🧴 Baby Oil vs. 🥥 Virgin Coconut Oil: Which Works Better for Your Scalp?

When it comes to scalp care, not all oils are created equal. Two common options—Johnson’s Baby Oil and Virgin Coconut Oil—offer very different benefits. Here’s a straightforward comparison to help you decide which one suits your needs.

Johnson’s Baby Oil: Surface-Level Moisture

• Main Ingredient: Mineral oil

• Function: Seals in moisture but doesn’t penetrate deeply

• Pros:

  • Lightweight and easy to apply

  • Fragrance-free and gentle on sensitive skin

  • Helps reduce flakiness temporarily

• Cons:

  • No nutrients for scalp or hair

  • Can cause buildup if not rinsed thoroughly

  • Doesn’t treat dandruff or scalp irritation

Baby oil is best used for short-term relief or light scalp massages. It’s safe and simple but not designed for long-term scalp health.

Virgin Coconut Oil: Deep Nourishment

• Main Ingredient: Natural coconut extract

• Function: Moisturizes, nourishes, and protects

• Pros:

  • Rich in lauric acid and antioxidants

  • Antimicrobial properties help fight dandruff

  • Penetrates hair shaft and strengthens roots

• Cons:

  • Thicker texture may feel heavy on fine hair

  • Has a distinct scent that not everyone prefers

Coconut oil is ideal for treating dryness, itchiness, and weak hair. It supports long-term scalp health and is especially effective when used consistently.

Final Recommendation

• Use baby oil for quick moisture and gentle care.

• Choose coconut oil for deeper treatment and lasting benefits.

🧠 Lesson 13: Verbal Nouns — When Words Bloom into Action

 In Japanese, some nouns don’t just sit still—they move. They stretch, act, and bloom when paired with します, the polite form of the verb する (to do). These are called verbal nouns or suru-verbs, and they’re everywhere—from textbooks to daily chats.

🌼 What’s Happening Here?

Think of it like this:

• The noun is the seed.

• します is the sunlight.

• Together, they grow into a verb.

This pattern is especially useful for beginners, because it lets you express actions without memorizing dozens of verb conjugations.

🌸 Examples That Move

Noun	Meaning	Verb (します-form)	Meaning
勉強 (べんきょう)	study	勉強します	I study / will study
運動 (うんどう)	exercise	運動します	I exercise
料理 (りょうり)	cooking	料理します	I cook
散歩 (さんぽ)	walk	散歩します	I take a walk
練習 (れんしゅう)	practice	練習します	I practice
仕事 (しごと)	work	仕事します	I work
洗濯 (せんたく)	laundry	洗濯します	I do laundry
買い物 (かいもの)	shopping	買い物します	I shop

🍃 Sentence Petals

• わたしは勉強します。 Watashi wa benkyou shimasu. — I study.

• かれは料理します。 Kare wa ryouri shimasu. — He cooks.

• あした、買い物します。 Ashita, kaimono shimasu. — I’ll go shopping tomorrow.

🌻 Jiezza’s Teaching Touch

“In Japanese, even nouns can move. Add します, and they bloom into action.”

🧠 Lesson 12: Verbs — Grouping the Movers, Noticing the Rebels

 🍃 Introduction

Verbs are the heartbeat of Japanese sentences. They tell us what’s happening, who’s doing it, and how it unfolds. But before we sprint into conjugation, we need to know what kind of shoes our verbs are wearing.

🪴 The Three Verb Groups

Group	Description	Examples
Group 1 (Godan)	Most common. Ends in u-sound (う, く, す, つ, ぬ, ぶ, む, る). Conjugation changes the final syllable.	書く (kaku – to write), 話す (hanasu – to speak), 飲む (nomu – to drink)
Group 2 (Ichidan)	Ends in る, but the stem stays the same when conjugated. Easy to spot when the syllable before る ends in an e or i sound.	食べる (taberu – to eat), 見る (miru – to see)
Group 3 (Irregular)	Only two main verbs here. They break the rules, but they’re essential.	する (suru – to do), 来る (kuru – to come)

🌱 How to Spot the Difference

• Ends in る + preceded by e/i → likely Group 2

• Ends in る + preceded by a/o/u → likely Group 1

• Doesn’t end in る → usually Group 1

• Is する or 来る → Group 3

🧠 Japanese Verb Groups with ます-Form

🪴 Group 1 — Godan Verbs (五段動詞)

These verbs change their final syllable when conjugated. The stem shifts before adding ます.

