お prefix + う (pronunciation)

[Davide92]

Hi everybody, I apologize if this question has already been asked, but couldn't find it... How should one pronounce the combination of the お prefix with a word beginning with う (for example, お生まれ (になる) ? Are they distinct as in 追う or fused together into a long о̄? My guess would be that they stay distinct.

Thanks.

 

[Lomaster]

The former - distinct. To think of it - even more distinct than in 追う

 

[Davide92]

Thanks!

 

[Davide92]

Bit of a related question: I've found the form 喘いで and I was wondering: is it a long /e/ or two disinct vowels?

 

[Toritoribe]

Both are possible. It's different depending on the person.

 

[Davide92]

I see. Thanks a lot!