How to stop shortening long vowels in Japanese
To stop shortening long vowels in Japanese, the key is to consciously practice pronouncing them for the full length they require, which is roughly twice as long as short vowels. Long vowels (called chouon in Japanese) are held twice the duration of short vowels, and shortening them can change the meaning of words. Here are practical ways to avoid shortening them:
- Be aware of the length difference: Short vowels like あ (a) are held for one beat, while long vowels like ああ (aa) should be held for two beats, twice as long as short ones.
- Use timing practice: Try clapping or tapping to measure and hold the long vowel sound for the proper length.
- Pay attention to vowel combinations: For example, え + い or お + う together are usually pronounced as long vowels (えい as えー and おう as おー), not as two separate vowels.
- Practice with minimal pairs: Words like おばさん (aunt) versus おばあさん (grandmother) differ in vowel length. Practice pronouncing the long vowel distinctly to avoid confusing meanings.
- When reading or speaking, avoid cutting off the vowel early. Hold the vowel sound fully, especially in loanwords marked with the katakana elongation mark “ー” which signals vowel lengthening.
In summary, mastering long vowels requires deliberate practice to pronounce the vowel sound twice as long as a short vowel to reflect correct pronunciation and meaning in Japanese. 1, 2, 3
If interested, one practical technique is to practice saying words slowly with clapping or tapping to feel the duration difference, then gradually increase speed while maintaining length. This focused attention to timing can help stop the habit of shortening long vowels.