Japanese r's

Neosiotype · (#1 (**permalink**))

I haven't been able to find an in depth explanation of how to pronounce japanese r's because most sites usually say the same things. I know they sound like L's but simply making a L sound isn't enough. Any help from fluent speakers would be greatly appreciated.

DivineBled · (#2 (**permalink**))

some r's are pronounced like l's and some are r's are rolled. Does this help any?

Neosiotype · (#3 (**permalink**))

not really, I pretty much know that. I'm just having trouble actually saying them. I must not be saying them right because when I hear them they sound different.

DivineBled · (#4 (**permalink**))

ah i see, sorry I wasnt of much help.

Hatredcopter · (#5 (**permalink**))

To me, the 'r' sound in Japanese almost takes on a very slight 'd' sound. When an 'r' sound is spoken, the tip of the tongue lightly hits the area just above the backside of your upper teeth, similar to when someone rolls their r's.

MMM · (#6 (**permalink**))

Hatred Copter is right, and this sound isn't like a rolled R in Spanish. Since this is a text forum, you might also want to ask about how a seagull sounds different from a crow and how Tommy cologne smells different from Ralph Lauren.

Try Youtube for some videos of people giving Japanese lessons, there are thousands, or ask a native speaker. No text response is going to really help.

Amnell · (#7 (**permalink**))

The Japanese R is considered to be a tap. It's like the single R in Spanish. I've also heard some people say that it's sort of like the pronunciation of "city" in Standard American English.

Sometimes the sound is more like an L to anglophone ears. Generally, though, it's about the same as the tapped (not trilled) r in Spanish.

MMM · (#8 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amnell

The Japanese R is considered to be a tap. It's like the single R in Spanish. I've also heard some people say that it's sort of like the pronunciation of "city" in Standard American English.

Sometimes the sound is more like an L to anglophone ears. Generally, though, it's about the same as the tapped (not trilled) r in Spanish.

As someone that knows the answer, your explanation makes perfect sense to me.