Japanese Word-Inflection and Rendaku Rules209

Rendaku is a Japanese phonological rule that causes the first consonant of a word to become voiced if it is preceded by certain particles or auxiliaries. This rule is found in both modern Japanese and in older forms of the language, such as Classical Japanese.

The following are the general rules for rendaku:
The first consonant of a word is voiced if it is preceded by the particles ga, ni, o, or e.
The first consonant of a word is voiced if it is preceded by the auxiliary verbs suru, naru, or kuru.
The first consonant of a word is not voiced if it is preceded by the particle wa or by a vowel.

There are a few exceptions to these general rules. For example, the first consonant of a word is not voiced if it is preceded by the particles to or kara. Additionally, the first consonant of a word is not voiced if it is a voiceless consonant, such as k, t, p, s, h, or f.

Rendaku can have a significant effect on the meaning of a word. For example, the word hana means "flower", while the word bana means "nose". The difference in meaning is due to the fact that the first consonant of the word bana is voiced, while the first consonant of the word hana is not.

Rendaku is a complex phonological rule, but it is an important part of Japanese grammar. By understanding the rules of rendaku, learners of Japanese can improve their pronunciation and avoid making mistakes.

Examples of Rendaku

Here are some examples of rendaku in action:
ga + hito → ga hito (person)
ni + yama → ni yama (mountain)
o + kawa → o kawa (river)
e + ie → e ie (house)
suru + taberu → suru taberu (to eat)
naru + kuru → naru kuru (to become)
kuru + hanasu → kuru hanasu (to speak)

Exceptions to Rendaku

There are a few exceptions to the general rules of rendaku. For example, the first consonant of a word is not voiced if it is preceded by the particles to or kara. Additionally, the first consonant of a word is not voiced if it is a voiceless consonant, such as k, t, p, s, h, or f.

Here are some examples of exceptions to rendaku:
to + hito → to hito (person)
kara + yama → kara yama (mountain)
o + kau → o kau (to buy)
e + fude → e fude (brush)
suru + kau → suru kau (to buy)
naru + kuru → naru kuru (to become)
kuru + hanasu → kuru hanasu (to speak)

2025-01-16

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