See also:
U+30F8, ヸ
KATAKANA LETTER VI
Composition: [U+30F0] + [U+3099]

[U+30F7]
Katakana
[U+30F9]

Japanese

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): [bʲi]

Syllable

(romaji vi)

  1. (rare) The katakana syllable (vi).

Usage notes

  • Unlike the hiragana system, used for Japanese language words that kanji does not cover, the katakana syllabary is used primarily for transcription of foreign language words into Japanese and the writing of loan words (collectively gairaigo), as well as to represent onomatopoeias, technical and scientific terms, and the names of plants, animals, and minerals. It is also occasionally used colloquially in some words for emphasis. Names of Japanese companies, as well as certain Japanese language words, are also sometimes written in katakana rather than the other systems. Formerly, female given names were written in katakana. [edit]
  • This is a relatively recent addition to kana usage to represent the non-native sound vi. As such, this is only found in borrowed words. Many speakers, especially older people, may pronounce this more as /bi/, [bʲi].
  • This kana is rarely used, with ヴィ seeing more use.

See also

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