Hya Hyu Hyo
Hiragana 3
Chapter 6 Β· Hya Hyu Hyo
πΈ Combined Sounds IV β γ²γ γ²γ γ²γ and γ³γ γ³γ γ³γ
Two more rows with the same rule, and this time a practical bonus: the numbers for hundreds, and a famous trap, hospital versus beauty salon. The characters are γ² and γ³ plus a small γ, γ or γ. Romaji is shown for everything.
𧩠The Rule Again β ζι³
One more pair of rows: γ² and its voiced partner γ³ plus a small γ, γ or γ. The same rule: one beat. Today's words give you the numbers for hundreds, and the word for a hospital.
| γ (ya) | γ (yu) | γ (yo) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| γ² (hi) | γ²γ hya | γ²γ hyu | γ²γ hyo |
| γ³ (bi) | γ³γ bya | γ³γ byu | γ³γ byo |
The pattern follows the plain character: γ² (hi) gives hya hyu hyo, and γ³ (bi) gives bya byu byo.
π― The Hundreds
Counting in hundreds shows a sound change you will meet again: after some numbers, γ²γγ turns into γ³γγ.
| Number | Hiragana | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | γ²γγ | hyaku |
| 200 | γ«γ²γγ | nihyaku |
| 300 | γγγ³γγ | sanbyaku (γ³γ: the sound changes) |
| 400 | γγγ²γγ | yonhyaku |
| 500 | γγ²γγ | gohyaku |
| 700 | γͺγͺγ²γγ | nanahyaku |
| 900 | γγ γγ²γγ | kyΕ«hyaku |
600 (γγ£γ΄γγ) and 800 (γ―γ£γ΄γγ) use the P version, γ΄γ, which comes in the next chapter.
| Hospital or� | Say it | English |
|---|---|---|
| γ³γγγγ | byΕin | hospital |
| γ³γγγγ | biyΕin | beauty salon |
| γ²γγ | hyΕ | chart; table |
| γ²γγ | hiyΕ | cost; expense |
π Read It β New Words
Read the Japanese first, then check the romaji.
| # | Word | Romaji | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | γ²γγ | hyaku | one hundred | hya-ku |
| 2 | γ«γ²γγ | nihyaku | two hundred | ni-hya-ku |
| 3 | γγγ³γγ | sanbyaku | three hundred | sa-n-bya-ku: γ²γ becomes γ³γ after γ |
| 4 | γ²γγγγ | hyakuen | one hundred yen | hya-ku-e-n: the most useful coin |
| 5 | γ²γγ | hyΕ | chart; table | hyΕ: γγ is a long Ε |
| 6 | γ³γγγγ | byΕin | hospital | byΕ-i-n |
| 7 | γ³γγγ | byΕki | illness | byΕ-ki |
| 8 | γ²γγγγγ | hyΕjΕ | facial expression | hyΕ-jΕ: two combined sounds in a row |
| 9 | γ²γ γγ²γ γ | hyΕ«hyΕ« | whistling (wind) | hyΕ«-hyΕ«: a mimetic word |
| 10 | γ³γ γγ³γ γ | byunbyun | whooshing (fast wind) | byu-n-byu-n: a mimetic word |
βοΈ Try It Yourself β γγγγ γ
Say each answer out loud first, then click to check.
1. How are γ²γ and γ³γ romanised?
Show answer
hya and bya.
2. Read aloud and translate: γ²γγ Β· γ«γ²γγ Β· γγγ³γγ
Show answer
hyaku (100) Β· nihyaku (200) Β· sanbyaku (300)
3. What is the difference between γ³γγγγ and γ³γγγγ?
Show answer
γ³γγγγ (byΕin) is a hospital; γ³γγγγ (biyΕin) is a beauty salon.
4. Read aloud and translate: γ³γγγ Β· γ²γγ Β· γ²γγγγ
Show answer
byΕki (illness) Β· hyΕ (chart) Β· hyakuen (100 yen)
5. After which numbers does γ²γγ change to γ³γγ?
Show answer
After 3 (γγ): γγγ³γγ. (600 and 800 use γ΄γ, coming in Chapter 7.)
6. Write in hiragana: hyaku Β· byΕin Β· byΕki (check the small characters).
Show answer
γ²γγ Β· γ³γγγγ Β· γ³γγγ