Japanese pitch accent rules (numerals and counters)
This article is an non-exhaustive list of rules that govern the Tokyo pitch accent of numerals, numbers and number–counter sequences. For other rules, see Japanese pitch accent rules.
Numerals, numbers and counters follow significantly different rules and trends from those of other nouns. Number–counter sequences can also be deaccented when used as adverbs (see Japanese pitch accent rules (non-common nouns) § Nouns used as adverbs).
Numerals
Native numerals
The native numerals from one to nine are usually used with the generic native counter ‑tsu (つ). Of these combinations, all those containing /Q/ are final-accented, while the rest are second-accented; however, the /Q/-less variants can be final- or initial-accented as well:[1][2][3]
- hitotsu (一つ; /hi̥tótsɯ/ 'one thing'), itsutsu (五つ; /itsɯ́tsɯ ~ itsɯ̥́tsɯ/ 'five things'), nanatsu (七つ; /nanátsɯ/ 'seven things')
- kokonotsu (九つ; /kokónotsɯ/ 'nine things')
- futa(t)tsu (二つ; /ɸɯ̥ta(Q)tsɯ́/ 'two things')
- mi(t)tsu) (三つ; /mi(Q)tsɯ́ ~ mítsɯ/ 'three things'), yo(t)tsu (四つ; /jo(Q)tsɯ́ ~ jótsɯ/ 'four things'), mu(t)tsu (六つ; /mɯ(Q)tsɯ́ ~ mɯ́tsɯ/ 'six things'), ya(t)tsu (八つ; /ja(Q)tsɯ́ ~ játsɯ/ 'eight things')
When these ‑tsu words are used as modifiers in compounds, ‑tsu tends to be the nucleus:[4]
- hitotsu + mi → hitotsumi (一つ+身→一つ身; 'one thing + one's body → a one-piece kimono'): /hi̥tótsɯ + mi → hi̥totsɯ́-mi/
- hitotsu + hoshi → Hitotsuboshi (一つ+星→一つ星; 'one thing + a star → the One Star → Venus'): /hi̥tótsɯ + hoɕi → hi̥totsɯ́-boɕi/
- mitsu + hoshi → mitsuboshi → Mitsuboshi (三つ+星→三つ星; 'three things + a star → three stars → the Three Stars[a]'): /mitsɯ́ ~ mítsɯ + hoɕi → mitsɯ́-boɕi/
- yatsu + hashi → yatsuhashi (八つ+橋→八つ橋; 'eight things + a bridge → an eight-plank bridge'): /jatsɯ́ ~ játsɯ + haɕí → jatsɯ̥́-haɕi/
However, hitotsu meaning 'the same' tends to keep its original accent:[4]
- hitotsu + kama → hitotsukama (一つ+釜→一つ釜; 'the same + a rice pot → the same pot'): /hi̥tótsɯ + kama → hi̥tótsɯ̥-kama/
- hitotsu + tokoro → hitotsutokoro (一つ+所→一つ所; 'the same + a place → the same place'): /hi̥tótsɯ + tokoɾo → hi̥tótsɯ̥-tokoɾo/
- hitotsu + koto → hitotsukoto (一つ+事→一つ事; 'the same + a matter → the same matter'): /hi̥tótsɯ + kotó → hi̥tótsɯ̥-koto/
- hitotsu + hanashi → hitotsuhanashi (一つ+話→一つ話; 'the same + a story → the same story'): /hi̥tótsɯ + hanaɕí → hi̥tótsɯ̥-hanaɕi/
All the native numerals without ‑tsu are initial-accented, except hito, futa and kokono which are second-accented:[1][3]
- hito ~ hi (一; /hi̥tó ~ hí/ 'one'), futa ~ futa (二; /ɸɯ̥tá ~ ɸɯ́/ 'two')
- kokono ~ ko(no) (九; /kokóno ~ kó(no)/ 'nine')
- mi (三; /mí/ 'three'), mu (六; /mɯ́/ 'six'), ya (八; /já/ 'eight'), to (十; /tó/ 'ten')
- yo(n) (四; /jó(N)/ 'four'), i(tsu) (五; /í(tsɯ)/ 'five'), na(na) (七; /ná(na)/ 'seven')
- hī (一; /híR/ 'one'), mī (三; /míR/ 'three'), ī (五; /íR/ 'five'), fū (二; /ɸɯ́R/ 'two'), mū (六; /mɯ́R/ 'six'), yō (四; /jóR/ 'four'), tō (十; /tóR/ 'ten'), nā (七; /náR/ 'seven'), yā (八; /jáR/ 'eight')
Sino-Japanese numerals
All simplex Sino-Japanese numerals, except san and oku, are minimally final-accented; if they are unimoraic, or end in a special mora, they are initial-accented; go and ku used to be unaccented (large numbers are translated into English in short scale):[5][6][7][8][3]
- ichi (一; /icɕí/ 'one'), hachi (八; /hacɕí/ 'eight'), shichi (七; /ɕi̥cɕí/ 'seven'), roku (六; /ɾokɯ́/ 'six'), hyaku (百; /hjakɯ́/ 'hundred')
- ni (二; /ní/ 'two'), shi (四; /ɕí/ 'four')
- go (五; /ɡó ~ †ɡo/ 'five')
- kyū ~ ku (九; /kjɯ́R ~ kɯ́ ~ †kɯ/ 'nine')
- rei (零; /ɾéi → ɾéR/ 'zero'), kei (京; /kéi → kéR/ 'ten quadrillion'), jū (十; /ʑɯ́R/ 'ten'), chō (兆; /cɕóR/ 'trillion'), sen (千; /séN/ 'thousand'), man (万; /máN/ 'ten thousand')
- oku (億; /ókɯ/ 'hundred million')
- san (三; /saN/ 'three')
However, when the numerals are enumerated, as in "one, two, three, …," the final-accented numerals and san can become initial-accented. The unimoraic numerals also have initial-accented bimoraic variants with lengthening morae for enumeration:[9][8]
- ichi, nī, san, {yon ~ shī}, gō, roku, {nana ~ shichi}, hachi, k(y)ū, jū (一、二、三、四、五、六、七、八、九、十; 'one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten'): /ícɕi | níR | sáN | {jóN ~ ɕíR} | ɡóR | ɾókɯ | {nána ~ ɕí̥cɕi} | hácɕi | k(j)ɯ́R | ʑɯ́R/
Numeral series and decimal parts
Numeral series, made of numerals from zero to nine, as used in telephone and serial numbers and decimal parts, follow a specific set of rules:[9][10]
- Numerals must be in groups of two if possible.
