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Memorizing the Hiragana/Dakuten

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Dakuten ( ゙ ) and Handakuten ( ゚ ) are marks placed after certain hiragana that modify the way the consonant is pronounced. These marks indicate that the consonant of the syllable should be voiced.

normal with dakuten ( ゙ ) with handakuten ( ゚ )
か = ka が = ga
さ = sa ざ = za
た = ta だ = da
は = ha ば = ba ぱ = pa
Exceptions
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"Shi" (し) turns into "Ji" (じ)
"Chi" (ち) also turns into "Ji" (ぢ)
"Tsu" (つ) turns into "Zu" (づ)


Iteration marks

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Iteration marks ( ゝ) indicate that a sound is to be repeated. Iteration marks can also be combined with dakuten.

normal with iteration ( ゝ ) with dakuten iteration ( ゞ )
す = su すゝ = susu すゞ = suzu


Sokuon

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Sokuon (っ) is a symbol consisting of a small Tsu (compare with normal Tsu: つっ). It is used to insert a slight pause.

For example: うた = song うった = hard

The Sokuon gives a pause to make a meaningful sound.

Chōonpu

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Chōonpu (ー) is a symbol used to indicate a long vowel sound. Long vowels can also be written by using the corresponding vowel hiragana.

normal with chōonpu ( ー ) is the same as
ぷ = pu ぷー = puu ぷう = puu


Memorizing the Hiragana
The W line Dakuten Easy Quiz