Japanese Pitch Accent Pairs – 箸 vs 橋, 雨 vs 飴 (with Diagrams)

Japanese has many words that sound identical in writing — はし can be chopsticks, a bridge or an edge. In Tokyo Japanese, pitch tells them apart: which syllables are said high and where the voice drops. Below are 95 sets of common JLPT words that share a reading but not a pitch pattern.

How to read the diagrams: each dot is one syllable (mora); a high dot is said higher. The hollow dot is a following particle such as が — it shows whether the voice drops after the word, which is the only difference between some pairs (はし “bridge” drops on the particle; はし “edge” does not).

あつい

暑い N5

hot (in reference to weather), warm

[2] nakadaka · falls after mora 2

熱い N5

hot (objects)

[2] nakadaka · falls after mora 2

厚い N5

kind, warm(hearted), thick, deep

[0] heiban · flat

あめ

雨 N5

rain

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

飴 N5

(hard) candy

[0] heiban · flat

いる

居る N5

(humble) to be (animate), to exist

[0] heiban · flat

要る N5

to need

[0] heiban · flat

煎る N2

to roast

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

炒る N2

to parch, to roast

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

き

木 N5

tree, wood, timber

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

気 N4

spirit, mood

[0] heiban · flat

きる

切る N5

to cut; to hang up (a phone)

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

着る N5

to put on (clothes above your waist); to wear

[0] heiban · flat

斬る N2

to behead, to murder

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

しる

知る N5

to know, to understand

[0] heiban · flat

汁 N2

juice, soup

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

すき

好き N5

liking, fondness, love

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

隙 N2

unguarded moment, chance

[0] heiban · flat

せんせい

先生 N5

teacher, professor; master; doctor

[3] nakadaka · falls after mora 3

専制 N2

despotism, autocracy

[0] heiban · flat

でんき

電気 N5

electricity, (electric) light

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

伝記 N2

biography, life story

[0] heiban · flat

と

戸 N5

door (Japanese style)

[0] heiban · flat

都 N4

metropolitan

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

は

歯 N5

tooth

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

葉 N4

leaf

[0] heiban · flat

はな

花 N5

flower

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

鼻 N5

nose

[0] heiban · flat

へん

辺 N5

area, vicinity

[0] heiban · flat

変 N4

strange, odd

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

なる

鳴る N4

to sound, to ring (v.i.)

[0] heiban · flat

為る N2

to change, to be of use, to reach to

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

生る N2

to bear fruit

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

こうがい

郊外 N4

suburb, outskirts

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

公害 N2

public nuisance, pollution

[0] heiban · flat

やく

焼く N4

to bake, to grill

[0] heiban · flat

約 N3

approximately, about, some

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

役 N2

role, position

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

訳 N2

translation

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

ひ

日 N4

sun, sunshine, day

[0] heiban · flat

火 N4

fire

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

灯 N2

light

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

じしん

地震 N4

earthquake

[0] heiban · flat

自身 N3

oneself

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

よる

寄る N4

to stop by

[0] heiban · flat

夜 N3

evening, night

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

因る N2

to come from

[0] heiban · flat

ようじ

用事 N4

business to take care of; tasks; errands

[0] heiban · flat

幼児 N2

infant, baby, child

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

こと

事 N4

thing(s), matter(s), fact

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

琴 N2

Japanese harp

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

つける

漬ける N4

to soak, to moisten, to pickle

[0] heiban · flat

付ける N2

to attach, to join, to add

[2] nakadaka · falls after mora 2

着ける N2

to put on, to wear; to draw up

[2] nakadaka · falls after mora 2

いし

石 N4

stone

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

医師 N2

doctor, physician

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

意思 N2

intention, purpose

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

意志 N2

will, volition

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

ようい

用意 N4

preparation

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

容易 N2

easy, simple, plain

[0] heiban · flat

すみ

隅 N4

corner

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

角 N2

corner

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

墨 N2

ink

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

ち

血 N4

blood

[0] heiban · flat

地 N2

earth

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

かえる

変える N4

to change, to alter, to vary

[0] heiban · flat

換える N3

to exchange, to interchange, to substitute

[0] heiban · flat

帰る N3

to go back, to go home, to return

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

代える N2

to exchange, to interchange, to substitute

[0] heiban · flat

いがい

以外 N4

other than, with the exception of, excepting

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

意外 N2

unexpected, surprising

[0] heiban · flat

し

市 N4

city

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

詩 N3

poem; poetry

[0] heiban · flat

四 N3

four

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

氏 N2

family name, lineage

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

いじょう

以上 N4

more than; this is all

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

異常 N2

strangeness, abnormality, disorder

[0] heiban · flat

かみ

髪 N4

hair

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

紙 N3

paper

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

上 N2

first volume; superior quality; governmental

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

神 N2

god

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

せき

席 N4

a seat

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

咳 N3

cough

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

きしゃ

汽車 N4

train (steam)