- Each group must form an exactly quadrimoraic minor phrase, which means only bimoraic numerals can be used in groups.
- Each group is penultimate-accented.
- A lone, ungrouped numeral, however, retains its original accent in its own minor phrase, or becomes dephrased if its nucleus is its final mora.
- There is disagreement as to whether a lone, originally unimoraic numeral should become bimoraic[9] or remain unimoraic[10] in a numeral series.
Some of these rules also apply to a group of a ones-place numeral and ‑ten (点; /teN/ 'point'), the latter of which functions as the decimal point. This group, however, is minimally accented before ‑ten.[9]
- 03-5400-▲▲21: /ɾeR-sáN | ɡoR-jóN | ɾeR-ɾéR | ●●-●● | niR-ícɕi/
- 3.1416: /sáN-teN | icɕi-jóN | icɕi-ɾókɯ/
- 3.1: /sáN-teN | icɕí ~ sáN-teN icɕi/
- 0.1453: /ɾéR-teN | icɕi-jóN | ɡoR-sáN/
- 0.145: /ɾéR-teN | icɕi-jóN | {?ɡóR ~ ɡó} ~ ɾéR-teN | icɕi-jóN ɡo/
- 58.32412: /ɡo-ʑɯR háQ-teN | saN-níR | joN-ícɕi | {?níR ~ ní} ~ ɡo-ʑɯR háQ-teN | saN-níR | joN-ícɕi ni/
- 2.2: /níR-teN | {?níR ~ ní} ~ níR-teN ni/
- 2.22: /níR-teN | niR-níR/
- 2.222: /níR-ten | niR-níR | {?níR ~ ní} ~ níR-ten | niR-níR ni/
- 5.3: /ɡóR-teN (|) saN/
- 15.3: /ʑɯ́R ɡoR-teN (|) saN ~ ʑɯ́R | ɡóR-teN (|) saN/
These rules for the decimal point ‑ten are different from those for the counters ‑ten (see #Other combinations). In addition, while the counters often trigger /Q/, the decimal point does not necessarily,[11] especially in broadcasting where it is more desirable for clarity not to have /Q/. One survey finds that there was a slight preference for /Q/ in 一点五 ('1.5') and no /Q/ in 八点五 ('8.5'). Compare:[12]
- 1 point: /iQ-téN/
- 1 item: /íQ-teN/
- 1.5: /icɕí̥-teN ɡo → íQ-teN ɡo/
- 8 points: /hacɕi̥-téN → haQ-téN/
- 8 items: /hacɕí̥-teN → háQ-teN/
- 8.5: /hacɕí̥-teN ɡo → háQ-teN ɡo/
English numerals
Most organically used numerals are either native or Sino-Japanese, with the sole exception of the initial-accented Franco-English loanword zero,[3] which can be used for special emphasis.[8] The English numerals from one to ten can be used in exercise and sports, for example to count points under par in golf.[13] English numerals all retain the original English accent:[14][15][16]
- zero /ˈzɪːɹəw/ → zero (ゼロ) /zéɾo/
- one /wɐn/ → wan (ワン) /wáN/
- two /tʉw/ → tsū (ツー) /tsɯ́R/
- three /θɹɪj/ → surī (スリー) /sɯɾíR/
