How to write レ (re) in katakana
レ (re) never takes the voicing marks. Its shape keeps a part of the kanji 礼 (“salute”). A single straight-edged stroke makes it, from the top left heading downwards then up and right. Loanwords that begin with it: レア (“rare”), レジ (“(cash) register”), レス (“reply”) and レゲエ (“reggae”).
- Romaji
- re
- Strokes
- 1
- From
- 礼
- Hiragana
- れ
Stroke by stroke
- 1
- top leftdownwards → up and right
Where レ comes from
- Katakana
- 礼, a part of the kanji
- Hiragana
- れ from 礼
Here both scripts start from the same kanji, 礼 (“salute”).
Look-alikes
- ル, 2 strokes
Trace it
Follow the numbers. Tracing help
Words with レ
351 common JMdict katakana words with it; ten shown.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| レア | rea | rare; uncommon |
| レジ | reji | (cash) register; checkout (counter) |
| レス | resu | reply; response |
| レゲエ | regee | reggae |
| レザー | rezaa | leather; leathercloth |
| レスト | resuto | rest; rest |
| レタス | retasu | lettuce (Lactuca sativa) |
| レター | retaa | letter; note |
| レッド | reddo | red |
| レトロ | retoro | retro; nostalgic |
Practice sheet
Print at 100%. Several kana: worksheet maker.
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Katakana, in chart order: