How to write hiragana: ra, ri, ru, re, ro - ら、り、る、れ、ろ

Japanese

By

Namiko Abe

Updated on May 01, 2025

Key Takeaways

Learning to write 'ra' is easier when you follow the correct stroke order.
Practicing stroke order helps you remember how to draw each hiragana character.

01

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How to write hiragana: ra ら

Learn how to write the hiragana character for "ra" in this simple lesson. Please remember, it is important to follow the stroke order when writing Japanese characters. Learning the proper stroke order is also a great way to help you to remember how to draw the character.

Example: らくだ (rakuda) --- camel

Click this link to learn how to pronounce "r" in Japanese.

If you want to see all 46 hiragana characters and hear the pronunciation for each, try my Hiragana Audio Chart page. For a Handwritten Hiragana Chart, try this link.

To learn more about Japanese writing, try Japanese Writing for Beginners.

02

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How to write hiragana: ri り

Learn how to write the hiragana character for "ri" in this simple lesson. Please remember, it is important to follow the stroke order when writing Japanese characters. Learning the proper stroke order is also a great way to help you to remember how to draw the character.

Example: りんご (ringo) --- apple

03

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How to write hiragana: ru る

Learn how to write the hiragana character for "ru" in this simple lesson. Please remember, it is important to follow the stroke order when writing Japanese characters. Learning the proper stroke order is also a great way to help you to remember how to draw the character.

Example: るす (rusu) --- absence

04

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How to write hiragana: re れ

Learn how to write the hiragana character for "re" in this simple lesson. Please remember, it is important to follow the stroke order when writing Japanese characters. Learning the proper stroke order is also a great way to help you to remember how to draw the character.

Example: れきし (rekishi) --- history

05

of 05

How to write hiragana: ro ろ

Learn how to write the hiragana character for "ro" in this simple lesson. Please remember, it is important to follow the stroke order when writing Japanese characters. Learning the proper stroke order is also a great way to help you to remember how to draw the character.

Example: ろうそく (rousoku) --- candle

Click this link to learn how to write the word, Ronin, which also starts with the hiragana "ro" character.

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Your Citation

Abe, Namiko. "How to write hiragana: ra, ri, ru, re, ro - ら、り、る、れ、ろ." ThoughtCo, May. 1, 2025, thoughtco.com/how-to-write-hiragana-ra-ri-ru-re-ro-2027948. Abe, Namiko. (2025, May 1). How to write hiragana: ra, ri, ru, re, ro - ら、り、る、れ、ろ. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-write-hiragana-ra-ri-ru-re-ro-2027948 Abe, Namiko. "How to write hiragana: ra, ri, ru, re, ro - ら、り、る、れ、ろ." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-write-hiragana-ra-ri-ru-re-ro-2027948 (accessed May 15, 2025).