Japanese mora timing for Dutch readers

The idea

Dutch uses word stress, with prominent syllables and reduced vowels in many unstressed syllables. Japanese mora counting tracks timing instead; pitch accent is a separate feature. A basic kana usually counts once. Small っ, ん and each extension of a long vowel add a mora, while small ゃ, ゅ and ょ join the preceding kana. Thus きゃく is きゃ・く, but きって is き・っ・て. Natural durations vary, so tapping is only a guide.

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 replace Japanese timing with Dutch stress or reduce an unstressed vowel. Nor should you give small ゃ a separate beat or skip the time for っ.

Try it yourself

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

   Show answer or example answer

   きって

   きって has three morae: き・っ・て; 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; each long-vowel extension counts.

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 きゃく, きって and コーヒー once per mora, then say them naturally.