- four /foː/ → fō ~ foa (フォー) /ɸóR ~ ɸóa/
- five /fɑjv/ → faibu (ファイブ) /ɸáibɯ/
- six /sɪks/ → shikkusu (シックス) /ɕíQkɯ̥sɯ/
- seven /ˈsɛvən/ → sebun (セブン) /sébɯN/
- eight /ɛjt/ → eito (エイト) /éito → éRto/
- nine /nɑjn/ → nain (ナイン) /náiN/
- ten /tɛn/ → ten (テン) /téN/
- eleven /ɪˈlɛvən/ → irebun (イレブン) /iɾébɯN/
Numbers
Not all the numerals above are frequently used to create numbers productively (excluding collocations and proverbs). The numerals from one to nine can be grouped as follows, based on their behavior in compound numbers:[5][17][18]
- Final-accented and Sino-Japanese four (G-1&Shi): /icɕí, hacɕí, ɾokɯ́, ɕí/
- Sino-Japanese seven (Shichi): /ɕi̥cɕí/
- Formerly unaccented, now initial-accented (GX0): /ɡó ~ †ɡo, kɯ́ ~ †kɯ/
- Sino-Japanese two (Ni): /ní/
- Initial-accented and native two (G+1&Futa): /kjɯ́R, jóN, nána, ɸɯ̥tá/
- Sino-Japanese three (G0): /saN/
Numeral + jū (⟦1; 9⟧ × 10)
Jū retains its original nucleus after:[19][7][18]
- G-1&Shi: /hacɕi-ʑɯ́R, ɾokɯ-ʑɯ́R, ɕi-ʑɯ́R/
- Shichi: /ɕi̥cɕi-ʑɯ́R/
- GX0: /ɡo-ʑɯ́R, kɯ-ʑɯ́R/
And is preaccenting after:
- Ni: /ní-ʑɯR/
- G+1&Futa: /kjɯ́R-ʑɯR, jóN-ʑɯR, naná-ʑɯR, ɸɯ̥tá-ʑɯR/
- G0: /sáN-ʑɯR/
All these combinations and jū itself can be grouped based on their behavior with counters and counter-like numerals as follows (those marked with a superscript question mark are dubious due to inconsistent descriptions among sources):
- Pseudo-unaccented (G[10]X0): /hacɕi-ʑɯ́R, ɾokɯ-ʑɯ́R, ɕi-ʑɯ́R, ɕi̥cɕi-ʑɯ́R, ɡo-ʑɯ́R, kɯ-ʑɯ́R/
- Sino-Japanese ten (Jū): /ʑɯ́R/
- Initial- and second-accented (G[10]+1+2): /ní-ʑɯR, kjɯ́R-ʑɯR, jóN-ʑɯR, ?naná-ʑɯR, ?ɸɯ̥tá-ʑɯR, sáN-ʑɯR/
Numeral + hyaku (⟦1; 9⟧ × 100)
Hyaku retains its original nucleus after:[20][17][21]
- G-1&Shi: /iQ-pjakɯ́, haQ-pjakɯ́, ɾoQ-pjakɯ́, ɕi̥-hjakɯ́/
- GX0: /ɡo-hjakɯ́, kɯ̥-hjakɯ́/
- Ni: /ni-hjakɯ́/
And is preaccenting after:
- G+1&Futa: /kjɯ́R-hjakɯ, jóN-hjakɯ, naná-hjakɯ, ɸɯ̥tá-hjakɯ/
- G0: /sáN-bjakɯ/
And either loses the nucleus or is preaccenting after Shichi: /ɕi̥cɕi-hjakɯ́ ~ ɕicɕí-hjakɯ/
All these combinations and hyaku itself can be grouped based on their behavior with counters and counter-like numerals as follows (note that shichihyaku belongs to two different groups, and those marked with a superscript question mark are dubious due to inconsistent descriptions among sources):
