Japanese mora timing for Ukrainian readers

The idea

Ukrainian has variable word stress: one syllable stands out, and its position can change between words or forms. Japanese mora counting instead tracks timing units; pitch accent is a separate feature. A basic kana usually counts as one mora. A long vowel, ん and small っ each add one, while small ゃ, ゅ or ょ joins the preceding kana. Thus きゃく is きゃ・く, but きって is き・っ・て. Natural durations vary; tapping is a learning guide, 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 transfer a strong Ukrainian-style stressed beat to every Japanese word. Also avoid counting small ゃ separately or rushing past っ.

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; 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 morae: コ・ー・ヒ・ー; each long vowel adds a mora.

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 morae: きゃ・く; small ゃ joins き.

Use it today

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