Learn to pronounce the long vowels
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| This is 地図 ちず, and this is チーズ. |
| This is ビル, and this is ビール. |
| In this lesson, we will learn the secret to mastering long vowels in Japanese. |
| I'm Risa, and this is Japanese Pronunciation Through Minimal Pairs. |
| In Japanese, the length of a vowel can completely change the meaning of a word. That's why mastering long vowels is essential for clear communication. |
| Let's start by looking at the two examples. |
| ちず means "map," while チーズ means "cheese." Notice how the extended vowel "ー" changes the sound and meaning. |
| ビル means "building," but ビール means "beer." Again, the longer vowel creates a different word entirely. |
| In Japanese, a long vowel is simply a vowel sound that is pronounced twice as long as short vowels. |
| For example, a long vowel ああ is twice the length of あ. |
| (1) |
| おかあさん "mother" |
| カード "card" |
| いい is twice the length of い. |
| (1) |
| おじいさん "grandfather" |
| チーズ "cheese" |
| うう is twice the length of う. |
| (1) |
| プール "pool" |
| すうじ "number" |
| Same for ええ, notice that a pair of え+ い also makes a long vowel えー. |
| (1) |
| えいご "English" |
| ケーキ "cake" |
| There are two combinations to make a long vowel おー. |
| (1) |
| おうさま "king" |
| おおあめ "heavy rain" |
| The meaning of a word can change depending on whether the vowel is long or short. |
| This is a really important part of Japanese pronunciation! |
| Let's look at some examples of how similar words change depending on the vowel length. |
| かど/カード |
| (1) |
| かど/カード |
| (1) |
| かど means "corner," and カード means "card." |
| きょだい/きょうだい |
| (1) |
| きょだい/きょうだい |
| (1) |
| きょだい means "huge," and きょうだい means "siblings." |
| Let's try another. |
| (3 sec pause) |
| おばさん/おばあさん |
| (1) |
| おばさん/おばあさん |
| (1) |
| おばさん means "aunt," and おばあさん means "grandmother." |
| Now listen to the following sentences, focusing on different minimal pairs. |
| (1 sec pause) |
| あのビルの一階で美味しいビールを売っています。 |
| (Ano biru no ikkai de oishii bīru o utte imasu.) |
| "They sell delicious beer on the first floor of that building." |
| ビル "building" |
| ビール "beer" |
| おばさんとおばあさんが一緒に買い物に行きました。 |
| (Oba-san to o-bā-san ga issho ni kaimono ni ikimashita.) |
| "My aunt and grandmother went shopping together." |
| おばさん "aunt" |
| おばあさん "grandmother" |
| By the way, if you watched til the end |
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