Kana background

Lesson 1 of 16

The five vowels

Every Japanese syllable is built on these five sounds. They are short and clean: a as in father, i as in machine, u as in flute, e as in bet, o as in so.

All lessons

Pronunciation

How it sounds

Each vowel is short and steady: a as in father, i as in machine, u as in flute (lips relaxed, not pushed forward), e as in bet, o as in more. Keep the sound the same from start to finish. English vowels often glide, like the o in go sliding toward w, but Japanese vowels stay put.

Reading tips

Easy to mix up

  • あ and お look alike. お has an extra short stroke at the top right; あ doesn't.

  • い and う are both simple: い is two separate strokes, while う is a short dash above a single curve.

あ (a) mnemonic drawing
a

Attention! says the drill sergeant, with the kana hidden in his face.

い (i) mnemonic drawing
i

An Easter egg: the two vertical strokes sit inside the egg. Say "ee".

う (u) mnemonic drawing
u

A Ukulele, with the kana as its neck and body. Say "oo".

え (e) mnemonic drawing
e

Edge of the cliff is here! A person is about to step off.

お (o) mnemonic drawing
o

An Oak tree drops a leaf.

Real vocabulary

Words you can read now

  • あい

    ai

    love

  • いえ

    ie

    house

  • うえ

    ue

    above

  • あおい

    aoi

    blue

  • いいえ

    iie

    no