In Japanese, some hiragana combine with smaller versions of や, ゆ, and よ to form shortened, smoother syllables. These are called contracted sounds, or 拗音 (yōon).
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Some hiragana combine with smaller kana to produce a single, smoother sound. Instead of sounding out two separate syllables, their voices blend, contracting into one syllable/mora.
Take じゃ (ja) for example. Here, じ (ji) pairs with a small ゃ (ya). Instead of pronouncing じや (jiya) in two beats, Japanese contracts it into じゃ (ja). You’ll see this often in words like じゃあね (jaane, “see you”).
The most common small kana used this way are ゃ, ゅ, and ょ. The reduced size indicates their role: they don’t stand alone, but modify the preceding syllable to create a new contracted sound. Why are they small? Probably because they were willing to reduce their egos for a greater cause. Truly, they're like the special agents of the Hiragana world, teaming up with others to create these smooth, blended sounds.
Contracted sounds make Japanese speech more efficient and natural. Instead of longer combinations like “ji‑ya,” speakers shorten them to “ja” (could also be spelled “jya”). This keeps the rhythm of spoken Japanese smooth and fluid.
Here are a few example words: