Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 3 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 3
Dakuten and handakuten change the sound
Dakuten add voicing, turning か into が and similar pairs across the chart. Handakuten create the p-sounds on the は row. These marks matter because many everyday words depend on them.
Target signal
が ぎ ぐ げ ご
ga gi gu ge go
These are voiced kana made with dakuten.
Vocabulary notes
- が
- subject marker
Compare in context
ぱ ぴ ぷ ぺ ぽ
pa pi pu pe po
These are p-sounds made with handakuten.
Vocabulary notes
- ぱ
- the hiragana character pa
Compare in context
かぎ
key
This common word shows how a dakuten changes the sound and the word.
Vocabulary notes
- かぎ
- key
- か
- question marker; or
Section 2 of 3
Small ゃ, ゅ, and ょ make one sound block
Small ゃ, ゅ, and ょ combine with the kana before them to make one contracted sound such as きゃ or しゅ. Read the pair as one sound block instead of two separate kana.
Target signal
きゃ しゅ ちょ
kya shu cho
Each pair is read as one sound block, not as two separate kana.
Vocabulary notes
- きゃ
- the contracted hiragana sound kya
Preview
きゃく
guest; customer
The first sound block is きゃ, not き + や.
Vocabulary notes
- きゃく
- guest; customer
- きゃ
- the contracted hiragana sound kya
Preview
しゅみ
hobby
しゅ is another common contracted sound in real words.
Vocabulary notes
- しゅみ
- hobby
Section 3 of 3
Small っ marks a held consonant
Small っ does not make a full vowel sound by itself. Instead, it holds or doubles the consonant that follows. You will see it in many everyday words very early.
Target signal
がっこう
school
Small っ doubles the consonant that follows, so がっこう sounds different from がこう.
Vocabulary notes
- がっこう
- school
- こう
- like this; this way
- が
- subject marker
Preview
きっぷ
ticket
This is another very common beginner word with small っ.
Vocabulary notes
- きっぷ
- ticket
Preview
ちょっと
a little
This word combines a contracted sound and a small っ, so it is excellent final practice.
Vocabulary notes
- ちょっと
- a little; just; hey
- と
- and; with; that