Let’s master the pronunciation of Japanese [z]

Abstract

• Can do: master pronunciation of Japanese [z]
• Study style: practice by moving body
• Tools: not in particular
• Preparation : words with Japanese [z] sound in.

How to

1. Say [zzzzzzz…] while you make your hands move like you are wringing a towel

• When you loosen your hands and add [o] after the [zzzzzzzz…] sound you are making, you will make the pronunciation of [zo].
  →
• You will make the pronunciation of [zu] when you cut [zzzzzz…] sound.
• *tip: Japanese [zu] sound shouldn’t be [z+u].
• You will make [za] sound when you loosen your hands and add [a] after the [zzzz…] sound.
• You will make [ze] sound when you loosen your hands a little and add [e] after the [zzzz…] sound.

Practice those [z] sound with words contains them. Choose word with [z] sound on the top, in the middle and at the end.

Example1: [z] sound on the top

• 「ぞうきん」(dust clothes)
• 「ざんねん」(pity)
• 「ずっと」(for a long time)

Example2 : [z] sound at the end

• 「どうぞ」(here you are)
• 「チーズ」(cheese)
• 「せいざ」(sit on heels)

Eample 3 : [z]sound in the middle

• 「あんぜん」(safe)
• 「こうぞう」(structure)
• 「とうざいせん」(Tozai line, the name of metro line in Tokyo)

3. Once you made it, try it again without the hand movement!