Translation guide
How to refer to phonetic symbols in Japanese, including IPA and other transcription systems.
発音記号
phonetic symbol
The learner wants to refer to a phonetic symbol in general, such as in linguistics or language learning.
The standard term for 'phonetic symbol' in Japanese. It literally means 'pronunciation symbol' and is widely understood.
この発音記号は何ですか？
What is this phonetic symbol?
英語の発音記号を覚えるのは大変です。
It's tough to memorize English phonetic symbols.
A more technical term, often used in linguistics. '音声' means 'speech sound'.
音声記号を使って発音を表します。
We represent pronunciation using phonetic symbols.
The learner specifically means a symbol from the International Phonetic Alphabet.
The Japanese name for the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). Often abbreviated as IPA in Japanese as well.
国際音声記号では、この音は /ʃ/ で表されます。
In the IPA, this sound is represented as /ʃ/.
The abbreviation 'IPA' is commonly used in Japanese linguistic contexts, pronounced as 'ai-pii-ee'.
IPAの記号を入力する方法を教えてください。
Please tell me how to type IPA symbols.
The learner is talking about phonetic transcription as a writing system, not individual symbols.
Refers to the act or system of writing in phonetic symbols.
この辞書は発音記号表記を使っています。
This dictionary uses phonetic transcription.
In everyday conversation about language learning, '発音記号' (hatsuon kigou) is the most natural term. '音声記号' (onsei kigou) sounds more academic.
発音記号が読めないと、正しい発音がわからない。
If you can't read phonetic symbols, you won't know the correct pronunciation.