If you want to practice hiragana pronunciation, this page shows you how to train your mouth. It focuses on more than just memory.
Most learners can recognize hiragana, but still:
- mispronounce similar sounds
- rely on English romaji habits
- feel unsure when reading aloud
The fix is not more quizzes.
It’s a clear pronunciation loop:
listen → watch mouth shape → repeat → short review
👉 You can practice every sound mentioned on this page here:
Open the Free Hiragana Interacive Practice Tool
TL;DR
- Hiragana pronunciation problems come from mouth habits, not memory
- Romaji hides real Japanese sounds
- The fastest fix is listen → watch mouth shape → repeat
- Start with the most confusing sounds: し / ち / つ, ふ, ら行
- Short daily practice (10 minutes) works better than long sessions
Hiragana Practice Online
Want a complete, guided way to practice hiragana? Use our listen → mouth shape → repeat → write method to master pronunciation and writing step by step.
Practice Hiragana →How to Practice Hiragana Pronunciation (The Method)
Before drilling individual sounds, use this method for every character.
Step 1: Listen (no romaji)
Play the native audio once or twice.
Do not read letters yet—focus only on the sound.
Step 2: Watch mouth shape
Pay attention to:
- lip rounding or relaxation
- jaw opening
- tongue position
This is critical for sounds like し / ち / つ.
Step 3: Repeat out loud (3–5 times)
Say the sound slowly, then naturally.
Do not rush.
Step 4: Short review
After a group of sounds, repeat them once more as a set.
This loop prevents pronunciation mistakes from becoming habits.
Basic Hiragana Chart (excerpt with audio)
| A | I | U | E | O | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | あ (a) | い (i) | う (u) | え (e) | お (o) |
| K | か (ka) | き (ki) | く (ku) | け (ke) | こ (ko) |
| S | さ (sa) | し (shi) | す (su) | せ (se) | そ (so) |
| T | た (ta) | ち (chi) | つ (tsu) | て (te) | と (to) |
| N | な (na) | に (ni) | ぬ (nu) | ね (ne) | の (no) |
| H | は (ha) | ひ (hi) | ふ (fu) | へ (he) | ほ (ho) |
| M | ま (ma) | み (mi) | む (mu) | め (me) | も (mo) |
| Y | や (ya) | — | ゆ (yu) | — | よ (yo) |
| R | ら (ra) | り (ri) | る (ru) | れ (re) | ろ (ro) |
| W | わ (wa) | — | — | — | を (wo) |
| N | ん (n) | — | — | — | — |
Confusing Hiragana Sounds You Should Practice First
Not all hiragana are equally difficult.
These sounds cause the most pronunciation errors for beginners.
Drill 1: し / ち / つ (The Big Three)
These are not English “shi / chi / tsu”.
What goes wrong
- し becomes too sharp
- ち becomes too strong
- つ turns into “sue”
Mouth-shape focus
- し: relaxed lips, narrow airflow
- ち: tongue touches, then releases
- つ: rounded lips, soft “ts”
Practice set
- し → ち → つ
- Repeat each 5 times
- Then say the full sequence 3 times
👉 Practice here: Hiragana Pronunciation Tool
Drill 2: ふ (Not “fu”)
Common mistake
English speakers pronounce ふ like “foo”.
Correct idea
- Air flows through relaxed lips
- No strong F sound
Practice set
- ふ (slow) × 5
- ふ (natural) × 5
Listen closely to the softness.
Drill 3: ら・り・る・れ・ろ (The Japanese R)
This is not English R or L.
Key idea
- One light tongue tap
- Very quick contact
Practice set
- ら → り → る → れ → ろ
- Repeat each 3 times
- Then read the row once smoothly
If it feels “too soft,” you’re doing it right.
Daily Pronunciation Routine (10 Minutes)
Use this structure for fast improvement.
Minutes 1–3
Warm up with:
- あ・い・う・え・お
Minutes 4–7
Choose one confusing group:
- し / ち / つ
- ふ
- ら行
Minutes 8–10
Quick review:
- Say all practiced sounds once more
- No romaji, no thinking
Short daily practice beats long sessions.
Why Mouth Shape Matters More Than Romaji
Romaji:
- hides real Japanese sounds
- forces English habits
- slows real reading
Mouth-shape practice:
- retrains muscle memory
- improves listening
- makes reading hiragana feel natural
That’s why pronunciation should come before speed.
Common Pronunciation Mistakes (And Quick Fixes)
- Reading romaji while listening → close it
- Speaking silently in your head → say it out loud
- Skipping repetition → repeat anyway
- Ignoring mouth movement → watch once more
Each mistake is fixed by returning to the loop:
listen → watch → repeat
What to Practice After These Sounds
Once these sounds feel stable, move on to:
- full hiragana rows
- dakuten sounds (が / ざ / だ)
- real words
👉 Return to the main guide: Hiragana Practice Online
Final Takeaway
Good hiragana pronunciation is not about talent.
It’s about:
- training your mouth
- repeating correctly
- fixing mistakes early
If you practice the sounds on this page for 30 minutes total, your Japanese will already sound clearer.