Description of the Japanese Pronunciation ば び ぶ べ ぼ, ぱ ぴ ぷ ぺ ぽ
![Picture describing Japanese pronunciation [b] [p]](https://www.wasabi-jpn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/b_p.gif)
ば び ぶ べ ぼ and ぱ ぴ ぷ ぺ ぽ consist of the Japanese consonants [b] and [p] together with the Japanese vowels [a], [i], [u], [e] and [o] respectively. When you pronounce [b] and [p], you are going to completely close your lips. This closure will cause a buildup of pressure. Then, you will release that pressure all at once by opening your lips. [b] is a voiced sound and [p] is an unvoiced sound.
Does it make sense to you? Let's try to pronounce ば び ぶ べ ぼ and ぱ ぴ ぷ ぺ ぽ after the tutor on the video!
Wasabi Japanese Pronunciation Lessons
Words Exercise with the Pronunciation [b] [p] ば び ぶ べ ぼ, ぱ ぴ ぷ ぺ ぽ
Please repeat the following words after the tutor on the video.
| Words | Roman Letters | Meanings |
|---|---|---|
| 晩 | ba n | evening |
| りっぱ | ri ppa | wonderful |
| かびん | ka bi n | (flower) vase |
| えんぴつ | e n pi tsu | pencil |
| ぶんしょう | bu n sho u | sentence |
| きっぷ | ki ppu | ticket |
| べんきょう | be n kyo u | study |
| かんぺき | ka n pe ki | perfect |
| ぼうし | bo u shi | cap, hat |
| さんぽ | sa n po | walk |
Sentences Exercise with the Pronunciation [b] [p] ば び ぶ べ ぼ, ぱ ぴ ぷ ぺ ぽ
Please repeat the following sentences after the tutor in the video.
| Japanese Sentences | English Translations |
|---|---|
| 鉛筆を使って勉強します。 | I will study using a pencil |
| この文章は完璧です。 | This sentence is perfect. |
| 帽子を被って散歩します。 | I will take a walk with a cap. |
Tongue Twister Exercise with the Pronunciation [b] [p] ば び ぶ べ ぼ, ぱ ぴ ぷ ぺ ぽ
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 |
|---|---|
|
武具馬具ぶぐばぐ三ぶぐばぐ、合わせて武具馬具六ぶぐばぐ |
武具: arms, 馬具: harness |
|
狸百匹 箸百膳 天目百杯 棒八百本 |
狸: raccoon dog, 箸: chopsticks, 天目: tea bowl’s name, 棒: stick |
|
盆豆盆米盆ごぼう、盆豆盆米盆ごぼう |
盆: Japanese Buddhist custom’s name, 豆: bean, 米: rice, ごぼう: burdock |
Conclusion
This is the how to pronounce [b] [p] ば び ぶ べ ぼ and ぱ ぴ ぷ ぺ ぽ. 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; [m] ま み む め も.