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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

ま[ma]

ま(ma): Pronounced as "mah" (like "ma" in "mama"). ま is Hiragana and マ is Katakana.

Pronunciation of Japanese [m]:

1. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips together gently, without pressing them too tightly.

• Allow the air to flow out through the nose, creating the nasal sound.

2. Tongue Position:

• The tongue doesn't play much of a role in producing the [m] sound, but it should rest lightly in your mouth without touching the roof of the mouth.

3. Sound:

• It’s a soft, smooth sound that is produced solely by the vibration of the vocal cords and the airflow through the nose. You can feel the vibration in your nose as you pronounce it.

4. Comparing with English [m]:

• The Japanese [m] sound is very similar to the English [m], like in the words "man" or "mother."

• However, keep in mind that [m] is always softer and without any added stress or emphasis in Japanese.

A soft m sound is followed by あ(a).

Examples of words containing ま
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 松 まつ pine
2 丸い まるい round
3 車 くるま car
4 狭い せまい narrow
5 熊 くま bear

Pronunciation

み[mi]

み(mi): Pronounced as "mee" (like "me" in "meet"). み is Hiragana and ミ is Katakana.

Pronunciation of Japanese [m]:

1. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips together gently, without pressing them too tightly.

• Allow the air to flow out through the nose, creating the nasal sound.

2. Tongue Position:

• The tongue doesn't play much of a role in producing the [m] sound, but it should rest lightly in your mouth without touching the roof of the mouth.

3. Sound:

• It’s a soft, smooth sound that is produced solely by the vibration of the vocal cords and the airflow through the nose. You can feel the vibration in your nose as you pronounce it.

4. Comparing with English [m]:

• The Japanese [m] sound is very similar to the English [m], like in the words "man" or "mother."

• However, keep in mind that [m] is always softer and without any added stress or emphasis in Japanese.

A soft m sound is followed by い(i).

Examples of words containing み
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 水 みず water
2 道 みち road
3 未来 みらい future
4 紙 かみ paper
5 湖 みずうみ lake

Pronunciation

む[mɯ]

む(mu): Pronounced as "moo" (like "moo" in "moon"). む is Hiragana and ム is Katakana.

Pronunciation of Japanese [m]:

1. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips together gently, without pressing them too tightly.

• Allow the air to flow out through the nose, creating the nasal sound.

2. Tongue Position:

• The tongue doesn't play much of a role in producing the [m] sound, but it should rest lightly in your mouth without touching the roof of the mouth.

3. Sound:

• It’s a soft, smooth sound that is produced solely by the vibration of the vocal cords and the airflow through the nose. You can feel the vibration in your nose as you pronounce it.

4. Comparing with English [m]:

• The Japanese [m] sound is very similar to the English [m], like in the words "man" or "mother."

• However, keep in mind that [m] is always softer and without any added stress or emphasis in Japanese.

A soft m sound is followed by う(u).

Examples of words containing む
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 虫 むし insect
2 村 むら village
3 難しい むずかしい difficult
4 無線 むせん wireless
5 昔 むかし long ago

Pronunciation

め[me]

め(me): Pronounced as "meh" (like "me" in "met"). め is Hiragana and メ is Katakana.

Pronunciation of Japanese [m]:

1. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips together gently, without pressing them too tightly.

• Allow the air to flow out through the nose, creating the nasal sound.

2. Tongue Position:

• The tongue doesn't play much of a role in producing the [m] sound, but it should rest lightly in your mouth without touching the roof of the mouth.

3. Sound:

• It’s a soft, smooth sound that is produced solely by the vibration of the vocal cords and the airflow through the nose. You can feel the vibration in your nose as you pronounce it.

4. Comparing with English [m]:

• The Japanese [m] sound is very similar to the English [m], like in the words "man" or "mother."

• However, keep in mind that [m] is always softer and without any added stress or emphasis in Japanese.

A soft m sound is followed by え(e).

Examples of words containing め
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 名刺 めいし business card
2 珍しい めずらしい rare
3 飴 あめ candy
4 眼鏡 めがね glasses
5 娘 むすめ daughter

Pronunciation

も[mo]

も(mo): Pronounced as "moh" (like "mo" in "moment"). も is Hiragana and モ is Katakana.

Pronunciation of Japanese [m]:

1. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips together gently, without pressing them too tightly.

• Allow the air to flow out through the nose, creating the nasal sound.

2. Tongue Position:

• The tongue doesn't play much of a role in producing the [m] sound, but it should rest lightly in your mouth without touching the roof of the mouth.

3. Sound:

• It’s a soft, smooth sound that is produced solely by the vibration of the vocal cords and the airflow through the nose. You can feel the vibration in your nose as you pronounce it.

4. Comparing with English [m]:

• The Japanese [m] sound is very similar to the English [m], like in the words "man" or "mother."

• However, keep in mind that [m] is always softer and without any added stress or emphasis in Japanese.

A soft m sound is followed by お(o).

Examples of words containing も
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 文字 もじ character
2 桃 もも peach
3 森 もり forest
4 目的 もくてき purpose
5 雲 くも cloud
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.