Page 57 - Basic Japanese

The pronunciation of the syllabic nasal varies according

to its surroundings, but it is always pronounced with the
nasal passage open and it always takes a full syllable’s time.
There are four main pronunciations:

1. a long (syllabic) m (before p, b, and m)

2. a long (syllabic) n (dental!, before t, ts, d, n, ch, and
j)

3. a long (syllabic) ng (before k and g)

4. long nasalization N (elsewhere (before vowel, y, w,
r, s, sh, z, h, f, or at the end of a word))

You will have little difficulty with the first two
pronunciations. Just remember to hold the nasal for a full

syllable’s time. Here are some examples:

[cue 01-22]

1. a long (syllabic) m

kenbutsu [ke-m-bu-tsu] sightseeing

kinpatsu [ki-m-pa-tsu] blond (hair)

san-mai [sa-m-ma-i] three sheets
(of paper)