シ vs ツ — HOW TO TELL THEM APART

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

CHARACTER #1

シ

/shi/

Strokes: 3

“A smiling face looking upward (strokes upward).”

CHARACTER #2

ツ

/tsu/

Strokes: 3

“Two drops falling down into a tsunami.”

Key Anatomical Differences

シ (shi) strokes are drawn upward from bottom-left to top-right.
ツ (tsu) strokes are drawn downward from top-right to bottom-left.
シ dots align along a vertical left curve; ツ dots align along a horizontal top line.

GOLDEN MEMORY TRICK:

Remember: 'SHI looks UP at the ceiling, TSU falls DOWN like a TSUnami wave.'

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