Sound contrast · Standard Japanese; Tokyo-area citation forms
Japanese /o/ vs /oː/o and long o
A core Japanese quantity distinction with five real words per side. Vowel-length perception/training literature motivates the contrast class; these vowel-specific pools are editorial selections, not a recovered study list.
Practice these soundsA close-mid, rounded vowel
A rounded vowel made toward the back of the mouth.
A long, back rounded vowel
The lips stay rounded and the tongue is farther back than for /øː/.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
A small change.
A different word.
A core Japanese quantity distinction with five real words per side. Vowel-length perception/training literature motivates the contrast class; these vowel-specific pools are editorial selections, not a recovered study list.
Listen for the target sound in each word.
Sound examples
Tap to hear each word10 words. Words stay hidden during practice unless you choose to reveal them.