The "U" in Japanese is generally not silent; it represents a distinct vowel sound. However, its pronunciation can sometimes be so quiet or unvoiced that it might seem silent to non-native speakers, leading to this common misconception.
The True Pronunciation of 'U' in Japanese
Unlike the "u" in English words like "full" or "cut," the Japanese "u" almost always represents a sound much like the "oo" in the English word "fool." It is typically pronounced with rounded lips and without significant tension. This is its standard, voiced pronunciation, meaning the vocal cords vibrate when producing the sound.
Why 'U' Might Seem Silent: The Phenomenon of Devoicing
While the "u" sound is typically voiced, there are specific phonetic contexts in Japanese where it undergoes a process called devoicing. When a vowel is devoiced, the vocal cords do not vibrate, making the sound whispered or nearly imperceptible, especially at a normal speaking pace. This is why the "u" (and sometimes "i") can be perceived as "silent."
Common Scenarios for Devoicing:
Devoicing most frequently occurs in the following situations:
- Between Voiceless Consonants: When the vowel "u" is situated between two voiceless consonants (consonants produced without vocal cord vibration, such as 's', 'k', 't', 'h', 'p', 'ch', 'ts', 'sh', 'f').
- Example: In the word sukoshi (少し - "a little"), the "u" between 's' and 'k' is often devoiced, making it sound more like "skoshi."
- Example: In desu (です - "it is"), the 'u' at the end, following the voiceless 's', is very frequently devoiced. It sounds like "dess."
- After a Voiceless Consonant at the End of a Word: If a word ends with a "u" following a voiceless consonant, the "u" is often devoiced.
Examples of 'U' Pronunciation:
To illustrate the difference, consider these common Japanese words:
| Word (Romaji) | Kana | Meaning | Typical Pronunciation | Devoiced/Perceived Silence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kutsu | くつ | Shoes | KOO-tsoo | K'T-soo | The 'u' after 'k' and 'ts' (both voiceless) is often devoiced. |
| Atsui | あつい | Hot (weather) | Ah-TSOO-ee | Ah-TS-ee | The 'u' after 'ts' (a voiceless consonant) can be devoiced. |
| Desu | です | It is | De-SOO | Dess | The 'u' after 's' (voiceless) at the end of a word is often devoiced. |
| Sukoshi | 少し | A little | Soo-KOH-shee | SKOH-shee | The 'u' between 's' and 'k' (both voiceless) is often devoiced. |
| Kumo | くも | Cloud | KOO-moh | KOO-moh | 'u' is voiced as it's not surrounded by voiceless consonants. |
| Fuyu | ふゆ | Winter | FOO-yoo | FOO-yoo | 'u' is voiced; 'f' is voiceless, but 'y' is voiced. |
It's important to remember that devoicing is a natural phonetic process in Japanese, and native speakers perform it unconsciously. For learners, understanding this phenomenon helps in achieving a more natural and fluent pronunciation.
