Logo
John's Language
    To language courses
  1. Home
  2. Language Studies
  3. Japanese Pronunciation
  • 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

が[ga]

が(ga): Pronounced as "gah" (like "ga" in "garden"). が is Hiragana and ガ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [g]:

1. Tongue Position:

• The tongue should be placed against the soft part of the roof of your mouth, towards the back (this is the velar position).

• The [g] sound is produced by vibrating your vocal cords while pushing air out as you create contact between the back of your tongue and the soft palate (velum).

2. Mouth Position:

• Keep your mouth open slightly, and let the airflow pass through the back of your mouth as your vocal cords vibrate.

3. Sound:

• The [g] sound is a hard, voiced consonant, and the key is to avoid making it too soft or airy. It should be clear and firm, like the "g" in the English words "go," "give," or "garden."

A voiced g sound is followed by あ(a).

Examples of words containing が
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 学校 がっこう school
2 我慢 がまん endurance
3 崖 がけ cliff
4 ガラス ガラス glass
5 外国 がいこく foreign country

Pronunciation

が(nasal)[ŋa]

In casual or rapid speech, especially in the middle of a word, the g sound can sometimes become a nasalized sound, similar to the "ng" in "sing."

A voiced g sound is followed by あ(a).

が is Hiragana and ガ is Katakana.

Examples of words containing が(nasal)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 鏡 かがみ mirror
2 漫画 まんが comics
3 運河 うんが canal
4 大学 だいがく university
5 銘柄 めいがら brand

Pronunciation

ぎ[gi]

ぎ(gi): Pronounced as "gee" (like "gi" in "geek"). ぎ is Hiragana and ギ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [g]:

1. Tongue Position:

• The tongue should be placed against the soft part of the roof of your mouth, towards the back (this is the velar position).

• The [g] sound is produced by vibrating your vocal cords while pushing air out as you create contact between the back of your tongue and the soft palate (velum).

2. Mouth Position:

• Keep your mouth open slightly, and let the airflow pass through the back of your mouth as your vocal cords vibrate.

3. Sound:

• The [g] sound is a hard, voiced consonant, and the key is to avoid making it too soft or airy. It should be clear and firm, like the "g" in the English words "go," "give," or "garden."

A voiced g sound is followed by い(i).

Examples of words containing ぎ
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 技術 ぎじゅつ technology
2 銀行 ぎんこう bank
3 銀 ぎん silver
4 議論 ぎろん discussion
5 牛乳 ぎゅうにゅう milk

Pronunciation

ぎ(nasal)[ŋi]

In casual or rapid speech, especially in the middle of a word, the g sound can sometimes become a nasalized sound, similar to the "ng" in "sing."

A voiced g sound is followed by い(i).

ぎ is Hiragana and ギ is Katakana.

Examples of words containing ぎ(nasal)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 詐欺 さぎ scam
2 合鍵 あいかぎ duplicate key
3 雨着 あまぎ raincoat
4 産業 さんぎょう industry
5 うさぎ うさぎ rabbit

Pronunciation

ぐ[gɯ]

ぐ(gu): Pronounced as "goo" (like "gu" in "goose"). ぐ is Hiragana and グ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [g]:

1. Tongue Position:

• The tongue should be placed against the soft part of the roof of your mouth, towards the back (this is the velar position).

• The [g] sound is produced by vibrating your vocal cords while pushing air out as you create contact between the back of your tongue and the soft palate (velum).

2. Mouth Position:

• Keep your mouth open slightly, and let the airflow pass through the back of your mouth as your vocal cords vibrate.

3. Sound:

• The [g] sound is a hard, voiced consonant, and the key is to avoid making it too soft or airy. It should be clear and firm, like the "g" in the English words "go," "give," or "garden."

A voiced g sound is followed by う(u).

Examples of words containing ぐ
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 具合 ぐあい condition
2 軍隊 ぐんたい army
3 群衆 ぐんしゅう crowd
4 偶然 ぐうぜん coincidence
5 寓言 ぐうげん allegory

Pronunciation

ぐ(nasal)[ŋɯ]

In casual or rapid speech, especially in the middle of a word, the g sound can sometimes become a nasalized sound, similar to the "ng" in "sing."

A voiced g sound is followed by う(u).

ぐ is Hiragana and グ is Katakana.

Examples of words containing ぐ(nasal)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 雨具 あまぐ rain gear
2 甘栗 あまぐり sweet chestnuts
3 鶯 うぐいす Japanese nightingale
4 急ぐ いそぐ hurry
5 穴倉 あなぐら cave

Pronunciation

げ[ge]

げ(ge): Pronounced as "geh" (like "ge" in "get"). げ is Hiragana and ゲ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [g]:

1. Tongue Position:

• The tongue should be placed against the soft part of the roof of your mouth, towards the back (this is the velar position).

• The [g] sound is produced by vibrating your vocal cords while pushing air out as you create contact between the back of your tongue and the soft palate (velum).

2. Mouth Position:

• Keep your mouth open slightly, and let the airflow pass through the back of your mouth as your vocal cords vibrate.

3. Sound:

• The [g] sound is a hard, voiced consonant, and the key is to avoid making it too soft or airy. It should be clear and firm, like the "g" in the English words "go," "give," or "garden."

A voiced g sound is followed by え(e).

Examples of words containing げ
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 元気 げんき healthy
2 玄関 げんかん entrance
3 芸術 芸術 art
4 檄文 げきぶん apologetics
5 芸能 げいのう entertainment

Pronunciation

げ(nasal)[ŋe]

In casual or rapid speech, especially in the middle of a word, the g sound can sometimes become a nasalized sound, similar to the "ng" in "sing."

A voiced g sound is followed by え(e).

げ is Hiragana and ゲ is Katakana.

Examples of words containing げ(nasal)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 揚げ物 あげもの fried food
2 ひげ ひげ beard
3 先月 せんげつ last month
4 売上 うりあげ sales
5 打ち上げ うちあげ launch

Pronunciation

ご[go]

ご(go): Pronounced as "goh" (like "go" in "goal"). ご is Hiragana and ゴ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [g]:

1. Tongue Position:

• The tongue should be placed against the soft part of the roof of your mouth, towards the back (this is the velar position).

• The [g] sound is produced by vibrating your vocal cords while pushing air out as you create contact between the back of your tongue and the soft palate (velum).

2. Mouth Position:

• Keep your mouth open slightly, and let the airflow pass through the back of your mouth as your vocal cords vibrate.

3. Sound:

• The [g] sound is a hard, voiced consonant, and the key is to avoid making it too soft or airy. It should be clear and firm, like the "g" in the English words "go," "give," or "garden."

A voiced g sound is followed by お(o).

Examples of words containing ご
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 ご飯 ごはん meal
2 ご馳走 ごちそう feast
3 豪華 ごうか luxury
4 ごみ ごみ trash
5 ごまかす ごまかす to deceive

Pronunciation

ご(nasal)[ŋo]

In casual or rapid speech, especially in the middle of a word, the g sound can sometimes become a nasalized sound, similar to the "ng" in "sing."

A voiced g sound is followed by お(o).

ご is Hiragana and ゴ is Katakana.

Examples of words containing ご(nasal)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 看護 かんご nursing
2 暗号 あんごう cipher
3 英語 えいご English
4 黄金 おうごん gold
5 午後 ごご afternoon
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 2

Course Image

Greetings

These 100 Japanese greeting expressions cover many of the most commonly used phrases in daily life, business communication, social interactions, and formal situations. They include first meetings, self-introductions, expressions of gratitude, farewells, caring phrases, invitations, hospitality language, and seasonal greetings.

By learning these sentences, you can not only master practical and natural Japanese expressions, but also gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, which highly values politeness, respect for others, and harmonious communication. These phrases will be especially useful when traveling, working, studying abroad, or speaking with Japanese friends and colleagues.

It is recommended to practice them aloud in real-life contexts and pay attention to differences in formality. With continued study, your Japanese speaking ability, communication skills, and natural fluency will improve significantly.

    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 2

    Course Image

    Greetings

    These 100 Japanese greeting expressions cover many of the most commonly used phrases in daily life, business communication, social interactions, and formal situations. They include first meetings, self-introductions, expressions of gratitude, farewells, caring phrases, invitations, hospitality language, and seasonal greetings.

    By learning these sentences, you can not only master practical and natural Japanese expressions, but also gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, which highly values politeness, respect for others, and harmonious communication. These phrases will be especially useful when traveling, working, studying abroad, or speaking with Japanese friends and colleagues.

    It is recommended to practice them aloud in real-life contexts and pay attention to differences in formality. With continued study, your Japanese speaking ability, communication skills, and natural fluency will improve significantly.

      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 2

      Course Image

      Greetings

      These 100 Japanese greeting expressions cover many of the most commonly used phrases in daily life, business communication, social interactions, and formal situations. They include first meetings, self-introductions, expressions of gratitude, farewells, caring phrases, invitations, hospitality language, and seasonal greetings.

      By learning these sentences, you can not only master practical and natural Japanese expressions, but also gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, which highly values politeness, respect for others, and harmonious communication. These phrases will be especially useful when traveling, working, studying abroad, or speaking with Japanese friends and colleagues.

      It is recommended to practice them aloud in real-life contexts and pay attention to differences in formality. With continued study, your Japanese speaking ability, communication skills, and natural fluency will improve significantly.