TUFS Language Modules

解説

The way of pronouncing the consonant, ni (に), in Japanese is a little different from that of na, nu, ne and no (な、ぬ、ね、の). While the consonant of na, nu, ne and no are nasals pronounced at areas near the upper teeth and alveolar ridge, the consonant of ni is a nasal pronounced further back in the mouth. When pronouncing ni (に), try to withdraw the tongue backwards ring the upper teeth close to your lower lip as in 'f'. The fu sound in Japanese is pronounced by bringing the upper and lower lips close together.