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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

か[kʰa]

か(ka): Pronounced as "kah" (like "karaoke"). か is Hiragana and カ is Katakana.

Pronunciation of Japanese [k]:

• The tongue is placed near the soft part of the roof (the velum), creating a brief blockage of air.

• Japanese [k] is pronounced with a strong breath of air released after the blockage is removed, much like the English [kh] sound in words like "cat" or "key."

Start with a soft k sound, followed by あ(a).

Examples of words containing か
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 会社 かいしゃ company
2 軽い かるい light
3 蚊 か mosquito
4 鴨 かも duck
5 柿 かき persimmon

Pronunciation

か(unaspirated)[ka]

When か(ka) is inside a word, Japanese [k] is usually not aspirated (there is no strong puff of air like in English words like "sky").

Start with a soft k sound, followed by あ(a).

か is Hiragana and カ is Katakana.


Examples of words containing か(unaspirated)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 高い たかい high
2 世界 せかい world
3 赤 あか red
4 中 なか inside
5 帰化 きか naturalization

Pronunciation

き[kʰi]

き(ki): Pronounced as "kee" (like "key"). き is Hiragana and キ is Katakana.

Pronunciation of Japanese [k]:

• The tongue is placed near the soft part of the roof (the velum), creating a brief blockage of air.

• Japanese [k] is pronounced with a strong breath of air released after the blockage is removed, much like the English [kh] sound in words like "cat" or "key."

Start with a soft k sound, followed by い(i).

Examples of words containing き
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 菊 きく chrysanthemum
2 気合 きあい spirit
3 機会 きかい opportunity
4 木 き wood
5 北 きた north

Pronunciation

き(unaspirated)[ki]

When き(ki) is inside a word, Japanese [k] is usually not aspirated (there is no strong puff of air like in English words like "sky").

Start with a soft k sound, followed by い(i).

き is Hiragana and キ is Katakana.

Examples of words containing き(unaspirated)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 大きい おおきい big
2 すき焼き すきやき sukiyaki
3 天気 てんき weather
4 大気 たいき atmosphere
5 空気 くうき air

Pronunciation

く[kʰɯ]

く(ku): Pronounced as "koo" (like "cool"). く is Hiragana and ク is Katakana.

Pronunciation of Japanese [k]:

• The tongue is placed near the soft part of the roof (the velum), creating a brief blockage of air.

• Japanese [k] is pronounced with a strong breath of air released after the blockage is removed, much like the English [kh] sound in words like "cat" or "key."

Start with a soft k sound, followed by う(u). Keep it smooth and avoid rounding your lips too much.

Examples of words containing く
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 口 くち mouth
2 苦しい くるしい painful
3 区域 くいき area
4 空港 くうこう airport
5 来る くる come

Pronunciation

く(unaspirated)[kɯ]

When く(ku) is inside a word, Japanese [k] is usually not aspirated (there is no strong puff of air like in English words like "sky").

Start with a soft k sound, followed by う(u). Keep it smooth and avoid rounding your lips too much.

く is Hiragana and ク is Katakana.

Examples of words containing く(unaspirated)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 低い ひくい low
2 桜 さくら cherry blossoms
3 肉 にく meat
4 咲く さく bloom
5 楽 らく easy

Pronunciation

け[kʰe]

け(ke): Pronounced as "keh" (like "kettle"). け is Hiragana and ケ is Katakana.

Pronunciation of Japanese [k]:

• The tongue is placed near the soft part of the roof (the velum), creating a brief blockage of air.

• Japanese [k] is pronounced with a strong breath of air released after the blockage is removed, much like the English [kh] sound in words like "cat" or "key."

Start with a soft k sound, followed by え(e).

Examples of words containing け
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 経験 けいけん experience
2 形式 けいしき form
3 景色 けしき scenery
4 今朝 けさ this morning
5 ケーキ ケーキ cake

Pronunciation

け(unaspirated)[ke]

When け(ke) is inside a word, Japanese [k] is usually not aspirated (there is no strong puff of air like in English words like "sky").

Start with a soft k sound, followed by え(e).

け is Hiragana and ケ is Katakana.

Examples of words containing け(unaspirated)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 怠け者 なまけもの lazy person
2 否決 ひけつ rejection
3 酒 さけ alcohol
4 池 いけ pond
5 竹 たけ bamboo

Pronunciation

こ[kʰo]

こ(ko): Pronounced as "koh" (like "co" in "coat"). こ is Hiragana and コ is Katakana.

Pronunciation of Japanese [k]:

• The tongue is placed near the soft part of the roof (the velum), creating a brief blockage of air.

• Japanese [k] is pronounced with a strong breath of air released after the blockage is removed, much like the English [kh] sound in words like "cat" or "key."

Start with a soft k sound, followed by お(o).

Examples of words containing こ
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 ここ ここ here
2 幸福 こうふく happiness
3 これ これ this
4 コース コース course
5 今度 こんど next time

Pronunciation

こ(unaspirated)[ko]

When こ(ko) is inside a word, Japanese [k] is usually not aspirated (there is no strong puff of air like in English words like "sky").

Start with a soft k sound, followed by お(o).

こ is Hiragana and コ is Katakana.

Examples of words containing こ(unaspirated)
No.
Word
Pronunciation
Meaning
1 少し すこし A little
2 引っ越し ひっこし moving
3 心 こころ heart
4 猫 ねこ cat
5 タコ タコ octopus
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.

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Learn Japanese step by step 2

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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.