Katakana - Dakuten/Handakuten (Grammar)

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DAKUTEN AND HANDAKUTEN

 

 

Like in Hiragana,we can say that Katakana have the very same grammar for voicing the symbol. There are no new symbols for the voiced ones,we use markers to turn them into completely other symbol.

Let's go and say it once again:

 

DAKUTEN

This one is easily spotted. It looks like a quotation mark. Some refer it to "Ten-Ten". Yeah,quotation markers. You put them on the right up "corner" of the certain symbol. One thing you should know,in Japanese you'll meet a lot of "buts",as in,rules and exceptions. Here it comes my "but".

But this marker is specific. You use it only with some of the symbols you already,supposedly,know from Katakana.

 

The rows with:

• K turns to G base (Sample: Ka turns to Ga)

• S turns to Z base; exception "Shi" turns to "ji" (Sample: Sa turns to Za)

• T turns to D base; exception "Chi" turns to "ji" and "Tsu" turns to "Zu" (Sample: Ta turns to Da)

• H turns to B base (Sample: Ha turns to Ba)

 

Important

As you might have noticed,there are two pairs of symbols that might get you confused.

Voicing 'Su' into 'Zu' and 'Tsu' into 'Zu'.

Voicing 'Shi' into 'Ji' and 'Chi' into 'Ji'.

 

Which version to use?

Katakana is different from Hiragana. We don't have the rule I mentioned in the lesson about which version to use,

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Since all what you've heard up until now,Katakana is an alphabet built to transform foreign words into their own language. Even your names will be written in Katakana,except you marry someone from there,or decide to change your name. Some even pick up kanji closer to the meaning of their original name.

 

Anyhow,

you don't have any particular rule which version of ズ("Su" turned into "Zu") and　ヅ("Tsu" turned into "Zu")　or ジ("Shi" turned into "Ji") and　ヂ("Chi" turned into "Ji").

But supposedly,if you decide to act unique and type a hiragana word,meaning a native Japanese word, in katakana, you should better keep the rule as it's in hiragana for these versions.

The rest though for foreign words depends on the original word.

I can't think of an example now,but if you have questions,or really want me to go in details on this part,I'll do it.

 

HANDAKUTEN

 

As you an see above,another marker our way.

Known as 'handakuten',or 'maru'(circle). It looks like a degree marker. It's only used with H base to voice it into P.

 

• Ha => Pa

• Hi => Pi

• Fu => Pu

• He => Pe

• Ho => Po

 

Practice and don't try to memorize it as if it's a thing you'd have on an exam. Take it easy and do the recalling process.

 

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