Japanese mora timing for French speakers

The idea

French often gives prominence to the end of a rhythmic group, while Japanese counts timing units within words. Japanese pitch accent is a separate feature. A basic kana usually represents one mora; ん, small っ and the second part of a long vowel each take another. Small ゃ, ゅ and ょ join the preceding kana: きゃく is きゃ・く, but きって is き・っ・て. Natural durations vary, so tapping is a learning aid, not a metronome.

Examples

• おばさんと公園こうえんで話はなします。I talk with my aunt in the park.
• おばあさんと公園こうえんで話はなします。I talk with my grandmother in the park.
• 切手きってを二枚にまい買かいます。I buy two postage stamps.
• ここに来きてください。Please come here.
• 父ちちはコーヒーを飲のみます。My father drinks coffee.
• 今日きょう、客きゃくが来きます。A guest is coming today.

Watch out

Do not add a beat for small ゃ or swallow the pause of small っ. A mora is not necessarily a stressed syllable.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the word with 3 morae: （きって／きて）

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   きって

   きって has three morae: き・っ・て; the small っ takes time.

2. Choose the word with 4 morae: （コーヒー／コヒー）

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   コーヒー

   コーヒー has four: コ・ー・ヒ・ー; both vowel extensions count.

3. Choose the word with 2 morae: （きゃく／きやく）

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   きゃく

   きゃく has two: きゃ・く; small ゃ joins き.

Use it today

Tap each mora in きゃく, きって and コーヒー, then say each word naturally.