Japanese pronunciation is not all that different from English. Be sure to pay close attention to how Japanese words are pronounced in class. Soon you, too, will be able to speak some basic Japanese terms and phrases.
Vowel Pronunciation
In English there are five vowels (aeiou) and twenty consonants. The letter y can act as either a vowel or a consonant.
Japanese
Japanese example
Similar English Pronunciation
Single vowels (in dictionary order)
a
kata
Like a in father
i
kihon, ni
Like i in ski
u
kugato
Like u in flute
e
ken; karate
Like e in met; at end of word like meh
o
obi, go
Like oa in oat
Double vowels lengthen the sound
aa
maai
Two separate sounds – like ah ah
ii
iie
Like ee in eek
ū or uu
jū, Kōburyū
Like oo in boot
ō or ou or oo
dōjō
Like oh
Vowels combinations – both vowels are pronounced
ae
mae (mae geri), kaete
Like my eh
ai
hai, sai
Like ie in tie
au
harau
Like ow in cow
ue
uechi
Like we in wet
ei
rei
Like ay in say
oi
kuroi, oishi
Like oy in boy
Consonant Pronunciation
The Japanese consonants are pronounced like their corresponding English consonants, with one exception. The Japanese r is pronounced like the combination of the English letters r and l, with the result sounding somewhat like an l or d.
Consonants, like vowels, are sometimes doubled. Pronounce each with a slight pause between, like hot tub or hiccup.
Syllables
The Japanese writing systems, hiragana and katakana, are syllabaries. Each “letter” stands for a sound. A Japanese syllable is either a single vowel or a consonant plus a vowel (with the exception of n, which can begin a syllable or stand alone). Each syllable should be pronounced clearly and given equal stress within the word.
