kyu / キュ
The middle KY combined kana — キ plus a small ュ becomes “kyu.” Opens Cuba, barbecue, and rescue.
Pronunciation
The compound character キュ represents the syllable 'kyu', formed by combining キ (ki) with a small ュ (yu). Common in loanwords (barbecue, cube, vacuum, security, rescue).
キュ is キ (ki) plus a small ュ, read as one syllable, “kyu.” It appears in loanwords like キューバ (Cuba), バーベキュー (barbecue), レスキュー (rescue), マニキュア (manicure), セキュリティ (security).
How to write キュ
Trace キュ on the canvas at the top of the page. Animated arrows show each stroke's direction; trace along them and the stroke fills in. Each numbered step below explains what that stroke does.
Write キ exactly: two short crossbars angling up to the right, then a long vertical descending through both.
Write a small ュ tucked into the lower right at about half height: stroke 4 the top-and-right turn, stroke 5 the horizontal base — a miniature ユ.
Origin
Katakana キュ combines キ — from the kanji 幾 (ki) — with a small ュ, the reduced form of ユ (from 由). Together they spell a single “kyu” sound.
Common words starting with キュ
Printable practice sheet
Print this worksheet to practice writing キュ by hand — the top row shows the stroke order to trace, then fill the blank squares.
Lock it into memory
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