히라가나 is one of the two phonetic scripts used in the Japanese writing system, the other being 가타카나. It consists of 46 basic characters, each representing a specific sound. 히라가나 is primarily used for native Japanese words, grammatical elements, and to indicate the pronunciation of kanji characters. The script is essential for beginners learning Japanese, as it helps with reading and writing. Unlike 한자, which are logographic characters borrowed from Chinese, 히라가나 is simpler and more accessible, making it a foundational component of the language.