Sha Shu Sho
Hiragana 3
Chapter 4 Β· Sha Shu Sho
πΈ Combined Sounds II β γγ γγ γγ and γγ γγ γγ
Same rule as last chapter, on two new rows: γ and γ plus a small γ, γ or γ. Notice that the romaji is sha shu sho and ja ju jo, not "shya" or "jya": the "y" is already inside the sh and j sounds. Romaji is shown for everything.
𧩠The Rule Again β ζι³
The rule has not changed: an γ-row character + a small γ, γ or γ = one beat. Today it is applied to γ and γ.
| γ (ya) | γ (yu) | γ (yo) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| γ (shi) | γγ sha | γγ shu | γγ sho |
| γ (ji) | γγ ja | γγ ju | γγ jo |
Remember: γ is shi and γ is ji, so these combine to sha and ja, not shya.
| Two beats | Say it | One beat | Say it |
|---|---|---|---|
| γγ | shi-ya | γγ | sha |
| γγγ | ji-yΕ« (freedom) | γγ γ | jΕ« (ten) |
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 | γγγγ | shashin | photograph | sha-shi-n |
| 2 | γγ γΏ | shumi | hobby | shu-mi |
| 3 | γγγγ | kaisha | company; workplace | ka-i-sha: you will use this a lot |
| 4 | γγγγ | shΕyu | soy sauce | shΕ-yu |
| 5 | γγγγ | shokuji | meal | sho-ku-ji |
| 6 | γγ γ | jΕ« | ten | jΕ«: γ γ is a long u |
| 7 | γγγγ | jΕzu | skilled; good at | jΕ-zu: used to praise someone |
| 8 | γγ γγγ | jugyΕ | class; lesson | ju-gyΕ |
| 9 | γγγγγ£γγ | shΕgakkΕ | elementary school | shΕ-gak-kΕ: a long Ε, then small γ£, then another long Ε |
| 10 | γγγ | jΔ | well then; so | jΔ: a long a |
βοΈ Try It Yourself β γγγγ γ
Say each answer out loud first, then click to check.
1. How is γγ romanised, and why is it not "shya"?
Show answer
sha: the "y" sound is already part of sh, so there is no extra y.
2. What is the difference between γγ γ and γγγ?
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γγ γ (jΕ«) is ten; γγγ (jiyΕ«) is freedom: small γ gives one beat, full-size γ gives two.
3. Read aloud and translate: γγγγ Β· γγ γΏ Β· γγγγ
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shashin (photograph) Β· shumi (hobby) Β· kaisha (company)
4. Read aloud and translate: γγγγ Β· γγγγ Β· γγγγ
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shΕyu (soy sauce) Β· shokuji (meal) Β· jΕzu (skilled)
5. Read aloud: γγγγγ£γγ. What three ideas from earlier chapters does it use?
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shΕgakkΕ (elementary school): a combined sound, a long Ε (γγ) and a small γ£.
6. Write in hiragana: shumi Β· kaisha Β· jΕzu (check the small characters).
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γγ γΏ Β· γγγγ Β· γγγγ