Used as a plaintext fallback of ruby: encloses a regular or traditional pronunciation to kanji (sometimes other types of words, e.g. katakana in parentheses following an English word) that the readers may not necessarily know how to read.

Visual rendering of Morse code for チ.

Visual rendering of Morse code for サ.

Visual rendering of Morse code for カ.

The hiragana syllable ゑ (we) or the katakana syllable ヱ (we) in Japanese braille.

The hiragana syllable す (su) or the katakana syllable ス (su) in Japanese braille.

Encloses titles of books.

Visual rendering of Morse code for ヌ.

Visual rendering of Morse code for ル.

Visual rendering of Morse code for ゜ (“handakuten”).