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Index

  • Introduction to Japanese Language
  • Introduction to Japanese Kanji
  • Introduction to Japanese Hiragana
  • Introduction to Japanese Katakana
  • Introduction to Japanese Onomatopoeia
  • Introduction to Japanese Pronunciation
  • Introduction to Japanese Grammar

    • Introduction to Japanese Pronunciation

    About another characteristic of Japanese accent, nasal sounds.

    Japanese Hiragana has 46 characters, and last character is "ん" This sound is kana "n" and it changes depend on the following sound. This change in sound is called nasal sound. Similar to Nepali nasal sounds, Japanese also has various nasal sounds.


    For example, When after ん then followed "p / b / m" sound, completely closing the lips and produced "m" nasal sound. in Nepali, it similar to like a "म" sound.

  • eg：酸味（sa m mi：साम्मी）अमिलोपन
  • ：散歩（sa m po：साम्पो）घुमफिर
  • ：新婦（shi m pu：सिम्पू）बेहुली
  • ：準備（jyu m bi：ज्युम्बी）तयारी
  • ：隠れん坊（kakure m bo：काकुरेम्बो）लुकामारी

    • Thus "मा मि मु मे मो / बा बि बु बे बो / पा पि पु पे पो" sound is a sound pronounced with lips completely closed（cannot be pronounced with open the mouth）Therefore this nasal sound is makes "m" sound with lips closed for preparatory pronunciation.


    Moving on to the next nasal sound, when after ん then followed "t / d / n / r / c" sound, touch the tongue to back of upper teeth and produced "n" nasal sound. For example in Nepali, it close to "न" sound.

  • eg：どんな（do n na：दोन्ना）कोस्तो
  • ：何の（na n no：नान्नो）के को
  • ：今度（ko n do：कोन्दो）अर्को दिन
  • ：管理（ka n ri：कान्री）व्यवस्थापन
  • ：産地（sa n chi：सान्ची）उत्पादक स्थान

    • This sound "n" is also a nasal sound, like "m" but "n" is a produced without closing lips. Here too, in preparation for next sound, lips keep open, just as they are when pronouncing "t / d / n / r / c".


    And then, when after ん then followed "k / g" sound, close the back of tongue and produced "ŋ" nasal sound. For example in Nepali, it close to "ङ" sound.

  • eg：元気（ge ŋ ki：गेङ्की）सन्चो
  • ：文化（bu ŋ ka：बुङ्का）संस्कृति
  • ：暗記（a ŋ ki：आङ्की）घोकना
  • ：銀行（ki ŋ ko：गिङ्को-）बैंक
  • ：残業（za ŋ gyo- ज़ाङ्ग्यो-）अतिरिक्त काम
  • ：考える（ka ŋ gaeru काङ्गाएरू）विचार गर्नु

    • This sound "ŋ" is unclear nasal sound. It is a weak accent than "m" or "n" nasal.


    In addition to above three patterns, when nothing follows ん (words ending) eg. होन् (किताब) is called "uvular sound" produced "N" sound from back throat. This nasal sound not found in Nepali. Please check throat is moving when pronouncing it.

    Also, when syllable following ん is a vowel (आ इ उ ए ओ / या यु यो / वा) eg. होन्या (किताब पसल) देन्वा (टेलिफोन) कान्साई (काङ्साई क्षेत्र) etc. it called "nasal vowel" Pronounce to softly from both mouth and throat. While prolonging preceding vowel, imagine exhaling air through nose. This nasal sound is also not found in Nepali, and it is unclear pronounced, it can be difficult to hearing until get used to it. On the other hand, pronunciation is not need to on focus.


    Thus, Japanese nasal sound ん has various types that change shape of mouth and tongue depending on following sound. Once you get used to it, you'll naturally understand how to use. Next is also, regarding accent Japanse long vowel


    Next, Introduction to Grammar

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