Single Left-pointing Angle Quotation Mark Symbol
‹ is the single left-pointing angle quotation mark used to open quoted text in some typographic styles.
U+2039
The ‹ symbol (U+2039) is a punctuation character commonly used as a quotation mark opening quote. It can also appear in UI labels or navigation elements. This page helps you copy it and use it correctly in text or code.
Single Left-pointing Angle Quotation Mark Symbol Meaning
‹ (U+2039) is the “single left-pointing angle quotation mark,” a punctuation character used as an opening quotation mark in certain typographic traditions. Depending on the language or publishing style, it may be paired with its right-pointing counterpart (›) to enclose quoted phrases. Visually, it resembles a left chevron or angled quote and is often used where straight quotes (“ ”) or other quote styles are not desired. In addition, designers sometimes use it in compact UI text to suggest direction, especially when paired with arrows or when matching an existing typographic theme.
Common uses
- •Opening quotes in languages and layouts that prefer angle-style quotation marks
- •Displaying quoted terms in documentation or technical writing that uses typographic punctuation
- •Pairing with › to format book titles, dialogue, or emphasized phrases
- •Creating compact UI indicators where a left-pointing “quote” style is already established
- •Designing consistent typography for posts, cards, and templates using punctuation sets
Examples
‹ Single Left-Pointing Angle Quotation Mark
- ‹He said ‹wait› and then left.
- ‹The label reads ‹previous› to move back.
- ‹“Use ‹this term› carefully,” the guide notes.
- ‹A quoted phrase may appear as ‹quoted text› in older styles.
- ‹In our layout, quotes are styled like ‹opening› and ›closing›.
Variations
Ready to copy
Technical codes
| Unicode | U+2039 | |
| HTML Entity | ‹ | |
| HTML Code | ‹ | |
| CSS | \2039 |
FAQ
What does the Single Left-pointing Angle Quotation Mark symbol mean?
‹ (U+2039) is the “single left-pointing angle quotation mark,” a punctuation character used as an opening quotation mark in certain typographic traditions. Depending on the language or publishing style, it may be paired with its right-pointing counterpart (›) to enclose quoted phrases. Visually, it resembles a left chevron or angled quote and is often used where straight quotes (“ ”) or other quote styles are not desired. In addition, designers sometimes use it in compact UI text to suggest direction, especially when paired with arrows or when matching an existing typographic theme.
What character is ‹ exactly?
‹ is the “single left-pointing angle quotation mark” with Unicode code point U+2039.
How do I type or copy ‹ in code?
You can copy the character directly (‹) or use the provided escapes: HTML ‹, CSS \\2039, or JavaScript \\u{2039}.
Is ‹ the same as the less-than sign < ?
No. ‹ is U+2039 (angle quotation mark). The less-than sign is a different character: <.
Which symbol should I pair with ‹?
Typically, you pair it with the matching closing angle quotation mark: ›.