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A small question

Mycernius

The Hairy Wookie
4 Feb 2005
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What is the correct name given to the bar used in Katakana to extend the vowel sound? All my books seem to only refer to it as a bar.
 
Mycernius said:
What is the correct name given to the bar used in Katakana to extend the vowel sound? All my books seem to only refer to it as a bar.

In Japanese that is called "bou" or "yoko bou."

I usually use the former of the two words. Hope that helps.
 
I typed it into JWPCe and it came up with:

ー 【ちょうおん】 (n) long vowel mark (usually only used in katakana)
 
I think it's called a "macron."

accents - diacritical marks

  • é - accent acute
  • è - accent grave
  • ê - circumflex
  • ë - umlaut or diaerisis
  • ç - cedilla
  • ñ - tilde
  • ø - streg
  • ð - eth (capital form Ð)
  • å - bolle
  • æ - ligature
  • œ - ligature
  • ē - macron
  • č - háček
  • ŭ - crescent
 
I learned it as the "vowel lengthening morpheme." Macron is the name of the bar over a letter in romanization, so if you're referring specifically to the character used in katakana then I think Kat has it right.
 
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