How to Read and Pronounce Japanese Words: Lesson 1349

Introduction

Welcome to Lesson 13 of our comprehensive guide to Japanese pronunciation. In this lesson, we will delve into the intricacies of several new sounds and explore practical examples to enhance your Japanese language proficiency. Each word provided will be accompanied by its Romaji (Romanized) counterpart and a detailed breakdown of its pronunciation. By the end of this lesson, you will have expanded your Japanese vocabulary and gained a deeper understanding of the language's phonetic system.

New Sounds

ツ (tsu)

The sound "tsu" is pronounced with the tongue placed behind the upper front teeth, producing a sharp and brief sound. It is distinct from the "s" sound in English and should not be pronounced with the tongue curling up to the roof of the mouth.

Example: つかい (tsukai) - use

シ (shi)

Similar to "tsu," the sound "shi" is articulated with the tongue placed behind the upper front teeth. However, it is pronounced with a slight hiss, creating a whispery quality. Avoid pronouncing it like the "sh" sound in English, which involves curling the tongue.

Example: しつもん (shitsumon) - question

チ (chi)

"Chi" is pronounced by touching the tip of the tongue to the upper palate and quickly releasing it. The resulting sound should be brief and crisp. Do not confuse it with the "t" sound in English, which lacks the palatal contact.

Example: ちいさい (chisai) - small

ジ (ji)

The sound "ji" is produced similarly to "chi," but with the addition of a slight hiss. The tongue briefly touches the palate and then releases, creating a whispery effect.

Example: じかん (jikan) - time

ッ (small tsu)

In Japanese, "small tsu" is a special character used to indicate a brief pause or glottal stop. It is pronounced by abruptly cutting off the airflow, creating a momentary silence.

Example: ちょっと (chotto) - a little

Vocabulary

Word (Romaji)
Meaning
Pronunciation


つかう (tsukau)
use
/.u/


しつもん (shitsumon)
question
//


ちいさい (chisai)
small
/.i/


じかん (jikan)
time
//


ちょっと (chotto)
a little
//


まつ (matsu)
wait
//


あるく (aruku)
walk
//


たべる (taberu)
eat
//


よむ (yomu)
read
//


かきます (kakimasu)
write
//

Practice Sentences
本をよみます。 (Hon wo yomimasu.) - I read books.
私はちいさいです。 (Watashi wa chisai desu.) - I am small.
少しまつてください。 (Sukoshi matte kudasai.) - Please wait a bit.
毎日あるきます。 (Mainichi arukimasu.) - I walk every day.
あなたのご意見を聞きたいです。 (Anata no goiken o kikitai desu.) - I want to hear your opinion.

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing Lesson 13 of our Japanese pronunciation guide! By now, you have mastered several new sounds and expanded your Japanese vocabulary. Remember to practice regularly to improve your pronunciation and gain fluency in the Japanese language. Stay tuned for upcoming lessons where we will explore more advanced sounds and pronunciation techniques.

2025-01-25

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