Translation guide
In Japanese, intonation refers to the pitch patterns over words and sentences. Unlike English, where intonation often conveys emotion or sentence type, Japanese uses pitch accent for word distinction and sentence-final intonation for questions and nuance. This guide covers how to express and understand intonation in Japanese.
The rise and fall of pitch within a word that distinguishes meaning.
The standard term for pitch accent, referring to the high-low pitch pattern within words.
日本語の高低アクセントは地域によって異なります。
Japanese pitch accent varies by region.
Commonly used to mean 'pitch accent' in context, though it can also mean 'stress accent' in other languages.
この単語のアクセントを教えてください。
Please tell me the accent of this word.
A loanword used in linguistic contexts to specifically refer to pitch accent.
日本語はピッチアクセント言語です。
Japanese is a pitch accent language.
The rise and fall of pitch across a sentence, affecting meaning and nuance.
The most common term for sentence-level intonation, borrowed from English.
疑問文ではイントネーションが上がります。
In questions, the intonation rises.
Refers to modulation or inflection in voice, often used for emotional or expressive intonation.
Tone or intonation, often used in literary or formal contexts to describe the overall tone of speech.
The specific rise in pitch at the end of a sentence to indicate a question.
Describes the rising intonation at the end of a sentence, commonly used in yes-no questions.
「行きますか？」は文末の上昇調で発音されます。
"Ikimasu ka?" is pronounced with rising intonation at the end.
The particle か with rising intonation forms a question. Without rising intonation, it may sound rhetorical or confirmatory.
そうですか？↗
Is that so? (with rising intonation)
Using pitch variation to express emotions like surprise, anger, or emphasis.
Refers to intonation used for emphasis, often with a higher pitch on the emphasized word.
「本当に？」と強調のイントネーションで言った。
He said "Really?" with emphatic intonation.
A phrase meaning 'way of speaking with emotion', often involving intonation changes.
感情を込めた言い方で感謝を伝えた。
He expressed his gratitude with emotional intonation.
Japanese is not a tonal language like Chinese. Pitch accent distinguishes words, but changing the pitch does not change the lexical meaning as drastically as tones do. Sentence intonation conveys questions and emotions, not word meanings.
To improve your Japanese intonation, listen for the pitch drop in words (the 'accent kernel') and the overall rise or fall at the end of sentences. Mimicking native speakers' pitch patterns is key.
彼の話し方には抑揚がない。
His way of speaking lacks intonation.
Speak with a stronger intonation.