Small Right Parenthesis

It closes a parenthetical note in a small-form layout.

This small-form parenthesis is a compatibility variant for CJK text. CNS 11643, a character-set standard for Chinese text, included small versions of ASCII punctuation (basic Latin letters and marks); Unicode retained them for compatibility with older systems. Its closing role stays the same.

Parentheses in modern Chinese writing mark additions or explanations. Earlier Chinese printing did not use punctuation in the same standardized way; modern conventions took shape in the early twentieth century. In Chinese typesetting, Taiwan and Hong Kong center punctuation in the character cell, while Mainland conventions place it closer to the preceding text. These layout choices do not change the parenthesis's meaning.

Why is it smaller than a normal parenthesis?

It keeps a compact shape inside a fullwidth cell. The mark is drawn small while taking a fullwidth character cell, so it can align with surrounding CJK text. Unicode retained this form to support exchange with older systems.

Use it only when the small form is intentional.

Keep it in legacy CJK text or a layout that deliberately matches the small form. In ordinary writing, use ) unless the compact shape matters.