Japanese is a complicated language that can be difficult for Indonesian speakers to learn. If you have difficulty pronouncing Japanese words, you can divide them by syllable to make pronunciation easier. This article will divide the various words used to refer to older sisters and younger sisters in Japanese based on their syllables.
Step
Step 1. Learn the different forms of the words "younger sister" and "older sister" in Japanese
Each word will be explained below in separate methods.
Part 1 of 6: Oneesama - Older Sister (So Polite)
Step 1. Learn the most polite words for older sisters
This word is "oneesama" and means "older sister." However, oneesama is usually not used in everyday life. You can use this word if you've made a big mistake and want to apologize to your older sister, are in awe of her, or want to be very polite in the whole situation.
Step 2. Divide these words by their syllables
There are several word elements that you should consider. In Japanese, honorifics (honorifics or affixes denoting titles and expressions of respect) are very important. Therefore, you should try to understand them before using these words.
- "O-" This prefix indicates the speaker's respect for the interlocutor. You can use this prefix to refer to brothers and sisters. However, we recommend that you use this prefix for the word " oneesama " for the following reasons:
- "-sama" is the most polite honorific in Japanese. This suffix emphasizes that the speaker has a lower social status than the interlocutor or the person being spoken of. In Indonesian, this suffix means "Master", "Madam", or "Pak" and can be used to refer to both men and women.
- Removing the "o-" when using "-sama " has the same meaning as "Your Majesty, the closest friend I respect."
- "Ne" or "nee" is used in every Japanese word that means "older sister".
Step 3. Pronounce "o" like you would say "o" for "medicine" or "please"
Make sure you pronounce the vowel "o" as pure /o/. As with Indonesian, the vowel "o" is pronounced as a pure /o/ in Japanese.
Step 4. Learn how to pronounce "-nee-"
The pronunciation of "-nee-" is the same as the pronunciation of the syllable "ne" in the words "reckless" and "weird". However, the letter "e" in this word is pronounced long. Make sure you pronounce the vowel "e" as pure /e/. Like Indonesian, the vowel "e" is pronounced as a pure /e/ in Japanese. Note that "nee" consists of two syllables. If you're having trouble pronouncing "nee," try clapping for each syllable "nee" that's pronounced. This can help you get used to pronouncing the syllable in "nee."
Step 5. Learn how to pronounce ""-sama""
The way this suffix is pronounced is similar to the way the word "sama" is pronounced in Indonesian. The vowel "a" in Japanese is pronounced the same way as the vowel "a" in the word "father" in Indonesian. Like Indonesian, the vowel "a" is pronounced as a pure /a/ in Japanese. The suffix "-sama" is pronounced short and consists of two syllables: "Sa-ma."
Step 6. Pronounce the word by combining all its syllables
Japanese is spoken flatly and without intonation. Therefore, don't stress any syllables. It's a good idea to pronounce Japanese words monotonously.
Part 2 of 6: Oneesan and Neesan - Older Sisters (Polite)
Step 1. Divide these two words according to their syllables
- The word " Oneesan " is more polite because it contains "o-".
- Using "- san " is very polite. You can use this suffix to refer to people who have the same social status as you or people who are not very well known.
Step 2. Pronounce "o-" and "-nee-" in the manner described previously
Step 3. Say "sa"
The syllable "-sa-" in the suffix "-san" is pronounced in the same way as the suffix "- sama " is pronounced. The sound produced when pronouncing Japanese letters and words is consistent and does not vary from word to word, except for certain words. The sound pronounced "n" in Japanese is similar to the sound pronounced "n" in Indonesian. However, this letter may sound like the letter "m", depending on how the speaker pronounces it.
Step 4. Pronounce the word by combining all its syllables
Part 3 of 6: Oneechan and Neechan - Older Sisters (Casual)
Step 1. Divide these two words according to their syllables
- The suffix "-chan " is an honorific title usually used to refer to women. This suffix is used to refer to a small child or girl friend at school in a casual and friendly manner.
- When the honorific "o-" is combined with the suffix "-chan ", the resulting word gives the impression that the speaker greatly admires the person being referred to.
Step 2. Pronounce the words The pronunciation of these two words is the same as the pronunciation of "o-", "-nee-", "n", and "a" described earlier
The digraph "ch" is pronounced the same way as the digraph "ch" in English, for example, chocolate and cheese.
Step 3. Pronounce the word by combining all its syllables
Part 4 of 6: Ane - Older Sister
Step 1. Learn the word "Ane" to refer to an older sister
This word is slightly different from the previous words because it is used to refer to older sister when speaking directly to her. The word " Ane " is used when you "talk" to an older sister.
Note that the syllable "-ne-" usually includes words used to refer to "older sister"
Step 2. Pronounce this word in the same way as previously described
Part 5 of 6: Aneki - Older Sister (Informal)
Step 1. Use this word for very casual interactions
This word is also used to refer to your street gang members.
- The pronunciation of "Ane" is the same as the way of pronouncing it previously.
- The way of pronouncing the syllable "ki" in the word "aneki" is the same as the way the syllable "ki" is pronounced in the words "left-handed" and "kijang". Do not pronounce this syllable long. The ki syllable is pronounced short as previously described.
Step 2. Pronounce the word by combining all its syllables
Say Aneki.
Part 6 of 6: Imouto - Little Sister
Step 1. Say "Imouto" for "little sister"
Usually Japanese speakers refer to their younger sister by name. Therefore, the word imouto does not need to be used to refer to a younger sister.
- Don't add the honorific "- chan " or "- kun " at the end of the word. This honorary title is only combined with "imouto" when you are rude and demeaning to a little sister.
- Add the suffix "-san " when talking about someone else's younger sister.
- To pronounce the digraph "-ou-", you must pronounce the vowel "o" as long as you pronounce the long "e" in " oneechan ".
- The pronunciation of the vowels "i" and "o" is the same as the pronunciation described previously. The sounds of the pronunciation of "m" and "t" sound like the sounds of the letters "m" and "t" in Indonesian, such as "drink" and "hat".
