Translation guide
The study of speech sounds. In Japanese, this is usually expressed with the term 音声学 (おんせいがく). For everyday contexts like 'the phonetics of a word', use 発音 (はつおん) or describe the sounds directly.
Referring to phonetics as a branch of linguistics.
The standard academic term for phonetics.
Talking about how a word is pronounced, its phonetic transcription, or sound structure.
Referring to the set of sounds or phonetic characteristics of a language.
Phonetic system or sound system. Used in linguistic contexts.
音声学 is strictly the academic field. If you say 「この単語の音声学を教えて」 it sounds unnatural. Use 発音 instead.
He is majoring in phonetics at university.
The most common and natural way to refer to the pronunciation of a word.
Please tell me the pronunciation of this word.
Phonetic transcription or notation. Used when specifically referring to written phonetic symbols.
The dictionary includes phonetic transcriptions.
Phonetic symbols (like IPA). Commonly used by learners.
Can you read phonetic symbols?
The phonetics of Japanese are relatively simple.
Phonological system. Often overlaps with 'phonetics' in casual use, but technically refers to phonology.
The phonetics of English and Japanese differ greatly.