Translation guide
A consonant is a speech sound that is not a vowel. In Japanese, consonants are almost always followed by a vowel, except for ん (n) and sometimes っ (small tsu). This guide covers how to talk about consonants, consonant sounds, and related linguistic terms.
子音
consonant (linguistics)
Referring to the category of speech sounds that are not vowels.
The standard linguistic term for 'consonant'. Used in technical contexts, language learning, and phonetics.
日本語の子音はほとんど母音と一緒に現れます。
Japanese consonants almost always appear together with a vowel.
「k」は無声軟口蓋破裂音という子音です。
'K' is a consonant called a voiceless velar plosive.
Refers specifically to a consonant letter (as opposed to a vowel letter). Used when talking about writing systems.
英語のアルファベットには21の子音字があります。
The English alphabet has 21 consonant letters.
Talking about a particular consonant sound within a word or pronunciation.
Same word as above, but used to refer to a specific instance. Context makes it clear.
この単語の最初の子音は何ですか？
What is the first consonant in this word?
Literally 'consonant sound', used for clarity when distinguishing from the abstract concept or letter.
「r」と「l」の子音の音の違いを説明してください。
Please explain the difference between the consonant sounds of 'r' and 'l'.
Describing how consonants combine with vowels in kana or pronunciation.
Pattern meaning 'consonant + vowel'. Used when explaining Japanese syllable structure.
ひらがなは基本的に子音＋母音の組み合わせです。
Hiragana is basically a combination of consonant + vowel.
Can be used in this context as well, e.g., 'consonant part'.
「か」の子音部分は「k」です。
The consonant part of 'ka' is 'k'.
Referring to a sequence of consonants without intervening vowels, which is rare in Japanese.
Technical term for 'consonant cluster'. Used in linguistics and language teaching.
英語には「spring」のように子音連結がよくあります。
English often has consonant clusters, like in 'spring'.
A slightly less technical way to say 'consonant cluster', literally 'sequence of consonants'.
日本語では子音の連続はあまりありません。
In Japanese, there aren't many sequences of consonants.
Except for ん (n) and sometimes っ (small tsu), Japanese consonants are always followed by a vowel. This is a key difference from English, where consonants can appear alone or in clusters.