けんいち [健一] ?

[catwang0]

I read the hiragana and this is what I got: Kenichi. Is that right, Kenichi? But 健 is Ken, right? So how does that add up? And why is there a
一? Isn't that to prolong a vowel or something? I think I may be just over analyzing or something.

 

[Mike Cash]

It is the kanji for "one" and can be read "Ichi" (among other things).

 

[Glenn]

It's a name. 一 is definitely "one". It's often used in male names.

 

[Toritoribe]

the kanji "ichi" 一
the long vowel mark ー

健一 vs 健ー

Although you might not be able to see the difference depending on the font you're using in your browser.

 

[ewww]

Toritoribe, I thought before that 'long vowel mark' should be used with katakana only. Looks like it was wrong assumption.

 

[catwang0]

Ohh, thank you very much! I see the difference now.

 

[Toritoribe]

Toritoribe, I thought before that 'long vowel mark' should be used with katakana only. Looks like it was wrong assumption.

The long vowel mark can be also used with kanji in colloquial expressions (e.g. 暑ーい！). 健ー doesn't make any sense, though.

 

[ewww]

Toritoribe, thank You so much