Step on a rhyme to better understand Japanese homophones

From final weekend’s Fuji Rock to the upcoming Rock in Japan and Summer time Sonic occasions, Japan is abuzz with the joy of 夏フェス (natsu fesu, summer time festivals).

These フェス provide an excellent alternative to each uncover new bands in addition to new vocabulary, particularly on the subject of 同音異義語 (dō’on igigo, homophones) and 発音が似ている単語 (hatsuon ga nite-iru tango, phrases with comparable sounds), that are often known as 類音語 (ruiongo, similar-sounding phrases).

The Japanese language has many homophones due to the heavy affect of kanji and the restricted variation in syllables. This is usually a burden for Japanese learners however a bonus to musicians who are likely to 韻を踏む (in o fumu, rhyme) of their lyrics.