Dakuon · Handakuon · Chōon · Sokuon

The four sounds people trip on right after the kana

You know the 46 kana — now master the four tweaks that make them sound truly Japanese: voicing, the p-sounds, long vowels, and the little pause. Every example has audio.

What you'll learn

• Add ゛/゜ to form dakuon & handakuon
• Hear long vowels (chōon) and why length changes meaning
• Catch the small っ (sokuon) one-beat pause
• Tell apart tricky minimal pairs by ear

JLPT N5 Japanese self-study — interactive practice, instant feedback, completely free.