Katakana · beginner

Learn Katakana SA Row — サ シ ス セ ソ

Study Katakana SA row characters サ, シ, ス, セ, ソ. Includes common loanwords, writing tips, and pronunciation practice.

The Katakana SA row includes the famously confusing pair シ (shi) and its lookalike ツ (tsu) from the TA row. The trick: in シ, the two small strokes are more horizontal and the long stroke goes from bottom to top. Many common loanwords use SA row characters: サラダ (salad), スポーツ (sports), セーター (sweater).

Key Vocabulary

JapaneseRomajiMeaning
サsaSA sound
シshiSHI sound
スsuSU sound
セseSE sound
ソsoSO sound

Example Sentences

  • サラダ
    sarada
    salad
  • シャツ
    shatsu
    shirt
  • スポーツ
    supootsu
    sports
  • ソフト
    sofuto
    soft

Study Tips

  • 1シ (shi) and ツ (tsu) are the most confused katakana pair
  • 2シ has horizontal-ish strokes; ツ has vertical-ish strokes
  • 3ソ and ン are also commonly confused — practice together
  • 4Write slowly and pay attention to stroke direction

Next Topic

Hiragana And Katakana Lessons - Complete Beginner Guide

Continue Learning

KatakanaLearn Katakana KA Row — カ キ ク ケ コKatakanaLearn Katakana Basics — Japanese Writing System for Foreign WordsHiraganaLearn Hiragana SA Row — さ し す せ そ

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