What is the Sokuon?
The sokuon (促音) is a glottal stop or “geminate consonant”—in simpler terms, it creates a short pause before the next consonant, making that sound stronger and more defined.
You’ll recognize it by the small 「っ」 in hiragana, or 「ッ」 in katakana.
Examples:
- がっこう (gakkou) – school
→ Pronounced: ga-[k]kou - きって (kitte) – stamp
→ Pronounced: ki-[t]te - サッカー (sakkā) – soccer
→ Pronounced: sa-[k]kā
How to Write the Sokuon
- In Hiragana: Use 「っ」
- In Katakana: Use 「ッ」
Practice Challenge!
Try pronouncing the following words and identify whether they use the sokuon:
- きっぷ
- せんせい
- カップ
- おっと
- ことば
Final Thoughts
The small tsu (っ) may be tiny, but it has a big impact on how Japanese sounds. Mastering the sokuon will help you sound more natural and avoid some awkward misunderstandings.
So next time you see that small っ, pause just a little—and speak like a pro! 💪
