>
> Yes, this [U+3007] is the "maru" character, used as a zero when using the han
> characters for 0-9 as decimal digits and used as a Japanese checkmark,
> and in contrast with "batsu". It's also used as a placeholder for
> certain types of profanity and is a "slang kanji" for female genitalia
> (in Japanese).
>
And because Japanese is such a wonderfully complex writing system,
don't forget the other *real* kanji for "maru":
U+4E38 and U+5186 -- meaning 'round', but not 'zero'
and the other *real* kanji for "zero" (rei):
U+96F6 -- meaning 'zero', but not 'round'.
And yes, U+96F6 also occasionally occurs being used as a digit.
--Ken
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.2 : Tue Jul 10 2001 - 17:20:38 EDT