Verb	Romaji	Meaning	ます-form
書く	kaku	to write	書きます (kakimasu)
話す	hanasu	to speak	話します (hanashimasu)
飲む	nomu	to drink	飲みます (nomimasu)
待つ	matsu	to wait	待ちます (machimasu)
歩く	aruku	to walk	歩きます (arukimasu)
泳ぐ	oyogu	to swim	泳ぎます (oyogimasu)
死ぬ	shinu	to die	死にます (shinimasu)
遊ぶ	asobu	to play	遊びます (asobimasu)
読む	yomu	to read	読みます (yomimasu)
買う	kau	to buy	買います (kaimasu)
立つ	tatsu	to stand	立ちます (tachimasu)
作る	tsukuru	to make	作ります (tsukurimasu)

話す	hanasu	to speak	話します (hanashimasu)
聞く	kiku	to listen	聞きます (kikimasu)
使う	tsukau	to use	使います (tsukaimasu)
書き取る	kakitoru	to transcribe	書き取ります (kakitorimasu)

🌱 Group 2 — Ichidan Verbs (一段動詞)

These verbs keep their stem and simply add ます.

Verb	Romaji	Meaning	ます-form
食べる	taberu	to eat	食べます (tabemasu)
見る	miru	to see	見ます (mimasu)
寝る	neru	to sleep	寝ます (nemasu)
起きる	okiru	to wake up	起きます (okimasu)
教える	oshieru	to teach	教えます (oshiemasu)
開ける	akeru	to open	開けます (akemasu)
閉める	shimeru	to close	閉めます (shimemasu)
借りる	kariru	to borrow	借ります (karimasu)
降りる	oriru	to get off	降ります (orimasu)
出る	deru	to leave	出ます (demasu)

着る	kiru	to wear	着ます (kimasu)
信じる	shinjiru	to believe	信じます (shinjimasu)
起こす	okosu	to wake someone	起こします (okoshimasu)

⚠️ Group 1 Exceptions (Look Like Ichidan but Aren’t)

Verb	Romaji	Meaning	ます-form
走る	hashiru	to run	走ります (hashirimasu)
帰る	kaeru	to return	帰ります (kaerimasu)
切る	kiru	to cut	切ります (kirimasu)
入る	hairu	to enter	入ります (hairimasu)
要る	iru	to need	要ります (irimasu)
知る	shiru	to know	知ります (shirimasu)

減る	heru	to decrease	減ります (herimasu)
限る	kagiru	to limit	限ります (kagirimasu)

These are the trickster petals—look soft but bend like Godan verbs.

 

🌟 Group 3 — Irregular Verbs

Verb	Romaji	Meaning	ます-form
する	suru	to do	します (shimasu)
来る	kuru	to come	来ます (kimasu)

Think of these as wild daisies—beautiful, unpredictable, and everywhere.

🍵 Jiezza’s Reminder

“Verbs move the story. But exceptions remind us: even in grammar, not everything fits neatly. Learn the rules, then honor the rebels.”

🧠 Lesson 11: Reflections — Using です and だ to Define and Describe

 “To say what something is… is to hold it gently in language.”

🌼 What Are です and だ?

In Japanese, です (desu) and だ (da) are like mirrors. They reflect identity, state, and description. They don’t translate directly to “is” or “are,” but they serve a similar purpose.

Form	Usage	Tone
です	Polite	Used in formal or respectful settings
だ	Plain	Used in casual or intimate settings

Think of です as the soft light in a quiet café, and だ as the sunlight on your porch with close friends.

