Katakana r row: ラ リ ル レ ロ

The idea

ラ, リ, ル, レ and ロ read ra, ri, ru, re and ro. Japanese r is usually a quick tongue tap behind the upper teeth. Katakana often writes loanwords, as in ラジオ and テレビ; the table pairs each form with its reading.

Examples

• 毎朝まいあさ、ラジオを聞ききます。I listen to the radio every morning.
• イタリアへ行いきます。I go to Italy.
• ホテルは駅えきの近ちかくです。The hotel is near the station.
• ウクレレを弾ひきます。I play the ukulele.
• テレビを見みます。I watch television.
• ロボットがあります。There is a robot.

Watch out

ラ is not ナ, and ロ is a closed box. Keep the r tap short rather than rolling it.

Try it yourself

1. Fill the blank with one kana or mark: ＿ジオ (rajio).

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   ラ

   Compare the written parts and reading: ラ = ra；ラジオ = rajio.

2. Fill the blank with one kana or mark: テ＿ビ (terebi).

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   レ

   Compare the written parts and reading: レ = re；テレビ = terebi.

3. Fill the blank with one kana or mark: ミ＿ク (miruku).

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   ル

   Compare the written parts and reading: ル = ru；ミルク = miruku.

Use it today

Cover the chart, read two examples aloud and write one target word from memory. Compare its spelling and timing with the original.