Japanese Transliteration Online
Convert Japanese Hiragana and Katakana to Romaji, or type Romaji and convert it into kana. This tool focuses on writing-system conversion and is not a Japanese-to-English translator.
Japanese to Romaji transliteration
Convert Hiragana and Katakana into Romaji, the Latin-letter representation of Japanese sounds. Romaji is useful for learners, dictionaries, typing, travel references and systems that cannot display kana.
Romaji to Hiragana and Katakana
Type Romaji and convert it into Hiragana or Katakana. This is useful when you know the pronunciation but do not have a Japanese keyboard available.
Hepburn romanization
Hepburn is one of the most widely used romanization systems for Japanese because it reflects pronunciation in a way that is familiar to many English speakers. It is useful for names, learning materials and general readability.
Kanji to Romaji limitations
Kanji readings depend on context. The same character can have different readings in different words, so reliable Kanji-to-Romaji conversion requires morphological analysis and can still make mistakes. This page focuses primarily on kana and Romaji.
Japanese names and long vowels
Japanese names and long vowels can be written in several romanized forms. For documents and official records, follow the required spelling rules instead of relying only on automatic conversion.
Japanese Transliteration: letters and Latin equivalents
| Kana | Romaji |
|---|---|
| あ / ア | a |
| か / カ | ka |
| さ / サ | sa |
| た / タ | ta |
| な / ナ | na |
| し / シ | shi |
| ち / チ | chi |
| つ / ツ | tsu |
| ふ / フ | fu |
| ん / ン | n |
Frequently asked questions
Is Japanese transliteration the same as Japanese translation?
No. Transliteration converts Japanese writing into Romaji or converts Romaji into kana. Translation would change Japanese words into another language.
What is Romaji?
Romaji is Japanese written with the Latin alphabet. It is commonly used by learners, in dictionaries, in input methods and in international contexts where kana or kanji may not be convenient.
What is Hepburn romanization?
Hepburn is a common system for writing Japanese sounds with Latin letters. It is popular because it is relatively easy for English speakers to read and pronounce.
Can this tool convert Kanji to Romaji?
This page focuses on Hiragana, Katakana and Romaji. Kanji readings depend on context, so reliable Kanji-to-Romaji conversion requires a dedicated analyzer and may still need manual checking.
Can I convert Romaji to Hiragana or Katakana?
Yes. Choose the target mode and type Romaji such as konnichiwa or katakana. Some spellings may depend on the romanization style and should be reviewed.
How are long vowels handled in Japanese romanization?
Long vowels can be written in different ways, such as ou, oo, ō or doubled vowels depending on the system. For official names or documents, use the spelling required by the relevant authority.
Can I use Romaji for Japanese names in documents?
Use the result as a reference only. Passports, visas, academic records and other documents may require a specific romanization rule or a spelling already registered in official records.