Vowels
ア (a) : Axe
イ (i) : Easel Stand viewed from Side
ウ (uh) : Angular Hiragana う (Boxer Punched in the Stomach) ヴ (vh)
INFO
ヴis an dakuten version ofウwhich is unique to Katakana- It is used to show the “v” sound but since Japanese does not have the “v” sound most people pronounce it as the “b” sound
エ (e) : Elevator Doors
オ (o) : Opera Singer
NOTE
In Katakana のばしぼう “Stretching bar” (ー) are used to represent Long Vowels Sounds unlike in Hiragana where the vowel would be repreated twice
Vowel Digraph
イェ (ye)
ウィ (wi)
ウェ (we)
ウォ (wo)
ヴァ (va)
ヴィ (vi)
ヴェ (ve)
ヴォ (vo)
INFO
Since Japanese cannot distinguish between “v” and “b” the last line is also pronounced as “ba”, “bi”, “be”, “bo”
Expressions
- ア!
- Realizing something
- イー!
- Annoyance
- ウー…
- Dislike or bad feelings
- オー!
- Amazed, Admiration
- エ!
- Surprised
Example Words
- エア
- Air
- イェイ!
- Yay!
- ウィー
- Wii (Nintendo)
- ウェア
- Wear (Clothing)
- エーアイ
- AI (Artificial Intelligence)