The double kanas in katakana

Learn more the double kanas in katakana and the stroke order in your writing!

The double kanas in katakana

Double Kanas is the simple use of two Japanese alphabet symbols to form a sound. These sounds are usually formed with the symbols ヤ, ユ, ヨ. For each katakana family, we can use a specific syllable to create the double kanas. For example, in the カ(ka) family, we use the syllable キ(ki) to form キャ(kya), キュ(kyu) and キョ(kyo).

In all families we always use the vowel syllable “I” to form the double kanas. See below for a complete list of all kanas separated by families:

Hiragana double kana table
カ family (K)
キャ(kya)
キュ(kyu)
キョ(kyo)サ family (S)
シャ(sha)
シュ(shu)
ショ(sho)タ family (T)
チャ(cha)
チュ(chu)
チョ(cho)ナ's family (N)
ニャ(nya)
ニュ(nyu)
ニョ(nyo)ハ's family (H)
ヒャ (hya)
ヒュ (hyu)
ヒョ (hyo)

マ (M) family
ミャ(mya)
ミュ(myu)
ミョ(myo)

ラ's family (R)
リャ(rya)
リュ(ryu)
リョ(ryo)ガ family (G)
ギャ(gya)
ギュ(gyu)
ギョ(gyo)ザ family (Z)
ジャ(ja)
ジュ(ju)
ジョ(jo)バ's family (B)
ビャ(bya)
ビュ(byu)
ビョ(byo)ダ's family (D)
ヂャ(dya)
ヂュ(dyu)
ヂョ(dyo)

パ's family (P)
ピャ(pya)
ピュ(pyu)
ピョ(pyo)


The symbols are written in the same sequence that we have studied so far. The only difference is that, to form the double kana, we use the katakana syllable normally and then write the symbols ヤ, ユ and ヨ in a smaller size than normal, almost half their natural size.

The exercise of the article

Below is the link to download the PDF file with the exercise for writing practice of the Double Kanas in katakana. The objective is to study and learn the symbols through calligraphy exercises. Just print and cover the gray katakana symbols. Just print and practice!

To view the file it is necessary to have the Adobe Reader.

Click here to download the exercise.