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Phonetic Algorithm
JLPT Simulation

JLPT-Style Kanji Reading Quiz Engine

Practice kanji readings with distractors that mimic real JLPT traps — rendaku, long vowels, sokuon, yoon shifts, and onyomi/kunyomi swaps.

Live Example

What is the reading of 学校?

がっこう Correct
かっこうRendaku trap
がくこうSokuon removed
がっこおLong vowel swap

Distractors That Mirror Real JLPT Traps

Rendaku (Voicing)

Toggles voiced/unvoiced consonants — e.g. か↔が, た↔だ — the #1 trap in JLPT reading sections.

Long Vowels & Sokuon

Adds or removes っ and long vowel extensions (おう↔おお, えい↔ええ) to create near-miss options.

Yoon & Reading Swaps

Expands/contracts combined sounds (きょ↔きよ) and swaps onyomi/kunyomi to test deep reading knowledge.

How the Algorithm Works

1

Analyze the Reading

Split the correct answer into morae and identify phonetic features.

2

Generate Variants

Apply rendaku, long vowel, sokuon, and yoon transformations to create near-miss distractors.

3

Mix with Real Readings

Blend phonetic variants with alternative onyomi/kunyomi to create 4 plausible options.

Phonetic Techniques Used

Rendaku

か→が, さ→ざ, た→だ, は→ば

か→がさ→ざた→だは→ば

Long Vowel

おう↔おお, えい↔ええ, add/remove う

Sokuon (っ)

Add/remove っ before voiceless consonants

Yoon

きょ↔きよ, しゅ↔しゆ, ちゃ↔ちや

Reading Swap

Swap between onyomi and kunyomi of the same kanji

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Test Your Kanji Readings?