Japanese characters copy or type: how it's done

You can copy Japanese characters directly from the tables on this page, and to type them yourself, no special keyboard is needed: you enter the reading in Latin letters (nihon), the system converts it into kana (にほん), and the spacebar offers kanji options (日本). Japanese input is enabled in the language settings on Windows, macOS, Android, and iPhone.

A Japanese person types in Latin letters — and that's not a paradox. Input works like a translator from sound to sign: you type 'ai', press space, choose from the list 愛, 藍, 相. Typing speed is no lower than ours because the system predicts based on context.

How to enable Japanese input

  1. Windows: 'Settings' → 'Time & Language' → 'Language' → add Japanese. Switch with Win+Space, kana mode with the key above Tab.
  2. macOS: 'System Settings' → 'Keyboard' → 'Input Sources' → add Japanese - Romaji.
  3. Android: in keyboard settings add Japanese; a layout with Latin letters and a kana toggle will appear.
  4. iPhone: 'Settings' → 'General' → 'Keyboard' → 'Keyboards' → add Japanese (Romaji or Kana).
  5. Type the reading in Latin letters, press space — the system will offer kanji options, choose the one you need and confirm with Enter.

How to understand which option to choose

The list is sorted by frequency and by context of previous words. If you typed 'ai', the first is usually 愛. Check the hint: next to the option, the system shows an explanation or an example word — that's enough to avoid confusing 愛 (love) and 相 (mutual).

If you just need to copy a character

  • Copy the character right from here: 愛 力 夢 縁 龍 桜 心 光 — they are all real and read unambiguously.
  • Check that the copied character is the Japanese form, not the simplified Chinese: 愛, not 爱.
  • The font on your device may render the character slightly differently — that's normal; the shape depends on the typeface.
  • Don't copy text from images via blind recognition: it often confuses similar characters (未 and 末, 土 and 士).

Why the character may appear as a square

A square instead of a character means the font lacks that symbol. The standard system font covers common kanji, but rare characters require a font with full Japanese support — for example, Noto Sans JP.

Write the character by hand

Typing is easier than writing. Trace the character along the guides and compare the feel.

FAQ

How to type Japanese characters?
Add Japanese input language in the system, type the reading in Latin letters (nihon), press space, and select the character from the suggested list (日本).
Do I need a special Japanese keyboard?
No. Japanese people type on a regular Latin layout: the system itself converts Latin into kana, and kana into characters.
Where can I get a character to simply copy?
You can copy it directly from the tables on this site. The main thing is to check that it's the Japanese form (愛), not the simplified Chinese (爱).
Why do squares appear instead of characters?
The font in use lacks those symbols. A font with full Japanese support helps, for example Noto Sans JP.

Updated: 2026-07-25

禅

Japanese Zen