Can you guess what "papapi" means?

PUBLIC_FLAG_#{@journal.pf_int} RSS feed of Micamelia's latest journal entries May 16th 2009 01:49 japanese sound pronunciation vowels
PaPaPi Pa PePo Pa PuPi PePu.


This is a Japanese sentence made by substituting /P/ for each consonant.
Can you guess the original sentence?
If it's read with the right intonation, most Japanese speakers can easily guess what it means.
On the other hand, it's very difficult if it's read with different vowels.
It shows the importance of vowels in the Japanese language.

The original sentence of the sentence above is:
わたしは、ねこがすきです。
watashi wa neko ga suki desu. (= I like cats.)
You can substitute other consonants as well:
MaMaMi Ma MeMo Ma MuMi MeMu.
KaKaKi Ka KeKo Ka KuKi KeKu.


Stage actors and actresses often practice their lines with only vowels so that they can pronounce every word very clearly.
(i.e. "ああいあ、えおあういえう" for "わたしは、ねこがすきです".)
Therefore, I recommend you try to be conscious of vowels when you practice speaking Japanese. :)
May 16th 2009 02:56

  • Can you guess the original?
  • Can you guess the original phrase?

 

  • The original of the sentence above was:
  • The original version of the sentence above was is:

 
Very interesting. I had a Japanese friend listen to it, and he was able to guess after a few tries. I, of course, had no idea.

Daniel
May 16th 2009 04:28 Tyler

  • It shows the inportance of the vowels in the Japanese language.
  • It shows the importance of the vowels in the Japanese language.

 
Haha... there's no way I would have been able to guess what that sentence was. ^_^
May 16th 2009 11:51 Nik

あめりあさん!お元気ですか?

HAHAHAHA! That's really interesting! いつも面白いことを書いてくれてありがとう!!いつも、「全然知らなかった」と思いながら読みます。笑

Also, thank you very much for the pointer when speaking Japanese to enunciate the vowels!! :)) That will really come in handy, I think!
May 16th 2009 17:52

That's very interesting!
May 17th 2009 13:18 Micamelia

- Hi dkillack,
Thanks for the corrections!

- Hi Tyler,
Thanks for the correction and comment!

- Hi Nik,
Thanks for your comment!
元気だよー。
これは、おもしろいよね!ぜひ練習してみてね。(^_^)

- Hi daveng,
Thanks!
May 17th 2009 13:51

Amelia,

Can I download the clips from "snap" that website?
May 18th 2009 15:34 nutvinegar44

Very interesting post! Many times when I am misunderstood in Japanese, I'm speaking too fast and start to slur my vowels. I'll have to practice your suggestion.
May 18th 2009 23:31 Rational Humano

Thank you for this very helpful tip. This is perfect for me to work on my pronunciation.
May 22nd 2009 03:14 ☆ Yume♪

:D tanoshikatta ^^

Journals Statistics

Latest entry

See more >>

Latest comments

See more >>

Entries by Month