Left Parenthesis Lower Hook ⎝

⎝ (U+239D) is a standard Unicode character that you can copy and paste anywhere text is accepted. This page provides a concise reference with safe tips, internal links, and practical guidance so you can use it reliably across apps and platforms.

What it is and where it’s used: Left Parenthesis Lower Hook is part of the Symbols family (block: Miscellaneous Technical). If you need styled or decorative alternatives, try our Fancy Text tool to generate compatible text that works in most modern interfaces.

History & usage: Left parenthesis lower hook is a symbol in the Miscellaneous Technical block. Its code point is U+239D. This character is used as a bracket and a quote delimiter in both writing and code. It helps separate groups, parameters, or quoted text. In typography, the lower hook design centers on a curved opening that visually marks the start of a group. It functions like a standard opening parenthesis, but with a distinct shape that can fit certain fonts and styles. In software and programming, it marks the beginning of a set of items or a parameter list, and it can enclose a string or expression. In documentation and typesetting, it helps readers identify quoted material or nested information. The symbol is chosen for its clear opening role and compatibility with other brackets and quotes. It is used alongside other brackets to structure text and code clearly. Across languages, this character supports readability by visually signaling an introductory group or quoted portion. Its usage remains consistent: open a sequence, specify items or text, then close it with a matching mark. It serves as a precise tool in technical and literary contexts.

Copy and input: the quickest method is to copy the character here. You can also insert it by its codepoint U+239D in many development tools or editors. Some operating systems provide a character viewer or input palette that lets you search by name or code and insert the glyph into documents.

Display and fallback: if you see an empty box (tofu) or a placeholder rectangle, the active font might not include this codepoint. Switching to a font with broader Unicode coverage or using a fallback font usually fixes the issue. On the web, ensure the page’s font stack includes a general‑purpose fallback.

Related references: browse the Categories for similar characters. When choosing a symbol, prefer the official codepoint for semantic clarity and better compatibility with search, copy, and accessibility tooling.

See our category page for related symbols.