きゅ (kyu)
Pronunciation
The compound character きゅ represents the syllable 'kyu', formed by combining き (ki) with a small ゅ (yu). It is pronounced as a single syllable 'kyu', not 'ki-yu'. Yōon syllables like this are essential in everyday Japanese vocabulary.
Stroke-by-Stroke Guide
きゅ is written in six strokes: four for き plus two for the small ゅ. The ゅ is written like ゆ but smaller and tucked into the lower right area beside き. The two ゅ strokes form a compact version of ゆ's looping curve and crossing vertical.
Common Words with きゅ
- きゅう (kyuu) — nine / 9
- えいきゅう (eikyuu) — eternity / permanence / perpetuity
- きゅうか (kyuuka) — holiday / vacation / day off
- きゅうきょく (kyuukyoku) — ultimate / final / last
- きゅうくつ (kyuukutsu) — narrow / tight / cramped
- きゅうけい (kyuukei) — rest / break / recess
- きゅうこう (kyuukou) — hurrying / rushing / hastening
- きゅうしゅう (kyuushuu) — absorption / suction / attraction
- きゅうじつ (kyuujitsu) — holiday / day off
- きゅうじん (kyuujin) — recruiting / job offer / job vacancy
- きゅうぞう (kyuuzou) — rapid increase / sharp rise / proliferation
- きゅうめい (kyuumei) — investigation / finding out the facts / bringing to light
- きゅうよ (kyuuyo) — pay / salary / wages
- きゅうりょう (kyuuryou) — salary / wages / pay
- きょうきゅう (kyoukyuu) — supply / provision
- きんきゅう (kinkyuu) — urgency / emergency
- けんきゅう (kenkyuu) — research / study / investigation
- こうきゅう (koukyuu) — permanence / perpetuity
- しょきゅう (shokyuu) — elementary level / beginner level
- じょうきゅう (joukyuu) — upper level / upper grade / high rank
How to Write きゅ (kyu) in Hiragana
The hiragana character きゅ is romanized as "kyu" and is written with 6 strokes. "K" + "yu" blended — like "cue" with a K. Example word: きゅう (kyuu) — nine.
Stroke Order for きゅ
When writing きゅ, follow the numbered stroke order shown in the reference character above. Japanese characters are generally written from left to right and top to bottom. Correct stroke order improves readability and writing speed.
Practice Tips
- Print this sheet on standard 8.5" × 11" letter paper
- Start by tracing the light grey guide characters in the first column
- Then practice writing きゅ freehand in the empty squares
- Pay attention to stroke direction and order — follow the numbered guide
- For interactive practice with animations, visit the main study page
About Hiragana
Hiragana is one of the three Japanese writing systems. It consists of 46 basic characters, each representing a syllable. Hiragana is used for native Japanese words, grammar particles, and verb endings. Learning correct stroke order is essential for proper Japanese handwriting.