SaKana - る VS ろ // COMPARISON
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Visual Difference Guide

る vs ろ — HOW TO TELL THEM APART

These two Hiragana lookalikes are the most commonly confused characters by Japanese learners. Here is how to distinguish them instantly.

CHARACTER #1
る
/ru/
Strokes: 1
“A route that has a loop at the bottom.”
Full る Profile
CHARACTER #2
ろ
/ro/
Strokes: 1
“Road without a loop (open route).”
Full ろ Profile
Key Anatomical Differences
  • る (ru) curls inside with a closed loop at the bottom.
  • ろ (ro) stays completely open at the bottom without any loop.
GOLDEN MEMORY TRICK:

Remember: 'RU holds a ruby loop inside, RO has ro-bbed the jewel away.'

DRILL BOTH CHARACTERS IN THE PRACTICE DOJO

Test your visual reflex. Lock them in with speed drills so you will never mix them up while reading manga or subtitles.

START DRILL SESSION