15 Japanese Tongue Twisters to Level Up Your Japanese
Boost Your Japanese Skills with these Japanese Tongue Twisters
Today we will be introducing you to some fantastic tongue twisters in Japanese that are perfect for all learners of Japanese!
BONUS | There are videos after each one so you can hear them being used by native Japanese speakers too and boost your Japanese pronunciation skills!
Why learn tongue twisters in Japanese? Tongue Twisters are fun in any language, but they can prove to be a great way to practice your pronunciation and speak more fluidly.
Not to mention you can surprise the natives with your skills!
The tongue twisters here will be separated into three categories – easy, medium, and hard.
Try them out and let us know what you think of them. Has your Japanese improved?
Japanese Tongue Twisters || Easy
Japanese Tongue Twisters || Medium
Japanese Tongue Twisters || Hard
Japanese Tongue Twisters || FAQs
Japanese Tongue Twisters || Easy
| Kanji | 老若男女 |
| Hiragana | ろうにゃくなんにょ |
| Romaji | Rōnyakunannyo |
| Translation | Men and women of all ages |
| Kanji | 高所作業車 |
| Hiragana | こうしょさぎょうしゃ |
| Romaji | Kōshosagyōsha |
| Translation | Aerial work platform |
| Kanji | 電車好きな車掌さん |
| Hiragana | でんしゃずきなしゃしょうさん |
| Romaji | Densha sukina shashōsan |
| Translation | A conductor who likes trains |
| Kanji | 暖かかった |
| Hiragana | あたたかかった |
| Romaji | Atatakakatta |
| Translation | It was warm |
| Kanji | 東京特許許可局 |
| Hiragana | とうきょうとっきょきょかきょく |
| Romaji | Tōkyō tokkyo kyoka kyoku |
| Translation | Tokyo license approval office |
Japanese Tongue Twisters || Medium
| Kanji | 首相は酢醤油がお好き |
| Hiragana | しゅしょうはすじょうゆがおすき |
| Romaji | Shushō ha sujōyu ga osuki |
| Translation | The prime minister likes vinegar soy sauce |
| Kanji | 馬屋の前の濡れ生麦わら |
| Hiragana | うまやのまえのぬれなまむぎわら |
| Romaji | Umaya no mae no nure nama mugiwara |
| Translation | Wet fresh hay in front of the stables |
| Kanji | 駒込のわがまま者中野の怠け者 |
| Hiragana | こまごめのわがままものなかののなまけもの |
| Romaji | Komagome no wagamamamono nakano no namakemono |
| Translation | Komagome’s selfish person; Nakano’s lazy person (Komagome and Nakano are places) |
FUN FACT | This next one isn’t just a Japanese tongue twister, it’s also an idiom!
| Kanji | 青は藍より出でて藍より青し |
| Hiragana | あおはあいよりいでてあいよりあおし |
| Romaji | Aohaaiyoriideteaiyoriaoshi |
| Translation | Literal Meaning: Blue dye comes from the indigo plant and is bluer than indigo Meaning: The student has become the master |
| Kanji | 隣の客はよく柿食う客だ |
| Hiragana | となりのきゃくはよくかきくうきゃくだ |
| Romaji | Tonari no kyaku ha yoku kaki kū kyaku da |
| Translation | The guest next door is the guest that often eats persimmons |
Japanese Tongue Twisters || Hard
| Kanji | 魔術師手術中､手術中集中術著述 |
| Hiragana | まじゅつししゅじゅつちゅう､しゅじゅつちゅうしゅうちゅうじゅつちょじゅつ |
| Romaji | Majutsushi shujutsuchū､shujutsuchū shūchū jutsu chojutsu |
| Translation | Books on magicians’ sleight of hand and concentration on slight of hand |
| Kanji | 商社の社長が調査書捜査中 |
| Hiragana | しょうしゃのしゃちょうが ちょうさしょそうさちゅう |
| Romaji | Shōsha no shachō ga chōsasho sōsachū |
| Translation | The president of the trading company is investigating the report |
| Kanji | 赤アロエ飴 青アロエ飴 黄アロエ飴 |
| Hiragana | あかあろえあめ あおあろえあめ きあろえあめ |
| Romaji | Akaaroeame aoaroeame kiaroeame |
| Translation | Red aero candy, blue aero candy, yellow aero candy |
| Kanji | 旅客機１００機客各１００人 |
| Hiragana | りょかっきひゃっきゃくかくひゃくにん |
| Romaji | Ryokakki hyak kyaku kaku hyakunin |
| Translation | 100 passenger planes each have 100 passengers |
| Kanji | 国語.熟語.述語.主語 |
| Hiragana | こくご.じゅくご.じゅつご.しゅご |
| Romaji | Kokugo.jukugo.jutsugo.shugo |
| Translation | Language, idiom, predicate, subject |
There we have it.
15 of our favourite Japanese tongue twisters!
Learning Japanese tongue twisters is a fun way to get to grips with Japanese pronunciation and learn something about the culture at the same time.
Did you like them? Which was your favourite?
Why not tell us below in the comments. Or do you think you’ve got a harder tongue twister? Write it below and we’ll rate it out of ten!
BONUS | Can’t get enough of tongue twisters? Have you had a look at Chinese tongue twisters and Russian tongue twisters, or have a laugh with some of our favourite Japanese jokes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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No matter your level, learn how to improve your listening skills in Japanese by reading this article telling you some of our best tips and tricks.
Where can I learn more about Japanese grammar?
We have a very useful Japanese grammar bank that covers various parts of Japanese grammar.
What is the JLPT?
The JLPT is the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, which can be used to certify your Japanese skills for work, school, or personal progress.
Read our Guide to the JLPT to learn more!
Where can I learn more about Japanese holidays?
There are a number of Japanese holidays celebrated throughout the year, such as Tanabata.
You can learn more about what they are, when they’re held, and why they’re special by checking our Japanese national holidays page.
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