New words Chapter 3 · Sounds that change · Lesson 37 of 50
Small っ and long vowels
A small っ is a pause
A small っ isn't said as "tsu". It's a tiny pause: hold the next sound for one beat. きて kite (come) → きって kitte (stamp).
- きて · きってkite · kittecome · stamp
Long vowels
Some vowels last two beats. In hiragana an extra vowel is written: おばさん (aunt) vs おばあさん (grandmother). えい and おう are said ee and oo: せんせい, とうきょう.
- おばさん · おばあさんobasan · obaasanaunt · grandmother
Words to read
- きってkittestamp
- がっこうgakkouschool
- ざっしzasshimagazine
- おばあさんobaasangrandmother
- おじいさんojiisangrandfather
- せんせいsenseiteacher
- ちょっとchottoa little