Japanese vowel devoicing in everyday speech

The idea

In standard Japanese, the high vowels い and う often lose vocal-fold vibration between voiceless consonants such as k, s, t and h. Thus the う in すき and つくえ may be devoiced. The final う in です or ます is also often devoiced at the end of an utterance. The consonants and timing remain.

Examples

• 私わたしは毎朝まいあさコーヒーを飲のみます。I drink coffee every morning.
• 明日あしたは学校がっこうへ行いきます。I will go to school tomorrow.
• 机つくえの上うえに本ほんがあります。There is a book on the desk.
• 魚さかなが好すきです。I like fish.
• 駅えきまで歩あるきます。I walk to the station.
• 今日きょうは天気てんきがいいです。The weather is good today.

Watch out

Devoicing is not deletion from the spelling: write すき, not すき with a kana omitted. It varies with speaker, region, speed and emphasis; a vowel can remain voiced.

Try it yourself

1. 「好すき」の「す」の母音ぼいんはどれですか。（あ／い／う）

   Show answer or example answer

   う

   う is the vowel of す; between s and k it is often devoiced.

2. 「机つくえ」の「つ」の母音ぼいんはどれですか。（あ／い／う）

   Show answer or example answer

   う

   う is the vowel of つ; between ts and k it is often devoiced.

3. 「です」の最後さいごの「す」は無声化むせいかすることがありますか。（はい／いいえ）

   Show answer or example answer

   はい

   はい. The final う of です is often devoiced at the end of an utterance, though it can be voiced.

Use it today

Read the examples aloud, then compare すき and つくえ with the table. Keep the consonants clear without forcing the vowel to disappear.