2.8. Hiragana for y + vowels
y + vowels:Hiragana | Romanization | Pronunciation | Description |
---|---|---|---|
や | ya | [ ja ] Listen | Japanese "y" + Japanese "a". Japanese "y" sounds like English "y" but is slightly softer. Don't cause friction of breath. |
い | i | [ i ] Listen | This is the hiragana for "i". |
ゆ | yu | [ jɯ ] Listen | Japanese "y" + Japanese "u". |
え | e | [ e ] Listen | This is the hiragana for "e". |
よ | yo | [ jo ] Listen | Japanese "y" + Japanese "o". |
Hiragana examples:
Hiragana: | ゆうやけ |
Pitch: | L H H H |
Romanization: | yû ya ke |
Meaning: | the red sky at sunset (noun) |
Hiragana: | ゆかた |
Pitch: | L H H |
Romanization: | yu ka ta |
Meaning: | yukata (noun) |
For your interest: Yukata are light kimonos for summer. Kimonos are scarcely worn today because of Westernisation, but Japanese people, especially young women, have begun to wear yukata again, which are casual and yet have traditional beauty.
Hiragana: | よやく |
Pitch: | L H H |
Romanisation: | yo ya ku |
Meaning: | reservation (noun) |
Hiragana: | おゆ |
Pitch: | L H |
Romanization: | o yu |
Meaning: | hot water (noun) |