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  • あ(a) column
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  • 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

ぱ[pʰa]

ぱ(pa): Pronounced as "pah" (like "pa" in "papa"). ぱ is Hiragana and パ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [p]:

1. Tongue Position:

• Similar to the [b] sound, the [p] sound involves bringing both lips together.

• Unlike [b], you do not use your vocal cords for the [p] sound, so there should be no vibration in your throat.

2. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips firmly together, as you would for the [b] sound.

• Then, push air out from your lungs, but do not use your vocal cords. The sound comes purely from the burst of air released when your lips part.

3. Sound:

• The [p] sound in Japanese is very similar to the English "p" sound in words like "pat" or "pool."

A voiceless p sound is followed by あ(a).

Examples of words containing ぱ
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 パン パン bread
2 パンツ パンツ underwear
3 ぱさぱさ ぱさぱさ dry
4 パソコン パソコン computer
5 パパ パパ dad

Pronunciation

ぱ(unaspirated)[pa]

When ぱ(pa) is inside a word, Japanese [p] is usually not aspirated (there is no strong puff of air like in English words like "space").

A voiceless p sound is followed by あ(a).

ぱ is Hiragana and パ is Katakana.

Examples of words containing ぱ(unaspirated)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 蛋白質 たんぱくしつ protein
2 河童 かっぱ kappa
3 電波 でんぱ radio waves
4 圧迫 あっぱく compression
5 一般 いっぱん general

Pronunciation

ぴ[pʰi]

ぴ(pi): Pronounced as "pee" (like "pi" in "pizza"). ぴ is Hiragana and ピ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [p]:

1. Tongue Position:

• Similar to the [b] sound, the [p] sound involves bringing both lips together.

• Unlike [b], you do not use your vocal cords for the [p] sound, so there should be no vibration in your throat.

2. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips firmly together, as you would for the [b] sound.

• Then, push air out from your lungs, but do not use your vocal cords. The sound comes purely from the burst of air released when your lips part.

3. Sound:

• The [p] sound in Japanese is very similar to the English "p" sound in words like "pat" or "pool."

A voiceless p sound is followed by い(i).

Examples of words containing ぴ
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 ピアノ ピアノ piano
2 ピザ ピザ pizza
3 ピリ辛 ピリカラ spicy
4 ぴかぴか ぴかぴか shiny
5 ピンク ピンク pink

Pronunciation

ぴ(unaspirated)[pi]

When ぴ(pi) is inside a word, Japanese [p] is usually not aspirated (there is no strong puff of air like in English words like "space").

A voiceless p sound is followed by い(i).

ぴ is Hiragana and ピ is Katakana.

Examples of words containing ぴ(unaspirated)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 安否 あんぴ safety
2 神秘 しんぴ mystery
3 実費 じっぴ actual cost
4 出品 しゅっぴん exhibit
5 鉛筆 えんぴつ pencil

Pronunciation

ぷ[pʰɯ]

ぷ(pu): Pronounced as "poo" (like "pu" in "pool"). ぷ is Hiragana and プ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [p]:

1. Tongue Position:

• Similar to the [b] sound, the [p] sound involves bringing both lips together.

• Unlike [b], you do not use your vocal cords for the [p] sound, so there should be no vibration in your throat.

2. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips firmly together, as you would for the [b] sound.

• Then, push air out from your lungs, but do not use your vocal cords. The sound comes purely from the burst of air released when your lips part.

3. Sound:

• The [p] sound in Japanese is very similar to the English "p" sound in words like "pat" or "pool."

A voiceless p sound is followed by う(u).

Examples of words containing ぷ
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 プリン プリン pudding
2 プール プール pool
3 ぷかぷか ぷかぷか floating
4 プラットホーム プラットホーム platform
5 プラス プラス plus

Pronunciation

ぷ(unaspirated)[pɯ]

When ぷ(pu) is inside a word, Japanese [p] is usually not aspirated (there is no strong puff of air like in English words like "space").

A voiceless p sound is followed by う(u).

ぷ is Hiragana and プ is Katakana.

Examples of words containing ぷ(unaspirated)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 湿布 しっぷ compress
2 還付 かんぷ refund
3 分布 ぶんぷ distribution
4 添付 てんぷ attached
5 屈服 くっぷく surrender

Pronunciation

ぺ[pʰe]

ぺ(pe): Pronounced as "peh" (like "pe" in "pet"). ぺ is Hiragana and ペ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [p]:

1. Tongue Position:

• Similar to the [b] sound, the [p] sound involves bringing both lips together.

• Unlike [b], you do not use your vocal cords for the [p] sound, so there should be no vibration in your throat.

2. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips firmly together, as you would for the [b] sound.

• Then, push air out from your lungs, but do not use your vocal cords. The sound comes purely from the burst of air released when your lips part.

3. Sound:

• The [p] sound in Japanese is very similar to the English "p" sound in words like "pat" or "pool."

A voiceless p sound is followed by え(e).

Examples of words containing ぺ
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 ペイント ペイント paint
2 ペット ペット pet
3 ペットボトル ペットボトル plastic bottle
4 ぺらぺら ぺらぺら fluent
5 ペンギン ペンギン penguin

Pronunciation

ぺ(unaspirated)[pe]

When ぺ(pe) is inside a word, Japanese [p] is usually not aspirated (there is no strong puff of air like in English words like "space").

A voiceless p sound is followed by え(e).

ぺ is Hiragana and ペ is Katakana.

Examples of words containing ぺ(unaspirated)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 閲兵 えっぺい military parade
2 合併 がっぺい merger
3 潔癖 けっぺき cleanliness
4 隠蔽 いんぺい hiding
5 残片 ざんぺん remnants

Pronunciation

ぽ[pʰo]

ぽ(po): Pronounced as "poh" (like "po" in "poker"). ぽ is Hiragana and ポ is Katakana.

How to Pronounce Japanese [p]:

1. Tongue Position:

• Similar to the [b] sound, the [p] sound involves bringing both lips together.

• Unlike [b], you do not use your vocal cords for the [p] sound, so there should be no vibration in your throat.

2. Mouth Position:

• Close your lips firmly together, as you would for the [b] sound.

• Then, push air out from your lungs, but do not use your vocal cords. The sound comes purely from the burst of air released when your lips part.

3. Sound:

• The [p] sound in Japanese is very similar to the English "p" sound in words like "pat" or "pool."

A voiceless p sound is followed by お(o).

Examples of words containing ぽ
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 ぽつぽつ ぽつぽつ drop by drop
2 ぽっちゃり ぽっちゃり chubby
3 ポスター ポスター poster
4 ぽっち ぽっち click
5 ポケット ポケット pocket

Pronunciation

ぽ(unaspirated)[po]

When ぽ(po) is inside a word, Japanese [p] is usually not aspirated (there is no strong puff of air like in English words like "space").

A voiceless p sound is followed by お(o).

Examples of words containing ぽ(unaspirated)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 散歩 さんぽ stroll
2 青っぽい あおっぽい bluish
3 割烹 かっぽう Japanese cuisine
4 遠方 えんぽう far away
5 しっぽ しっぽ tail
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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.

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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.