Za Ji Zu
Hiragana 2
Chapter 3 Β· Za Ji Zu
πΈ The Z Row Begins β γ γ γ
The dakuten goes on the S row now, turning s into z to make γ (za), γ (ji) and γ (zu). With these three, one of the most useful phrases in the language is yours: γγγγ¨γγγγγΎγ, "thank you". Romaji is shown for everything.
| Plain | With γ | Sound before | Sound now |
|---|---|---|---|
| γ | γ | sa | za |
| γ | γ | shi | ji |
| γ | γ | su | zu |
| a | i | u | e | o | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| s | γ | γ | γ | γ | γ |
| z (s + γ) | γ | γ | γ | γ | γ |
The three highlighted characters are today's. γ and γ come in Chapter 4.
β¨ Three New Characters β γ γ γ
π Read It β New Words
The first two entries are phrases you'll use every day. Read the Japanese first, then check the romaji.
| # | Word | Romaji | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | γγγγ¨γγγγγΎγ | arigatΕ gozaimasu | thank you (polite) | a-ri-ga-tΕ go-za-i-ma-su: the polite form of γγγγ¨γ |
| 2 | γγ―γγγγγγΎγ | ohayΕ gozaimasu | good morning (polite) | o-ha-yΕ go-za-i-ma-su |
| 3 | γγγ | jikan | time | ji-ka-n |
| 4 | γΏγ | mizu | water | mi-zu |
| 5 | γγγ | jishin | earthquake | ji-shi-n: a word worth knowing in Japan |
| 6 | γ²γ | hiza | knee | hi-za |
| 7 | γγγ | kazan | volcano | ka-za-n |
| 8 | γγγγ | zannen | too bad; a pity | za-n-ne-n |
| 9 | γγγ | jiyΕ« | freedom | ji-yΕ«: the γγ is a long u |
| 10 | γγ | kizu | scratch; wound | ki-zu |
βοΈ Try It Yourself β γγγγ γ
Say each answer out loud first, then click to check.
1. Read aloud: γ Β· γ Β· γ
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za Β· ji Β· zu
2. Read aloud and translate: γγγ Β· γΏγ Β· γγγ
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jikan (time) Β· mizu (water) Β· jishin (earthquake)
3. Read aloud and translate: γ²γ Β· γγγ Β· γγγγ
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hiza (knee) Β· kazan (volcano) Β· zannen (too bad)
4. Read aloud: γγγγ¨γγγγγΎγ. When do you use it instead of γγγγ¨γ?
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arigatΕ gozaimasu. Use it with strangers, shop staff, colleagues and elders; γγγγ¨γ is for friends and family.
5. How is γ pronounced, and what is the plain character it comes from?
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ji, like the English "j" of jeep; it comes from γ (shi).
6. Write in hiragana: mizu Β· jikan Β· kizu (check the stroke order).
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γΏγ Β· γγγ Β· γγ