page_title: Yotsugana
hierarchical_section_title: Yotsugana
caption_attribution_description: 日本語: 日本語の四つ仮名の分布図 English: Japanese yotsugana distribution map
context_page_description: Yotsugana are a set of four specific kana, じ, ぢ, ず, づ, used in the Japanese writing system. They historically represented four distinct voiced morae in the Japanese language. However, Standard Japanese and the dialects of most Japanese-speakers have merged those morae down to two sounds.
context_section_description: Yotsugana (四つ仮名, literally "four kana") are a set of four specific kana, じ, ぢ, ず, づ (in the Nihon-shiki romanization system: zi, di, zu, du), used in the Japanese writing system. They historically represented four distinct voiced morae (syllables) in the Japanese language. However, Standard Japanese and the dialects of most Japanese-speakers have merged those morae down to two sounds.
caption: Different regions distinguish different sets of sounds. Using the Nihon-shiki romanization system:   1 sound (zi = di = zu = du)   2 sounds (zi = di ≠ zu = du)   3 sounds (zi = di ≠ zu ≠ du)   4 sounds (zi ≠ di ≠ zu ≠ du)
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