TUFS Language Modules

There are five vowels in the Japanese language, namely a, i, u, e,o ( あ、い、う、え、お ) . The a ( あ ) is a sound pronounced with the mouth wide open. i ( い ) and u ( う ) are pronounced by narrowing the opening of the mouth. The sound i ( い ) is pronounced with the mouth slightly open while the front part of the tongue is raised. u ( う ) is made by also opening the mouth slightly, but while the back of the tongue is raised. e ( え ) is a sound halfway between a ( あ ) and i ( い ) , and is pronounced by opening the mouth slightly bigger than when pronouncing i ( い ) . o ( お ) is a sound halfway between a ( あ ) and u ( う ) , and is pronounced by opening the mouth slightly bigger than when pronouncing u ( う ) .

Pay special attention when pronouncing the u ( う ) sound. You may be pronouncing the u ( う ) with your lips rounded and protruded. On the contrary, the Japanese u ( う ) should be pronounced with the lips relaxed and not pushed forward . It is not necessary to spread your lips horizontally. To pronounce u ( う ) , first of all, try pronouncing [u], a sound pronounced with the lips protruding, and then relax your lips.