りゅ (ryu)
Pronunciation
The compound character りゅ represents the syllable 'ryu', formed by combining り (ri) with a small ゅ. It is pronounced as a single syllable 'ryu'. Common in names — for example, the name 'Ryu' (りゅう) means 'dragon' in Japanese.
Stroke-by-Stroke Guide
りゅ is written in three strokes: one for り plus two for the small ゅ. The small ゅ is tucked into the lower right area beside り.
Common Words with りゅ
- いちりゅう (ichiryuu) — first-class / first-rate / top-flight
- ざいりゅう (zairyuu) — residing / staying / living
- りゅうがく (ryuugaku) — studying abroad
- りゅうこう (ryuukou) — fashion / trend / vogue
- りゅうがくせい (ryuugakusei) — overseas student / exchange student
- りゅうこうか (ryuukouka) — popular song / hit song
- りゅう (ryuu) — dragon
- かりゅうど (karyuudo) — hunter
- けいりゅう (keiryuu) — mountain stream / mountain torrent
- だくりゅう (dakuryuu) — muddy stream
- りゅうき (ryuuki) — protuberance / bulge / protrusion
- りゅうさん (ryuusan) — sulfuric acid / sulphuric acid
- そりゅうし (soryuushi) — elementary particle / particle
- かりゅう (karyuu) — red-light district
- きょうりゅう (kyouryuu) — dinosaur
- せんりゅう (senryuu) — senryū / comic haiku / humorous seventeen-mora poem
- ちょうりゅう (chouryuu) — tide / tidal current
- ひょうりゅう (hyouryuu) — drifting / drift / being adrift
- ほんりゅう (honryuu) — main course
- りゅうし (ryuushi) — particle / grain
How to Write りゅ (ryu) in Hiragana
The hiragana character りゅ is romanized as "ryu" and is written with 3 strokes. "R" + "yu" blended — tongue tap + yu. Example word: りゅう (ryuu) — dragon.
Stroke Order for りゅ
When writing りゅ, 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 りゅ 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.