As an educational tool, as well as a way for me to know what you’re talking about when you say Japanese words, let’s learn pronunciation!
Japanese is the easiest language to learn pronunciation, because all the vowel and consonant sounds are always pronounced the same way. Let’s look at the vowels:
A – “ah”. Think like how Boston people say “car”.
E – “eh” or “ay”. Just like Canadians, eh?
I – “ee”. Think of the ‘I’ in Pikachu or Suzuki.
O – “oh”. Oh, yeah, that’s easy.
U – “oo”. Ooh, I like it like that.
Bonus: Y – Unlike in English, Y is always a consonant in Japanese and is only followed by an A, O, or U. Therefore it is always pronounced how it is in my last name, not as “ee”. However, I’m lenient on this one.
Hooray! Now you can read Japanese (in Romaji, or Roman letters)! Let’s practice!
The city I’m in, Hikone is pronounced:
A) Hee – cone – eh
B) Hi – kahn – ee
C) Hick – cone
D) Ching chong bing bong
Now, on to a slightly more difficult task. Which kind of Asian (language)? Here’s a helpful guide to tell the difference:
