A character can look different in a font and in handwriting without becoming a different kana.
The idea
Some fonts join strokes in さ, き, り, ゆ or ふ that a handwriting model shows separately. The table names the characters; it does not show handwriting variants. Compare these printed forms with the Japan Foundation’s linked handwriting examples and follow a stroke-order model when writing.
| Kana | Word |
|---|---|
| さ | あさ |
| き | きって |
| り | りんご |
| ゆ | ゆき |
| ふ | ふね |
Examples
- あさ、犬と歩きます。I walk with my dog in the morning.
- きってを買います。I buy a postage stamp.
- りんごを買います。I buy an apple.
- ゆきが降ります。It is snowing.
- ふねが来ます。A boat is coming.
- いぬは小さいです。The dog is small.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not trace a font’s connections as if they established handwriting stroke order. At the same time, not every difference is harmless: distinguish whole shapes such as き and さ, and practise with legible spacing.
Try it yourself
Choose and fill the blank: 「きって」の最初のかなは＿。（き／さ）
Show answer or example answer
き
き is the first kana in きって; さ is a different character.
Choose and fill the blank: 「あさ」の最後のかなは＿。（さ／き）
Show answer or example answer
さ
さ is the last kana in あさ; き has an extra horizontal stroke.
Choose and fill the blank: 「き」「さ」を書く時、印刷の形だけで書き順がわかりますか。（はい／いいえ）
Show answer or example answer
いいえ
いいえ. Print can join strokes and does not specify their handwriting order; consult a writing model.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Choose and fill the blank: 「きって」の最初のかなは＿。（き／さ）
Choose and fill the blank: 「あさ」の最後のかなは＿。（さ／き）
Choose and fill the blank: 「き」「さ」を書く時、印刷の形だけで書き順がわかりますか。（はい／いいえ）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Find each table character in the examples. Write the words using a handwriting chart, then compare your shapes with the printed text and read them aloud.