Small vowels combine with the preceding katakana in many loanwords.
The idea
In ファ, フィ, フェ and フォ, a small vowel combines with フ to represent fa, fi, fe or fo. ティ represents ti. Each combination normally forms one mora; ー can lengthen the vowel, as in フォーク. Learn the conventional spelling of each word.
| Kana | Reading (romaji) |
|---|---|
| ファ | fa |
| フィ | fi |
| フェ | fe |
| フォ | fo |
| ティ | ti |
Examples
- ソファに座ります。I sit on the sofa.
- フォークを使います。I use a fork.
- フィルムを買います。I buy film.
- 先週新しいカフェに行きました。I went to a new café last week.
- ユニフォームを着ます。I wear a uniform.
- パーティーに行きます。I am going to a party.
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No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Small ァ, ィ and ォ are not full-size ア, イ and オ. Do not replace them, and do not confuse a small vowel with the long-vowel mark ー.
Try it yourself
「ソフ＿」（ァ／ア）
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ァ
Small ァ makes ファ (fa), completing ソファ.
「フ＿ーク」（ォ／オ）
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ォ
Small ォ makes フォ (fo), starting フォーク.
「パーテ＿ー」（ィ／イ）
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ィ
Small ィ makes ティ (ti); ー then lengthens its vowel.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
「ソフ＿」（ァ／ア）
「フ＿ーク」（ォ／オ）
「パーテ＿ー」（ィ／イ）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Cover the chart, read two examples aloud and write one target word from memory. Compare its spelling and timing with the original.