Hyphen Symbol
About Hyphen Symbol
‐ is the hyphen symbol, a punctuation mark used to join words and separate syllables in typography and writing. The hyphen symbol ‐ is the shortest horizontal dash, distinct from the slash symbol / which separates alternatives, and from longer dashes like en dash and em dash.
The hyphen symbol ‐ is primarily used to connect compound words, split words at line breaks, and clarify modifiers in written English. As a Unicode character, the hyphen symbol holds codepoint U+2010 within the General Punctuation block, though the ASCII hyphen-minus (-) at U+002D is more commonly typed on keyboards.
【Historical Origin】 The hyphen symbol traces back to ancient Greek texts where a curved mark under words indicated they should be read together. The hyphen symbol was standardized in medieval manuscripts and adopted into print by Gutenberg, becoming essential punctuation in modern writing systems worldwide.
【Typographic Distinctions】 The hyphen symbol ‐ is the shortest among horizontal line symbols. The en dash (–) indicates ranges (10–20), while the em dash (—) separates clauses. Unlike the slash symbol / that indicates alternatives (and/or), the hyphen symbol joins elements together into unified compounds.
How to Type Hyphen Symbol
Windows Input
Method 1: Press the - key (hyphen-minus) on the keyboard; Method 2: Hold Alt and type 8208 for the true hyphen symbol ‐; Method 3: Use Character Map to find the Unicode hyphen symbol.
Mac Input
Method 1: Press the - key for hyphen-minus; Method 2: Press Control + Command + Space and search "hyphen"; Method 3: Use the Keyboard Viewer to locate the hyphen symbol on your layout.
HTML/CSS Input
HTML: ‐ or ‐ for the true hyphen symbol; simply typing - produces hyphen-minus; CSS: content: "\2010";
LaTeX Input
Use a single - for the hyphen symbol in LaTeX text mode. For compound words, LaTeX automatically handles hyphenation. Use \- to suggest optional hyphenation points within words.
Hyphen Symbol FAQ
What is the difference between the hyphen symbol and the slash symbol?
The hyphen symbol ‐ joins words into compounds (well-known, state-of-the-art), while the slash symbol / separates alternatives (yes/no, and/or) or forms fractions (1/2). The hyphen symbol unifies elements, while the slash symbol indicates division or choice between them.
What is the difference between a hyphen, en dash, and em dash?
The hyphen symbol ‐ is shortest and joins compound words. The en dash (–) indicates ranges like 10–20 or connections like New York–London. The em dash (—) separates clauses with a strong break—like this. Each serves a distinct typographic purpose.
When should I use the hyphen symbol in compound words?
Use the hyphen symbol for compound adjectives before nouns (state-of-the-art technology), compound numbers (twenty-one through ninety-nine), prefixes with proper nouns (un-American), and to avoid ambiguity (re-sign vs. resign, co-op vs. coop).
What is the Unicode for the true hyphen symbol?
The Unicode codepoint for the true hyphen symbol ‐ is U+2010. The common keyboard hyphen-minus is U+002D. The hyphen symbol U+2010 is specifically designed for word-joining, while hyphen-minus serves multiple roles including the minus sign in programming.