This kana represents the vowel sound 'u'. It is frequently used in verb conjugations, such as the dictionary form (e.g., かう, kau, 'to buy') and the polite form (e.g., かいます, kaimasu, 'buys'). It can also appear in adjectives to form the past tense (e.g., たかかった, takakatta, 'was high'). In casual speech, it may be used as a sentence-ending particle to express realization or emphasis. For example: 『あめが ふって いる う』 (ame ga futte iru u, 'Oh, it's raining').