Hiragana | Romanization | Pronunciation | Description
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 | a | [a]
| Similar to the first sound of eye [aI], but without the ending [I]. It is pronounced in the front of the mouth, while the [α:] in father [fα:ð ] is pronounced in the back of the mouth. The [æ] in ash [æ ] is not as wide as [a].
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 | i | [i]
| Similar to the [i:] in eat [i:t].
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 | u | [ ]
| Similar to the [u:] in cool [ku:l], but [ ] is a more relaxed sound than that. You don't have to round your lips tightly. It is quite different from the [U] in good [gUd].
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 | e | [e]
| Similar to the first sound of the [eI] in day [deI], but without the ending [I]. The [ε] in end [εnd] is wider than [e].
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 | o | [o]
| Similar to the first sound in owe [oU], but without the ending [U].
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