How to write ツ (tsu) in katakana
In the t-row, ツ is read tsu, not tu, and katakana uses it for foreign sounds too. Its shape keeps a part of the kanji 川 (“stream”). It takes three short strokes: the first from the top left going downwards, the last ending at the bottom left. Loanwords that begin with it: ツナ (“tuna”), ツアー (“tour”), ツイン (“twin”) and ツリー (“tree”).
- Romaji
- tsu
- Strokes
- 3
- From
- 川
- Hiragana
- つ
Stroke by stroke
- 1
- 2
- 3
- top leftdownwards
- topdown and right
- top rightdown and left
Where ツ comes from
Here both scripts start from the same kanji, 川 (“stream”).
Look-alikes
Trace it
Follow the numbers. Tracing help
With voicing marks
Base kana first, then the marks at the top right.
Small ッ
The small tsu doubles the next consonant, a short pause before it.
Words with ツ
54 common JMdict katakana words with it; ten shown.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ツナ | tsuna | tuna |
| ツアー | tsuaa | tour |
| ツイン | tsuin | twin; twin room |
| ツリー | tsurii | tree; tree (structure, diagram, etc.) |
| ツール | tsuuru | tool; tool (software) |
| ツーピース | tsuupiisu | (women's) two piece suit |
| ツーリスト | tsuurisuto | tourist |
| ツーリング | tsuuringu | touring |
| カツ | katsu | cutlet; katsu |
| ガッツ | gattsu | guts |
Practice sheet
Print at 100%. Several kana: worksheet maker.
Keep going
Katakana, in chart order: