長音
ちょ
う
お
ん
Meanings
1
long vowel; prolonged sound
Linguistic term for a long vowel or sustained sound in Japanese phonology. Often contrasted with 短音 (short sound).
See also: 短音
In Japanese, the presence or absence of a long vowel changes the meaning between 'obasan' (aunt) and 'obaasan' (grandmother).
A long vowel is pronounced by extending the vowel sound.