Ogonek meaning

An ogonek is a diacritical mark used in several languages to indicate a nasalized or lengthened vowel sound.


Ogonek definitions

Word backwards kenogo
Part of speech Noun
Syllabic division o-go-nek
Plural The plural of the word "ogonek" is "ogonki."
Total letters 6
Vogais (2) o,e
Consonants (3) g,n,k

Ogonek

Definition and Origins

Ogonek, also known as nosinek in Polish, is a diacritic hook placed under certain letters in the Latin alphabets of several languages, including Polish, Lithuanian, and Navajo. The name "ogonek" itself is derived from the Polish word for "little tail," which accurately describes its appearance and function in text.

Usage and Function

The primary purpose of the ogonek diacritic is to indicate nasalization of a vowel sound in pronunciation. In Polish, for example, the letter "ą" represents a nasal /ɔ̃/ sound, while in Lithuanian, the letter "į" denotes a nasal /ĩ/. By adding the ogonek below the vowel, it alters the phonetic value of the letter.

Appearance and Placement

The ogonek is typically a short, hook-like mark that extends from the bottom of a vowel letter. It can appear below letters such as "a," "e," "i," "o," and "u," depending on the language. In Navajo, the ogonek can also appear below certain consonants to indicate nasalization.

Examples in Writing

In Polish, the word "róża" (rose) contains the letter "ó" with an ogonek, representing a nasalized /u/ sound. Similarly, in Lithuanian, the word "pavasaris" (spring) includes the letter "į" with an ogonek, indicating a nasalized /i/.

Overall, the ogonek diacritic plays a crucial role in accurately representing certain vowel sounds in written text, particularly in languages that emphasize nasalization in pronunciation. Its distinct appearance and functionality make it a valuable component of the Latin alphabets it is used in.


Ogonek Examples

  1. The word "ogonek" is a diacritic mark used in some European languages.
  2. In Polish, the ogonek is used to indicate nasal vowels.
  3. The ogonek is sometimes referred to as a "little tail".
  4. In Lithuanian, the ogonek is used on the letters "ą" and "ė".
  5. Some fonts may not display the ogonek correctly.
  6. Typing an ogonek on a computer can be done using special key combinations.
  7. The ogonek is similar to the cedilla used in languages like French.
  8. In linguistics, the ogonek is classified as a combining diacritical mark.
  9. The ogonek can be seen on letters in languages like Polish, Lithuanian, and Navajo.
  10. Using the ogonek correctly can change the meaning and pronunciation of words.


Most accessed

Search the alphabet

  • #
  • Aa
  • Bb
  • Cc
  • Dd
  • Ee
  • Ff
  • Gg
  • Hh
  • Ii
  • Jj
  • Kk
  • Ll
  • Mm
  • Nn
  • Oo
  • Pp
  • Qq
  • Rr
  • Ss
  • Tt
  • Uu
  • Vv
  • Ww
  • Xx
  • Yy
  • Zz
  • Updated 31/03/2024 - 19:49:47