読点
tōten[to̞ːtẽ̞ɴ]
The Japanese word for comma is 読点 (tōten) or コンマ.
Meaning: punctuation mark ',' (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 読点 | tōten | [to̞ːtẽ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
| コンマ | konma | [kõ̞mːa̠] (narrow) |
The term refers to the punctuation mark used to separate parts of a sentence. In Japanese, the placement of a comma can be used to change the rhythm of a sentence.
Which one should you use?
読点 is the formal, technical term used in the context of Japanese grammar and typography. コンマ is a loanword from English and is commonly used in casual conversation or when discussing Western punctuation.
How do you pronounce it?
tōten
Did you know?
- The term コンマ is frequently used in Japanese sports or business to mean 'a small margin' or 'a tiny amount', such as 'a comma's difference' in a race.
- In vertical Japanese writing, the 読点 is placed to the right of the character instead of below it.
- The term 読点 literally translates to 'reading mark', emphasizing that its primary purpose is to guide the reader's breath and rhythm.
Examples in context
- カンマは句読点です。A comma is a punctuation mark.This sentence is useful for identifying a comma as a punctuation mark.Tatoeba #8697947 by small_snow, translation #8419953 by AlanF_US
- ドイツ人がコンマについて聞いてきたら、いつも身構えてしまいます。I'm always suspicious when a German asks for a comma.This sentence uses the loanword to describe a situation involving a German person and a comma.Tatoeba #11604895 by small_snow, translation #2486862 by AlanF_US
- 3つ以上のものを列挙するときは、A, B, C(,) and D というような言い方をします。and の前のコンマはあってもなくても構いません。If you are listing more than 3 items, use an expression like "A, B, C, and D", it doesn't matter if you exclude the comma before "and".This sentence uses the loanword to discuss the optionality of the comma before 'and' when listing items.Tatoeba #3352173 by tommy_san, translation #10066920 by tsp_2
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are checking a document together.
- 健太 Kentaここに読点を一つ入れてください。Koko ni touten o hitotsu irete kudasai.Please put one comma here.
- 美咲 Misakiはい、読点はこれで大丈夫ですか？Hai, touten wa kore de daijoubu desu ka?Yes, is the comma okay like this?
- 健太 Kentaはい、とても読みやすくなりました。Hai, totemo yomiyasuku narimashita.Yes, it became very easy to read.
- 美咲 Misaki良かったです。Yokatta desu.I'm glad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “comma” translations and entries 読点, コンマ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries コンマ, 読点, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
