"Minna" (Everyone)
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This is the N you know.
The NG Pattern: Before K, G
Finally, K and G. "Kick", "Gig". The sound happens in your throat. So the "N" slides back too.
Examples:
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"Manga" (Comic)
"Gengo" (Language)
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It's not "Man-Ga". It's "Maŋga". It flows without the tongue touching the front.
Pop Quiz: Predict the Mouth Shape
M or N?
Q1: "Sen-pai" (Senior)
Target is P. Lips close.
Answer: "Sem-pai". The M.
Q2: "On-na" (Woman)
Target is N. Tongue up.
Answer: "On-na". The N.
Q3: "Kan-pai" (Cheers)
Target is P. Lips close.
Answer: "Kam-pai". The M.
Summary: Master the Kana Confusion
Kana | Pattern | Example |
**お** | Inside a word | Onigiri, Origami |
**を** | Direct object marker | Onigiri を tabemasu |
**へ** | Inside a word (He sound) | Heya, Hebi |
**え** | Direction marker (E sound) | Tokyo e ikimasu |
**ん (M)** | Before P, B, M | Shimbun, Tempura |
**ん (N)** | Before T, D, N | Hantai, Minna |
**ん (NG)** | Before K, G | Manga, Gengo |
You don't need to memorize a chart. Just prepare your mouth for the next letter, and the "N" will fix itself. Trust your muscles.
Japanese is deeper than ink on paper. If you want to master this "Physical Fluency", join my class on Preply.
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