- Pseudo-unaccented (G[100]X0): /hjakɯ́, iQ-pjakɯ́, haQ-pjakɯ́, ɾoQ-pjakɯ́, ɕi̥-hjakɯ́, ɡo-hjakɯ́, kɯ̥-hjakɯ́, ni-hjakɯ́, ɕi̥cɕi-hjakɯ́/
- Initial- and second-accented (G[100]+1+2): /kjɯ́R-hjakɯ, jóN-hjakɯ, ?naná-hjakɯ, ?ɸɯ̥tá-hjakɯ, sáN-bjakɯ, ?ɕi̥cɕí-hjakɯ/
‑jū number + numeral (⟦1; 9⟧ × 10 + ⟦1; 9⟧)
G[10]X0 lose their nucleus before all groups. Take gojū /ɡo-ʑɯ́R/ as a representative example:[22][17][18]
- G-1&Shi: /ɡo-ʑɯR icɕí, ɡo-ʑɯR hacɕí, ɡo-ʑɯR ɾokɯ́, ɡo-ʑɯR ɕí/
- Shichi: /ɡo-ʑɯR ɕi̥cɕí/
- GX0: /ɡo-ʑɯR ɡó, ɡo-ʑɯR kɯ́/
- Ni: /ɡo-ʑɯR ní/
- G+1&Futa: /ɡo-ʑɯR kjɯ́R, ɡo-ʑɯR jóN, ɡo-ʑɯR nána, ɡo-ʑɯR ɸɯ̥tá/
- G0: /ɡo-ʑɯR saN/
Jū /ʑɯ́R/ works similarly, except before:
- GX0: /ʑɯ́R ɡo, ʑɯ́R kɯ/
- G0: /ʑɯ́R saN/
G[10]+1+2 retain their nucleus before all groups. The following numeral can form its own minor phrase:
- G-1&Shi: /ní-ʑɯR icɕi ~ ní-ʑɯR | icɕí, ní-ʑɯR hacɕi ~ ní-ʑɯR | hacɕí, ní-ʑɯR ɾokɯ ~ ní-ʑɯR | ɾokɯ́, ní-ʑɯR ɕi ~ ní-ʑɯR | ɕí/
- Shichi: /ní-ʑɯR ɕi̥cɕi ~ ní-ʑɯR | ɕi̥cɕí/
- GX0: /ní-ʑɯR ɡo ~ ní-ʑɯR | ɡó, ní-ʑɯR kɯ ~ ní-ʑɯR | kɯ́/
- Ni: /ní-ʑɯR ni ~ ní-ʑɯR | ní/
- G+1&Futa: /ní-ʑɯR kjɯR ~ ní-ʑɯR | kjɯ́R, ní-ʑɯR joN ~ ní-ʑɯR | jóN, ní-ʑɯR nana ~ ní-ʑɯR | nána, ní-ʑɯR ɸɯ̥ta ~ ní-ʑɯR | ɸɯ̥tá/
- G0: /ní-ʑɯR (|) saN/
‑hyaku number + number (⟦1; 9⟧ × 100 + ⟦1; 99⟧)
G[100]X0 lose their nucleus before all groups as well as larger numbers. Take happyaku /haQ-pjakɯ́/ as a representative example:[23][17][24]
- G-1&Shi: /haQ-pjakɯ icɕí, haQ-pjakɯ̥ hacɕí, haQ-pjakɯ ɾokɯ́, haQ-pjakɯ̥ ɕí/
- Shichi: /haQ-pjakɯ̥ ɕi̥cɕí/
- Ni: /haQ-pjakɯ ní/
- G+1&Futa: /haQ-pjakɯ̥ kjɯ́R, haQ-pjakɯ jóN, haQ-pjakɯ nána, haQ-pjakɯ ɸɯ̥tá/
- G0: /haQ-pjakɯ̥ saN/
- Larger:
- /haQ-pjakɯ ʑɯ́R, haQ-pjakɯ ʑɯ́R saN, haQ-pjakɯ ʑɯ́R ɡo, haQ-pjakɯ ʑɯR ní/
- /haQ-pjakɯ ɡo-ʑɯ́R, haQ-pjakɯ ɡo-ʑɯR saN, haQ-pjakɯ ɡo-ʑɯR ɡó, haQ-pjakɯ ɡo-ʑɯR ní/
Additionally, the obsolete unaccented pronunciations of GX0 can resurface: /ɡo-hjakɯ ɡó ~ ɡo-hjakɯ ɡo, ɡo-hjakɯ̥ kɯ́ ~ ɡo-hjakɯ̥ kɯ/
G[100]+1+2 retain their nucleus before all groups as well as larger numbers. The following number can form its own minor phrase:
- G-1&Shi: /sáN-bjakɯ icɕi ~ sáN-bjakɯ | icɕí, sáN-bjakɯ̥ hacɕi ~ sáN-bjakɯ̥ | hacɕí, sáN-bjakɯ ɾokɯ ~ sáN-bjakɯ | ɾokɯ́, sáN-bjakɯ̥ ɕi ~ sáN-bjakɯ̥ | ɕí/
- Shichi: /sáN-bjakɯ̥ ɕi̥cɕi ~ sáN-bjakɯ̥ | ɕi̥cɕí/
- GX0: /sáN-bjakɯ ɡo ~ sáN-bjakɯ | ɡó, sáN-bjakɯ̥ kɯ ~ sáN-bjakɯ̥ | kɯ́/
- Ni: /sáN-bjakɯ ni ~ sáN-bjakɯ | ní/
