How to write チ (chi) in katakana
In the t-row, チ is read chi, not ti, and katakana uses it for foreign sounds too. Its shape keeps a part of the kanji 千 (“thousand”). It takes three short strokes: the first from the top going down and left then leftwards, the last ending at the bottom. Loanwords that begin with it: チア (“cheer”), チリ (“Chile”), チェア (“chair”) and チェコ (“Czech Republic”).
- Romaji
- chi
- Strokes
- 3
- From
- 千
- Hiragana
- ち
Stroke by stroke
- 1
- 2
- 3
- topdown and left → leftwards
- leftrightwards
- topdownwards → down and left
Where チ comes from
The two scripts took this sound from different kanji, 千 (“thousand”) and 知 (“know”).
Look-alikes
- テ, 3 strokes
Trace it
Follow the numbers. Tracing help
With voicing marks
Base kana first, then the marks at the top right.
Combined sounds
- チャ cha
- チュ chu
- チョ cho
- ヂャ ja
- ヂュ ju
- ヂョ jo
Words with チ
232 common JMdict katakana words with it; ten shown.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| チア | chia | cheer; cheerleading |
| チリ | chiri | Chile |
| チェア | chiea | chair |
| チェコ | chieko | Czech Republic; Czechia |
| チェス | chiesu | chess |
| チェッ | chieッ | tsk; tut |
| チェロ | chiero | cello; violoncello |
| チキン | chikin | chicken; coward |
| チタン | chitan | titanium (Ti) |
| チップ | chippu | tip; gratuity |
Practice sheet
Print at 100%. Several kana: worksheet maker.
Keep going
Katakana, in chart order: