Translation guide
How to refer to phonetic symbols in Japanese, including IPA and other transcription systems.
phonetic symbol
The learner wants to refer to a phonetic symbol in general, such as in linguistics or language learning.
The standard term for 'phonetic symbol' in Japanese. It literally means 'pronunciation symbol' and is widely understood.
What is this phonetic symbol?
It's tough to memorize English phonetic symbols.
A more technical term, often used in linguistics. '音声' means 'speech sound'.
We represent pronunciation using phonetic symbols.
The learner specifically means a symbol from the International Phonetic Alphabet.
The Japanese name for the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Often abbreviated as IPA in Japanese as well.
In the IPA, this sound is represented as /ʃ/.
The abbreviation 'IPA' is commonly used in Japanese linguistic contexts, pronounced as 'ai-pii-ee'.
Please tell me how to type IPA symbols.
The learner is talking about phonetic transcription as a writing system, not individual symbols.
Refers to the act or system of writing in phonetic symbols.
This dictionary uses phonetic transcription.
In everyday conversation about language learning, '発音記号' (hatsuon kigou) is the most natural term. '音声記号' (onsei kigou) sounds more academic.
If you can't read phonetic symbols, you won't know the correct pronunciation.