Japanese from zero · Starter 5
Sounds that change
゛ and ゜ · small っ · きゃ しゅ ちょ · long vowels
In this lesson, you will learn the marks that turn 46 letters into every sound in Japanese: two dots that make a sound voiced (k becomes g), a small circle (h becomes p), a small っ that makes a pause, small ゃゅょ that blend, and long vowels. From now on the romaji hides behind a button: read first, then check.
By the end you will be able to say
がっこうschool
きってpostage stamp
ぎゅうにゅうmilk
おばあさんgrandmother (and おばさん: aunt)
みどりgreen, and the name of Lisa's new town
The grammar in this lesson
- ゛ and ゜: voiced sounds — Two dots: k→g, s→z, t→d, h→b. A circle: h→p.
- Small っ and small ゃ ゅ ょ — A small っ is a pause; a small ゃゅょ blends into one sound.
- Long vowels — Hold a vowel for two beats, and the meaning can change.