Japanese "w" + Japanese "a". Japanese "w" sounds like English "w", but Japanese "w" is slightly softer.
Unlike English "w", you don't have to round your lips.
/i/
"i"
This is the hiragana for /i/.
/u/
"u"
This is the hiragana for /u/.
/e/
"e"
This is the hiragana for /e/.
/o/
"o"
This is the hiragana for /o/.
Note that there are no hiragana for /wi/, /wu/, /we/, or /wo/.
Japanese doesn't have those pronunciations.
/w/ + vowels - ancient Japanese
Hiragana
Phoneme
Romanization
Description
/wa/
"wa"
Japanese "w" + Japanese "a".
/i/
"i"
This hiragana is not used in modern Japanese.*
It shares the same phoneme with . Its pronunciation was "wi", but "w" has been lost.
/u/
"u"
This is the hiragana for /u/.
/e/
"e"
This hiragana is not used in modern Japanese.*
It shares the same phoneme with . Its pronunciation was "we", but "w" has been lost.
/o/
"o"
There is a single-kana word with this kana in modern Japanese.
Other than that, this kana is not used in modern Japanese.
It shares the same phoneme with . Its pronunciation was "wo", but "w" has been lost. The Romanization is "o", but some people use "wo" instead.
Note *: Since the kana
and
are not used in modern Japanese, you don't have to memorize them.
I show them just for your interest.
Hiragana Examples
Hiragana:
Accent:
L
H
H
Romanization:
he
i
wa
Meaning:
peace (noun)
For your interest: In spite of the mistakes and crimes during World War II, Japan has had a relatively peaceful history. Japan had a policy ofLHH "sakoku" (self-isolation) from 1639 to 1858, and for more than 200 years there was no war in Japan. Regretting the tragedy it caused in the last war, Japan has renounced war forever. The Constitution of Japan denies the right of belligerency of the nation, so it will never send troops for war.
Hiragana:
Accent:
L
H
H
Romanization:
ji
wa
re
Meaning:
earthquake chasm (noun)
For your interest: Most earthquakes are caused by the pressure between plates, which are parts of the earth's surface moving slowly to different directions. There are a dozen plates on the earth, and four plates are in conflict around Japan; they are Eurasian Plate, Pacific Plate, North American Plate, and Phillipine Sea Plate. That's why Japan is a nest of earthquakes. :-(
Hiragana:
Accent:
H'
L
L
Romanization:
wa
sa
bi
Meaning:
wasabi (noun)
For your interest: Wasabi is a spice which has a similar taste to mustard and used for sushi.
LHH "sakoku" (self-isolation) from 1639 to 1858, and for more than 200 years there was no war in Japan. Regretting the tragedy it caused in the last war, Japan has renounced war forever. The Constitution of Japan denies the right of belligerency of the nation, so it will never send troops for war.
