Dakuon

1. Today's topic

Dakuon: The Voiced Sounds of Japanese

Dakuon (濁音) are voiced consonants in Japanese. They are created by adding a small circle (゛) called a dakuten to the base consonant. This changes the sound from voiceless to voiced.

Examples:

 * Voiceless: "サ" (sa) becomes "ザ" (za)

 * Voiceless: "カ" (ka) becomes "ガ" (ga)

 * Voiceless: "タ" (ta) becomes "ダ" (da)

Why Dakuon is Important:

 * Vocabulary Expansion: Dakuon significantly expands the Japanese vocabulary, allowing for more nuanced expressions.

 * Pronunciation Accuracy: Correctly using dakuon is essential for accurate pronunciation and understanding Japanese.

 * Pattern Recognition: Recognizing dakuon patterns can help you learn new words more easily.

Tips for Learning Dakuon:

 * Practice Pronunciation: Repeat dakuon sounds aloud to get familiar with their pronunciation.

 * Pay Attention to Context: Dakuon often appears in specific word patterns. Pay attention to these patterns to help you remember which consonants should be voiced.

 * Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with dakuon pairs to help you memorize them.

 * Listen to Japanese Audio: Listening to native Japanese speakers will help you hear dakuon in context and improve your pronunciation.

Remember: Dakuon is a fundamental aspect of Japanese pronunciation. Mastering it will help you speak Japanese more fluently and confidently.

2- Today’s news

China looks to ease contentious ban on imports of Japanese seafood

https://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/15434678

Japan cheers as national hero Ohtani becomes the majors first 50-50 man

https://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/15434310