The double kanas in hiragana

See below for more about the double kanas in hiragana and its use!

Double Kanas is the simple use of two symbols of the Japanese alphabet to form a sound. These sounds are usually formed with the symbols や, ゆ, よ. For each hiragana family, we can use a specific syllable to create the double kanas. For example, in the か(ka) family, we use the syllable き(ki) to form きゃ(kya), きゅ(kyu) and きょ(kyo).

The double kanas in hiragana

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
か's family (K)
きゃ(kya)
きゅ(kyu)
きょ(kyo)さ's family (S)
しゃ(sha)
しゅ(shu)
しょ(sho)た family (T)
ちゃ(cha)
ちゅ(chu)
ちょ(cho)

な's family (N)
にゃ(nya)
にゅ(nyu)
にょ(nyo)

は's family (H)
ひゃ (hya)
ひゅ (hyu)
ひょ (hyo)

ま's family (M)
みゃ(mya)
みゅ(myu)
みょ(myo)

ら's family (R)
りゃ(rya)
りゅ(ryu)
りょ(ryo)が's family (G)
ぎゃ(gya)
ぎゅ(gyu)
ぎょ(gyo)ざ's family (Z)
じゃ(ja)
じゅ(ju)
じょ(jo)

ば family (B)
びゃ(bya)
びゅ(byu)
びょ(byo)

だ family (D)
ぢゃ(dya)
ぢゅ(dyu)
ぢょ(dyo)

ぱ family (P)
ぴゃ(pya)
ぴゅ(pyu)
ぴょ(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 hiragana syllable normally and then write the symbols や, ゆ and よ in a smaller size than normal, almost half their natural size.

the calligraphy exercise

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

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

Click here to download the exercise.