The Japanese period is colloquially known as maru (マル・丸), meaning "circle," directly because of its distinctive round appearance (。).
The Visual Origin of "Maru"
While its formal name is kuten (句点), which literally translates to "sentence point," the common understanding and popular term for the Japanese period is maru. This widespread colloquial name is purely due to its appearance as a small, hollow circle. Unlike the solid dot of the English period, the Japanese period's unique circular shape makes maru a fitting and intuitive description for native speakers.
Understanding Kuten and Maru
- Formal Name: Kuten (句点) is the official linguistic term for the Japanese period. It directly refers to its function of marking the end of a sentence or a complete thought. You can find more details about Japanese punctuation, including kuten, on resources like Wikipedia's article on Japanese punctuation.
- Colloquial Name: Maru (マル・丸) directly translates to "circle." This term is used informally in everyday conversation and writing, often when referring to the character itself or discussing punctuation in a casual context. It emphasizes the visual characteristic of the mark.
Function and Comparison to English Punctuation
Despite their visual differences, the Japanese period functions almost identically to the English period (full stop). Its primary purpose is to mark the end of a declarative or imperative sentence, indicating a complete thought.
| Aspect | Japanese Period (Kuten/Maru) | English Period (Full Stop) |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | 。 (a small, hollow circle) | . (a small, solid dot) |
| Formal Name | Kuten (句点) | Period / Full Stop |
| Colloquial | Maru (マル・丸), meaning "circle" | N/A (sometimes just "dot" informally) |
| Function | Terminates a sentence, marks a complete thought | Terminates a sentence, marks a complete thought |
For example, a simple Japanese sentence concludes with a maru:
- これは日本語の文です。 (Kore wa Nihongo no bun desu.) - "This is a Japanese sentence."
Both punctuation marks provide clarity and structure to written language, making sentences easier to read and understand. For further reading on Japanese grammar and sentence structure, educational sites such as Tae Kim's Guide to Japanese Grammar offer valuable insights.
Practical Usage and Significance
The consistent use of the Japanese period is fundamental to proper written communication in Japanese. It serves several important roles:
- Clarity: It clearly signals where one sentence ends and another begins, preventing confusion.
- Readability: It helps readers naturally pause and process information, improving the flow of text.
- Standardization: Its universal recognition ensures that written Japanese is uniformly understood across all contexts.
Without the maru, sentences would run together, making text incredibly difficult to parse. Its simplicity and clear function underscore its importance in the Japanese writing system.
