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Katakana Page 03

KATAKANA PART 3

Let's take a look at the S's. You may want to make flashcards to practice by.


サ - sa    - as in SOlitude
it looks like a squished SAW blade. (Backwards Hiragana SE (せ)).


 シ- sHi    - as in SHE
NOTE: This is the first 'irregular' pronunciation. You would think it would be 'si' but don't forget the middle 'H'. Someone is pulling down a SHEet from a closet. Or SHE always smiles tilting her head.


ス- su    - as in SUE
It looks like SUE standing up.


 セ- se    - as in SAY
It looks like someone with a huge mouth SAYing something.


 ソ- so    - SO 
NOTE: be careful - it looks simlar to another katakana character (ン n) we will study soon. Just remember the drop on ・#92; points down. Someone is touching something on a pedestal. It's SO pretty?

Write them out 10 times a day and soon you will get it.  To aid memorization, make silly associations to go with them. You can use the above mnemonics or you can make your own!

　

STOP!!!

Did you write the above katakana 10 times? Did you sound them out as well? Well, do it again! And then take the following test & Javascript quiz (see link below)...

TEST
How do you read these Katakana characters?  What English words do they sound out?
キス ____________    This means ____________
サケ____________    This means ____________ [This is usually written in hiragana and is a traditional Japanese drink]
サイ _____________   This means Rhino [Sorry, you probably couldn't guess this meaning, but try to read it!]
アシ _____________    This means ______________ [means a body part in Japanese (again usually written in hiragana or kanji]
ケース _____________    This means ______________ [something you carry - remember the ー means to make the previous sound longer]
アース _____________    This means ______________ [No, it doesn't mean a body part! Remember Japanese doesn't have a 'TH' sound and think of a planet]

Click here to check your answers

Perhaps you can recognize these 5 in just one day of practice.  

　

　

　

　

　

ANSWERS:

　

キス    kisu This means KISS
サケ sake This means SAKE
サイ   sai This means Rhino
 アシ   ashi  This means LEG
ケース   ke-su  This means CASE
アース  a-su  This means EARTH

Think you have it all down pat?
Click here to take the Quiz

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