Hiragana · beginner

Learn Hiragana SA Row — さ し す せ そ

Study the Hiragana SA row characters さ, し, す, せ, そ with pronunciation, mnemonics, and JLPT N5 vocabulary words.

The SA row introduces the S consonant. An important exception: し is pronounced 'shi' rather than 'si'. This is one of the first irregular readings in Hiragana. The SA row characters appear in many common Japanese words like さくら (cherry blossom), すし (sushi), and そら (sky).

Key Vocabulary

JapaneseRomajiMeaning
さsaSA sound
しshiSHI sound
すsuSU sound
せseSE sound
そsoSO sound

Example Sentences

  • さくら
    sakura
    cherry blossom
  • すし
    sushi
    sushi
  • しお
    shio
    salt
  • そら
    sora
    sky

Study Tips

  • 1し (shi) is irregular — it's SHI not SI
  • 2す looks like a hook for hanging SU-shi
  • 3Practice reading: おすし, おかし (sweets)
  • 4Note that し curves to the right, not left

Next Topic

Learn Hiragana TA Row — た ち つ て と

Continue Learning

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