Kya Kyu Kyo
Hiragana 3
Chapter 3 Β· Kya Kyu Kyo
πΈ Combined Sounds I β γγ γγ γγ and γγ γγ γγ
Now the third and last big idea in Hiragana 3: combined sounds. They look new, but they are the same trick as before: a character you know, plus a small mark of its own. This chapter introduces the rule with the K and G rows, six sounds in all. Romaji is shown for everything.
𧩠The Rule β ζι³
A combined sound (yΕon) is made from an γ-row character plus a small γ, γ or γ. The small character is written about half size, low and to the right, and the two together make one beat: γ + γ = γγ (kya).
| γ (ya) | γ (yu) | γ (yo) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| γ (ki) | γγ kya | γγ kyu | γγ kyo |
| γ (gi) | γγ gya | γγ gyu | γγ gyo |
Today: the K and G rows. Other rows follow in the next chapters, using exactly the same pattern.
| Two beats | Say it | One beat | Say it |
|---|---|---|---|
| γγ | ki-ya | γγ | kya |
| γγ | ki-yo | γγ | kyo |
π Read It β New Words
Read the Japanese first, then check the romaji. Remember: each combined sound is one beat.
| # | Word | Romaji | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | γγγ | kyΕ | today | kyo-u: γγ is a long o, as in Chapter 2 |
| 2 | γγγγ¨ | KyΕto | Kyoto | kyΕ-to |
| 3 | γγγ | kyaku | guest; customer | kya-ku |
| 4 | γγγγγ€ | kyΕshitsu | classroom | kyΕ-shi-tsu |
| 5 | γγγγ γ | kyΕdai | brothers and sisters; siblings | kyΕ-da-i |
| 6 | γγγγ | kyonen | last year | kyo-ne-n |
| 7 | γγ γγ«γ | gyΕ«niku | beef | gyΕ«-ni-ku: γ γ is a long u |
| 8 | γγγγ | gyΕza | gyoza (dumplings) | gyΕ-za |
| 9 | γγ γγ | kyΕ«ri | cucumber | kyΕ«-ri |
| 10 | γγγ | gyaku | opposite; reverse | gya-ku |
βοΈ Try It Yourself β γγγγ γ
Say each answer out loud first, then click to check.
1. How many beats are in γγ, and how many in γγ?
Show answer
γγ: one (kya). γγ: two (ki-ya).
2. What does the small γ γ γ do?
Show answer
It joins the character before it (an γ-row character) into one combined sound: γ + γ = kya.
3. Read aloud and translate: γγγ Β· γγγγ¨ Β· γγγ
Show answer
kyΕ (today) Β· KyΕto (Kyoto) Β· kyaku (guest)
4. Read aloud and translate: γγ γγ«γ Β· γγγγ Β· γγ γγ
Show answer
gyΕ«niku (beef) Β· gyΕza (gyoza) Β· kyΕ«ri (cucumber)
5. What is the sound of γγ at the end of a word like γγγ?
Show answer
A long Ε: kyΕ (kyo + a long o).
6. Write in hiragana: kyΕ Β· kyΕdai Β· gyΕza (check the small γ).
Show answer
γγγ Β· γγγγ γ Β· γγγγ