Romaji Converter

Convert between hiragana, katakana, and romaji instantly.

✓ Free ✓ No Login Required ✓ Mobile Friendly

Romaji (ローマ字)

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Hiragana (ひらがな)

Katakana (カタカナ)

Kana → Romaji Converter

Tips:

Type nihongo → converts to にほんご or ニホンゴ
Use n' for ん before vowels: tan'i → たんい
Double consonant for small tsu: kitte → きって

About Romaji Converter

What Is Romaji?

Romaji (ローマ字) is the romanization of Japanese text using the Latin alphabet. It allows Japanese words to be written in the same letters used in English and Nepali transliteration, making it a helpful bridge for beginners who are still learning hiragana and katakana.

While romaji is useful as a starting tool, it is not used in the JFT-Basic exam or in everyday Japanese life. Think of romaji as training wheels that help you get started but should eventually be set aside as your kana reading improves.

How This Converter Works

Our romaji converter instantly transliterates text between hiragana, katakana, and romaji. Simply type or paste text in any of the three formats, and the tool will display the equivalent in the other two. It handles long vowels, double consonants, and combination characters accurately.

This is especially useful when you encounter a Japanese word in romaji and want to see its correct hiragana or katakana spelling, or when you need to check the reading of kana text you are not yet confident with.

Romaji Romanization Systems

There are several romaji systems in use. The most common are Hepburn romanization (used in dictionaries and on street signs), Kunrei-shiki (taught in Japanese schools), and Nihon-shiki (a systematic representation). Our converter follows the widely-used Hepburn system, which is the most intuitive for English and Nepali speakers.

Key differences include how certain sounds are written: for example, し is "shi" in Hepburn but "si" in Kunrei-shiki, and ち is "chi" versus "ti". Hepburn more closely reflects actual pronunciation.

When to Use Romaji

Romaji is appropriate in the very early stages of learning when you cannot yet read hiragana or katakana. It is also useful for typing Japanese on a computer or phone, where you input romaji and the system converts it to the correct Japanese script.

However, relying on romaji for too long can slow your progress. The JFT-Basic exam is written entirely in Japanese scripts, so transitioning away from romaji as quickly as possible is strongly recommended for Nepali exam candidates.

Moving Beyond Romaji

The goal for every Japanese learner should be to read hiragana and katakana directly without mentally converting to romaji first. Once you can do this, your reading speed increases dramatically and you can engage with authentic Japanese materials.

Use this converter as a checking tool during your transition period. When you see an unfamiliar kana, look it up here, but actively try to memorize it so you need the converter less frequently over time.

How to Use Romaji Converter

Type or paste Japanese text into the input box.

Select the conversion direction (Japanese to romaji or romaji to Japanese).

Click the convert button to see the result.

Copy the converted text to use elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is romaji used for in Japanese? +

Romaji is primarily used as a reading aid for non-Japanese speakers and for typing Japanese on keyboards. It appears on some street signs and train stations alongside Japanese script. However, native Japanese text does not use romaji, and Japanese exams like the JFT-Basic are written entirely in Japanese scripts.

Is romaji the same as English letters? +

Romaji uses the same Latin alphabet as English, but the pronunciation rules follow Japanese phonetics. For example, the letter "e" is always pronounced like the "e" in "bed," not like in "bee." Each romaji syllable maps directly to a specific hiragana or katakana character.

Should I learn romaji before hiragana? +

It is better to learn hiragana directly rather than relying on romaji as an intermediate step. Learning romaji first can create a dependency that slows your reading progress. However, romaji is helpful as a reference tool while you are actively studying hiragana and katakana.

Can I type Japanese using romaji? +

Yes, romaji input is the standard method for typing Japanese on computers and smartphones. You type the romaji spelling and the input method editor converts it to hiragana, katakana, or kanji. For example, typing "nihongo" produces にほんご. This is how most Japanese people type as well.

What romanization system does this converter use? +

This converter uses the Hepburn romanization system, which is the most widely used and intuitive system for English and Nepali speakers. Hepburn represents Japanese sounds in a way that closely matches their actual pronunciation, making it the standard for dictionaries, textbooks, and official signage in Japan.