Hiragana れ: How to Read, Write, and Use れ (re)

れ is read as re. It belongs to the ra-row of the basic hiragana chart and appears in many everyday Japanese words.

Pronunciation

Read れ as “re” in romaji. Keep the sound short and even. Japanese vowels do not usually glide the way English vowels do, so a simple, steady sound is clearer than an exaggerated one.

Words That Use れ

• れきし (rekishi, history)
• れいぞうこ (reizouko, refrigerator)
• れんしゅう (renshu, practice)

How to Practice

Say the word slowly, point to れ, and then read the whole word again. This helps you connect the shape of the character with its sound instead of memorizing it in isolation.

Writing Tip

Practice れ on squared paper and keep each character about the same size. Write slowly at first, then repeat until the motion feels natural. Clean proportions matter more than speed.

Common Learner Note

When れ appears inside a word, read it as part of the rhythm of the whole word. Japanese is easier to understand when each mora gets a clear beat.