A syllabary is a writing system where each symbol represents a syllable, which is a unit of sound in a word. Unlike alphabets that represent individual sounds (like letters), syllabaries group sounds into syllables. For example, in the Japanese writing system, the hiragana and katakana syllabaries each have symbols for different syllables, making it easier to read and write the language. Syllabaries are often used in languages with simpler syllable structures. They can be more efficient for writing because each symbol conveys more information than a single letter. This system is found in various cultures, such as the Cherokee syllabary created by Sequoyah in the early 19th century.