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  • あ(a) column
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  • 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

ぱ[pʰa]

ぱ(pa): Pronounced as "pah" (like "pa" in "papa"). ぱ is Hiragana and パ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [p]:

1. Tongue Position:

• Similar to the [b] sound, the [p] sound involves bringing both lips together.

• Unlike [b], you do not use your vocal cords for the [p] sound, so there should be no vibration in your throat.

2. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips firmly together, as you would for the [b] sound.

• Then, push air out from your lungs, but do not use your vocal cords. The sound comes purely from the burst of air released when your lips part.

3. Sound:

• The [p] sound in Japanese is very similar to the English "p" sound in words like "pat" or "pool."

A voiceless p sound is followed by あ(a).

Examples of words containing ぱ
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning

Pronunciation

ぱ(unaspirated)[pa]

When ぱ(pa) is inside a word, Japanese [p] is usually not aspirated (there is no strong puff of air like in English words like "space").

A voiceless p sound is followed by あ(a).

ぱ is Hiragana and パ is Katakana.

Examples of words containing ぱ(unaspirated)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning

Pronunciation

ぴ[pʰi]

ぴ(pi): Pronounced as "pee" (like "pi" in "pizza"). ぴ is Hiragana and ピ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [p]:

1. Tongue Position:

• Similar to the [b] sound, the [p] sound involves bringing both lips together.

• Unlike [b], you do not use your vocal cords for the [p] sound, so there should be no vibration in your throat.

2. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips firmly together, as you would for the [b] sound.

• Then, push air out from your lungs, but do not use your vocal cords. The sound comes purely from the burst of air released when your lips part.

3. Sound:

• The [p] sound in Japanese is very similar to the English "p" sound in words like "pat" or "pool."

A voiceless p sound is followed by い(i).

Examples of words containing ぴ
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning

Pronunciation

ぴ(unaspirated)[pi]

When ぴ(pi) is inside a word, Japanese [p] is usually not aspirated (there is no strong puff of air like in English words like "space").

A voiceless p sound is followed by い(i).

ぴ is Hiragana and ピ is Katakana.

Examples of words containing ぴ(unaspirated)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning

Pronunciation

ぷ[pʰɯ]

ぷ(pu): Pronounced as "poo" (like "pu" in "pool"). ぷ is Hiragana and プ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [p]:

1. Tongue Position:

• Similar to the [b] sound, the [p] sound involves bringing both lips together.

• Unlike [b], you do not use your vocal cords for the [p] sound, so there should be no vibration in your throat.

2. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips firmly together, as you would for the [b] sound.

• Then, push air out from your lungs, but do not use your vocal cords. The sound comes purely from the burst of air released when your lips part.

3. Sound:

• The [p] sound in Japanese is very similar to the English "p" sound in words like "pat" or "pool."

A voiceless p sound is followed by う(u).

Examples of words containing ぷ
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning

Pronunciation

ぷ(unaspirated)[pɯ]

When ぷ(pu) is inside a word, Japanese [p] is usually not aspirated (there is no strong puff of air like in English words like "space").

A voiceless p sound is followed by う(u).

ぷ is Hiragana and プ is Katakana.

Examples of words containing ぷ(unaspirated)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning

Pronunciation

ぺ[pʰe]

ぺ(pe): Pronounced as "peh" (like "pe" in "pet"). ぺ is Hiragana and ペ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [p]:

1. Tongue Position:

• Similar to the [b] sound, the [p] sound involves bringing both lips together.

• Unlike [b], you do not use your vocal cords for the [p] sound, so there should be no vibration in your throat.

2. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips firmly together, as you would for the [b] sound.

• Then, push air out from your lungs, but do not use your vocal cords. The sound comes purely from the burst of air released when your lips part.

3. Sound:

• The [p] sound in Japanese is very similar to the English "p" sound in words like "pat" or "pool."

A voiceless p sound is followed by え(e).

Examples of words containing ぺ
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning

Pronunciation

ぺ(unaspirated)[pe]

When ぺ(pe) is inside a word, Japanese [p] is usually not aspirated (there is no strong puff of air like in English words like "space").

A voiceless p sound is followed by え(e).

ぺ is Hiragana and ペ is Katakana.

Examples of words containing ぺ(unaspirated)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning

Pronunciation

ぽ[pʰo]

ぽ(po): Pronounced as "poh" (like "po" in "poker"). ぽ is Hiragana and ポ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [p]:

1. Tongue Position:

• Similar to the [b] sound, the [p] sound involves bringing both lips together.

• Unlike [b], you do not use your vocal cords for the [p] sound, so there should be no vibration in your throat.

2. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips firmly together, as you would for the [b] sound.

• Then, push air out from your lungs, but do not use your vocal cords. The sound comes purely from the burst of air released when your lips part.

3. Sound:

• The [p] sound in Japanese is very similar to the English "p" sound in words like "pat" or "pool."

A voiceless p sound is followed by お(o).

Examples of words containing ぽ
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning

Pronunciation

ぽ(unaspirated)[po]

When ぽ(po) is inside a word, Japanese [p] is usually not aspirated (there is no strong puff of air like in English words like "space").

A voiceless p sound is followed by お(o).

Examples of words containing ぽ(unaspirated)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
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      Learn Japanese step by step 1