Description of the Japanese Pronunciation わ
![Picture describing Japanese pronunciation [w]](https://www.wasabi-jpn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/w.gif)
わ consists of the Japanese consonant [w] with the Japanese vowel [a]. When you pronounce [w], you are going to purse your lips and then quickly move them into the shape of the upcoming vowel [a]. When you purse your lips, simultaneously the back part of your tongue will raise up close to the back of the roof of your mouth. [w] is a voiced sound.
Does it make sense to you? Let's try to pronounce わ after the tutor on the video!
Wasabi Japanese Pronunciation Lessons
Words Exercise with the Pronunciation [w] わ
Please repeat the following words after the tutor on the video.
| Words | Roman Letters | Meanings |
|---|---|---|
| 割る | wa ru | to break, to split, to divide |
| わたし | wa ta shi | I |
| わかい | wa ka i | young |
| 分かる | wa ka ru | to understand |
| わすれる | wa su re ru | to forget |
| にわ | ni wa | yard, garden |
| 川 | ka wa | river |
| おわる | o wa ru | to finish, to end |
| かわいい | ka wa i i | cute |
| ちゃわん | cha wa n | rise bowl |
Sentences Exercise with the Pronunciation [w] わ
Please repeat the following sentences after the tutor in the video.
| Japanese Sentences | English Translations |
|---|---|
| 私は忘れものが多いです。 | I often forget my things. |
| 若くてかわいい女性がいます。 | There is a cute, young girl. |
| 茶碗を割りました。 | I broke a rice bowl. |
Tongue Twister Exercise with the Pronunciation [w] わ
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 |
|---|---|
|
私はかわいい、私はかわいい、私かわいい。 |
かわいい: cute |
|
庭には二羽鶏がいる。 |
庭: yard, garden 二羽: 2 birds, 鶏: chicken |
|
私はワニ革の上着を渡す。 |
ワニ: crocodile, 革: leather, 上着: jacket, coat 渡す: to give |
Conclusion
This is the how to pronounce [w] わ . 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] [ŋ] [N] [n] ん.