In general, the vowel sounds in Japanese are clipped sounding. Examples are drawn from various names in anime, or other helpful words. If it is not a name, meaning will be in [these] brackets.
The "a" sound is pronounced more like "ah," but shorter. It's similiar to the "a" in "father".
"I" sounds like "ee". As in "see" and "tree", but crisper.
Inu (Ee-nu) [dog]
Minna (Mee-nah) [everyone]
"U" is pronounced somewhat like "Oo".
Usagi (oo-sah-gee) [rabbit, plus everyone's fave anime character]
Umi (oo-mee) [beach/ocean]
"E" is pronounced like "ae" or "eh". Try saying "today" without the final e sound.
Eka (ae-kah) [station]
"O" is pronoced "oh" or "oe". Kinda like "Joe".
Oni (oh-nee) [monster]
Oniisan (oh-neee-sa-n)
Some vowels are extended, and thus provide a different meaning. Example Ie vs. Iie. Ie means house or home, while Iie means no.
Some vowels are devoiced, but it doesn't change word meaning. Hold the beginning of the syllable a half second longer, then barely say the vowel sound. It's hard to explain, and doesn't translate into romanji well, so don't worry much about it.
A few consonants which don't sound exaclty like English:
"Fu" sounds like a combination between "hu" and "fu". My Japanese teacher explained it as saying "Fu" without biting your bottom lip.
The "r" part of any syllable is pronounced like a combination between "r", "l", and "d". While I'm probably not the best person to ask, I do this by putting my tongue on the place in my mouth where it starts to curve, moving my tongue like I was saying "r".
"G" is always a hard g. Never a soft g. In other words, Usagi is pronouned "Oo-sah-gee" not "Oo-sah-jee".
Sometimes, "n" can be a syllable unto itself. That's why in the opening song of Sailormoon "gomen" has three syllables devoed to it. (Listen and they will say "go-me-n".)
If you want to add to or correct this list mail me.
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