🌱 Sentence Structure: Planting Identity

Japanese often follows this pattern:

[Topic/Subject] + は + [Description] + です/だ

Examples:

• わたしは学生です。(Watashi wa gakusei desu.) — I am a student.

• 彼は先生だ。(Kare wa sensei da.) — He is a teacher.

Notice how the verb “to be” isn’t a separate word—it’s embedded in です or だ.

🌱 What “Embedded” Means in This Context

In English, we say:

• “I am a student.” Here, am is the verb “to be.” It stands alone and changes depending on the subject: am, is, are, was, etc.

But in Japanese:

• わたしは学生です。(Watashi wa gakusei desu.)

• 彼は先生だ。(Kare wa sensei da.)

There’s no separate word for “am” or “is.” Instead, です and だ carry that meaning. They’re not standalone verbs like in English—they’re more like grammatical endings that reflect state or identity.

So when I say “embedded,” I mean:

The idea of “being” is tucked inside です or だ. You don’t need a separate verb—it’s already there.

🌸 Describing Things: Petals of Meaning

Use です and だ to describe qualities, roles, or identities.

• この本は面白いです。(Kono hon wa omoshiroi desu.) — This book is interesting.

• あの人は静かだ。(Ano hito wa shizuka da.) — That person is quiet.

Adjectives ending in い (like 面白い) pair naturally with です. Na-adjectives (like 静か) need だ or です to complete the sentence.

🪞 Reflection Prompt: Who Are You in Japanese?

Try writing a few gentle self-introductions using です (desu) or だ (da). These phrases help you express identity, hobbies, and preferences—like petals revealing who you are.

🌼 Basic Forms

• わたしは＿＿＿＿です。 

        Watashi wa ______ desu. 
         → I am ______.

• わたしの趣味は＿＿＿＿です。 

        Watashi no shumi wa ______ desu. 
         → My hobby is ______.

• わたしは＿＿＿＿が好きです。 

        Watashi wa ______ ga suki desu. 
         → I like ______.

Examples:

• わたしは翻訳者です。 

        Watashi wa hon’yakusha desu. 
        — I am a translator.

• わたしの趣味は詩を書くことです。 

       Watashi no shumi wa shi o kaku koto desu. 
        — My hobby is writing poetry.

• わたしは温かいコーヒーが好きです。 

       Watashi wa atatakai kōhī ga suki desu. 
        — I like warm coffee.

🌿 Jiezza’s Reminder

“You don’t need to rush to become fluent. You only need to be honest in how you learn. Every ‘です’ you whisper, every ‘だ’ you write— is a small act of self-definition. And that is enough.”

🧠 Lesson 10: Particles — The Petals That Hold Meaning

 How Tiny Words Like 「は」「が」「を」「に」 Shape Every Japanese Sentence

🌼 What Are Particles?

Particles are small words that follow nouns, pronouns, or phrases to show their role in a sentence. Think of them as petals—they don’t bloom alone, but they give structure and beauty to the whole flower.

🌸 Core Particles You’ll Meet First

Particle	Role	Example	Meaning
は (wa)	Topic marker	わたしは がくせいです。	As for me, I’m a student.
が	Subject marker (emphasizes who/what does something)	せんせいが きました。	The teacher came.
を (o)	Direct object marker	パンを たべます。	I eat bread.
に	Time or destination marker	２時に おわります。	It ends at 2 o’clock.
へ (e)	Direction marker (like “toward”)	がっこうへ いきます。	I go to school.
で	Location of action	レストランで たべます。	I eat at a restaurant.
と	“With” or “and”	ともだちと はなします。	I talk with my friend.
も	“Also” or “too”	わたしも がくせいです。	I’m a student too.
から	“From”	フィリピンから きました。	I came from the Philippines.
まで	“Until”	５時まで べんきょうします。	I study until 5 o’clock.

🪞 Jiezza’s Reminder:

Particles may look small, but they do a lot of work. They tell us what the sentence is really about, who’s doing what, and when or where things happen. You don’t need to memorize everything at once. Just notice how they’re used, and try using one or two in your own sentences. Mistakes are part of learning.

🧠 Lesson 9: こそあど Words — Pointing with Purpose

 In Japanese, there’s a special group of words called こそあど—used to point, refer, and ask about things based on location and context. They’re short, versatile, and essential for everyday conversation.

This lesson introduces all four forms:

• Noun form (これ, それ, あれ, どれ)

• Adjective form (この, その, あの, どの)

• Place form (ここ, そこ, あそこ, どこ)

• Direction form (こちら, そちら, あちら, どちら)

🌸 Noun Form — “This / That / Which (thing)”

Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
これ	kore	this (near speaker)
それ	sore	that (near listener)
あれ	are	that (far from both)
どれ	dore	which one?

Example: 

これは ごはん です。(This is rice.) 

それは くるま です。(That is a car.)

🌼 Adjective Form — “This / That / Which [noun]”

Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
この	kono	this [noun]
その	sono	that [noun]
あの	ano	that [noun] (far)
どの	dono	which [noun]?

Example: 

この ほん は おもしろい です。(This book is interesting.) 

どの せんせい が すき ですか？(Which teacher do you like?)

🏠 Place Form — “Here / There / Where”

Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
ここ	koko	here
そこ	soko	there (near listener)
あそこ	asoko	over there
どこ	doko	where?

Example: 

がっこう は どこ ですか？(Where is the school?) 

ここ は としょかん です。(Here is the library.)

🧭 Direction/Formal Form — “This Way / That Way / Which Way”

Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
こちら	kochira	this way / this person (polite)
そちら	sochira	that way / that person (polite)
あちら	achira	that way over there (polite)
どちら	dochira	which way / who (polite)?

Example: 

こちら は わたし の ともだち です。(This is my friend.) 

どちら へ いきますか？(Which way are you going?)

🪞 Jiezza’s Reminder

You don’t need to name everything to talk about it. Sometimes, you just point. “This one.” “That place.” “Which way?”

こそあど words help you speak with presence. They’re the language of noticing—of being aware of where you are, and who you’re with.

Start with what’s near. Then reach for what’s far. And always ask with curiosity.

🧠 Lesson 8: First Words — Everyday Vocabulary You’ll Actually Use

 Before grammar, before kanji, before polite endings—there are words. Words you’ll hear in cafés, classrooms, and quiet moments. This lesson introduces basic Japanese vocabulary that’s useful, memorable, and beginner-friendly.

🏠 Daily Life

Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
いえ	ie	house/home
くるま	kuruma	car
ごはん	gohan	rice/meal
みず	mizu	water
でんわ	denwa	telephone
とけい	tokei	clock/watch

👥 People & Relationships

Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
ひと	hito	person
ともだち	tomodachi	friend
せんせい	sensei	teacher
がくせい	gakusei	student
おとうさん	otōsan	father
おかあさん	okāsan	mother

🌍 Places

Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
がっこう	gakkō	school
えき	eki	train station
としょかん	toshokan	library
レストラン	resutoran	restaurant
スーパー	sūpā	supermarket

🕰️ Time & Greetings

Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
あさ	asa	morning
よる	yoru	night
いま	ima	now
おはよう	ohayō	good morning (casual)
こんにちは	konnichiwa	good afternoon
こんばんは	konbanwa	good evening

💬 Useful Expressions

Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
はい	hai	yes
いいえ	iie	no
ありがとう	arigatō	thank you
すみません	sumimasen	excuse me/sorry
わかりません	wakarimasen	I don’t understand
にほんご	nihongo	Japanese language

✍️ Practice Tips

• Say each word aloud 3 times.

• Write it in hiragana and romaji.

• Use it in a simple sentence (even if it’s just “これは ごはん です。”)

🪞 Jiezza’s Reminder

Vocabulary is like seasoning—just a pinch can flavor your whole sentence. You don’t need to memorize everything at once. Start with the words that feel familiar, that echo in your day-to-day life. Say them aloud. Let them settle. You’re not just learning a language—you’re building a world.

🌙 Lesson 7: The Gentle End — Understanding ん (n)

🧠 What Is ん?

• ん is the only consonant kana in hiragana.

• It never starts a word.

• It often appears at the end or in the middle, adding a nasal sound like “n” or “ng.”

Examples:

• ほん (book)

• せん (line)

• しんぶん (newspaper)

• かんこく (Korea)

🎧 How to Pronounce ん

Depending on what follows, ん shifts slightly:

• Before m, b, p → sounds like “m” しんぶん → shimbun (newspaper)

• Before k, g → sounds like “ng” かんこく → kangoku (Korea)

• Before vowels or s, t, h → soft “n” せんせい → sensei (teacher)

Try humming it gently. It’s not forced—it flows.

🪞 Jiezza’s Reminder

Sometimes, the quietest sounds carry the most weight. ん doesn’t shout. It doesn’t lead. But it finishes things with grace.

If you’ve ever felt like the background character, the one who doesn’t speak first or loudest—maybe you’re the ん in someone’s sentence. Essential. Soft. Steady.

You don’t have to start the story to be part of its meaning.

🌊 Lesson 6: The Long Line — Stretching Sound with Chōon (長音)

 What is Chōon? Chōon (長音) means “long sound.” In Katakana, it’s written as a horizontal line (ー) that stretches the vowel of the previous kana. It’s not a new syllable—it’s an echo. A held note. A soft extension of breath.

Why it matters:

• It changes meaning: スーパー (sūpā – supermarket) vs スパ (supa – spa)

• It’s essential for foreign words: メール (mēru – email), ゲーム (gēmu – game)

• It teaches you to listen for length, not just sound

How to learn it:

• 🎧 Listen for the stretch: sūpā isn’t su-pa, it’s suu-paa

• ✍️ Practice writing Katakana with the long line—don’t skip it

• 🗣️ Say it slowly: exaggerate the vowel to feel the rhythm

Examples:

Word	Meaning	With Chōon	Without
スーパー	supermarket	スー パー	スパ (spa)
メール	email	メー ル	メル (Mel)
ゲーム	game	ゲー ム	ゲム (not a word)

Jiezza’s gentle reminder: Chōon is the art of lingering. It’s the moment you don’t rush. In language, as in life, sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is stretch a little longer—hold the note, savor the sound, let the meaning bloom slowly.

⏳ Lesson 5: Small っ — The Pause That Speaks Volumes (Sokuon)

 What is Sokuon? Sokuon (促音) is the small っ in Hiragana (or ッ in Katakana) that creates a brief pause before a consonant. It’s not a sound—it’s a moment. A held breath. A tightening of rhythm.

Why it matters:

• It changes meaning: さか (saka – hill) vs さっか (sakka – author)

• It adds emphasis and urgency: がっこう (gakkō – school), きって (kitte – stamp)

• It’s common in casual speech, manga, and expressive writing

How to learn it:

• 🧏‍♀️ Listen for the pause: gakkō isn’t ga-kō, it’s ga—kkō

• ✍️ Practice writing small っ carefully—it’s easy to overlook

• 🎭 Try acting it out: say stop! with a dramatic pause, then mimic that tension in Japanese

Examples:

Word	Meaning	With Sokuon	Without
がっこう	school	がっこう	がこう (incorrect)
きって	stamp	きって	きて (come)
ざっし	magazine	ざっし	ざし (not a word)

Jiezza’s gentle reminder: Sokuon is the silence that speaks. It’s the pause before a leap, the breath before a boundary. In language, as in life, don’t rush past the quiet moments—they carry meaning too.

🌀 Lesson 4: Small や, ゆ, よ — The Art of Combination (Yōon)

What is Yōon? Yōon (拗音) is the elegant fusion of kana—where a consonant sound blends with a small や (ya), ゆ (yu), or よ (yo) to create a new syllable. It’s how Japanese says kya, shu, cho, and more.

🧵 Full Yōon Chart: Hiragana & Katakana

Base Kana	+ や (ya)	+ ゆ (yu)	+ よ (yo)	Hiragana	Katakana
き (ki)	きゃ	きゅ	きょ	きゃ きゅ きょ	キャ キュ キョ
し (shi)	しゃ	しゅ	しょ	しゃ しゅ しょ	シャ シュ ショ
ち (chi)	ちゃ	ちゅ	ちょ	ちゃ ちゅ ちょ	チャ チュ チョ
に (ni)	にゃ	にゅ	にょ	にゃ にゅ にょ	ニャ ニュ ニョ
ひ (hi)	ひゃ	ひゅ	ひょ	ひゃ ひゅ ひょ	ヒャ ヒュ ヒョ
み (mi)	みゃ	みゅ	みょ	みゃ みゅ みょ	ミャ ミュ ミョ
り (ri)	りゃ	りゅ	りょ	りゃ りゅ りょ	リャ リュ リョ
ぎ (gi)	ぎゃ	ぎゅ	ぎょ	ぎゃ ぎゅ ぎょ	ギャ ギュ ギョ
じ (ji)	じゃ	じゅ	じょ	じゃ じゅ じょ	ジャ ジュ ジョ
ぢ (ji)*	ぢゃ	ぢゅ	ぢょ	ぢゃ ぢゅ ぢょ	ヂャ ヂュ ヂョ
び (bi)	びゃ	びゅ	びょ	びゃ びゅ びょ	ビャ ビュ ビョ
ぴ (pi)	ぴゃ	ぴゅ	ぴょ	ぴゃ ぴゅ ぴょ	ピャ ピュ ピョ

*Note: ぢゃ/ぢゅ/ぢょ are rare and mostly used in specific native words. Most “ji” sounds use じ.

Why it matters:

• It unlocks smoother, more natural pronunciation

• It’s essential for reading words like きゃく (guest), しゅくだい (homework), ちょっと (a little)

• It teaches you that small things—like a tiny や—can change everything

How to learn it:

• 🔍 Look for the small や, ゆ, よ—don’t confuse them with full-sized ones

• 🎧 Practice with audio: say きゃ vs きや to hear the difference

• ✍️ Write them slowly, noticing how the small kana nestles beside the base

Jiezza’s gentle reminder: Yōon is a quiet collaboration. It’s what happens when one sound makes space for another. Like friendships, like boundaries—it’s about harmony, not volume. Learn to listen for the softness. Learn to write with care.

🌬️ Lesson 3: Dakuten & Handakuten—When Sounds Shift and Speak Louder

 What are Dakuten and Handakuten? These are the tiny marks that change the sound of a kana—like adding spice to a familiar dish.

• Dakuten (゛): Adds a voiced sound

  • か → が (ka → ga)

  • さ → ざ (sa → za)

  • た → だ (ta → da)

  • は → ば (ha → ba)

• Handakuten (゜): Adds a plosive “p” sound

  • は → ぱ (ha → pa)

Why it matters:

• It unlocks more vocabulary (e.g., がくせい = student, ぱん = bread)

