When learning Japanese, one of the biggest challenges for non-native speakers is mastering the intricacies of pronunciation. Two important aspects of pronunciation in Japanese are 長音choon and 促音 sokuon. These are 2 distinct sounds that can drastically change the meaning and understanding of words. In this article, we will delve into the concept of Choon and Sokuon in Japanese and explore their significance in the language.
What is Cyoon（長音）？
Cyoon, also referred to as the long vowel, denotes the elongated pronunciation of a vowel sound. In the Japanese language, there exist five vowels: a, i, u, e, and o. The elongation of a vowel sound is represented by a horizontal line, called a macron, positioned above the respective vowel character. For instance, the term "kite" would be transcribed as "kīto" in Japanese to highlight the elongation of the vowel "i". Similarly, the term "tōkyō" would feature a macron above the "o" to signal the elongation of the vowel sound.
The importance of cyouon lies in its ability to distinguish words with similar pronunciation but different meanings.For instance, the words "ビル" (biru= building) and "ビール"(biiru=beer) sound similar but have different meanings in Japanese. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately pronounce and discern the cyouon to avoid misunderstandings or confusion in communication.
The examples of Cyoon
おばあさん
おじいさん
チーズ
ビール
What is Sokuon（促音）？
On the other hand, sokuon refers to a small, quick, and voiceless sound that resembles a brief pause or a slight interruption in the middle of a word. In written Japanese, this is represented by a small tsu character（っ）, known as a sokuon, placed before a consonant sound.
The sokuon sound holds particular significance in distinguishing between words that sound similar. For example, the words "しょき" (syoki=the initial stage) and "しょっき(syokki= tableware)" have different meanings in Japanese. The subtle addition of the sokuon completely changes the meaning of the word, underscoring the importance of accurately pronouncing and recognizing this aspect of the Japanese language. In addition to altering word meanings, cyouon and sokuon also play a crucial role in the overall rhythm and flow of sentence structure in Japanese. To fully grasp the concept of cyouon and sokuon, it is advisable to practice listening to and imitating the sounds produced by native speakers.
The examples of Sokuon
クッキー(kukkii)
切手(kitte)
食器(shokki)
切った(kitta)
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