Tricky Hiragana: ね, れ, わ, ぬ, and め
Learn to differentiate these tricky hiragana characters ね (ne), れ (re), わ (wa), ぬ (nu), and め (me) with this interactive guide. This is Part 4/6 of the Tricky Hiragana series.
In this installment of our Tricky Hiragana series, we will dive deep into two groups of characters that can be confusing to us learners. We have the “Z-stroke group” ね (ne), れ (re), わ (wa), and the “loopy pair” ぬ (nu) and め (me).
See the previous posts of the Tricky Hiragana series. Here is Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
We are combining these two groups into one since they are somewhat similar in a sense. They rely on spotting the subtle differences at the end of the stroke.
Let’s start with the first group.
The Z-Stroke in ね (ne), れ (re), and わ (wa)
The three characters ね (ne), れ (re) and わ (wa) all start exactly the same way with a vertical line on the left. The second stroke also starts similar with a Z-stroke shape that goes down. The critical difference is on how they end.
Refer to the blue dotted line in the image guide for the similar the vertical strokes.
The character ね (ne)’s end stroke comes down and loops around like a little tail. On the other hand, れ (re) comes down and sweeps outward curving up like a little slide. Then for わ (wa) the stroke comes down and curves inward like a big belly. It doesn’t loop or sweeps out but it rounds off.
All three characters ね (ne), れ (re) and わ (wa) start with a vertical stroke.
ね (ne)’s Z-stroke ends with a tiny loop.
れ (re)’s Z-stroke sweeps outward.
わ (wa)’s Z-stroke goes inward with a big curve.
Quick Practice - ね, れ, and わ
Flip the cards below and test your understanding.
Refer to the red dotted line in the image guide on how the sweep curve ends differently in each character.
The Loopy Stroke of ぬ (nu) and め (me)
These next two Hiragana characters of ぬ (nu) and め (me) look really similar. I myself still get confused with these two. They don’t have the vertical stroke to start with compared to the previous group. They are just loopy strokes from start to end. Some say they look like noodles or pretzels. Their difference, like in the previous group, is on how the last stroke ends.
Refer to the green dotted line in the image guide to see the pretzel or noodle strokes of ぬ (nu) and め (me).
Hiragana ぬ (nu) is curvy and ends with a loop at the very end of the tail. Meanwhile, the character め (me) does not have a loop at the end. The stroke just stops inwards.
ぬ (nu) pretzel that ends with a loop.
め (me) pretzel the ends inward without a loop.
Quick Practice - ぬ and め
Flip the cards below and test your understanding.
Further Resources for Your Hiragana Practice
Review the entire N, R, W, M Hiragana sets with basic sample words and emojis using the following flash card sets:
- Hiragana N Set - Try the na, ni, nu, ne, no set.
- Hiragana R Set - Review the ra, ri, ru, re, ro set.
- Hiragana W Set - Practice the wa, wo, n set.
- Hiragana M Set - Review the ma, mi, mu, me, mo set.
Keep practicing these five tricky Hiragana characters in one flash card deck at Tricky Hiragana: ね, れ, わ, ぬ, and め.