Small kana change how a preceding sound is pronounced.
The idea
After an i-row kana, small ゃ, ゅ or ょ combines with it into one mora: きゃ, しゅ and ちょ. Say each smoothly, without a separate i vowel. A following long vowel or ん still takes its own mora.
| Combination | Contrast |
|---|---|
| きゃ | きや |
| しゅ | しゆ |
| ちょ | ちよ |
Examples
- 今日は学校に行きます。Today I go to school.
- 友達とお茶を飲みます。I drink tea with a friend.
- 図書館で本を読みます。I read a book at the library.
- 旅行の写真を見せます。I show photos of the trip.
- 牛乳を冷蔵庫に入れます。I put milk in the fridge.
- 病院で医者に会います。I see a doctor at the hospital.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Full-size や, ゆ and よ start a separate mora: きや has two, unlike きゃ. Small kana do not simply make the sound quieter.
Try it yourself
「きゃ」は何拍ですか。（１／２）
Show answer or example answer
１
きゃ is one mora: small ゃ combines with き.
「きや」は何拍ですか。（１／２）
Show answer or example answer
２
きや is two morae: full-size や starts another beat.
「茶」の読みをひらがなで書いてください。
Show answer or example answer
ちゃ
ちゃ: small ゃ combines with ち to form the reading of 茶.
「写真」の最初の拍をひらがなで書いてください。
Show answer or example answer
しゃ
しゃ: 写 begins 写真 with the single combined mora しゃ.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
「きゃ」は何拍ですか。（１／２）
「きや」は何拍ですか。（１／２）
「茶」の読みをひらがなで書いてください。
「写真」の最初の拍をひらがなで書いてください。
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Read the examples aloud, then tap once per mora. Compare the table and answer the questions.