ツ (tsu)
Pronunciation
The character ツ represents the syllable 'tsu', identical in pronunciation to hiragana つ. The small version ッ is the sokuon, used to double consonants in loanwords (e.g., カップ kappu — cup). Take care: ツ resembles シ (shi) — but ツ's strokes go from upper right to lower left, while シ's strokes go from lower left to upper right.
Stroke-by-Stroke Guide
ツ is written in three strokes. Stroke 1: a short curving stroke at the upper left, going from upper left toward the center (like a small downward tick). Stroke 2: a second similar short stroke just to the right. Stroke 3: a long curving stroke that begins at the upper right and sweeps down and to the lower left, ending with an upward hook. The strokes' direction (upper to lower) distinguishes ツ from シ.
Common Words with ツ
- ツアー (tsuaa) — tour
- スーツ (suutsu) — suit
- シーツ (shiitsu) — sheets (bedding)
- スポーツ (supootsu) — sports
- ツイッター (tsuittaa) — Twitter
- パンツ (pantsu) — pants / underwear
- ツリー (tsurii) — tree (especially Christmas)
- ナッツ (nattsu) — nuts
- ピーナッツ (piinattsu) — peanuts
- ココナッツ (kokonattsu) — coconut
- ヤツ (yatsu) — guy / fellow (casual)
How to Write ツ (tsu) in Katakana
The katakana character ツ is romanized as "tsu" and is written with 3 strokes. Like "ts" in "cats" + "oo". Example word: ツアー (tsuaa) — tour.
Stroke Order for ツ
When writing ツ, follow the numbered stroke order shown in the reference character above. Japanese characters are generally written from left to right and top to bottom. Correct stroke order improves readability and writing speed.
Practice Tips
- Print this sheet on standard 8.5" × 11" letter paper
- Start by tracing the light grey guide characters in the first column
- Then practice writing ツ freehand in the empty squares
- Pay attention to stroke direction and order — follow the numbered guide
- For interactive practice with animations, visit the main study page
About Katakana
Katakana is one of the three Japanese writing systems. It consists of 46 basic characters, each representing a syllable. Katakana is used for foreign loanwords, scientific terms, and emphasis. Learning correct stroke order is essential for proper Japanese handwriting.