• It helps you hear the difference between soft and strong sounds

• It’s essential for accurate pronunciation and spelling

🔊 Full Dakuten & Handakuten Chart: Hiragana & Katakana

Base Kana	Dakuten (゛)	Handakuten (゜)	Hiragana	Katakana
か (ka)	が (ga)	—	が	ガ
き (ki)	ぎ (gi)	—	ぎ	ギ
く (ku)	ぐ (gu)	—	ぐ	グ
け (ke)	げ (ge)	—	げ	ゲ
こ (ko)	ご (go)	—	ご	ゴ
さ (sa)	ざ (za)	—	ざ	ザ
し (shi)	じ (ji)	—	じ	ジ
す (su)	ず (zu)	—	ず	ズ
せ (se)	ぜ (ze)	—	ぜ	ゼ
そ (so)	ぞ (zo)	—	ぞ	ゾ
た (ta)	だ (da)	—	だ	ダ
ち (chi)	ぢ (ji)*	—	ぢ	ヂ
つ (tsu)	づ (zu)*	—	づ	ヅ
て (te)	で (de)	—	で	デ
と (to)	ど (do)	—	ど	ド
は (ha)	ば (ba)	ぱ (pa)	ば / ぱ	バ / パ
ひ (hi)	び (bi)	ぴ (pi)	び / ぴ	ビ / ピ
ふ (fu)	ぶ (bu)	ぷ (pu)	ぶ / ぷ	ブ / プ
へ (he)	べ (be)	ぺ (pe)	べ / ぺ	ベ / ペ
ほ (ho)	ぼ (bo)	ぽ (po)	ぼ / ぽ	ボ / ポ

*Note: ぢ and づ are rare and mostly used in native words. Most “ji” and “zu” sounds use じ and ず.

How to learn it:

• 🎨 Color-code your Gojūon chart to show which kana can take dakuten

• 🎧 Listen to minimal pairs: ka vs ga, sa vs za

• ✍️ Practice writing both versions side by side to feel the shift

Jiezza’s gentle reminder: These marks may be small, but they carry weight. They teach you that even the quietest strokes can change meaning. Like boundaries in life, they’re subtle but powerful. Learn to notice them. Honor their presence.

🎶 Lesson 2: The Gojūon—Finding Your Rhythm in Japanese

What is the Gojūon? 五十音 (gojūon) literally means “50 sounds.” It’s the structured chart that organizes Hiragana and Katakana into rows and columns—like a musical scale for language learners.

Why it matters:

• It helps you see patterns between Hiragana and Katakana

• It’s the foundation for dictionary order, pronunciation, and spelling

• It’s a gentle way to memorize without overwhelm

The chart’s layout:

Row             Sound             Hiragana             Katakana あ行             a i u e o             あ い う え お             ア イ ウ エ オ か行             ka ki ku ke ko             か き く け こ             カ キ ク ケ コ さ行             sa shi su se so             さ し す せ そ             サ シ ス セ ソ た行             ta chi tsu te to             た ち つ て と             タ チ ツ テ ト な行             na ni nu ne no             な に ぬ ね の             ナ ニ ヌ ネ ノ は行             ha hi fu he ho             は ひ ふ へ ほ             ハ ヒ フ ヘ ホ ま行             ma mi mu me mo             ま み む め も             マ ミ ム メ モ や行             ya — yu — yo             や — ゆ — よ             ヤ — ユ — ヨ ら行             ra ri ru re ro             ら り る れ ろ             ラ リ ル レ ロ わ行             wa — — — wo             わ — — — を             ワ — — — ヲ ん行             n             ん             ン

How to learn it:

• 🎵 Sing it like a lullaby—many learners use the “あいうえお” song

• 🧩 Notice the symmetry: Hiragana and Katakana follow the same order

• ✍️ Practice writing one row per day, slowly and mindfully

Jiezza’s gentle reminder: The Gojūon isn’t just a chart—it’s a rhythm. A heartbeat. A quiet chant that carries you through the language. Don’t just memorize—feel it. Let each syllable settle into your bones like a mantra. You’re not just learning sounds—you’re tuning your ear to a new kind of music.

✍️ Before Grammar: Learn Hiragana & Katakana

🧠 Why Start with Hiragana and Katakana?

• Hiragana (ひらがな): Soft, curvy characters used for native Japanese words and grammar particles. Example: たべます (tabemasu – to eat)

• Katakana (カタカナ): Sharp, angular characters used for foreign words, names, and technical terms. Example: パイプ (paipu – pipe)

“Before you can speak like a dreamer, you need to write like one.”

