送り仮名
Meanings
1
okurigana; kana suffix after a kanji
Refers to the kana that follow a kanji to show its inflectional ending or to complete its kun reading. A fundamental concept in Japanese writing.
In 食べる, べる is the okurigana.
There are several rules for how to attach okurigana.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉に送り仮名をつけるto attach okurigana to a kanji
You attach okurigana to the kanji for "iku".
- 送り仮名を省くto omit okurigana
Old documents sometimes omit okurigana.