How to write エ (e) in katakana
エ (e) is a katakana vowel, and small versions of the vowels turn up in loanwords to make new sounds. Its shape keeps a part of the kanji 江 (“creek”). It takes three short strokes: the first from the top left going rightwards, the last ending at the bottom right. Loanwords that begin with it: エア (“air”), エコ (“ecological”), エゴ (“ego”) and エス (“S”).
- Romaji
- e
- Strokes
- 3
- From
- 江
- Hiragana
- え
Stroke by stroke
- 1
- 2
- 3
- top leftrightwards
- topdownwards
- bottom leftrightwards
Where エ comes from
- Katakana
- 江, a part of the kanji
- Hiragana
- え from 衣
The two scripts took this sound from different kanji, 江 (“creek”) and 衣 (“garment”).
Look-alikes
- 工 (kanji), 3 strokes
Trace it
Follow the numbers. Tracing help
Words with エ
154 common JMdict katakana words with it; ten shown.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| エア | ea | air |
| エコ | eko | ecological; eco- |
| エゴ | ego | ego; egoism |
| エス | esu | S; s |
| エネ | ene | energy |
| エペ | epe | épée (fencing) |
| エイズ | eizu | acquired immune deficiency syndrome; AIDS |
| エイト | eito | eight; eight (rowing boat) |
| エコー | ekoo | echo; echo |
| エッジ | ejji | edge |
Practice sheet
Print at 100%. Several kana: worksheet maker.
Keep going
Katakana, in chart order: