Remove the “Ta” Sound (Tanuki Words)

Materials

• Character cards, or paper and pens

How to play

1. Explain that every spoken ta sound is removed. Try a short Japanese example together: tako → ko.
2. Show or slowly say a word such as atama. Participants give what remains after removing every ta sound: ama.
3. Once confident, insert ta into ordinary words to make codes. For example, netako becomes neko when ta is removed.
4. Take turns answering. If needed, cover the ta character on a written card to check. Change clue-givers after about five examples.

Ways to adapt

Preschool children may simply find ta on the character cards. Younger primary school children: short words. Older primary school children: make short coded sentences.

Sources and references

• 川崎市立川崎小学校 家族で楽しもう 言葉遊び編 ↗