Tanda Baca Huruf Hiragana & Katakana | Belajar Bahasa Jepang Otodidak Dari Nol

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore the punctuation marks associated with Hiragana and Katakana, essential components of the Japanese writing system. This guide is perfect for self-learners who want to deepen their understanding of Japanese script. By the end, you will have a foundational grasp of various punctuation marks and their uses in writing.

Step 1: Understand Dakuten

Dakuten, also known as "teng-teng," is a diacritical mark used in Japanese writing.

• Description: It appears as two small lines (ﾞ) added to the top right of certain Hiragana and Katakana characters.
• Purpose: Dakuten changes the pronunciation of consonants. For example:
  • か (ka) becomes が (ga)
  • さ (sa) becomes ざ (za)

Tip: Practice writing characters with and without dakuten to hear the differences in pronunciation.

Step 2: Learn Handakuten

Handakuten, or "maru," is another important diacritical mark.

• Description: It is a small circle (゜) added to the top right of specific characters.
• Purpose: Handakuten is used to change the sound of the consonants 'h' to 'p'. For example:
  • は (ha) becomes ぱ (pa)

Common Pitfall: Ensure you differentiate between dakuten and handakuten, as they serve different functions.

Step 3: Explore Youon

Youon refers to the combination of small characters with primary Hiragana/Katakana to create new sounds.

• Examples:
  • きゃ (kya), きゅ (kyu), きょ (kyo)
  • These combinations are used to create blended sounds.

Practical Advice: Familiarize yourself with the small versions of characters (ゃ, ゅ, よ) and practice forming words.

Step 4: Grasp Sokuon

Sokuon represents a doubled consonant sound in Japanese writing.

• Description: It is depicted by a small つ (tsu) preceding the consonant that is doubled.
• Example:
  • た (ta) becomes った (tta) when using sokuon.

Tip: Listen to native speakers to sharpen your understanding of how sokuon affects pronunciation.

Step 5: Understand Chouon

Chouon refers to long vowel sounds in Japanese.

• Description: It is indicated in Hiragana with a ー symbol in Katakana or by extending the vowel in Hiragana.
• Examples:
  • おう (ō) and えい (ei) are examples of long sounds.

Advice: Practice by extending vowel sounds in words to get comfortable with their pronunciation in conversation.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we covered the essential punctuation marks in Hiragana and Katakana, including dakuten, handakuten, youon, sokuon, and chouon. Understanding these elements is crucial for reading and writing in Japanese. As a next step, practice writing these characters and their combinations, and consider listening to native speakers to improve your pronunciation. Happy learning!