katakana

[ kah-tuh-kah-nuh; Japanese kah-tah-kah-nah ]

noun

1. the more angular, less commonly used of the two Japanese syllabaries.

katakana

/ ˌkɑːtəˈkɑːnə /

noun

1. one of the two systems of syllabic writing employed for the representation of Japanese, based on Chinese ideograms. It is used mainly for foreign or foreign-derived words

Word History and Origins

Origin of katakana¹

1720–30; < Japanese, equivalent to kata part (of kanji) + kana kana

Word History and Origins

Origin of katakana¹

Japanese, from kata side + kana