- G+1&Futa: /sáN-bjakɯ̥ kjɯR ~ sáN-bjakɯ̥ | kjɯ́R, sáN-bjakɯ joN ~ sáN-bjakɯ | jóN, sáN-bjakɯ nana ~ sáN-bjakɯ | nána, sáN-bjakɯ ɸɯ̥ta ~ sáN-bjakɯ | ɸɯ̥tá/
- G0: /sáN-bjakɯ̥ (|) saN/
- Larger:
- /sáN-bjakɯ ʑɯR ~ sáN-bjakɯ | ʑɯ́R, sáN-bjakɯ ʑɯR saN ~ sáN-bjakɯ | ʑɯ́R saN, sáN-bjakɯ ʑɯR ɡo ~ sáN-bjakɯ | ʑɯ́R ɡo, sáN-bjakɯ ʑɯR ni ~ sáN-bjakɯ | ʑɯR ní/
- /sáN-bjakɯ ɡo-ʑɯR ~ sáN-bjakɯ | ɡo-ʑɯ́R, sáN-bjakɯ (|) ɡo-ʑɯR saN, sáN-bjakɯ ɡo-ʑɯR ɡo ~ sáN-bjakɯ | ɡo-ʑɯR ɡó, sáN-bjakɯ ɡo-ʑɯR ni ~ sáN-bjakɯ | ɡo-ʑɯR ní/
Numeral + sen/man ({⟦1; 9⟧ × 1,000; {⟦1; 10⟧; 100; 1,000} × 10,000})
Short compounds with sen /séN/ and man /máN/ are all penultimate-accented:[20][7][25]
- All groups except GX0:
- /iQ-séN, haQ-séN, ɾokɯ̥-séN, ɕi̥cɕi-séN, ni-séN, kjɯR-séN, joN-séN, nana-séN, ɸɯ̥ta-séN, saN-zéN/
- /icɕi-máN, hacɕi-máN, ɾokɯ-máN, ɕi̥cɕi-máN, ni-máN, kjɯR-máN, joN-máN, nana-máN, ɸɯ̥ta-máN, saN-máN/
- → /ʑɯR icɕi-máN/
- → /ní-ʑɯR icɕi-maN ~ ní-ʑɯR | icɕi-máN/
- → /ɡo-ʑɯR (|) icɕi-máN/
- GX0:
- /ɡo-séN/
- /ɡo-máN, kɯ-máN/
- → /ʑɯ́R ɡo-maN ~ ʑɯ́R | ɡo-máN/
- → /ní-ʑɯR ɡo-maN ~ ní-ʑɯR | ɡo-máN/
- → /ɡo-ʑɯR (|) ɡo-máN/
- Larger: /ʑɯR-máN, hjakɯ-máN, seN-máN/
Shisen and shiman are hypothetically pronounced /ɕi̥-séN, ɕi-máN/, but they have become fossilized in the kabuki title Shisenryō (四千両; ɕiseNɾjoR) and the Buddhist holiday Shiman Rokusennichi (四万六千日; ɕimáN ɾokɯ̥seNnicɕi ~ ɕimaN ɾokɯ̥séNnicɕi).[26]
Long ‑jū/‑hyaku/‑sen number + man (⟦1; 9⟧ × {10; 100; 1,000} × 10,000)
In long compounds, man behaves like an initial-accented or preaccenting counter after G[10]X0, G[100]X0 and ‑sen numbers:[27][28][29]
- /ɡo-ʑɯ́R → ɡo-ʑɯR-máN ~ ɡo-ʑɯ́R-maN/
- /ɕi̥cɕi-hjakɯ́ → ɕi̥cɕi-hjakɯ-máN ~ ɕi̥cɕi-hjakɯ́-maN/
- /haQ-pjakɯ́ → haQ-pjakɯ-máN ~ haQ-pjakɯ́-maN/
- /saN-zéN → saN-zeN-máN ~ saN-zéN-maN/
- /hjakɯ̥-séN → hjakɯ̥-seN-máN ~ ?hjakɯ̥-séN-maN/
G[10]+1+2 and G[100]+1+2, additionally retain their nucleus:
- /ní-ʑɯR → ni-ʑɯR-máN ~ ni-ʑɯ́R-maN ~ ní-ʑɯR-maN/
- /naná-ʑɯR → nana-ʑɯR-máN ~ nana-ʑɯ́R-maN ~ naná-ʑɯR-maN/
- /sáN-bjakɯ → saN-bjakɯ-máN ~ saN-bjakɯ́-maN ~ sáN-bjakɯ-maN/
- /naná-hjakɯ → nana-hjakɯ-máN ~ nana-hjakɯ́-maN ~ naná-hjakɯ-maN/
- /ɕi̥cɕí-hjakɯ → ɕi̥cɕi-hjakɯ-máN ~ ɕi̥cɕi-hjakɯ́-maN ~ ɕi̥cɕí-hjakɯ-maN/
Numeral or ‑jū/‑hyaku/‑sen number + oku/chō (⟦1; 9⟧ × {1; 10; 100; 1,000} × {10⁸; 10¹²})
Oku /ókɯ/ behaves like a preaccenting counter:[30][31]
