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Question to Student: Pronouncing za, zu, ze and zo
Course 1 Pre-Lesson A: Pronunciation Key (About This Lesson)

Mikano

Post Date: 2012-01-26 10:37:02

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member since
2011 Apr 21

Questions: 1
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Hi

When I try to pronounce za, zu, ze and zo, I always end up pronouncing them as sa, su, se and so. I have tried, as some other sides hint to, pronounce them with a t-sound in the front, but then I just end up saying tsu instead of zu.
Are there any english words, that in part use the pronounciation of za, zu, ze and zo? (I am not an english native, so that may be my problem... I don't know... Please help)

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Eijioo

Post Date: 2012-01-30 07:17:39

member since
2011 Jun 27

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Maybe this YouTube video link will help. ^^ It seems to be about what you are asking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhVt7gYHOLQ

Mikano

Post Date: 2012-01-31 13:39:55

member since
2011 Apr 21

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Comments: 1

Still no good... The s and z sound the same to me... Maybe if someone could point out the phonology of the z for me, it might help. (My language doesn't use z that much, and when used it is pronounced like an s or more like a c...)

doozyj

Post Date: 2012-02-21 02:04:39

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2003 Dec 17

Questions: 7
Comments: 16

Try and saying the work Suzuki. It is a common brand name that everyone should now, so that should help differentiate the difference.

Lynna

Post Date: 2012-03-06 19:59:21

member since
2010 Jun 20

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I'm not an expert in phonetics, but I've learned some french as well as Japanese, so I know a little about it. Just trying it out right now, I think that when I pronounce "s" my tongue presses more against the roof of my mouth, and when I pronounce "z" my tongue presses a bit more against my teeth, and there is more vibration. I suggest you also listen to the two different consonants in Japanese till you learn to differentiate them