Hiragana: Lesson 11 - 'さ' [sa] & 'ざ' [za]

Now that we've learnt the vowel and 'K' sections, we are now moving on to 'S' section!

さ, in hiragana, or サ in katakana, is one of the Japanese kana, which each represent one mora. Both represent [sa]. The shapes of these kana originate from 左 and 散, respectively.
Like き, the hiragana character may be written with or without linking the lower line to the rest of the character.

Pronunciation:
'さ' is romanized 'sa' and pronounced 'sa' as in 'sakura'.

Word beginning with 'さ':

• 酒 = さけ (sake -> sake [alcohol])
• 猿 = さる (saru -> monkey)
• 桜 = さくら (sakura -> cherry blossom)
• 魚 = さかな (sakana -> fish)
• 寒い = さむい (samui -> cold [adj.])
• 殺人 = さつじん (satsujin -> murder)

Stroke Order:

The character 'さ' may be combined with a dakuten, changing it into ざ in hiragana, and za in Hepburn romanization. The pronunciation is also changed, to [za]. さ + " (dakuten) = ざ (look below)

Word with 'ざ':

• わざわさ (wazawaza -> doing something especially rather than incidentally (wazawaza is more like a phrase))

Task: You shall write 'さ' & 'ざ' 50 - 100 times in your textbook. If you want, like with the previous lessons, write 'さ' 70 times and 'ざ' 30 times . Memorize the shape, the stroke order, the sound, the pronunciation (echo the sound of the character each time you write it down), etc.

Good luck!