Translation and Meaning of: 括弧 - kako

If you are studying Japanese or simply curious about the language, you may have come across the word 括弧[かっこ]. This term may seem simple, but it carries interesting nuances about how Japanese people organize written information. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and usage in everyday life, as well as practical tips for memorizing it. If you are looking for a reliable dictionary to deepen your knowledge, Suki Nihongo is a great reference.

What does 括弧[かっこ] mean?

In Japanese, 括弧[かっこ] refers to parentheses, brackets, or any type of punctuation used to isolate words or phrases within a text. It is composed of the kanji 括 (which means "to wrap" or "to group") and 弧 (which refers to "arc" or "curve"), forming the idea of something that delineates a section. Unlike Portuguese, where we use specific terms for each type of punctuation, such as "colchetes" or "chaves," Japanese tends to generalize with かっこ.

It is worth noting that, although it is common in formal and informal texts, 括弧 is not as frequent in everyday speech. Japanese people tend to use it more in writing, especially in documents, books, and even in online messages to emphasize or make observations.

How and when to use 括弧 in Japanese?

One of the most classic uses of 括弧 is in citations or to highlight additional explanations. For example, in an academic text, you might find something like 「これは重要です（かっこ内は補足です）」, where the parentheses provide complementary information. Another common context is in manga dialogues, where speech bubbles are often represented by かぎかっこ (「」), a specific type of 括弧.

In addition, the Japanese also use variations such as 二重かっこ (『』) for book titles or artistic works. If you are learning Japanese, noticing these details can help you better understand the structure of texts and even familiarize yourself with reading native materials.

Tips for memorizing 括弧 and its uses

An effective way to remember this word is to visually associate it with its meaning. Notice that the kanjis 括 and 弧 have curved strokes, almost as if they are drawing the parentheses themselves. Another tip is to practice with real examples: try to identify かっこ in anime subtitles, social media posts, or even in menus of Japanese restaurants.

If you use apps like Anki, creating flashcards with sentences like 「この文は括弧で囲まれています」 ("This sentence is in parentheses") can be helpful. Constant exposure to real contexts makes it easier to internalize not only vocabulary but also correct usage.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 丸括弧 (Maru Kakko) - Round brackets
• 角括弧 (Kado Kakko) - Brackets
• 中括弧 (Naka Kakko) - Keys