2.8. Hiraganas for /y/ + vowels


/y/ + vowels:
HiraganaPhonemePronunciationDescription
(ya)/ya/"ya" audio Japanese "y" + Japanese "a".
Japanese "y" sounds like English "y", but Japanese "y" is slightly softer. Don't cause friction of breath.
(i)/i/"i" audio This is the hiragana for /i/.
(yu)/yu/"yu" audio Japanese "y" + Japanese "u".
(e)/e/"e" audio This is the hiragana for /e/.
(yo)/yo/"yo" audio Japanese "y" + Japanese "o".

Note that there are no hiragana for /yi/ or /ye/.
Japanese doesn't have those pronunciations.


Hiragana examples:

Hiragana:(yu)(ka)(ta)
Phonemes:yukata
Meaning:yukata (noun)

Tip: Yukatas are light kimonos for summer. Kimonos are scarecely worn today because of Westernization. But Japanese people, especially young women, begin to wear yukatas again, which are casual and yet have traditional beauty.


Hiragana:(yo)(ya)(ku)
Phonemes:yoyaku
Meaning:reservation (noun)


Hiragana:(o)(yu)
Phonemes:oyu
Meaning:hot water (noun)



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