ryu / リュ
The middle RY combined kana — リ plus a small ュ becomes “ryu.” The common one: it gives backpack and volume, and the name 竜 (Ryū, dragon).
Pronunciation
The compound character リュ represents the syllable 'ryu'. Common in loanwords — volume, backpack (from German Rucksack), lute.
リュ is リ (ri) plus a small ュ, read as one syllable, “ryu.” It's the most useful of the set: リュック (backpack), リュックサック (rucksack), リュート (lute), and inside ボリューム (volume). It's also common in names like 竜 (Ryū, “dragon”).
How to write リュ
Trace リュ 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 リ exactly: a short vertical on the left, then a longer stroke on the right descending and curving in at the bottom.
Write a small ュ tucked into the lower right at about half height — a miniature ユ (a top-and-right turn, then a base bar).
Origin
Katakana リュ combines リ — from the right side of the kanji 利 (ri) — with a small ュ (reduced ユ, from 由). Together they spell a single “ryu” sound.
Common words starting with リュ
Printable practice sheet
Print this worksheet to practice writing リュ by hand — the top row shows the stroke order to trace, then fill the blank squares.
Lock it into memory
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