What is it called when a consonant gains a dakuten or handakuten when paired with another kanji?

2 comments

1. Rendaku?

2. Rendaku 連濁

   The occurrence of rendaku in Japanese is sporadic and largely unpredictable, and therefore the words that use it have to be memorized. It does follow a few patterns, though:

   1. Usually only kun’yomi words (native Japanese words) use rendaku, while on’yomi words (Chinese borrowings) rarely undergo rendaku (though it does happen occasionally).

   2. Voiced consonants don’t like to be near each other, so it won’t change if either the previous or following consonants has a dakuten.

   3. Words meaning “A & B” don’t undergo rendaku.

   4. Recent additions to the Japanese language don’t undergo rendaku.