
- はいhaiyes. Up to the H row
- はこhakobox. Up to the H row
- ごはんgohancooked rice; meal
“Up to the H row” marks a word written only with kana from the vowels to the H row of the chart, so you can read it if you learn the chart in order.
In everyday writing はな is usually 花 and はこ 箱; here they are in hiragana for reading practice.
は as the topic particle
- すしは おいしい。 sushi wa oishii “Sushi is delicious.”
The spaces in this page’s sentences only help you read; ordinary Japanese has none.
TELL THEM APART
は, ほ or け?
Count the bars on the right and look for the loop: は has one bar and a loop, ほ has two bars, and け has no loop.
Open the guide for ho (ほ)Open the guide for ke (け)
A quick check
Four models, handwritten and printed: は, ほ or け? Only your first answer to each model counts. The models are pictures; each one is described in words after you answer.
This check changed in another tab. It now shows your latest answers.
Which reading matches this model?
Check finished.
A short practice with pictures of the shapes. It does not test pronunciation, listening or long-term recall.
SOUND AND SPELLING
Two readings: ha, and wa as a particle.
As a particle: As the topic particle, は is read wa: えきは どこですか (eki wa doko desu ka), “Where is the station?” In a word such as はな (hana), flower, it is read ha.
Same sound: The topic particle は sounds the same as わ (wa), but it is still written は. A few set words built on it read it wa too: こんにちは (konnichiwa), こんばんは (konbanwa) and では (dewa).
Typing: Type ha for the particle too; typing wa gives わ.
MARKED FORMS: DAKUTEN AND HANDAKUTEN
ば (ba) and ぱ (pa): は with dakuten, and with a small circle.
ば (ba): は with dakuten
Two short marks at the upper right, called dakuten, change ha to ba. Write them last, the left one first, small and close to the upper right.
Type ba.
- かばん kaban · bag
- そば soba · soba (buckwheat noodles); another そば means “near”
ぱ (pa): は with a small circle
A small circle at the upper right, called handakuten, changes ha to pa. Write it last. Few everyday words written in hiragana begin with ぱ; it usually comes after ん or a small っ, as in these two.
Type pa.
- かんぱい kanpai · Cheers!
- いっぱい ippai · lots; full
YOUR NEXT STEP
Practice は with ほ and け.
A short round of は, ほ and け, the shapes this page compares.
Practice the whole H row: は ひ ふ へ ほIt includes ひ, ふ and へ, which this page does not teach.
Learn は with its group in lesson 6 · Try it on the hiragana keyboard
Sources, artwork and review status
Teaching content on this page is a draft: a Japanese educator has not reviewed it yet. Generated pronunciation audio is available in the listening section.
Stroke models and drawings: KanjiVG, © Ulrich Apel and contributors, CC BY-SA 3.0. License and attribution.
Two typefaces are served from this site: Klee One and Noto Serif JP (SIL Open Font License). The gothic sample uses this device’s own font.
- Japan Foundation: MARUGOTO-NO-KOTOBA vocabulary (readings and meanings)
- Jisho.org (JMdict): readings and common spellings
- Agency for Cultural Affairs: Modern Kana Usage, particle rules
- syoka-koyoblog (penmanship): は
- z-shogei calligraphy school: は
- Matsumoto Shoeido calligraphy school: は
- Matsumoto Shoeido calligraphy school: は
- Japan Foundation’s Irodori kana materials (spelling reference)
Draft teaching content · Japanese educator review pending · Approved generated audio is available in the listening section; romaji is a reading aid, not a pronunciation guide.
minimachi · HIRAGANA CHARACTER CARD
は · ha
Ha in hiragana is は. As the topic particle, it is read wa.
Write it, stroke by stroke.
- Starts far left, below the top; curves gently down, then flicks up. — hook (はね)
- Starts near the center, above the middle; a line rising gently right. — stop (とめ)
- Starts top right; down through stroke 2, then a small, flat loop.
Sources differ on how stroke 3 ends, so no ending is marked: copy the model.
Watch for: Starting stroke 3 lower than stroke 1. Fix: Start stroke 3 at least as high as stroke 1, as in the model.
Trace, copy, then cover the model and write from memory.
Stroke model: KanjiVG, © Ulrich Apel and contributors · CC BY-SA 3.0 · kanjivg.tagaini.net · license: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
Draft teaching content; Japanese educator review pending. Generated audio: see full guide.
Full guide and sources: minimachi.com/hiragana/ha/
Listen to the sounds and examples on this page
Generated speech: Google Cloud Text-to-Speech. Checked by a native Japanese speaker. Audio is available only for items with a Listen button. Listen plays at normal speed; Slow gives more listening time at the original pitch. Sound hints are drafts pending educator review.
Kana sounds
- は ha
Example words
- ごはん cooked rice; meal
- はこ box
- はい yes
- はな flower