LogFAQs > #982811825

I never liked the description as "a mix between L and R" because it fails to emphasize the role the tongue tap on the palate/teeth plays in the sound. I usually describe it as a mix between the Da and Ra sounds (Or U/I/E/O) because you're going to sound much more strange if you don't tap the tongue compared to doing too much R instead of L. Obviously Native Japanese speakers struggle with L/R differentiation, but I don't think that describes the syllable well in itself.

Also I don't describe it as tapping against the "roof" of the mouth. It's tapping the tip of your tongue against the front of your palate near your teeth or even on the back of the top teeth themselves.