Japanese Tongue Twisters

Niwa ni wa niwatori – meaning there are two chickens in the garden – is a classic Japanese tongue twister built entirely on the niwa and ni sounds.

Sumomo mo momo mo momo no uchi is a famous Japanese tongue twister meaning both plums and peaches are types of peach. The mo and momo sounds repeat and blend together.

Aka makigami ao makigami ki makigami is a classic Japanese colour tongue twister – red, blue, and yellow scrolled paper repeated at speed.

Tonari no kyaku wa yoku kaki ku kyaku da is a beloved Japanese tongue twister that trips up even fluent Japanese speakers with its k and ky sounds.

Namanmugi namagome namatamago is one of the most famous Japanese tongue twisters, practised in schools across Japan for its rapid-fire na sounds.

6 best Japanese tongue twisters (hayakuchi kotoba) including Nama Mugi Nama Kome, Tokyo Tokkyo, and Sumomo mo Momo. Full Japanese text, romaji, English translation, and pronunciation guide.