11-20_Basic_Hiragana Flashcards
さ
sa - さくら (sakura) - ‘sah-koo-rah’ (cherry blossom)
Like “salsa”, clear “s” sound.
し
shi - しろ (shiro) - ‘shee-roh’ (white)
Similar to “she”, but the tongue is flatter.
す
su - すし (sushi) - ‘soo-shee’ (sushi)
Like “sue”, but no rounding of lips.
せ
se - せんせい (sensei) - ‘sehn-seh-ee’ (teacher)
Like “set”, no diphthong.
そ
so - そら (sora) - ‘soh-rah’ (sky)
Like “soap”, but no w-like glide.
た
ta - たべる (taberu) - ‘tah-beh-roo’ (to eat)
Like “top”, but softer.
ち
chi - ちいさい (chiisai) - ‘chee-ee-sigh’ (small)
Like “cheese”, softer ch sound.
つ
tsu - つき (tsuki) - ‘tsoo-kee’ (moon)
Like “tsunami”, a “t” followed by “s”.
て
te - てがみ (tegami) - ‘teh-gah-mee’ (letter)
Like “ten”, no aspiration.
と
to - ともだち (tomodachi) - ‘toh-moh-dah-chee’ (friend)
Like “toe”, but shorter and sharper.
ろ
ro - ろうそく (rousoku) - ‘roh-soh-koo’ (candle)
Short “r”, like “lotto”.
わ
wa - わたし (watashi) - ‘wah-tah-shee’ (I, me)
Like “wa” in “water”.
を
wo - を (wo) - ‘oh’ (used in grammar, rarely pronounced ‘wo’)
Like “o” in “or”, rarely pronounced “wo”.
ん
n - ほん (hon) - ‘hohn’ (book)
Nasal “n”, varies by context.
