Hiragana vs Kanji for Casual and Formal Vocab: What to Use and When (Beginner Guide)
Still confused about when to use formal or casual vocabulary in Japanese and how hiragana and kanji play into it? You’re not alone. It’s super common to mix them up or forget which one fits where. Don’t worry though i’ve got you. I’ll break down some easy-to-remember tips for using casual vs. formal language, along with beginner-friendly explanations to help it all make sense.
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| in Spanish | in English | S |
|---|---|---|
| こんにちは (Konnichiwa) | Hello | |
| やあ (Yā) | Hi | |
| おはよう (Ohayou) | Good morning | |
| おはようございます (Ohayou gozaimasu) | Good morning (formal) | |
| こんばんは (Konbanwa) | Good evening | |
| ありがとう (Arigatou) | Thank you | |
| ありがとうございます (Arigatou gozaimasu) | Thank you (formal) | |
| ごめん (Gomen) | Sorry | |
| ごめんなさい (Gomennasai) | Sorry (formal) | |
| はい (Hai) | Yes | |
| うん (Un) | Yeah | |
| いいえ (Iie) | No | |
| ううん (Uun) | Nope | |
| おれ (Ore) | I (male) | |
| あたし (Atashi) | I (female) | |
| わたし (Watashi) | I (neutral/formal) | |
| きみ / あんた (Kimi / Anta) | You | |
| あなた / お客様 (Anata / Okyakusama) | You (formal) | |
| ともだち (Tomodachi) | Friend | |
| おともだち (Otomodachi) | Friend (formal) | |
| 行く (Iku) | To go | |
| 行きます (Ikimasu) | To go (formal) | |
| 食べる (Taberu) | To eat | |
| 食べます (Tabemasu) | To eat (formal) | |
| 飲む (Nomu) | To drink | |
| 飲みます (Nomimasu) | To drink (formal) | |
| 見る (Miru) | To see | |
| 見ます (Mimasu) | To see (formal) | |
| 話す (Hanasu) | To speak | |
| 話します (Hanashimasu) | To speak (formal) | |
| 来る (Kuru) | To come | |
| 来ます (Kimasu) | To come (formal) | |
| する (Suru) | To do | |
| します (Shimasu) | To do (formal) | |
| 買う (Kau) | To buy | |
| 買います (Kaimasu) | To buy (formal) |
What’s the Difference Between Hiragana and Kanji?
Hiragana is the go-to script for beginners. It’s phonetic, which means each character has a sound like an alphabet. You’ll use it to write simple words, grammatical stuff like particles (は, が, を), and when you don’t know the Kanji yet.
Kanji, on the other hand, are Chinese-origin characters that represent meanings. They’re used in more formal, professional, or adult-level content. They’re also how you’ll read signs, newspapers, and even manga if you go deep.
Example:
- “To eat” in Hiragana: たべます (tabemasu)
- “To eat” in Kanji: 食べます (tabemasu)
Both are correct, but Kanji feels more polished.
Why Do Japanese Use Both in the Same Sentence?
It’s all about context and tone! Hiragana keeps things simple and is perfect for casual convo. Kanji adds clarity and seriousness. Mixing both makes reading smoother.
Example:
- 私はりんごをたべます。(All Hiragana – casual, maybe from a child’s book)
- 私はリンゴを食べます。(Mix of Kanji, Katakana, Hiragana – adult level or formal context)
If you’re texting your BFF: use Hiragana. If you’re writing a job application: go for Kanji.
Where Do You See Hiragana vs Kanji Used the Most?
You’ll spot Hiragana in:
- Kids’ books
- Subtitles
- Beginner apps (like early Langlandia levels)
You’ll find Kanji in:
- Business emails
- Road signs
- Advanced manga, newspapers, and novels
And guess what? Langlandia lets you experience both based on your level. As you level up, you unlock more Kanji while still seeing the Hiragana version and sound. No overwhelm!
When Should You Use Hiragana or Kanji in a Sentence?
Use Hiragana when:
- You’re a beginner
- You’re texting informally
- The Kanji is too complex or rarely used
Use Kanji when:
- Writing formally or professionally
- You want to be clear and concise
- You’re reading advanced content
Pro tip from someone still learning: Start with Hiragana, then slowly upgrade to Kanji. Don’t rush it. Apps like Langlandia let you toggle views, so you can switch between both.
Who Uses Kanji More Than Hiragana?
Adults, teachers, and professionals lean heavily on Kanji. Kids, learners, and casual users lean on Hiragana.
In Langlandia, you’ll meet in-game characters who speak formally and others who talk casually—this helps you see and hear when to use which style. It’s like a role-playing game but for language.
How Can You Learn to Use Both Without Getting Confused?
By playing! Langlandia isn’t your regular flashcard app. It uses:
- PVP Battle – Challenge real players in real-time using the right vocab.
- Langlympics – Compete in weekly tournaments by answering vocab and grammar correctly across modes.
- Clan Wars – Join a clan with friends and rise on the leaderboard by learning together.
- Classroom – Practice with guided lessons, both casual and formal, with real-time feedback.
You won’t even realize you’re learning because you’re playing.
Final Thoughts: What’s the Right Balance?
You don’t have to choose between hiragana and kanji it’s not a fight. They’re partners.
- Learn hiragana first to unlock reading power.
- Add kanji as you go to understand deeper meaning.
- Use Langlandia to practice both the smart way.
Here’s a final example:
すしを たべます。 → All hiragana
寿司を 食べます。 → Same sentence, but now with meaning-rich kanji
Same sounds. More understanding.
That’s the magic of mixing both. And with Langlandia by your side, mastering Japanese becomes a game worth winning.
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