You have read about Japanese vowel length and the phrases 今 (now) and 本当に (really). Now you need to say them aloud in realistic exchanges. This workshop gives you three progressively harder speaking situations. You will practise asking whether something is happening now, checking whether surprising news is true, and responding politely when the timing is wrong. The focus is on clear rhythm: two morae in 今, five morae in 本当に, and a long ō in 本当ですか. You do not need to learn new grammar here. You need to make these exact phrases understandable when you speak.
Preparation: hear the mora count before you speak
Before each exercise, say the phrase slowly while tapping once per mora. For 今, tap twice: i-ma. For 本当に, tap five times: ho-n-to-u-ni. Keep the first o short and hold the ō in tō longer. For 本当ですか, keep the long ō in tō and use a polite question tone. For いいえ、今ではありません, tap i-i-e at the start, then keep the rest even. Do not rush. If you speak too quickly, the long vowel in 本当に can be shortened and the phrase can sound unclear. Record yourself once, listen for whether each mora is present, then say it again. This preparation is not about perfect pitch. It is about making the timing clear enough that a listener can recognise the phrase.
The harder turn: responding when the answer is not what you expected
The real challenge comes when someone answers your question with information that changes the plan. You ask whether something is now, and the answer is no. Or you hear surprising news and need to check whether it is true. In those moments, beginners often freeze or switch to English. Instead, use the phrases you already have. If someone suggests starting immediately, ask 今ですか to confirm the timing. If the answer is no, use いいえ、今ではありません and then give the correct time. If you hear something surprising, use 本当ですか to ask whether it is true. Keep your voice calm and your mora timing steady. The goal is not to sound native. The goal is to keep the exchange going in Japanese with phrases you can actually control.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
今
now
ima (two morae: i-ma)
本当に
really
hontō ni (five morae: ho-n-to-o-ni; only tō has a long vowel)
今ですか。
Is it now? / Do you mean now?
Ima desu ka.
本当ですか。
Is that true? / Really?
Hontō desu ka. (hold the ō in tō)
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
すみません、今ですか。
Excuse me, is it now?はい、今です。
Yes, it's now.本当ですか。
Is that true? / Really?はい、本当です。
Yes, it's true.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Confirming the start time at a language exchange
You are at a language exchange in Vancouver on a Saturday afternoon. The organiser, Mei, claps her hands and says the group activity is starting. You thought the activity began at four, but it is only two thirty. You want to confirm whether she really means right now.
Your task: Say aloud a polite question using the source phrase 今ですか to ask whether the activity is starting now. Then add one short sentence in English explaining that you thought it was later. Keep your mora timing clear: i-ma desu ka.
Reacting to surprising news from a friend
Your friend Kenji calls you on a Tuesday evening. He tells you he has a Japanese exam tomorrow morning. You did not know about this exam, and it changes your plan to meet him tonight. You want to check whether his news is true before you decide what to do.
Your task: Say aloud the source phrase 本当ですか to ask whether what he said is true. Hold the long ō in 本当. Then say in English that you did not know about the exam. Keep your voice steady and your mora timing even.
Deciding whether to start a task immediately
You are volunteering at a community garden in Osaka on a Sunday morning. The team leader, Aiko, points at a pile of soil and suggests starting the planting right away. You are not ready because you still need to put on gloves and find a trowel. You want to confirm whether she means immediately.
Your task: Say aloud the source phrase 今ですか to ask whether she means now. Then say in English that you need two minutes to get ready. Keep the mora timing even: i-ma desu ka.
Common questions
How do I practise the long vowel in 本当に without a teacher?
Tap five times while saying ho-n-to-u-ni. Keep the first o short and hold the ō in tō longer. Record yourself and listen for whether the long ō is present.
What should I say if someone suggests starting immediately and I am not ready?
Use the source phrase 今ですか to confirm the timing. If the answer is no, use いいえ、今ではありません and then explain the correct time in English.
Sources and further reading
- japanese: basic pronunciation vowelsChecked September 2026
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