How to write シ (shi) in katakana
In the s-row, シ is read shi, not si, and katakana uses it for foreign sounds too. Its shape keeps a part of the kanji 之 (“of”). It takes three short strokes: the first from the top going down and right, the last ending at the right. Loanwords that begin with it: シン (“thin”), シアン (“cyan”), シェア (“sharing”) and シェフ (“chef”).
- Romaji
- shi
- Strokes
- 3
- From
- 之
- Hiragana
- し
Stroke by stroke
- 1
- 2
- 3
- topdown and right
- leftdown and right
- bottom leftup and right
Where シ comes from
- Katakana
- 之, a part of the kanji
- Hiragana
- し from 之
Here both scripts start from the same kanji, 之 (“of”).
Look-alikes
Trace it
Follow the numbers. Tracing help
With voicing marks
Base kana first, then the marks at the top right.
Combined sounds
- シャ sha
- シュ shu
- ショ sho
- ジャ ja
- ジュ ju
- ジョ jo
Words with シ
413 common JMdict katakana words with it; ten shown.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| シン | shin | thin; shin |
| シアン | shian | cyan |
| シェア | shiea | sharing; share (on social media) |
| シェフ | shiefu | chef |
| シェル | shieru | shell |
| シカゴ | shikago | Chicago |
| シック | shikku | chic; stylish |
| シップ | shippu | ship |
| シティ | shitei | city |
| シニア | shinia | senior |
Practice sheet
Print at 100%. Several kana: worksheet maker.
Keep going
Katakana, in chart order: