SaKana - ツ VS ン // COMPARISON
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Visual Difference Guide

ツ 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
ツ
/tsu/
Strokes: 3
“Two drops falling down into a tsunami.”
Full ツ Profile
CHARACTER #2
ン
/n/
Strokes: 2
“One stroke looking up toward the sky (strokes upward).”
Full ン Profile
Key Anatomical Differences
  • ツ (tsu) has THREE strokes (2 dots across the top, 1 downward sweep).
  • ン (n) has TWO strokes (1 low angle dash, 1 upward sweep).
GOLDEN MEMORY TRICK:

Remember: 'TSU has three strokes (T-S-U); N has two strokes.'

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