Beginner pronunciation

[parodice29]

Hi

I have just started learning Japanese but i am having difficulty with the letter "R" in many words.

I started using a book which broke down the pronunciation of each word but when hearing live japanese on this site it was completely different more of an L sound.

Could anybody give me advise on how to pronounce R or if/when the sound changes to more of an L sound.

Thanks

[kc8ufv]

Hi

I have just started learning Japanese but i am having difficulty with the letter "R" in many words.

I started using a book which broke down the pronunciation of each word but when hearing live japanese on this site it was completely different more of an L sound.

Could anybody give me advise on how to pronounce R or if/when the sound changes to more of an L sound.

Thanks

The sound is about half way between an R and an L. I take it your first language is English. Your mind is probably matching the sounds of 「らりるれろ」 to either "ra ri ru re ro" or "la li lu le lo" depending on the speaker. I'd recommend looking at the learning center, and either kana chart with audio. (link requires premium subscription). There are half a dozen different speakers available to listen to (3 male, 3 female). Simply listen and repeat. Try to sound like speakers of the same gender as yourself.

[Belton]

If you don't have a premium subscription you can find a pronunciation chart here.
http://www.hellonavi.com/foldera/html/h ... sei01.html

And quite a fun one here, but it has childrens voices.
http://www.apa-apa.net/~aiueaoi/

[Fedgrub]

The trick is to roll the "R" with your tongue off the roof of your mouth which makes it sort of sound like "rla" if you are trying to sound out "ra".