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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

な[na]

な(na): Pronounced as "nah" (like "na" in "nacho"). な is Hiragana and ナ is Katakana.

Pronunciation of Japanese [n]:

1. Tongue Position:

• For the [n] sound, the tip of your tongue will rest against the alveolar ridge (just behind your upper front teeth), much like how the English [n] sound is pronounced.

2. Airflow:

• The key difference in the Japanese [n] sound is that it is nasal. This means that the air flows through the nose while your mouth is partially closed, similar to the English [n] in words like "night" or "hand."

3. Mouth Position:

• Your mouth should be slightly open, and your lips should remain relaxed.

• The tongue should touch the roof of your mouth, and your vocal cords will vibrate as you release air through the nasal cavity.

4. Nasal Sound:

• [n] is a nasal sound, so as you pronounce it, focus on letting the air pass through your nose, not your mouth.

A soft n sound followed by あ(a).

Examples of words containing な
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 なす なす eggplant
2 ナイフ ナイフ knife
3 砂 すな sand
4 品物 しなもの item
5 空しい むなしい empty

Pronunciation

に[ni]

に(ni): Pronounced as "nee" (like "knee"). に is Hiragana and ニ is Katakana.

Pronunciation of Japanese [n]:

1. Tongue Position:

• For the [n] sound, the tip of your tongue will rest against the alveolar ridge (just behind your upper front teeth), much like how the English [n] sound is pronounced.

2. Airflow:

• The key difference in the Japanese [n] sound is that it is nasal. This means that the air flows through the nose while your mouth is partially closed, similar to the English [n] in words like "night" or "hand."

3. Mouth Position:

• Your mouth should be slightly open, and your lips should remain relaxed.

• The tongue should touch the roof of your mouth, and your vocal cords will vibrate as you release air through the nasal cavity.

4. Nasal Sound:

• [n] is a nasal sound, so as you pronounce it, focus on letting the air pass through your nose, not your mouth.

A soft n sound followed by い(i).

Examples of words containing に
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 人参 にんじん carrot
2 日本 にほん Japan
3 にんにく にんにく garlic
4 国 くに country
5 兄 あに brother

Pronunciation

ぬ[nɯ]

ぬ(nu): Pronounced as "noo" (like "noodle"). ぬ is Hiragana and ヌ is Katakana.

Pronunciation of Japanese [n]:

1. Tongue Position:

• For the [n] sound, the tip of your tongue will rest against the alveolar ridge (just behind your upper front teeth), much like how the English [n] sound is pronounced.

2. Airflow:

• The key difference in the Japanese [n] sound is that it is nasal. This means that the air flows through the nose while your mouth is partially closed, similar to the English [n] in words like "night" or "hand."

3. Mouth Position:

• Your mouth should be slightly open, and your lips should remain relaxed.

• The tongue should touch the roof of your mouth, and your vocal cords will vibrate as you release air through the nasal cavity.

4. Nasal Sound:

• [n] is a nasal sound, so as you pronounce it, focus on letting the air pass through your nose, not your mouth.

A soft n sound followed by う(u).

Examples of words containing ぬ
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 犬 いぬ dog
2 ぬるい ぬるい lukewarm
3 地主 じぬし landlord
4 絹 きぬ silk
5 タヌキ タヌキ raccoon

Pronunciation

ね[ne]

ね(ne): Pronounced as "neh" (like "net"). ね is Hiragana and ネ is Katakana.

Pronunciation of Japanese [n]:

1. Tongue Position:

• For the [n] sound, the tip of your tongue will rest against the alveolar ridge (just behind your upper front teeth), much like how the English [n] sound is pronounced.

2. Airflow:

• The key difference in the Japanese [n] sound is that it is nasal. This means that the air flows through the nose while your mouth is partially closed, similar to the English [n] in words like "night" or "hand."

3. Mouth Position:

• Your mouth should be slightly open, and your lips should remain relaxed.

• The tongue should touch the roof of your mouth, and your vocal cords will vibrate as you release air through the nasal cavity.

4. Nasal Sound:

• [n] is a nasal sound, so as you pronounce it, focus on letting the air pass through your nose, not your mouth.

A soft n sound followed by え(e).

Examples of words containing ね
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 年金 ねんきん pension
2 稲 いね rice
3 姉 あね sister
4 金 かね money
5 種 たね seed

Pronunciation

の[no]

の(no): Pronounced as "noh" (like "no" in "note"). の is Hiragana and ノ is Katakana.

Pronunciation of Japanese [n]:

1. Tongue Position:

• For the [n] sound, the tip of your tongue will rest against the alveolar ridge (just behind your upper front teeth), much like how the English [n] sound is pronounced.

2. Airflow:

• The key difference in the Japanese [n] sound is that it is nasal. This means that the air flows through the nose while your mouth is partially closed, similar to the English [n] in words like "night" or "hand."

3. Mouth Position:

• Your mouth should be slightly open, and your lips should remain relaxed.

• The tongue should touch the roof of your mouth, and your vocal cords will vibrate as you release air through the nasal cavity.

4. Nasal Sound:

• [n] is a nasal sound, so as you pronounce it, focus on letting the air pass through your nose, not your mouth.

A soft n sound followed by お(o).

Examples of words containing の
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 喉 のど throat
2 昨日 きのう yesterday
3 彼女 かのじょ girlfriend
4 買い物 かいもの shopping
5 着物 きもの kimono
Course Image

Learn Japanese step by step 1

This structured course is designed for absolute beginners who want to systematically learn Japanese vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation in a clear, step-by-step manner. Starts with essential daily vocabulary (greetings, numbers, family, food, etc.) Teaches basic grammar patterns in a progressive order. Each lesson includes: Romanized pronunciation (romaji), Word-by-word meaning, Grammar explanation and Sentence formation practice.

    Course Image

    Learn Japanese step by step 1

    This structured course is designed for absolute beginners who want to systematically learn Japanese vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation in a clear, step-by-step manner. Starts with essential daily vocabulary (greetings, numbers, family, food, etc.) Teaches basic grammar patterns in a progressive order. Each lesson includes: Romanized pronunciation (romaji), Word-by-word meaning, Grammar explanation and Sentence formation practice.

      Course Image

      Learn Japanese step by step 1

      This structured course is designed for absolute beginners who want to systematically learn Japanese vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation in a clear, step-by-step manner. Starts with essential daily vocabulary (greetings, numbers, family, food, etc.) Teaches basic grammar patterns in a progressive order. Each lesson includes: Romanized pronunciation (romaji), Word-by-word meaning, Grammar explanation and Sentence formation practice.