<p>Technically, 顿号 should be used to punctuate for <strong>words</strong> enumerating. </p>

<p>As we all text on computers today, it's more convenient to just type a comma, instead of 顿号. Most of time, it's acceptable nowadays unless some would nitpick. </p>

<p>In theory, 顿号 would pause shorter than a comma. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-20T14:07:44.330Z
Sorry for being late to respond, but what do you mean "pause shorter"?
Blaszard
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-24T00:58:43.697Z
a shorter pause...
dan
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-12T11:53:09.463Z
2017-11-12T11:53:09.463Z
dan
<p>In so many cases I have used 逗号（，） to enumerate a list, which 顿号（、) should be used instead. For example:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>我要去食品杂货店买<strong>苹果，香蕉，和西瓜</strong>。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>However, the correct punctuation should be 顿号:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>我要去食品杂货店买<strong>苹果、香蕉、和西瓜</strong>。</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The reason is just that I could not type in it in my Mac. </p>

<p>So my questions are:</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Is it not correct to use 逗号 to enumerate a list? Or even though it is not correct, nonetheless is it actually used frequently among natives? </p></li>
<li><p>What kind of impressions would I make if I use 逗号 in cases where 顿号 should be used?</p></li>
<li><p>Does it have a chance of making a confusion if I use 逗号? In what kind of cases is it acceptable, and in what kind of cases should I refrain from using it?</p></li>
</ul>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-12T19:27:22.037Z
You can type it on your Mac! Just switch your input to source to Pinyin and press the back slash \ key!
Sweeper
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-13T06:35:56.257Z
btw, the last 顿号 (before 和) is unnecessary. This might be a bigger problem than using 逗号 : )
Jason Swift
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-20T14:06:27.897Z
@Sweeper I didn't know that! Thanks for the greatest tips!
Blaszard
<punctuation>
Is it not correct to use 逗号 (punctuation) in a place where 顿号 should be used?
# Is it not correct to use 逗号 (punctuation) in a place where 顿号 should be used?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-11-12)

In so many cases I have used 逗号（，） to enumerate a list, which 顿号（、) should be used instead. For example:

> 我要去食品杂货店买**苹果，香蕉，和西瓜**。

However, the correct punctuation should be 顿号:

> 我要去食品杂货店买**苹果、香蕉、和西瓜**。

The reason is just that I could not type in it in my Mac.

So my questions are:

* Is it not correct to use 逗号 to enumerate a list? Or even though it is not correct, nonetheless is it actually used frequently among natives?
* What kind of impressions would I make if I use 逗号 in cases where 顿号 should be used?
* Does it have a chance of making a confusion if I use 逗号? In what kind of cases is it acceptable, and in what kind of cases should I refrain from using it?

**Tags:** punctuation

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: You can type it on your Mac! Just switch your input to source to Pinyin and press the back slash \ key!  
> **username_2**: btw, the last 顿号 (before 和) is unnecessary. This might be a bigger problem than using 逗号 : )  
> **username_0**: @username_1 I didn't know that! Thanks for the greatest tips!  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2017-11-12. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

Technically, 顿号 should be used to punctuate for **words** enumerating.

As we all text on computers today, it's more convenient to just type a comma, instead of 顿号. Most of time, it's acceptable nowadays unless some would nitpick.

In theory, 顿号 would pause shorter than a comma.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Sorry for being late to respond, but what do you mean "pause shorter"?  
> **username_3**: a shorter pause...  

---

