Tenten (点々)
Definition
Tenten refers to the small dots used in Japanese writing to indicate the pronunciation of a character. They are placed above or below a character and change its sound.
Analogy
Imagine tenten as little musical notes that change the pitch of a song. Just like tenten changes the sound of a character, these musical notes change the sound of a song.
Related terms
Dakuten (濁点): Dakuten is another type of diacritic mark used in Japanese writing. It looks like two tiny lines and indicates that a consonant sound is voiced.
Handakuten (半濁点): Handakuten is yet another diacritic mark used in Japanese writing. It looks like a small circle and indicates that an "h" sound becomes "p".
Furigana (振り仮名): Furigana are small kana characters written next to kanji to show their pronunciation, often used for children's books or difficult words.
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