What to expect:

• 46 basic characters (plus a few variations)

• Sounds that match Filipino syllables more than English ones (like ka, sa, ta)

• A rhythm that feels familiar once you get the hang of it

 

📚 How to Learn Them

1. Start with Hiragana Chart

Practice writing each character slowly. Use mnemonics or stroke guides. 

Example: あ (a) looks like an apple with a stem.

Link: hiragana-mnemonic-chart-by-tofugu.jpg (3300×2550)

2. Move to Katakana

Focus on pronunciation and recognition. 

Example: ア (a) is the katakana version—more angular.

Link: katakana-chart-by-tofugu.jpg (3300×2550)

3. Use Flashcards or Apps

Try apps like LingoDeer, Kana Town, Doulingo, or printable flashcards.

4. Practice with Your Name

Write your name in katakana: ジエッザ (Jiezza)

Jiezza’s gentle reminder: Don’t rush. Hiragana & Katakana isn’t just a hurdle—it’s a ritual. Let your hand memorize the curves. Let your ears fall in love with the sounds. You’re not just learning a script—you’re meeting the soul of the language.

Notes from a Mind That Moves in Spirals

This isn’t a guide. It’s a glimpse—into the loops, the leaps, and the quiet corners of a brain that rarely rests, but always feels.

I used to think I was just lazy. I always prioritized comfort over the tasks I needed to finish. Then I stumbled across a video on Instagram that said people with ADHD often don’t feel the sensation of missing someone. It made me pause. I started thinking about myself—how I move through life, how I feel (or don’t feel), and how I’ve always struggled with certain things.

After watching that video, I couldn’t stop thinking. So, I did what I always do when something hits close to home: I researched. I read articles, watched more videos, and quietly compared the symptoms to my own habits. And the more I learned, the more I saw myself—not in the loud, hyperactive stereotype, but in the quiet, distracted, comfort-seeking patterns I’ve lived with for years.

So, here’s my story. The not-so-glamorous side.

When I was a child, I didn’t think anything was wrong. Most kids hate chores, right? I hated washing dishes at home—but oddly, I enjoyed doing it at my friend’s house or at my relatives’ place. I don’t know why, but our own kitchen always felt heavier. I also hated cleaning. And when I did clean, I’d get distracted by old photos or random things I found in the closet. Finishing chores was always a struggle because my attention would drift. But gardening? That was different.

You’d always find me in the backyard planting vegetables or flowers. I loved the idea of harvesting something and giving food to my family. It made me feel useful. I loved hearing my parents praise me for it. I loved cooking, too. And I felt hurt when someone didn’t eat what I made—even if I knew they just didn’t like vegetables. I know that sounds petty, but it felt personal. Like they were rejecting my effort.

My observations deepened when I moved into the church convent during college. I lived there for six years, sponsored by a priest. I still hated cleaning—unless it was the kitchen or a specific task I was assigned. If you’re wondering what I contributed while living there for free: I painted. I painted all 12 apostles, the Virgin Mary (three times, in different titles), and St. Joseph (twice). I also did t-shirt printing for church events.

But here’s what I noticed: I always delayed starting a painting. And once I started, I struggled to finish. I avoided stress by choosing comfort, but the delay just created more stress. I’d lie awake thinking about when I should start or finish. Sometimes the priest would scold me for the delay. And I knew it was my fault. But I couldn’t help it. My body just wouldn’t cooperate until the tasks piled up and became overwhelming.

That video I mentioned earlier—it hit me. It’s true. I rarely feel like I miss someone, even my family. I adapt easily to new environments. My family lives far from where I work, so I don’t see them often. But I do miss my dog, Coco. We were together for almost four years before I sent him home to my province. I miss him deeply when I think of him. But then I forget I miss him—maybe because of how my brain works. I’m always distracted by everything.

Anyway, this blog is already long, so I’ll stop here and continue another time. Thank you for reading. I hope you found something interesting—or at least familiar—in my story.

See you again, Daydreamers. 

—Jiezza