Japanese Language Guide
Overview
So you've set up your computer for typing in Japanese. (If you haven't, please see Setting Up Your Computer first.)
How do you actually use these input methods?
On this page you can learn how to use a variety of input methods:
- Input Methods for Typing in Japanese
- Windows Methods
- Mac Methods
You may want to experiment with the different methods to find which you prefer, or you may want to ask your Japanese instructor or Japanese-speaking friends for their recommendation about which input method to try.
Other "Getting Started" topics you may want to explore:
Input Methods for Typing in Japanese
Input Methods for Typing in Japanese
An "input method" is a way of using a standard computer keyboard to type hiragana, katakana, and kanji (Chinese characters). There are two main input methods for typing Japanese. One uses a kana keyboard, and the other uses "romaji," a system for writing Japanese words using the Roman alphabet. For most Japanese language learners, the romaji input method is the easiest way to get started.
With the romaji input method, you type in romaji (roman letters) and it will automatically convert to kana characters. To type kanji (characters), you type in hiragana and press the Space bar; the computer will search for the kanji that match. Usually it will give you a list of possible matches/combinations to choose from.
The link below gives an overview of romaji and of typing in Japanese.
- Romanization of JapaneseA basic explanation of Japanese romaji.
- How to Type in JapaneseA basic overview of the Romaji and the Kana input methods of typing Japanese.
- 12 tips to use your Japanese IME betterGives useful shortcuts that will make typing quicker and easier.
Windows: Input Methods for Typing in Japanese
Windows: Input Methods for Typing in Japanese
On Windows computers at MHC, we have activated Microsoft Office IME 2010 for typing in Japanese.
Check out the links below for futher information on how to activate Japanese fonts on your own computer and how to type.
- Installing the Japanese IMEA guide on installing Microsoft's Japanese IME on several versions of Windows, with accompanying screenshots of each step.
- Japanese Typing Tutorial (for PC)A concise tutorial on typing in Japanese on a PC.
Mac: Input Methods for Typing in Japanese
Mac: Input Methods for Typing in Japanese
On Macs at MHC, we have activated 3 input methods for typing Japanese. Here is a brief overview of how each of these methods works; below are some links to more information and tutorials to learn how to use these methods.
Japanese
- Romaji: Romaji features the Roman letters as they would be on a Japanese QWERTY keyboard. As its name would suggest, this method is conducive to typing romaji, as other aspects of a Japanese keyboard--such as punctuation--remain unchanged from that of a normal Japanese keyboard.
- Hiragana: Simply type in Japanese words as you would type them in romaji, and the words will automatically convert to hiragana on the screen. In order to write in kanji, press the Space bar after each word or sentence and the computer will give you options for kanji.
- Katakana: Like for hiragana, type in Japanese words as you would type them in romaji, and the words will automatically convert to katakana on the screen. Kanji cannot be written in this input method.
- Japanese for Your MacA site that explains how to enable Japanese input in Mac OS, and also goes over other tasks and applications such as email, web browsing, dictionary software, etc.
- Installing and Typing Japanese on Mac OS XAn easy-to-follow explanation, with screenshots, of how to install Japanese fonts and how to type in Japanese.
- Japanese Typing Tutorial (for Mac)A concise tutorial on typing in Japanese on a Mac.
- Last Updated: Oct 22, 2024 11:51 AM
- URL: https://guides.mtholyoke.edu/japaneselanguage
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