Syllables in Japanese

[Embereyes]

I've noticed that the stress on syllables isn't uniform at all in the words pronounced on the bottom on the hiragana pages. Are there any general rules to which syllables get the stress or do you just have to memorize where the stress goes?

[phreadom]

I don't think there's really any pattern to it. You just have to memorize how each word is said.

[Dustin]

No good rules, you just get used to it by hearing words in context.

Best thing to do is just to try to copy the accents and stresses of native speakers, and eventually it should become natural, for the stuff you've practiced anyways.

It's a pretty minor thing to worry about for now though, just concentrate on getting fluid in conversation skills before worrying TOO much on the thick accent we'll all have

[chikara]

I've noticed that the stress on syllables isn't uniform at all in the words pronounced on the bottom on the hiragana pages. Are there any general rules to which syllables get the stress or do you just have to memorize where the stress goes?

TJP e youkoso

Keep in mind that Japanese has a pitch accent which is different to the stress accent in English. As others have already posted, there are no rules to follow.

Words with the same spelling can have different pitch accents, for example "hashi" 橋 (bridge), "hashi" 箸 (chopsticks) and "hashi" 端 (edge) all have different pitch accents. I certainly haven't mastered pitch accent but I am yet to be given a bridge when asking for chopsticks in Japan.

Here's an answer to your question from japanese.about.com, How do I know which syllables to stress in Japanese words.

[Embereyes]

Arigatou for all the quick answers!