๐ Contents
๐ฌ Introduction Video
For the Hanhon Keyboard app on iPhone and iPad, check out the user guide here.
1. Installation & Setup
When you download HanhonforMac, the input method is automatically installed. After installation, you need to add it as an input source in macOS to use it.
Adding Input Source
- Go to System Settings โ Keyboard โ Input Sources.
- Click the Edit button.
- Click the + button at the bottom left and search for "Hanhon".
- Select it from the list and click Add.
You can switch to HanhonforMac by clicking the input source icon in the menu bar. You can also use the default shortcut โ + Space.
Search for "Korean keyboard stickers" on Amazon Japan or Rakuten, purchase them and apply to your keyboard for a more convenient typing experience.
2. Basic Usage
HanhonforMac is an input method that automatically converts Hangul pronunciation into Japanese (Hiragana/Katakana). If you know the Japanese pronunciation, you can type Japanese using Hangul.
How It Works
When you combine Hangul consonants and vowels, they are automatically converted to the corresponding Japanese characters.
Example: Typing "sakura"
Type the consonants and vowels of "์ฌ์ฟ ๋ผ" in order, and it becomes "ใใใ" in hiragana.
Candidate Selection
When the candidate window appears during input, you can select your desired word:
- Space or โ - Select next candidate
- Shift + Space or โ - Select previous candidate
- Enter - Confirm selection
3. Hiragana Input
Hiragana is the basic Japanese script. In HanhonforMac's default mode, Hangul input is converted to hiragana.
Basic Vowels (ใ-row)
Consonant + Vowel Combinations
Combine Hangul consonants and vowels to input hiragana for each row.
ใ-row (K-sounds)
See all Hangul-to-Hiragana conversion rules on the Conversion Table page.
ใ vs ใ ก
The Japanese ใ-row sound is between Korean "ใ " and "ใ ก". HanhonforMac converts both to the same hiragana.
Use whichever feels more natural to you!
ใ vs ใ
The Japanese ใ-row sound is between Korean "ใ " and "ใ ". HanhonforMac converts both to the same hiragana.
No need to worry about typos!
4. Katakana Input
Katakana is mainly used for foreign words, onomatopoeia, and emphasis.
Switching to Katakana Mode
Press Option + K to toggle between Hiragana and Katakana mode.
Input in Katakana Mode
Even when typing in Hiragana, you can often select Katakana conversion from the candidate window. If you don't type foreign words frequently, you can stay in the default mode.
5. Special Characters
Sokuon (ใฃ/ใ) - Double Consonant
Sokuon is the "small tsu" used for double consonants. Type consecutive consonants to create sokuon.
Sokuon Examples
The consonant "ใ " is converted to sokuon "ใฃ".
N-sound (ใ)
"ใ" is the Japanese syllabic nasal. Type "ใด" or "ใ " and it immediately converts to "ใ". If you then type a vowel, it automatically combines into ใช-row (for ใด) or ใ-row (for ใ ).
ใ combines into ใ-row, ใด combines into ใช-row.
Long Vowel (ใผ)
Press the - (hyphen) key to input the long vowel mark.
Punctuation
- . (period) โ ใ (Japanese period)
- , (comma) โ ใ (Japanese comma)
6. Kanji Conversion
When you type hiragana, kanji conversion candidates appear automatically in the candidate window.
Kanji Conversion Examples
Use Space or โ/โ keys to browse candidates, and Enter to confirm your selection.
Kanji Grid (Single Kanji Selection)
When there are many kanji with the same reading, you can open the kanji grid to directly select the desired kanji.
How to Use the Kanji Grid
- Type hiragana. (e.g., ใ)
- Press Option + Space to open the kanji grid.
- Use arrow keys to select the desired kanji.
- Press Enter to confirm, or click on a kanji.
Kanji Grid Controls:
- โ / โ - Previous/Next kanji
- โ / โ - Move up/down rows
- Enter - Confirm selection
- Esc or Option + Space - Close grid
The kanji grid displays all kanji corresponding to the reading. You can scroll to see more kanji.
Frequently used words are automatically learned and prioritized in future suggestions.
7. Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
| Space / โ | Select next candidate |
| Shift + Space / โ | Select previous candidate |
| Enter | Confirm selection |
| Esc | Cancel input |
| Option + K | Toggle Hiragana โ Katakana mode |
| Option + Space | Open/Close Kanji Grid |
| Fn + Space | Confirm current input (start new sentence) |
| Fn + F7 | Convert current input to Katakana |
| โ | Force confirm composition |
8. Settings
Click the Hanhon icon in the menu bar and select "Open Settings" to open the settings app.
Pro Upgrade
The free version supports hiragana/katakana input and single kanji suggestions. Purchasing Pro unlocks word suggestions.
- Free Trial - Try Pro features free for 7 days.
- Enter License - Activate Pro by entering your purchased license key.
- iOS Sync - If you purchased Hanhon Keyboard lifetime on iOS, sign in with the same account to use Pro features on Mac.
Input Settings
- Show reading (furigana) in suggestions - Displays hiragana reading next to kanji candidates.
- Add space with Fn+Space - When enabled, Fn+Space adds a space after confirming text. Disabled by default since Japanese typically doesn't use spaces.
Language Settings
You can choose the settings app interface language from System Default, Korean, Japanese, or English.
Data Management
- Reset Learning Data - Deletes personalized recommendation data. User dictionary is preserved. (Pro only)
Quality Improvement
Participate in improving Hanhon Keyboard by sending anonymized usage data. No personal information is collected.
9. User Dictionary
Register frequently used words or special expressions in your user dictionary for quick input.
Adding Words
- Go to the "Dictionary" tab in the settings app.
- Enter the hiragana (reading) and the desired output.
- Click the "Add" button.
Registration Example
Hiragana: ใใใใ
Output: (โฏยฐโกยฐ)โฏ๏ธต โปโโป
Type "์นด์ค๋ชจ์ง" and the emoticon will appear in the candidates.
Export / Import
You can export or import your user dictionary as a JSON file. Useful for syncing between devices or creating backups.