[Diction Training] A Collection of Tongue Twisters to Improve Articulation

Batter Runner Winner Bases-clearing

[Tongue Twister] Batter, Runner, Winner: Bases-Clearing Runner | Japanese Tongue Twisters | Hayakuchi Kotoba

A tongue twister that, when heard, might leave you unsure what’s being said: “Batter, runner, winner, runner, bases cleared.” Seeing it written out, you can kind of picture the situation.

It’s probably during a baseball game, where runners are getting put out one after another.

Try practicing while imagining that scene.

The section in the middle—“runner, winner, runner,” with the repeating ‘sha’ and ‘sho’ sounds—will likely be the toughest part.

Start by pronouncing it slowly.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

yamamoto

Report a problem

Consumption expenditures; Non-consumption expenditures

[Tongue Twister Navigator] Consumption Expenditure Costs / Non-Consumption Expenditure Costs | Japanese Tongue Twisters | Hayakuchi Kotoba

Let me introduce a somewhat tricky tongue twister: “consumption expenditure fee, non-consumption expenditure fee.” The words are quite similar, aren’t they? The term “consumption expenditure fee” refers to money paid in exchange for obtaining something—like food costs, rent, or entertainment expenses.

In contrast, “non-consumption expenditure fee” refers to money paid without directly getting something in return—such as social insurance premiums, health insurance, or consumption tax.

Keeping those meanings in mind, give it a try.

Once you master “consumption expenditure fee,” all you have to do is add “non-” to complete the second phrase.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

yamamoto

Report a problem

bread wall

[Tongue Twister Navigator] Bread Wall | Japanese Tongue Twisters | Hayakuchi Kotoba |

This is a tongue twister packed with the fun of rhythm and repetition.

If you try to say “pan-kabe, pan-kabe, pan-kabe…” ten times in a row, your mouth will get tangled, and you can’t help but laugh—that’s the charm.

For kids, it becomes a playful exercise for the tongue and mouth, and for adults, it’s enjoyable as a tongue workout and pronunciation practice.

The slightly quirky pairing of “bread” (pan) and “wall” (kabe) creates a sense of rhythm, and it’s interesting that your voice and timing shift a little each time you read it.

Even with short words, the repetition makes your brain and mouth work at full speed, bringing laughter and new discoveries with every try—a tongue twister full of playfulness.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kepiko

Report a problem

Dialect Girl PucchoNEW!

@sky_it_corporate

Could everyone say this?TranslationTranslationtranslation

♬ Original Song – Sky Co., Ltd. [Official] – Sky Co., Ltd. [Official]

Puccho, the candy loved by kids and adults alike.

In this tongue twister, it’s saying, “I told you to save that Puccho for me—why didn’t you keep it?” If you’re not familiar with the dialect, you might not understand a thing even after reading the sentence.

The key to nailing this tongue twister is to set clear breaks as you say it.

First, write out the meaning in words you understand, add pauses, and practice with those divisions.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

red bell pepper, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper

red bell pepper blue bell pepper yellow bell pepper

At first glance, this tongue twister looks easy if you’re just reading the words.

But the final “yellow paprika” is a surprisingly tough opponent.

Up to that point, every word starts with “a,” then it suddenly switches to “ki,” and you’re almost guaranteed to bite your tongue.

Still, if you can get past that spot, you should be able to link it all together smoothly.

The key to success is to focus on the “ki” and pronounce it clearly! By the way, all three colors of paprika actually exist.

The blue paprika refers to the green variety, and despite its appearance, it’s said to be less bitter and quite tasty.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

Three loaches wiggle-wiggle; in total, wiggle-wiggle six wiggle-wiggles.

[Tongue Twister Navigator] Three slithering loaches, slither slither; altogether slither slither, six slither slither | Japanese Tongue Twisters | Hayakuchi Kotoba |

これは、オノマトペ「にょろにょろ」を使ったかわいい早口言葉です。「三」は「mi」、「六」は「mu」と読んでみてください。「さん」から「にょろ」への切り替えが特に難しいので、意識して練習しましょう。

It’s a classic tongue twister that tends to make you bite your tongue, but imagining loaches wriggling together is fun, and it’s entertaining to keep adding more.

If you’re confident, try saying them in order from 1 and see if you can make it to 9.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

sasashina

Report a problem

Art room, technology room, operating room, art preparation room, technology preparation room, operating preparation room

[Hayakuchi Kotoba Navi] Art Room, Technology Room, Operating Room, Art Preparation Room, Technology Preparation Room, Operating Preparation Room | Japanese Tongue Twisters | Hayakuchi Kotoba |

Because the words for “room” and “preparation room” keep popping up, the moment you read it aloud your mouth can’t keep up and you can’t help but laugh.

Both kids and adults can enjoy it playfully while picturing familiar school classrooms and hospital rooms.

Each time you read it, the rhythm and the timing of your pauses shifts a little, so the more you repeat it, the more fun it becomes to use your voice.

If you read while conjuring different images for “art,” “technology,” and “surgery,” it feels like more than mere diction practice—you can savor a sense of story, too.

Once you read it, it’s addictive, so definitely give it a try.

expand_lessRaise the rankingexpand_morelower

kepiko

Report a problem