SaKana - ソ VS ン // COMPARISON
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Visual Difference Guide

ソ vs ン — 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
ソ
/so/
Strokes: 2
“One eye blinking downward (strokes downward).”
Full ソ Profile
CHARACTER #2
ン
/n/
Strokes: 2
“One stroke looking up toward the sky (strokes upward).”
Full ン Profile
Key Anatomical Differences
  • ソ (so) starts from the top and swoops steeply down.
  • ン (n) starts from the bottom-left and sweeps upwards.
  • ソ's first mark is almost vertical; ン's first mark is angled flatter.
GOLDEN MEMORY TRICK:

Remember: 'SO slides down a slope, N points up into the sky.'

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