How to do small Tsu on the keyboard?

What Is A Small TSU?

The Japanese language is rich with unique characters and symbols that add nuance and specificity to words. One such symbol is the small tsu, represented by the character “っ.” This symbol is used to indicate a geminate consonant, a short pause, or a glottal stop in Japanese. Typing the small Tsu might seem a bit tricky at first, especially if you’re not familiar with the Japanese keyboard layout, but fear not! In this guide, we’ll walk you through simple steps to type the small Tsu on your keyboard.

Method 1: Japanese Input Mode on Windows:

If you’re using a Windows computer, you can easily switch to Japanese input mode to access the small tsu:

• Activate Japanese Input Mode:
  • Press the “Windows” key.
  • Select “Settings” (gear icon).
  • Choose “Time & language” and then “Language.”
  • Add the Japanese language if not already added.
  • Click on the added language and select “Options.”
  • Under “Keyboards,” add the “Microsoft IME” keyboard.

• Switch to Japanese Input Mode:
  • Press “Alt” + “Shift” to toggle between input languages.
  • Alternatively, use the language bar on the taskbar to switch to Japanese.
• Type Small Tsu:
  • While in Japanese input mode, type “xtu” to get “っ.” For example, typing “Watashi” becomes “わたし” but typing “Watashi” becomes “わたっし.”

Method 2: Japanese Input Method Editor (IME) on Mac:

For Mac users, the Japanese Input Method Editor (IME) provides a straightforward way to type the small tsu:

1. Activate Japanese Input Method Editor:
   • Open “System Preferences.”
   • Go to “Keyboard” and then “Input Sources.”
   • Click on the “+” icon and add the “Japanese” input source.
2. Switch to Japanese Input Mode:
   • Use the input menu on the menu bar to switch to the Japanese input source.
3. Type Small Tsu:
   • While in Japanese input mode, type “xtu” to produce “っ.” For instance, typing “arigato” becomes “ありがとう,” but typing “arigato” becomes “ありがっと.”

Method 3: Online Japanese Keyboard:

If you don’t want to change your keyboard settings, you can use online Japanese keyboards to type the small Tsu:

1. Open an Online Japanese Keyboard:
   • Search for an online Japanese keyboard.
2. Type Small Tsu:
   • Locate the “っ” key on the virtual keyboard and click to input it.
3. Copy and Paste:
   • After typing the desired text, you can copy and paste it into your document or application.

How do you type small tsu Wanikani?

To type a small tsu (っ) on Wanikani, you can use the “x” key before the consonant you want to double. For example, to type “った,” you would enter “xta.” This method mimics the Japanese input style and helps reinforce the correct pronunciation and usage of the small tsu while progressing through Wanikani lessons.

How do you type small in Japanese?

To type a small character in Japanese, such as the small “っ” (tsu), you typically use the “x” key before the consonant you want to make small. For instance, to type “った” (tta), you would enter “xta.” This method is commonly used in Japanese input systems on computers and keyboards. It allows you to create geminate consonants or indicate a short pause in pronunciation, an important aspect of correct Japanese writing and pronunciation.

Conclusion:

Typing the small tsu is a useful skill for those learning Japanese or communicating with Japanese speakers. By following the methods outlined above, whether through adjusting your computer’s settings or using online tools, you can easily incorporate the small tsu into your writing. With a bit of practice, typing this unique character will become second nature, enhancing your ability to express yourself in Japanese. Happy typing!