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  • あ(a) column
  • か(ka) column
  • さ(sa) column
  • た(ta) column
  • な(na) column
  • は(ha) column
  • ま(ma) column
  • や(ya) column
  • ら(ra) column
  • わ(wa) column
  • が(ga) column
  • ざ(za) column
  • だ(da) column
  • ば(ba) column
  • ぱ(pa) column
  • 撥音(hatsuon)ん
  • 長音(chōon)
  • 促音(sokuon)

Pronunciation

ば[ba]

ば(ba): Pronounced as "bah" (like "ba" in "ballet"). ば is Hiragana and バ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [b]:

1. Tongue Position:

• Unlike the [d] sound where the tongue touches the roof of the mouth, the [b] sound is made by bringing both lips together.

• You don't use the tongue for this sound but rather rely on the pressure of the lips.

2. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips firmly together.

• Push air out from your lungs, creating a burst of air when you release the pressure between the lips.

• As you do this, you should use your vocal cords to produce the sound, so you will feel the vibration in your throat.

3. Sound:

• The [b] sound in Japanese is very similar to the English "b" sound in words like "bat" or "book."

• It’s a soft, clear sound, produced without excessive force or aspiration.

A voiced b sound is followed by あ(a).

Examples of words containing ば
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning

Pronunciation

び[bi]

び(bi): Pronounced as "bee" (like "be" in "beet"). び is Hiragana and ビ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [b]:

1. Tongue Position:

• Unlike the [d] sound where the tongue touches the roof of the mouth, the [b] sound is made by bringing both lips together.

• You don't use the tongue for this sound but rather rely on the pressure of the lips.

2. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips firmly together.

• Push air out from your lungs, creating a burst of air when you release the pressure between the lips.

• As you do this, you should use your vocal cords to produce the sound, so you will feel the vibration in your throat.

3. Sound:

• The [b] sound in Japanese is very similar to the English "b" sound in words like "bat" or "book."

• It’s a soft, clear sound, produced without excessive force or aspiration.

A voiced b sound is followed by い(i).

Examples of words containing び
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning

Pronunciation

ぶ[bɯ]

ぶ(bu): Pronounced as "boo" (like "boo" in "book"). ぶ is Hiragana and ブ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [b]:

1. Tongue Position:

• Unlike the [d] sound where the tongue touches the roof of the mouth, the [b] sound is made by bringing both lips together.

• You don't use the tongue for this sound but rather rely on the pressure of the lips.

2. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips firmly together.

• Push air out from your lungs, creating a burst of air when you release the pressure between the lips.

• As you do this, you should use your vocal cords to produce the sound, so you will feel the vibration in your throat.

3. Sound:

• The [b] sound in Japanese is very similar to the English "b" sound in words like "bat" or "book."

• It’s a soft, clear sound, produced without excessive force or aspiration.

A voiced b sound is followed by う(u).

Examples of words containing ぶ
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning

Pronunciation

べ[be]

べ(be): Pronounced as "beh" (like "be" in "bed"). べ is Hiragana and ベ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [b]:

1. Tongue Position:

• Unlike the [d] sound where the tongue touches the roof of the mouth, the [b] sound is made by bringing both lips together.

• You don't use the tongue for this sound but rather rely on the pressure of the lips.

2. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips firmly together.

• Push air out from your lungs, creating a burst of air when you release the pressure between the lips.

• As you do this, you should use your vocal cords to produce the sound, so you will feel the vibration in your throat.

3. Sound:

• The [b] sound in Japanese is very similar to the English "b" sound in words like "bat" or "book."

• It’s a soft, clear sound, produced without excessive force or aspiration.

A voiced b sound is followed by え(e).

Examples of words containing べ
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning

Pronunciation

ぼ[bo]

ぼ(bo): Pronounced as "boh" (like "bo" in "bowl"). ぼ is Hiragana and ボ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [b]:

1. Tongue Position:

• Unlike the [d] sound where the tongue touches the roof of the mouth, the [b] sound is made by bringing both lips together.

• You don't use the tongue for this sound but rather rely on the pressure of the lips.

2. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips firmly together.

• Push air out from your lungs, creating a burst of air when you release the pressure between the lips.

• As you do this, you should use your vocal cords to produce the sound, so you will feel the vibration in your throat.

3. Sound:

• The [b] sound in Japanese is very similar to the English "b" sound in words like "bat" or "book."

• It’s a soft, clear sound, produced without excessive force or aspiration.

A voiced b sound is followed by お(o).

Examples of words containing ぼ
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
Course Image

Learn Japanese step by step 1

    Course Image

    Learn Japanese step by step 1

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      Learn Japanese step by step 1