Natural speech groups words into phrases rather than separating every word.

The idea

A phrase boundary may be signalled by a pause, lengthening near the end, or a fresh pitch movement on the next phrase. For example, 駅に着いたら can form a condition before 電話してください. Listen for several cues and use the grammar to test your grouping.

Examples

  • 明日あした、雨あめが降ふったら、出発しゅっぱつを延期えんきします。Tomorrow, if it rains, we will postpone departure.
  • 駅えきに着ついたら、電話でんわしてください。When you arrive at the station, please call me.
  • 会議かいぎの後あとで、資料しりょうを送おくります。I will send the documents after the meeting.
  • 新あたらしい店みせで、友達ともだちと昼ひるご飯はんを食たべました。I had lunch with a friend at a new restaurant.
  • 急いそいでいましたが、忘わすれ物ものに気きづきました。I was in a hurry, but noticed I had forgotten something.
  • 予定よていが変かわったので、皆みなさんに知しらせます。The plans have changed, so I will let everyone know.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

A comma is a writing hint, not proof of a pause. Speakers can join groups smoothly, and pitch changes also occur within a phrase; speed and context affect the cues.

Try it yourself

  1. 「駅えきに着ついたら｜電話でんわしてください。」の｜の前まえはどちらですか。（着ついたら／電話でんわ）

    Show answer or example answer

    着いたら

    着いたら ends the conditional group; 電話してください follows it.

  2. 「会議かいぎの後あとで｜資料しりょうを送おくります。」の｜の後あとはどちらですか。（会議かいぎ／資料しりょう）

    Show answer or example answer

    資料

    資料 starts the following group, which says what will be sent.

  3. 「予定よていが変かわったので｜皆みなさんに知しらせます。」の｜の前まえはどちらですか。（ので／に）

    Show answer or example answer

    ので

    ので ends the reason clause; the following group gives the consequence.

Use it today

Read the examples aloud in meaningful groups. Then listen to a speaker or recording, mark possible boundaries, and compare them with the grammar. In practice, ｜ marks the boundary to inspect.