Welcome to Day 2 of your 100-day challenge to conquer JLPT N5! Yesterday, we explored the basics of Hiragana, the foundation of Japanese writing.

Today, we zoom in on the five Hiragana vowels—あいうえお (a, i, u, e, o)—the building blocks of every syllable in Japanese. Mastering these vowels is like learning the ABCs of Japanese: essential for reading, writing, and speaking. With just 15–20 minutes daily, you’ll build confidence and momentum toward your JLPT N5 prep goal.

Let’s make these vowels your new best friends!

Main Lesson: Mastering Hiragana Vowels Step-by-Step

Hiragana is a phonetic script where each character represents a sound, and the five vowels—あ (a), い (i), う (u), え (e), お (o)—are the heart of it.

Unlike English, where vowels can sound wildly different (think “cat” vs. “cake”), Japanese vowels are consistent and simple. They appear alone or combine with consonants to form syllables like か (ka) or す (su).

Today, we focus on these standalone vowels to build a strong foundation for JLPT N5 prep.

Why Focus on Vowels?

• Core of Pronunciation: Every Japanese syllable includes a vowel sound, so mastering these is key to speaking clearly.
• Reading Foundation: Vowels appear in every Hiragana word, from こんにちは (konnichiwa) to ありがとう (arigatou).
• Cultural Note: Vowels are prominent in Japanese culture, like in children’s songs (e.g., “A-I-U-E-O” rhymes) or simple words on shop signs. Spotting あいうえお in daily life makes learning feel alive!

Pronunciation Guide

Japanese vowels are short, crisp, and consistent. Here’s how to say them, with Romaji (Romanized Japanese) as a guide:

• あ (a): Like “ah” in “father.” Open your mouth naturally.
• い (i): Like “ee” in “see.” A clear, high sound.
• う (u): Like “oo” in “book,” but shorter, with relaxed lips (not tightly pursed like English “oo” in “moon”).
• え (e): Like “eh” in “bed.” Short and flat.
• お (o): Like “oh” in “go.” Round and steady.

Pro Tip: Japanese is rhythmic—each vowel takes the same amount of time to say. Practice saying あいうえお slowly and evenly, like a metronome: “Ah-ee-oo-eh-oh.”

Step-by-Step Learning

1. Memorize Shapes and Sounds:

• Write each vowel 10 times, following stroke order (check the image below).
• Say them aloud as you write: あ (a), い (i), う (u), え (e), お (o).

2. Recognize in Words:

• Many simple Japanese words use vowels alone or start with them.
  Examples:
  • あい (ai, love): あ + い
  • うえ (ue, above): う + え
  • おおい (ooi, a lot): お + お + い

Practice Section: Let’s try a typing game!

Type and remember the Japanese vowels!

Conclusion: Wrap-Up and Next Steps

Today, you’ve mastered the five Hiragana vowels—あいうえお—the cornerstone of Japanese pronunciation and reading. You’ve practiced their shapes, sounds, and simple words, setting a strong foundation for JLPT N5 prep. Keep practicing daily to make these vowels second nature!

Tomorrow: “Day 3: Hiragana K-Row (Ka, Ki, Ku, Ke, Ko).” Don’t miss it—consistency is your key to success!