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Learn Japanese with Yuko

Amity Language Institute
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  • Grammar / 文法
  • Words & Expressions / 言葉と表現
  • Food / 食べ物
  • Seasonal Notes / 季節
  • Characters / 文字
  • Pronunciation / 発音
  • Interesting observations / 見かけたこと
  • Topical Notes / 時どきの話題
  • Letters from Charleston / お便り
  • Japanese Courses / 日本語を学ぼう

Pronunciation / 発音

About pronunciation, I always tell people the following three things:

  1. Pronounce the vowels (“a”, “i”, “u”, “e” and “o”) clearly, and speak slowly rather than too fast.
  2. You should pronounce each mora (=syllable) with the same length of time. For example, the Japanese call the popular American hamburger shop “Ma-ku-do-na-ru-do” (MacDonald’s) with an even rhythm.
  3. There are two “tones” in Japanese; higher and lower pitches. However, don’t worry about the intonation (or which sound in a word should be pronounced at the higher pitch) too much. There are many different patterns of intonation, depending on the area and age group of the speaker. Everyone is right and can get their meaning across.

Therefore, if you just keep 1 and 2 in mind, that will be fine for communication. Relax and enjoy some interesting topics on Japanese pronunciation.

    Pronunciation Tips for Popular Expressions with “te Form” / 「て形」表現の発音のコツ

    Pronunciation Tips for Popular Expressions with “te Form” / 「て形」表現の発音のコツ

    “Maiasa, tamago o tabete imasu.” (Every morning I eat eggs.) Even if there is a space between “tabete” and “imasu”, do not take a breath between them. Why? Here is the reason.

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    Pronunciation / 発音
    The Mini Pocket (3) or The Nasal Sound and Modern Japanese /ミニポケットの話 (下) 鼻濁音と現代の日本語

    The Mini Pocket (3) or The Nasal Sound and Modern Japanese /ミニポケットの話 (下) 鼻濁音と現代の日本語

    Learn more about the Japanese nasal sound and learn which of the Japanese language you are learning! Why not dialect of Osaka, Kyoto, Aomori or Kagoshima?

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    Pronunciation / 発音

    The Rules in the Use of the Nasal Sound for Announcers / アナウンサーのための鼻濁音使用のルール

    There is a set of rules on when to use the nasal ga, gi, gu, ge, go that the Japanese announcers learn and speak with. We will go over them!

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    Pronunciation / 発音

    Long Vowels / 長音

    Here we will show you how to pronounce the Romanized vowels and “n” sound.

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    Pronunciation / 発音

    This post is in: / この記事のカテゴリー

    1. Learn Japanese with Yuko
    2. Recent posts / 最近の記事
    3. Pronunciation / 発音

    Categories / カテゴリー別読み物

    • Characters / 文字 (5)
    • Classes and Lessons (2)
    • Food / 食べ物 (14)
    • Grammar / 文法 (27)
    • Interesting observations / 見かけたこと (9)
    • Japanese Prefectures / 都道府県 (1)
    • Letters from Charleston / チャールストン便り (6)
    • Pronunciation / 発音 (4)
    • Seasonal Notes / 季節の話題 (11)
    • Topical Notes / その時々の話題 (9)
    • Words and Expressions / 言葉と表現 (15)

    Recent posts / 最近の記事

    • The Harvest Moon / 中秋の名月
    • The Conditional
    • Modern Japanese Ship Names and “Maru” / 現代日本の船名と「まる」
    • How to Fend Off Demons From Your Baby / 赤ちゃんを魔物から守る方法
    • “Maru” in the Names of Other Things / 他のものにつく「まる」について
    • “Maru” Is a Symbol of Perfection / 「まる」は「完全」の象徴
    • The Maru Ship: Japanese Ship Names Often End With “Maru” / マル・シップ〜日本の船名に「まる」がついていること〜
    • “Ichi-go Ichi-e” / 一期一会
    • The New Starting Point / 新しい出発点
    • Hiragana Chart
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