How to pronounce 'Japan', 'Japanese', and 'Japanese people'

Addressing a common Japanese pitch-accent mistake.

[ojassuryawanshi]

he came, he explained, he went....wow

[wolfer]

"Japanese pronunciation is easy! It's all flat!"
-Every lying Japanese teacher I've ever had

[ShapeShifter]

日本人 in the example is so subtle both ways I can't even tell. However 日本語 is clear to me, I've been saying it the "wrong" way.

[TheJapanReporter]

Thank you so much for providing informative contents. But maybe it's good to mention that in Japan, different region has a different pith-accent and there's no correct or incorrect. (unless you become a national TV reporter or something)
I've been in Osaka recently and interviewing some of the Japanese people and Japanese learners at a language school. They actually said "日本人/日本語" in the way you said former. People in Gifu and Ibaraki prefecture also pronounce very differently. Even in the same region (Chiba prefecture), people have a different pith-accent. (ex. central Chiba and Choshi area)

Also, being conscious about pith-accent can be disturbing your pronunciation. I noticed some of my students are conscious too much and become even more awkward. If they 'think' they speak in a flat way, sometimes it actually sounds to natural to us. It is possible that's why many Japanese teachers say "You should speak in a flat way." (Sorry if I'm wrong.)
I think probably most Japanese people are completely not conscious about pith-accent at all. They 'think' they speak in a flat way. (When I speak English, it's completely opposite feelings. I feel I speak in an extremely unflat and stressed way)
Having said that, for English-speaking or western Japanese learners, maybe it's good to be conscious about pith-accent.

Anyway, I find your contents very helpful for Japanese learners. I really appreciate that. 誠にありがとうございます。
-Nobita from Japan

[minirop]

English as a similar thing with the stress. it's not on the same syllable between "photograph" and "photographer"

[scatterbrainednerd]

Thank you for the visualization! It's tough for me to notice the difference without having that visual reference

[AG-gcrk]

A quick 発音 lesson vid like this is awesome!

[TunaBagels]

I can hardly hear the difference between the incorrect and correct "Japanese people"

[ZacharyATaylor]

This is exactly the type of lessons I need!

[viktoriahegelund]

This was straightforward, no unnecessary talk. I like it. Thank you

[seleciaa]

Took me years to finally somewhat decent with pitch in Japanese. My pronunciation was very flat for a while. There are some textbooks like 「日本語で働く」that have the pitch next to vocabulary words. Very helpful. :)

[shahmareo]

This is scary because I can't tell the difference lol

[Julitrexx]

Not a patreon supporter yet, but I know where to go once I make time to study again. 😊 Thank you for this video. Following your explanation I think I've been saying these words correctly, which is nice. But for conversation... My pitch is all over the place, my vocabulary is limited and my grammatical mistakes many, but I always talk freely like I see you encourage in your comments here. Interestingly, my pitch is correct when I sing; and that is from a reliable source that is long past the 日本語上手ですね stage, lol.

[Theman_]

I still try to avoid pitch accents like the plague lol. Kansai and Kanto for example apparently have inverted pitch accents so we're basically screwed lol. Yay ファイト!

[Duffy_SSBM]

And just like that I realize I've been saying those words wrong for years. Thanks for the helpful video!

[nimnieden]

Hi Dogen, that really helps. I think pronunciation is key to make proper verbal communication.

[terrencekuruma]

I hear it, I understand it, but can't re-create it

[ya-qijn]

I like how bright it is now compared to the darker mood your videos used to have before in terms of lighting

[HelloIamLeo]

I’m natural Japanese and feel smart watching your movie thank you so much

[Iloveyusomuch]

I give up, i'm going to learn spanish or some latin shenanigan