今日 (きょう) vs 器用 (きよう): the pronunciation difference
今日 (きょう) says きょ as one beat (2 beats); 器用 (きよう) splits it into き・よ (3 beats).
Meaning and beats
| Example | Meaning | Beats |
|---|---|---|
| 今日きょう · kyou | today |
|
| 器用きよう · kiyou | skillful / dexterous |
|
What changes
今日 (きょう) says きょ as one beat (2 beats); 器用 (きよう) splits it into き・よ (3 beats).
Japanese contracted sounds (yōon) are kana with a small ゃ, ゅ or ょ, said together as one beat. Split them and 病院 (hospital) becomes 美容院 (hair salon).
In a sentence
- 今日は家で仕事をします。
- 友達は手先が器用です。
Test yourself
Record one of the words. Mora compares your recording with that word and with its pair, then shows which one it sounds closer to.