Studying Japanese? Getting pronunciation right from the start is one of the smartest things you can do. Why? Japanese is a highly phonetic language — each kana symbol usually represents one sound, making pronunciation predictable and reproducible. Once mastered, this opens the door to confident speaking, listening, and reading.
This guide breaks Japanese pronunciation down to the essentials. No fluff, no distractions — just clear explanations with actionable takeaways.
1. Japanese Sounds: The Basics
Japanese has five vowels and a set of consonant-vowel syllables, organized in the gojūon (五十音) — a 5×10 grid of sounds.
The Five Pure Vowels (あいうえお)
| Kana | Sound | Approx. English |
|---|---|---|
| あ (a) | “ah” | as in father |
| い (i) | “ee” | as in machine |
| う (u) | “oo” | as in flute |
| え (e) | “eh” | as in get |
| お (o) | “oh” | as in go |
These vowels are short, crisp, and steady. No diphthongs, no stretching. Say them clearly and evenly.
The Kana Grid
| a | i | u | e | o | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| k | か | き | く | け | こ |
| s | さ | し* | す | せ | そ |
| t | た | ち* | つ* | て | と |
| n | な | に | ぬ | ね | の |
| h | は | ひ | ふ* | へ | ほ |
| m | ま | み | む | め | も |
| y | や | — | ゆ | — | よ |
| r | ら | り | る | れ | ろ |
| w | わ | — | — | — | を* |
| — | ん | ||||
Stars mark pronunciations that may not match English expectations — explained below.
2. Irregular or Tricky Pronunciations
- し (shi) – More like “she” with a soft sh and light i, not “see.”
- ち (chi) – Like “cheese,” but softer.
- つ (tsu) – Similar to the ts in cats, but with a fuller vowel.
- ふ (fu) – Not “foo.” It’s a bilabial fricative, between English fu and hu (like softly blowing out a candle).
- を (wo) – Historically “wo,” but in modern Japanese usually just “o.”
- ん (n) – A nasal sound that shifts depending on what follows (see section 6).
3. Pitch Accent (Not Stress Accent)
Unlike English, which relies on stress (REcord vs. reCORD), Japanese uses pitch — high or low tone patterns.
For example (Tokyo dialect):
- はし (hashi) = bridge (HA-shi: high–low)
- はし (hashi) = chopsticks (ha-SHI: low–high)
Spelled the same, but pitch changes meaning.
4. Long Vowels (ー)
Length matters in Japanese. A vowel’s length can change word meaning.
- おばさん (obasan) = aunt
- おばあさん (obaasan) = grandmother
In hiragana:
- い extends “i” or sometimes “e” sounds.
- う extends “o” or “u” sounds.
In katakana: a dash (ー) marks long vowels.
Tip: Hold long vowels for about twice as long as short ones.
5. Double Consonants (っ)
The small つ (sokuon) creates a pause or glottal stop before the consonant.
- さか (saka) = hill
- さっか (sakka) = writer
That pause is crucial — skipping it changes the meaning.
6. The Nasal ん
ん is the only consonant that stands alone. Its sound shifts depending on context:
- Before m, b, p → like m (e.g., senpai ≈ sempai)
- Before k, g → like ng in sing (e.g., kinka ≈ king-ka)
- Before vowels or y → a clear n
Native speakers don’t overthink this — just let it flow naturally.
7. Katakana and Foreign Sounds
Katakana adapts foreign words into Japanese.
- ヴ (vu) – Represents v, though often sounds closer to bu.
- Combinations like ファ (fa), ティ (ti), ウィ (wi), トゥ (tu) appear in names and loanwords.
Note: There’s no native “si,” “ti,” or “du” in Japanese — they’re adapted to fit the sound system.
8. Hints for Learners
- Avoid extra vowels: Say です like “des,” not “dess-oo.” (Final u is often devoiced.)
- Mora timing, not stress timing: Japanese is rhythmic, with each mora (sound unit) taking roughly equal time.
- Listen more than you speak at first: Shadowing (repeating after native audio) builds natural rhythm.
- Use resources: Try Forvo, NHK Pronunciation Database, or work with tutors.
9. Practice Plan
- Master the vowels – Recite あいうえお 10 times, slowly and clearly.
- Drill kana rows – Practice full rows (e.g., かきくけこ) aloud.
- Shadow native audio – Use NHK Easy News or anime lines.
- Record yourself – Compare with native speech.
- Get feedback – Tutors or native speakers can spot issues fast.
Final Thoughts
Japanese pronunciation is logical, consistent, and learner-friendly. By focusing on vowels, kana, pitch, long vowels, and rhythm, you’ll avoid bad habits and develop clear, natural pronunciation.
You don’t need perfection on day one — but if you aim for accuracy early, your future self will thank you.
