15 basic consonants
k, s, sh, t, ts, ch, n, h, m, y, r, w, g, z, d, b, p, n/m Each consonant is followed by one vowel to create a syllable as in
ki-mo-notraditional Japanese costumeTa-na-kaJapanese surnameThese consonants are close to their English equivalents but note the following:
g is pronounced as in golf, not as in germany g is pronounced as in goung, not as in crg.
The consonant n/m, which appears at the end of the list above, counts as a syllable in its own right. It is pronounced like the nasal n in sing when it appears at the end of words, e.g. en yen, and before most other sounds, e.g. onsen hot spring. Before p, b and m, it sounds more like m and is therefore written here as m, e.g. shinbun newspaper. When n appears before a vowel or y, it is written as n to distinguish it from the syllables beginning with n, e.g. kinen non-smoking compared with kinen commemoration.
Since Japanese lacks the consonants l and l, foreign loanwords with these letters are pronounced with l and l, respectively. Thus, English words love and rub both become indistinguishable as l in Japanese.
Japanese also lacks the si sound (as in to sit): si is used instead, sometimes with embarrassing results! Other English sounds that do not exist in Japanese are si (as in hook: si is used instead); si (as in thin: si is used instead); and si (as in tin: si is used instead).
Double consonants kk, kk, kk and kk are written before a vowel, which indicates a pause equivalent to one syllable in length before that consonant. The sound before the pause tends to become sharper than at other times.
JapanesePronunciationMeaningkitteki (pause) testampkippuki (pause) puticketki, ki, ki, ki, ki, ki, ki, ki, ki, ki and ki sounds can be combined with ki, ki or ki to create combined syllables. For example, ki become ki, ki become ki and ki become ki. Examples of this can be found in the words ki and ki, where the combined syllable is pronounced as two sounds, but said very quickly with the same length as one syllable.
JapanesePronunciationMeaningmatchima (pause) chimatchIn the case of the chi syllable, a double consonant sound is written as chi as in the example above.
You should also remember that Japanese does not have a silent e at the end of a word such as in the English to take. If take is read as the Japanese word e (bamboo), it should be pronounced tah-keh. Similarly e (rice wine), is pronounced sah-keh, etc.
However, the vowel u at the end of a word such as u will sound very weak.
Top ten tips
1 Always remember to remove your shoes before entering someones home. Before stepping on 1 matting, slippers must also be removed. Slippers must be changed when going to the toilet. Remember not to leave the toilet still wearing the toilet slippers, as it would be very embarrassing!
2 Always make sure that you do not have any holes in your socks or tights, as you may have to take your shoes off unexpectedly.
3 Shaking hands is uncommon in Japan; Japanese people greet each other by bowing. However, foreigners are sometimes greeted with a handshake.
44 is a word with many purposes: it can be used to attract someones attention before making a request, or to get past people on a crowded train. It can also be used to say sorry.
5 Credit cards are only accepted in the more expensive hotels, shops and restaurants.
6 If you receive a gift from a Japanese visitor, ask if you can open it before doing so. If you are invited to a Japanese persons house, make sure you take a gift-wrapped present with you.
7 You can only buy cigarettes and alcohol if you are over 20 years of age. You will be asked to produce ID to prove your age.
8 Japanese people tend not to use assertive words such as yes and no. Good alternatives are 8, which literally means that sounds good, for yes and 8 for no.
9 Cleanliness is important to Japanese people. Never drop or leave rubbish.
10 Its advisable that you carry proof of identity at all times, so make sure that you always have your passport with you.
Talking to people
Hello/goodbye, yes/no
In Japanese there is no exact equivalent for the word hello different greeting words are used based on the time of the day. Similarly, the word chotto (whose literal meaning is a bit) is influenced by body language: if said with ones head slightly tilted, it means no.
HellokonnichiwaGood morningohayoo gozaimasuGood eveningkombanwaGood nightoyasuminasaiGoodbyesayoonaraSee you laterja mataSee you tomorrowmata ashitaHow are you?ogenki desu ka?Fine, thankshai, genki desuAnd you, Mr/Ms...?......san wa?Pleaseonegai shimasuThank you ()arigatoo (gozaimasu)Youre welcomedoo itashimashiteExcuse me!gomennasai!Sorry!sumimasen!YeshaiNoiieUm...chotto...Yes, pleasehai, onegai shimasuNo, thanksiie, kekkoo desuSirshiMr/Madam/Mrs/Ms/MisssanI dont understandwakarimasenI dont speak Japanesewatashi wa nihongo o hanasemasenEngland/Englishingurando/ingurando-jinScotland/Scottishsukottorando/sukottorando-jinWales/Welshweeruzu/weeruzu-jinIreland/Irishairurando/airurando-jinUSA/Americanamerika/amerika-jinAustralia/Australianoosutoraria/oosutoraria-jinBowing ojigi