가타카나 is one of the two syllabaries used in the Japanese writing system, the other being 히라가나. It consists of 46 basic characters, each representing a specific sound. 가타카나 is primarily used for writing foreign words, technical terms, and the names of plants and animals. In addition to its use for foreign vocabulary, 가타카나 is often employed for emphasis, similar to italics in English. It is also used in manga and advertising to create a distinct visual style. Learning 가타카나 is essential for anyone studying the Japanese language.