Хирагана is one of the two main syllabaries used in the Japanese writing system, the other being катакана. It consists of 46 basic characters, each representing a distinct sound or syllable. Хирагана is primarily used for native Japanese words, grammatical elements, and to indicate the pronunciation of kanji characters. Хирагана is essential for beginners learning Japanese, as it helps with reading and writing. It is often taught first because it allows learners to form sentences and understand the structure of the language. Mastery of хирагана is crucial for further studies in Japanese literature and communication.