Long vowels

[ruthgrant016467]

Hi, I just wondered how this name is pronounced: Kohei.

I though the i was being used as a long vowel indicator, so it would be "kohe-e", but I thought I hear it pronounced with the two vowels - "kohe+i".

If the later is the case, how can you tell if it's a long vowel or a diphthong?

[mewes6190]

Hello,

the "I" usually doesn't mark a long vowel. Long vowels are generally marked by an U or ー in Katakana or, in Romaji, with an ō.
Sometimes vowels sound longer when there are two in a row, like in atarashii. But even here, to my ear, it sounds as if there are two "I"s spoken quickly after each other.

Also, I have the impression ( but might be wrong) that diphtongs from two vowels are pretty rare. At least I try to pronounce each vowel in itself and like to think that I also hear them spoken that way. So, I would pronounce kohei more ko-he-i than ko-hei. But I might be wrong here, and japanese native speakers speak really quick anyway, so take it with a grain of salt.

Best
Kurokuma

[community.japanese]

ruthgrant016467-san, kurokuma-san,
thank you very much for the kind help, kurokuma-san!

In Japanese pronunciation, おう (ou) is pronounced as long "o" sound, just like おお (oo)
and えい (ei) is pronounced as long "e", like ええ (ee).
For example, the word とけい meaning watch or clock is written as "to ke i", but it's pronounced
like "tokee". The word for father is おとうさん with う in the middle.
This word is "o to u sa n" but pronounced as "otoosan" with long "o"

So, こうへい (ko u he i) is pronounced as "koohee" with long "o" and "e"

Natsuko(奈津子),
Team JapanesePod101.com

[mewes6190]

奈津子さん、
I didn't know that!!
I actually never read or heard, that えい is pronounced ええ. I always pronounce it と-け-い!

That's actually some big information for me, thank you.

So, ruthgrant-san, you might better go with what 奈津子先生 said, she obviously knows far better than me.
(And boy, am I glad about that! )

ではまた
くろくま

[community.japanese]

くろくまさん、
そうですか。 Glad I could help you too!

Natsuko (奈津子),
Team JapanesePod101.com