Description of the Japanese Pronunciation きゃ きゅ きょ, ぎゃ ぎゅ ぎょ
きゃ きゅ きょ and ぎゃ ぎゅ ぎょ consist of the Japanese consonants [kj] and [gj] representing the sounds of the roman letters /ky/ and /gy/ with the Japanese vowels [a], [u] and [o] respectively. When you pronounce [kj] and [gj], your tongue is going to touch from the front part to the back part on the roof of your mouth, i.e. from where you use to pronounce [j] (=/y/) to where you use to pronounce [k]. This closure will cause a buildup of pressure. Then, you will release that pressure all at once by opening your mouth. [kj] is an unvoiced sound and [gj] is a voiced sound.
Does it make sense to you? Let's try to pronounce きゃ きゅ きょ, ぎゃ ぎゅ ぎょ after the tutor on the video!
Wasabi Japanese Pronunciation Lessons
Words Exercise with the Pronunciation [kj] [gj] きゃ きゅ きょ, ぎゃ ぎゅ ぎょ
Please repeat the following words after the tutor on the video.
| Words | Roman Letters | Meanings |
|---|---|---|
| きゃく | kya ku | guest |
| キャベツ | kya be tsu | cabbage |
| 九 | kyu u | nine |
| きゅうり | kyu u ri | cucumber |
| きょう | kyo u | today |
| きょうかい | kyo u ka i | church |
| きょく | kyo ku | music |
| ぎゃく | gya ku | opposite |
| ぎゅうにゅう | gyu u nyu u | milk |
| じゅぎょう | jyu gyo u | class, lesson |
Sentences Exercise with the Pronunciation [kj] [gj] きゃ きゅ きょ, ぎゃ ぎゅ ぎょ
Please repeat the following sentences after the tutor in the video.
| Japanese Sentences | English Translations |
|---|---|
| キャベツと牛乳を買いました。 | I bought a cabbage and [a carton of] milk. |
| 今日はお客さんが多いです。 | There are many guests today. |
| このCDの九曲目が好きです。 | I like the ninth track on this CD. |
Tongue Twister Exercise with the Pronunciation [kj] [gj] きゃ きゅ きょ, ぎゃ ぎゅ ぎょ
Please repeat the following tongue twisters after the tutor on the video. Also, please focus on the pronunciation practice, not the meaning, because they were made only for the sake of practice.
| Japanese Tongue Twisters | Vocabulary |
|---|---|
|
貴様のきゃはんも革ぎゃはん、我等がきゃはんも革ぎゃはん |
貴様: you, きゃはん: gaiter, 革: leather, 我等: we |
|
東京特許許可局 |
特許: patent, 許可: approval, 局: bureau |
|
貨客船の各客室 |
貨客船: cargo-passenger ship, 各: each, 客室: room |
Conclusion
This is the how to pronounce [kj] [gj] きゃ きゅ きょ, ぎゃ ぎゅ ぎょ. We recommend that you practice the sentences above at least 5 times for each exercise, though we understand that pronunciation practice can be dull. Good pronunciation will give you listening and speaking ability, and thereby you will be confident enough to speak Japanese with native speakers. Thus, the ability you gain is well worth the time spent. We are looking forward to seeing you in the next lesson; [bj] [pj] びゃ びゅ びょ、ぴゃ ぴゅ ぴょ.