Katakana "So" Coloring Pages

"So" as in "Socks"

Katakana "So" is the fifth and final letter in the Sa-column.
The word for this coloring page is "Socks". In Japanese, it means socks.
On the left side, you can see a pair of socks, which means two socks for your right and left feet.
Take a close look at the shape of the toe where your toes go, and the heel where your heel goes.
Near the top, there are stripe patterns!

Katakana "So" Comes from the Kanji "曽"

Katakana letters were made by taking a piece of a Kanji character.
Katakana "So" was born from the very top two dots of the Kanji "曽".
Hiragana "So" was also made by simplifying the same Kanji "曽".
Hiragana uses the whole Kanji shape, while Katakana takes only the top dots, so they look very different.
It is a very short Katakana with only two strokes!

How to Write Katakana "So"

You write Katakana "So" with 2 strokes.
For the 1st stroke, write a short dot on the top left, going from top-left to bottom-right.
For the 2nd stroke, make a long sweep from the top right down to the bottom left.
The trick is to make the 2nd stroke longer than the 1st stroke.
Do not let the two lines touch. Leave a small space between them!

The Difference Between Katakana "So" and "N"

Katakana "N" looks a lot like Katakana "So".
For Katakana "So", you sweep the 2nd stroke from top to bottom.
For "N", you sweep the 2nd stroke upward from bottom to top.
Also, Katakana "So"'s dot points more down, while "N"'s dot points more sideways. This makes them easy to tell apart.
Even grown-ups get them mixed up, so try writing them side by side to compare!

Words with Small "Tsu" and Katakana "So"

The word "Socks" has a small "Tsu" for a paused sound.
The word on this coloring page is written vertically, so the small "Tsu" is written small in the top right of its box.
Words that start with Katakana "So" include soft-serve ice cream, sausage, sofa, and fava beans.
Soft-serve ice cream, sausage, and sofa are words from other countries, and fava bean is the name of a plant.

How Socks Are Made

Socks are knitted with stretchy yarn into a round tube shape.
That is why they fit your feet so well and do not slip down easily.
The opening at the top is snug like a rubber band, so it stays in place around your ankle!

Color the big Katakana "So" with 2 colors

Color the big Katakana "So" with your favorite colors.
If you change the color for the dot and the stroke, it is easy to see that it has 2 strokes.
It is also fun to match its colors with the socks!

Enjoy the stripe pattern on the socks

Color the socks with any colors you like, such as white, yellow, or pink.
For the stripes on top, alternate between 2 colors, like red and white or blue and yellow, to make them super cute!
It is also fun to use a different color just for the toes and heels.
You can make the left and right socks match, or you can make them different on purpose!
Try drawing your own patterns, like polka dots or stars, too.

How to trace

Trace the Katakana "So" in the bottom right boxes with a pencil.
For the 1st stroke, make a short, light dot.
For the 2nd stroke, start at the top right and sweep down toward the bottom left while gently lifting your pencil.
When you write all 8 of them, compare them with Katakana "N" to check which way the stroke sweeps!

Finally, read the word out loud

In the top right, next to the big Katakana "So", the word "Socks" is written top to bottom.
When you finish coloring, trace the word with your finger and read "Socks" out loud.
When pictures, letters, and words connect, it becomes much easier to remember the letters!
When your coloring page is done, you can hang it on the wall or keep it in a folder.

"Socks" Come in Pairs

In English, one sock is called a "sock."
You usually wear socks on both your left and right feet, so an "s" was added to mean more than one, making it "socks."
When you count socks, two of them make "one pair."

The Soles of Your Feet Sweat a Lot

The soles of your feet are a place on your body that sweats very easily.
Socks soak up that sweat and keep your feet nice and dry.
Protecting your feet from getting rubbed by shoes is another important job for socks!

Japanese "Tabi"

Japan has traditional footwear called tabi that has been around for a long time.
Tabi are special because they are split into two parts: one for your big toe and one for the other toes.
They are made this way so the thong goes right between your toes when you wear geta or zori wooden sandals!

Left and Right Socks

Most socks are shaped the exact same way for the left and right sides.
So, it is totally okay to wear them on either foot!
But sometimes, you can find special socks that are shaped differently for your right foot and your left foot.

Words for Socks

Long socks that go up over your knees are called high socks or knee-high socks.
Many names for different types of socks are written using Katakana "So" words, too!