ひらがな is one of the three main writing systems used in the Japanese language, alongside カタカナ and 漢字. It consists of 46 basic characters, each representing a specific sound. Hiragana is primarily used for native Japanese words, grammatical elements, and to indicate the pronunciation of 漢字. Hiragana characters are curvy and simple, making them easier to write and learn for beginners. Children in Japan typically start learning hiragana in preschool, as it forms the foundation for reading and writing in Japanese. Mastery of hiragana is essential for understanding the language.