Japanese Pronunciation: a i u e o
Japanese Lesson Notes #2
Japanese has 5 vowel sounds: a, i, u, e, o
a sounds like the a in dad (similar to the French or Spanish a) Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
i sounds like the e in Pete(similar to the French or Spanish i) Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
u sounds like the oo in loop BUT without rounding your lips! Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
e sounds like the e in pet Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
o sounds like the o in go Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
There are both short and long vowels in the Japanese language. In rōmaji, long vowels have a macron (a dash positioned over a vowel) to mark that the pronunciation should be long. For example, ō has a longer sound than an o without a macron.
Here is an example of the o, ō and the word dōzo. Keep in mind that, in this audio, the word dōzo is said slower than normal speaking speed in order to really hear the difference between o and ō.
o, ō, dōzo
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Pronouncing short or long vowels carefully is very important. Obasan means aunt or middle-aged woman, while Obāsan means grandmother or elderly woman. The difference in pronunciation could make a woman like or dislike you. Lol
obasan, obāsan
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