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

記者 N3

reporter

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

おく

億 N4

hundred million

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

置く N3

to put; to lay; to place

[0] heiban · flat

奥 N2

interior, inner part

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

きみ

君 N4

you (informal for men)

[0] heiban · flat

気味 N2

-like, -looking, -looked

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

つく

点く N4

to be started, to be switched on

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

着く N3

to arrive at, to reach

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

付く N2

to adjoin, to be attached, to adhere

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

突く N2

to thrust, to strike; to poke

[0] heiban · flat

むし

虫 N4

insect

[0] heiban · flat

無視 N2

disregard, ignore

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

うえる

植える N4

to plant

[0] heiban · flat

飢える N2

to starve

[2] nakadaka · falls after mora 2

きゅう

急 N4

urgent, sudden; steep

[0] heiban · flat

九 N3

nine

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

旧 N2

ex-

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

級 N2

class, grade, rank

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

しめる

占める N3

to take up; to account for

[2] nakadaka · falls after mora 2

閉める N3

to close, to shut

[2] nakadaka · falls after mora 2

締める N3

to tie, to fasten, to tighten

[2] nakadaka · falls after mora 2

湿る N2

to be wet, to be damp

[0] heiban · flat

いらい

依頼 N3

request; dependence

[0] heiban · flat

以来 N2

since, henceforth

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

か

蚊 N3

mosquito

[0] heiban · flat

可 N2

passable

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

課 N2

department, division

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

かう

飼う N3

to keep; to own (a pet); to raise; to feed

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

買う N3

to buy

[0] heiban · flat

かぐ

家具 N3

furniture

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

嗅ぐ N2

to sniff, to smell

[0] heiban · flat

あき

秋 N3

fall (season)

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

空き N2

vacancy, opening, space

[0] heiban · flat

いち

一 N3

one

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

位置 N2

place, position

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

いま

今 N3

now

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

居間 N2

living room

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

いや

嫌 N3

disagreeable, detestable, unpleasant

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

否 N2

no, the noes

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

うる

売る N3

to sell (v.t.)

[0] heiban · flat

得る N2

to get, to gain, to win

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

かける

掛ける N3

to put on (e.g., glasses); to hang (e.g., on a wall)

[2] nakadaka · falls after mora 2

欠ける N2

to be lacking

[0] heiban · flat

かた

方 N3

-- honorific form for 人 (ひと) --; way of doing

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

型 N2

mold, model, style

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

肩 N2

shoulder

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

きのう

昨日 N3

yesterday

[2] nakadaka · falls after mora 2

機能 N2

function, faculty

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

ご

五 N3

five

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

後 N2

afterwards, since then

[0] heiban · flat

碁 N2

Go (board game of capturing territory)

[0] heiban · flat

さく

咲く N3

to bloom

[0] heiban · flat

裂く N2

to tear, to split

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

昨 N2

last (year), yesterday

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

した

下 N3

under, below, beneath

[0] heiban · flat

舌 N2

tongue

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

しろ

白 N3

white

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

城 N2

castle

[0] heiban · flat

すう

吸う N3

to breathe in, to suck

[0] heiban · flat

数 N2

number, figure

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

とし

年 N3

year, age

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

都市 N2

town, city, urban

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

はし

橋 N3

bridge

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

箸 N3

chopsticks

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

端 N2

end (e.g., of street), edge, margin

[0] heiban · flat

はる

春 N3

spring

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

貼る N3

to post; to paste; to attach

[0] heiban · flat

ふく

吹く N3

to blow (wind, etc.)

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

服 N3

clothes

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

拭く N2

to wipe, to dry

[0] heiban · flat

ふる

降る N3

to precipitate, to fall (e.g., rain, snow, etc.)

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

振る N2

to wave, to shake; to sprinkle; to cast (actor)

[0] heiban · flat

ゆき

雪 N3

snow

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

行き N2

going

[0] heiban · flat

たいそう

大層 N2

very much, greatly

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

体操 N2

gymnastics, physical exercises, calisthenics

[0] heiban · flat

ちゅうせい

中世 N2

Middle Ages, medieval times

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

中性 N2

neuter gender, neutral

[0] heiban · flat

じき

直 N2

immediately, soon, shortly

[0] heiban · flat

時期 N2

time, season, period

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

じどう

自動 N2

automatic, self-motion

[0] heiban · flat

児童 N2

children, juvenile

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

しょうにん

商人 N2

trader, shopkeeper, merchant

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

承認 N2

recognition, approval

[0] heiban · flat

しょうひん

商品 N2

commodity, merchandise

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

賞品 N2

prize, trophy

[0] heiban · flat

する

刷る N2

to print

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

為る N2

to do, to attempt

[0] heiban · flat

いき

行き N2

going

[0] heiban · flat

息 N2

breath

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

おう

王 N2

king

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

追う N2

to chase, to run after

[0] heiban · flat

おん

音 N2

sound, note

[0] heiban · flat

恩 N2

favor, obligation, debt of gratitude

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

かし

貸し N2

loan, lending

[0] heiban · flat

菓子 N2

confectionery, sweet

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

かち

勝ち N2

win, victory

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

価値 N2

value, worth, merit

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

かんじょう

勘定 N2

calculation, counting, consideration

[3] nakadaka · falls after mora 3

感情 N2

emotion(s), feeling(s), sentiment

[0] heiban · flat

きかん

期間 N2

period, term

[2] nakadaka · falls after mora 2

機関 N2

engine; institution, organization

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

きげん

期限 N2

deadline, term

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

機嫌 N2

humor, temper, mood

[0] heiban · flat

くむ

組む N2

to put together

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

汲む N2

to draw, to scoop, to pump

[0] heiban · flat

酌む N2

to serve sake

[0] heiban · flat

けいじ

掲示 N2

notice, bulletin

[0] heiban · flat

刑事 N2

criminal case, (police) detective

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

けんとう

見当 N2

estimate, guess

[3] nakadaka · falls after mora 3

検討 N2

consideration, examination, investigation

[0] heiban · flat

こうせい

公正 N2

justice, fairness, impartiality

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

構成 N2

organization, composition

[0] heiban · flat

めん

面 N2

face, mug, surface, side or facet, corner, page

[0] heiban · flat

綿 N2

cotton

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

もと

元 N2

origin, original; former

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

基 N2

basis

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

素 N2

prime

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

ようき

容器 N2

container, vessel

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

陽気 N2

season, weather, cheerfulness

[0] heiban · flat

わん

湾 N2

bay, gulf, inlet

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

椀 N2

bowl

[0] heiban · flat

碗 N2

bowl

[0] heiban · flat

たび

足袋 N2

Japanese socks (with split toe)

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

度 N2

counter for occurrences

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

旅 N2

travel, trip, journey

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

たま

玉 N2

ball, sphere, coin

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

球 N2

globe, sphere, ball

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

弾 N2

bullet, shot

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

偶 N2

even number, couple, friend

[0] heiban · flat

ちゅう

中 N2

inside, middle, among

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

注 N2

annotation, explanatory note

[0] heiban · flat

つうか

通過 N2

passage through, passing

[0] heiban · flat

通貨 N2

currency

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

どく

退く N2

to retreat, to recede, to withdraw

[0] heiban · flat

毒 N2

poison, toxicant

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

ね

根 N2

root

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

値 N2

value, price, cost

[0] heiban · flat

はら

腹 N2

abdomen, belly, stomach

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

原 N2

field, plain

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

ほう

方 N2

side

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

法 N2

Act (law: the X Act)

[0] heiban · flat

まく

巻く N2

to wind, to coil, to roll

[0] heiban · flat

蒔く N2

to sow (seeds)

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

撒く N2

to scatter, to sprinkle, to sow

[1] atamadaka · high first, then falls

幕 N2

curtain, act (in play)

[2] odaka · falls on the next particle

Pitch data: Kanjium by Uros Ozvatic, CC BY-SA 4.0 (largely derived from EDRDG). Tokyo standard pitch; regional accents differ.