Intonation: The Key to Avoiding Misunderstandings

Intonation plays a vital role in Japanese, as it can change the meaning of a sentence or the speaker’s intention. In Japanese, intonation is characterized by pitch accents, where certain syllables are pronounced at a higher pitch. For example, the word "はし" (hashi) can mean either “chopsticks” or “bridge,” depending on the pitch accent. When referring to “chopsticks,” the first syllable is pronounced at a higher pitch (Hashi), while for “bridge,” the second syllable is higher (haShi).

Sentence intonation also conveys different meanings. A falling intonation at the end of a sentence typically indicates a statement, as in "今日はいい天気です" (Kyō wa ii tenki desu - It’s a nice day today). In contrast, a rising intonation at the end makes the sentence a question, such as "今日はいい天気ですか？" (Kyō wa ii tenki desu ka? - Is it a nice day today?). To improve intonation, learners should mimic the rhythm and pitch patterns of native speakers. Listening to Japanese podcasts, news broadcasts (such as NHK Ryugaku), and dramas and imitating the intonation of the characters can be highly effective. Recording oneself speaking and comparing it to native examples also helps identify areas for improvement.