Translation guide
The study of speech sounds. In Japanese, this is usually expressed with the term 音声学 (おんせいがく). For everyday contexts like 'the phonetics of a word', use 発音 (はつおん) or describe the sounds directly.
Referring to phonetics as a branch of linguistics.
Talking about how a word is pronounced, its phonetic transcription, or sound structure.
Referring to the set of sounds or phonetic characteristics of a language.
Phonetic system or sound system. Used in linguistic contexts.
日本語の音声体系は比較的単純だ。
The phonetics of Japanese are relatively simple.
音声学 is strictly the academic field. If you say 「この単語の音声学を教えて」 it sounds unnatural. Use 発音 instead.
The standard academic term for phonetics.
彼は大学で音声学を専攻している。
He is majoring in phonetics at university.
The most common and natural way to refer to the pronunciation of a word.
この単語の発音を教えてください。
Please tell me the pronunciation of this word.
Phonetic transcription or notation. Used when specifically referring to written phonetic symbols.
辞書には音声表記が載っている。
The dictionary includes phonetic transcriptions.
Phonetic symbols (like IPA). Commonly used by learners.
発音記号が読めますか？
Can you read phonetic symbols?
Phonological system. Often overlaps with 'phonetics' in casual use, but technically refers to phonology.
英語と日本語では音韻体系が大きく異なる。
The phonetics of English and Japanese differ greatly.