J

J
J j
Usage
Writing systemLatin script
TypeAlphabetic
Language of originLatin language
Sound values
In UnicodeU+004A, U+006A, U+0237
Alphabetical position10
History
Development
Time period14th century[1] to present
Descendants • Ɉ
 • Tittle
 • J
Sisters
Other
Associated graphsj(x), ij
Writing directionLeft-to-right
This article contains phonetic transcriptions in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). For an introductory guide on IPA symbols, see Help:IPA. For the distinction between [ ], / / and ⟨ ⟩, see IPA § Brackets and transcription delimiters.

J, or j, is the tenth letter of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its usual name in English is jay (pronounced /ˈ/), with a now-uncommon variant jy /ˈ/.[2][3]

When used in the International Phonetic Alphabet for the voiced palatal approximant (the sound of "y" in "yes") it may be called yod or jod (pronounced /ˈjɒd/ or /ˈjd/).[4]

  1. ^ "J-letter". Encyclopedia Britannica.
  2. ^ "J", Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd edition (1989)
  3. ^ "J" and "jay", Merriam-Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged (1993)
  4. ^ "yod". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)