Translation guide
A diacritical mark is a symbol added to a letter to change its pronunciation or distinguish meaning. In Japanese, the most common are the dakuten (゛) and handakuten (゜), which modify kana sounds. This guide covers how to refer to these marks and related concepts in Japanese.
Referring to diacritical marks in general, such as accents, umlauts, or the Japanese dakuten.
Specifically the dakuten mark (゛) used in Japanese kana to indicate a voiced consonant (e.g., か → が). Often used as a general term for diacritics in Japanese context.
Please don't forget the dakuten on 'ga'.
The handakuten mark (゜) used in Japanese kana to indicate a semi-voiced consonant (e.g., は → ぱ).
'Pa' has a handakuten attached.
Loanword from English 'diacritical mark'. Used in technical or linguistic contexts, but less common in everyday speech.
Diacritical marks are often used in French.
Referring to marks like acute (é), grave (è), circumflex (ê), umlaut (ü), tilde (ñ), etc., in languages other than Japanese.
Literally 'accent symbol'. A common way to refer to accent marks in foreign languages.
The Spanish 'ñ' has an accent mark.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'a mark attached above a character'. Can be used when the specific term is unknown.
Talking about the two Japanese kana modifiers.
The two dots (゛) that change an unvoiced kana to voiced (e.g., か ka → が ga).
If you add a dakuten to 'ta', it becomes 'da'.
The small circle (゜) that changes an 'h' kana to 'p' (e.g., ha → pa).
Colloquial term for dakuten, literally 'dots'. Often used in casual conversation, especially when teaching children.
Colloquial term for handakuten, literally 'circle'. Used similarly to 点々.
濁点 (dakuten) looks like a double quote (゛) and voices the consonant (k→g, s→z, t→d, h→b). 半濁点 (handakuten) is a small circle (゜) and only applies to h-row kana, changing them to p-sounds (ha→pa).
ka → ga (dakuten), ha → pa (handakuten)
In casual settings, Japanese speakers often say 点々 (tenten) for dakuten and 丸 (maru) for handakuten. These are perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation but avoid them in formal writing or academic contexts.
Same as above; more technical but precise.
The German umlaut is a type of diacritical mark.
What is this mark above the character?
Handakuten is used for 'pa, pi, pu, pe, po'.
「か」に点々を付けて「が」にして。
Add the dots to 'ka' to make 'ga'.
If you add a circle to 'ha', it becomes 'pa'.