Types of Characters Flashcards
Extra info about writing in Japanese
1
Q
Gojūon-zu
A
Syllables are organized in the form of a table (5 x 10). This table is called gojūon-zu (table of 50 sounds)
2
Q
Dakuon
A
two small dots that change the character sound (ex) ぐで
3
Q
Handakuon
A
a small circle that changes the character sound (ex) ぷ ぴ
4
Q
Yōon
A
a combination of a character and ya, yu, or yo. (ex) き + ゃ = きゃ kya
5
Q
Sokuon
A
a pause (no sound) between two syllables. Indicated by a small つ (ex) さっき [sakki], ひっし [hisshi], やっぱり [yappari]
6
Q
Furigana
A
Kanji with Hiragana written above it, to help new learners read Kanji.
7
Q
Kanji
A
Kanji are pictograms of the things they describe. They are Chinese characters.
8
Q
Rōmaji
A
The romanised version of the Japanese words. (ex) “post office” is 郵便局, and the Rōmaji is Yūbinkyoku.
