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Mai

What is Youon in Japanese?

Updated: Jul 13

The Japanese language is known for its fascinating and complex phonetic system. One interesting aspect of this system is the concept of "youon (yō-on)(拗音)," which plays a significant role in the pronunciation of certain words and phrases.


Youon refers to a combination of sounds formed by adding smaller version of ya, yu or yo (ゃ, ゅ or ょ) to characters ending in vowel i. This fusion results in distinct pronunciation patterns and adds a unique touch to the language.












The examples of Youon


きょうと(京都) Kyoto  Kyoto

びょういん(病院)Byooin Hospital

しゅうまつ(週末)Shuumatsu Weekend

チョコレート Chokoreeto Chocolate

きんぎょ(金魚) Kingyo Gold fish

りょうり(料理) Ryouri Cooking


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