Sound contrast · Standard Japanese; Tokyo-area citation forms
Japanese /s/ vs /ɕ/s and sh before a
A practical initial-consonant comparison in one shared following-vowel context, with dictionary-selected words and phonological support.
Practice these sounds/s/
An unvoiced hiss
Listen for the narrow, hissing sound in the target consonant.
As in魚
/ɕ/
The ɕ category
Listen for the target sound in each word.
As in写真
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR
A small change.
A different word.
A practical initial-consonant comparison in one shared following-vowel context, with dictionary-selected words and phonological support.
Listen for the target sound in each word.
Sound examples
Tap to hear each word魚
/sakana/fish砂糖
/satoː/sugar桜
/sakɯɾa/cherry blossom刺身
/saɕimi/sliced raw fish財布
/saiɸɯ/wallet写真
/ɕaɕiɴ/photograph社会
/ɕakai/society車輪
/ɕaɾiɴ/wheel社長
/ɕatɕoː/company presidentしゃもじ
/ɕamodʑi/rice paddle10 words. Words stay hidden during practice unless you choose to reveal them.