Sa Shi Su
Katakana 1
Chapter 5 · Sa Shi Su
🌿 The S Row Begins — サ シ ス
Three new characters: サ (sa), シ (shi) and ス (su). Note that the middle one is shi, not si, exactly as in hiragana. With them you can read nine real words today, from ice to circus. Romaji is shown for everything.
✨ Your Three New Characters — サ シ ス
| Katakana | Hiragana twin | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| サ | さ | sa |
| シ | し | shi |
| ス | す | su |
📖 Read It — Nine Real Words
| # | Word | Romaji | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | アイス | aisu | ice; ice cream | a-i-su: three beats |
| 2 | スキー | sukī | ski; skiing | su-ki-i |
| 3 | スイス | suisu | Switzerland | su-i-su |
| 4 | スカイ | sukai | sky | su-ka-i |
| 5 | キス | kisu | kiss | ki-su |
| 6 | ケース | kēsu | case | ke-e-su: a phone case, a suitcase… |
| 7 | コース | kōsu | course | ko-o-su: a golf course, a meal course |
| 8 | サーカス | sākasu | circus | sa-a-ka-su: four beats |
| 9 | シーサー | shīsā | shisa | the lion-dog guardians of Okinawa |
✍️ Try It Yourself — れんしゅう
Say each answer out loud first, then click to check.
1. Read aloud: サ · シ · ス
Show answer
sa · shi · su
2. Read aloud and translate: アイス · スキー · スカイ
Show answer
aisu (ice) · sukī (ski) · sukai (sky)
3. Read aloud and translate: スイス · キス · コース
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suisu (Switzerland) · kisu (kiss) · kōsu (course)
4. Why does Japanese write ski as スキー (su-ki-i)?
Show answer
Japanese syllables need a vowel after each consonant, so the English "s" gets an extra su, and ー stretches the final vowel.
5. How many beats are in サーカス?
Show answer
Four: サ · ー · カ · ス (sa-a-ka-su).
6. Write in katakana: aisu · suisu · sākasu (check the stroke order).
Show answer
アイス · スイス · サーカス