- All groups except GX0: /icɕí-okɯ, hacɕí-okɯ, ɾokɯ́-okɯ, ɕí-okɯ, ɕi̥cɕí-okɯ, ní-okɯ, kjɯ́R-okɯ, jóN-okɯ, naná-okɯ, sáN-okɯ, ʑɯ́R-okɯ, ɡo-ʑɯ́R-okɯ, ni-ʑɯ́R-okɯ, nana-ʑɯ́R-okɯ, hjakɯ́-okɯ, haQ-pjakɯ́-okɯ, saN-bjakɯ́-okɯ, nana-hjakɯ́-okɯ/
- → /ʑɯR icɕí-okɯ/
- → /ní-ʑɯR icɕi-okɯ ~ ní-ʑɯR | icɕí-okɯ/
- → /ɡo-ʑɯR (|) icɕí-okɯ/
- GX0: /ɡó-okɯ/
- → /ʑɯ́R ɡo-okɯ ~ ʑɯ́R | ɡó-okɯ/
- → /ní-ʑɯR ɡo-okɯ ~ ní-ʑɯR | ɡó-okɯ/
- → /ɡo-ʑɯR (|) ɡó-okɯ/
- Larger: /séN-okɯ, saN-zéN-okɯ/
Chō /cɕóR/ behaves like an initial-accented or preaccenting counter:[30]
- All groups except GX0: /iQ-cɕóR ~ íQ-cɕoR, haQ-cɕóR ~ háQ-cɕoR, ɾokɯ̥-cɕóR ~ ɾokɯ̥́-cɕoR, ɕi̥cɕi-cɕóR ~ ɕi̥cɕí-cɕoR, ni-cɕóR ~ ní-cɕoR, kjɯR-cɕóR ~ kjɯ́R-cɕoR, joN-cɕóR ~ jóN-cɕoR, nana-cɕóR ~ naná-cɕoR, saN-cɕóR ~ sáN-cɕoR, ʑiQ-cɕóR ~ ʑíQ-cɕoR ~ ʑɯQ-cɕóR ~ ʑɯ́Q-cɕoR, ɡo-ʑiQ-cɕóR ~ ɡo-ʑíQ-cɕoR ~ ɡo-ʑɯQ-cɕóR ~ ɡo-ʑɯ́Q-cɕoR, ni-ʑiQ-cɕóR ~ ni-ʑíQ-cɕoR ~ ni-ʑɯQ-cɕóR ~ ni-ʑɯ́Q-cɕoR, nana-ʑiQ-cɕóR ~ nana-ʑíQ-cɕoR ~ nana-ʑɯQ-cɕóR ~ nana-ʑɯ́Q-cɕoR, hjakɯ̥-cɕóR ~ hjakɯ̥́-cɕoR, haQ-pjakɯ̥-cɕóR ~ haQ-pjakɯ̥́-cɕoR, saN-bjakɯ̥-cɕóR ~ saN-bjakɯ̥́-cɕoR, nana-hjakɯ̥-cɕóR ~ nana-hjakɯ̥́-cɕoR/
- → /ʑɯR iQ-cɕóR ~ ʑɯR íQ-cɕoR/
- → /ní-ʑɯR iQ-cɕoR ~ ní-ʑɯR | iQ-cɕóR ~ ní-ʑɯR | íQ-cɕoR/
- → /ɡo-ʑɯR (|) iQ-cɕóR ~ ɡo-ʑɯR (|) íQ-cɕoR/
- GX0: /ɡo-cɕóR ~ ɡó-cɕoR/
- → /ʑɯ́R ɡo-cɕoR ~ ʑɯ́R | ɡo-cɕóR ~ ʑɯ́R | ɡó-cɕoR/
- → /ní-ʑɯR ɡo-cɕoR ~ ní-ʑɯR | ɡo-cɕóR ~ ní-ʑɯR | ɡó-cɕoR/
- → /ɡo-ʑɯR (|) ɡo-cɕóR ~ ɡo-ʑɯR (|) ɡó-cɕoR/
- Larger: /seN-cɕóR ~ séN-cɕoR, saN-zeN-cɕóR ~ saN-zéN-cɕoR/
‑sen or larger number + number ({⟦1; 9⟧ × 1,000 + ⟦1; 999⟧; ⟦1; 9,999⟧ × {𝑥 ∈ ℕ⁺ | 𝑥 ⋮ 10,000} + ⟦1; 𝑥 − 1⟧})
‑sen and larger numbers normally combine with other numbers as separable minor phrase:[23][32][33]
- /séN ɡo-hjakɯ ~ séN | ɡo-hjakɯ́/
- /icɕí-okɯ | ɡo-séN kjɯR-hjakɯ ɾokɯ-ʑɯR-maN | saN-zéN saN-bjakɯ ni-ʑɯR icɕi
~ icɕí-okɯ | ɡo-séN | kjɯ́R-hjakɯ | ɾokɯ-ʑɯR-máN | saN-zéN | sáN-bjakɯ ni-ʑɯR icɕi
~ icɕí-okɯ | ɡo-séN | kjɯ́R-hjakɯ | ɾokɯ-ʑɯR-máN | saN-zéN | sáN-bjakɯ | ní-ʑɯR | icɕí/
In some contexts such as sport, it is not impossible for the first component to lose its nucleus:[33] /seN ɡo-hjakɯ́/
Number + counter
Counters are usually dominant and determine the accent pattern of numeral–counter compounds. Each counter follows a specific set of numerals and has a specific accent type with specific exceptions.
Native numeral + native counter
Short counters tend to be preaccenting. Futa may make final-accented compounds, although they may sometimes be regularized by younger speaker:[34]
- ‑e (重; 'layer'): /hi̥tó-e, ɸɯ̥tá-e ~ ɸɯ̥ta-é, míe ~ mié, itsɯ́-e, naná-e, jáe ~ jaé, kokonó-e, tó-e, hatá-e[b]/
- ‑te (手; /té/ 'a hand → board-game move'): /hi̥tó-te, ɸɯ̥ta-té ~ ɸɯ̥ta-te ~ ɸɯ̥tá-te, mí-te/
- ‑ma (間; /ma/ 'room'): /hi̥tó-ma, ɸɯ̥tá-ma, míma ~ mimá/
- ‑(ta)ri (人; 'person'): /hi̥tó-ɾi, ɸɯ̥ta-ɾí, mí-taɾi, joQ-taɾí ~ joQ-táɾi ~ jó-taɾi/
- ‑iro (色; /iɾó/ 'color'): /hi̥tó-iɾo, ɸɯ̥tá-iɾo, mí-iɾo/
- ‑koto (言; /kotó/ 'word'): /hi̥tó-koto, ɸɯ̥tákoto ~ ɸɯ̥takotó ~ ɸɯ̥takoto, mí-koto/
- ‑suji (筋; /sɯ́ʑi/ 'a strand → long and thin thing'): /hi̥tó-sɯʑi, ɸɯ̥tá-sɯʑi ~ ɸɯ̥ta-sɯʑí ~ ɸɯ̥ta-sɯʑi, mí-sɯʑi/
- ‑tsuki (月; /tsɯ̥kí/ 'the moon → month'): /hi̥tó-tsɯ̥ki, ɸɯ̥tá-tsɯ̥ki ~ ɸɯ̥ta-tsɯ̥kí, mí-tsɯ̥ki, jó-tsɯ̥ki, itsɯ́-tsɯ̥ki, mɯ́-tsɯ̥ki, naná-tsɯ̥ki, já-tsɯ̥ki, tó-tsɯ̥ki, kokonó-tsɯ̥ki/
- ‑tsubu (粒; /tsɯ́bɯ/ 'a grain → small and round thing'): /hi̥tó-tsɯbɯ, mí-tsɯbɯ/
- ‑tose (年; 'year'): /hi̥tó-tose, mí-tose/
- ‑hako (箱; /hako/ 'box'): /hi̥tó-hako, mí-hako/
- ‑hachi (鉢; /hacɕí/ 'bowl'): /hi̥tó-hacɕi, ɸɯ̥ta-hacɕi/
- ‑mune (棟; /mɯné/ 'a roof → house'): /hi̥tó-mɯne, mí-mɯne/
- ‑yama (山; /jamá/ 'mountain → pile'): /hi̥tó-jama, mí-jama/
- ‑kire (切れ; /kíɾe → kiɾé/ 'getting sliced → slice'): /hi̥tó-kiɾe, mí-kiɾe/
- ‑kumi (組み→組; /kɯ́mi → kɯmí/ 'banding → group'): /hi̥tó-kɯmi, ɸɯ̥tá-kɯmi ~ ɸɯ̥ta-kɯmí ~ ɸɯ̥ta-kɯmi, mí-kɯmi/
- ‑sashi (差し; /sáɕi → saɕí/ 'reaching forward in a dance → dance with forward reaching'): /hi̥tó-saɕi/
Long counters may be initial-accented after unimoraic numerals, and preaccenting after bimoraic numerals:
- ‑hashira (柱; /haɕiɾá ~ haɕiɾa/ 'a pillar → deity'): /hi̥tó-haɕiɾa, ɸɯ̥ta-haɕiɾá, mi-háɕiɾa, jo-háɕiɾa, itsɯ̥́-haɕiɾa, mɯ-háɕiɾa, naná-haɕiɾa, ja-háɕiɾa/
- ‑mukashi (昔; /mɯkaɕi/ 'antiquity → decade ago'): /hi̥tó-mɯkaɕi ~ hi̥tomɯ́kaɕi, ɸɯ̥ta-mɯkaɕí/
- ‑tsuzuki (続き; /tsɯzɯki/ 'continuation → series'): /hi̥tó-tsɯzɯki ~ hi̥to-tsɯ́zɯki/
- ‑hikari (光り→光; /hi̥káɾi → hi̥kaɾí/ 'shining → light'): /nana-hí̥kaɾi ~ naná-hi̥kaɾi/
Other combinations
Idiomatic or high-frequency compounds may be unaccented:[35] hachigake (八掛け; /hacɕi-ɡake/ '80 percent'), ittai (一体; /iQ-tai/ 'one body → what on earth? ~ strictly speaking'), ittsui (一対; /iQ-tsɯi/ 'one pair'), ippon (一本; /iQ-poN/ 'a certain book'; compare /íQ-poN/ 'one long and thin object'), ichiritsu (一律; /icɕi-ɾitsɯ/ 'uniformity'), ichiryū (一流; /icɕi-ɾjɯR/ 'the first tier → the top tier'), sanbō (三方; /saN-boR/; compare /saN-bóR ~ saN-póR/ 'three sides'), sanbon (三盆; /saN-boN/ 'three trays → Japanese fine sugar'), sanmai (三枚; /saN-mai ~ sáN-mai/ 'two pieces of flesh and one skeleton → a three-piece fillet'; compare /sáN-mai/ 'three sheets'), Rikugei (六芸; /ɾikɯ-ɡei ~ ɾikɯ́-ɡei/ 'the Six Arts'), Rikuchō (六朝; /ɾikɯ̥-cɕoR/ 'the Six Dynasties'), etc.
Long native counters tend to form regular long compounds:[36]
- ‑hashira (柱; /haɕiɾá ~ haɕiɾa/ 'a pillar → deity'): /ʑɯR-ɡo-háɕiɾa, ɡo-ʑɯR-háɕiɾa/
- ‑monogatari (物語; /monoɡátaɾi/ 'tale'): /hjakɯ-monoɡátaɾi/
Counters suffixed by the ordinalizer ‑me (目; /mé/ '‑th'), such as monme, are final-accented.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of counters, the numeral sets that they follow, and their accentuation.[37][38][39][40] Here are the abbreviations used in the table:
- SJ: Sino-Japanese, namely:
- 0 rei /ɾéi → ɾéR/, 1 ichi /icɕí/, 2 ni /ní/, 3 san /saN/, 4 shi /ɕí/, 5 go /ɡó ~ †ɡo/, 6 roku /ɾokɯ́/, 7 shichi /ɕi̥cɕí/, 8 hachi /hacɕí/, 9 kyū ~ ku /kjɯ́R ~ kɯ́ ~ †kɯ/, 10 jū /ʑɯ́R/
- "9: SJ" means both kyū and ku are acceptable. Otherwise, only one variant is specified.
- 11 jū ichi /ʑɯR icɕí/, 12 jū ni /ʑɯR ní/, 13 jū san /ʑɯ́R saN/, 15 jū go /ʑɯ́R ɡo/, 16 jū roku /ʑɯR ɾokɯ́/, 17 jū shichi /ʑɯR ɕi̥cɕí/, 18 jū hachi /ʑɯR hacɕí/, 19 jū kyū ~ jū ku /ʑɯR kjɯ́R ~ ʑɯ́R kɯ/
- "19: SJ" means both jū kyū and jū ku are acceptable. Otherwise, only one variant is specified.
- 20 nijū /ní-ʑɯR/, 30 sanjū /sáN-ʑɯR/, 40 shijū /ɕi-ʑɯ́R/, 50 gojū /ɡo-ʑɯ́R/, 60 nijū /ɾokɯ-ʑɯ́R/, 70 shichijū /ɕi̥cɕi-ʑɯ́R/, 80 hachijū /hacɕi-ʑɯ́R/, 90 kyūjū /kjɯ́R-ʑɯR/
- 100 hyaku /hjakɯ́/, 200 nihyaku /ni-hjakɯ́/, 300 sanbyaku /sáN-bjakɯ/, 500 gohyaku /ɡo-hjakɯ́/, 600 ɾoppyaku /ɾoQ-pjakɯ́/, 700 shichihyaku /ɕi̥cɕi-hjakɯ́ ~ ɕi̥cɕí-hjakɯ/, 800 happyaku /haQ-pjakɯ́/, 900 kyūhyaku /kjɯ́R-hjakɯ/
- 1,000 sen /séN/, 6,000 rokusen /ɾokɯ̥-séN/, 10,000 ichiman /icɕi-máN/, 100,000 jūman /ʑɯR-máN/, 1,000,000 hyakuman /hjakɯ-máN/
- dai (第; '‑th') /dái/
- 0 rei /ɾéi → ɾéR/, 1 ichi /icɕí/, 2 ni /ní/, 3 san /saN/, 4 shi /ɕí/, 5 go /ɡó ~ †ɡo/, 6 roku /ɾokɯ́/, 7 shichi /ɕi̥cɕí/, 8 hachi /hacɕí/, 9 kyū ~ ku /kjɯ́R ~ kɯ́ ~ †kɯ/, 10 jū /ʑɯ́R/
- N: native, namely:
- 1 hito /hi̥tó/, 2 futa /ɸɯ̥tá/, 3 mi /mí/, 4 yo(n) /jó(N)/, 5 itsu /ítsɯ/, 6 mu /mɯ́/, 7 nana /nána/, 8 ya /já/, 9 kokono /kokóno/, 10 to ~ tō /tó(R)/
- "4: N" means both yon and yo are acceptable. Otherwise, only one variant is specified.
- nan (何; 'how many ~ what ~ which') /náN/
- 1 hito /hi̥tó/, 2 futa /ɸɯ̥tá/, 3 mi /mí/, 4 yo(n) /jó(N)/, 5 itsu /ítsɯ/, 6 mu /mɯ́/, 7 nana /nána/, 8 ya /já/, 9 kokono /kokóno/, 10 to ~ tō /tó(R)/
- NSJ: native + Sino-Japanese, namely:
- 40 yonjū /jóN-ʑɯR/, 70 nanajū /naná-ʑɯR/
- 400 yonhyaku /jóN-hjakɯ/, 700 nanahyaku /naná-hjakɯ/
- E: English, namely:
- 0 zero /zéɾo/, 1 wan /wáN/, 2 tsū /tsɯ́R/, 3 surī /sɯɾíR/, 4 fō /ɸóR/, 5 faibu /ɸáibɯ/, 6 shikkusu /ɕíQkɯ̥sɯ/, 7 sebun /sébɯN/, 8 eito /éito → éRto/, 9 nain /náiN/, 10 ten /téN/
- D: deaccenting
- P: preaccenting
- -1: final-accented
- -2: penultimate-accented
- -3: antepenultimate-accented
- -4: preantepenultimate-accented
- +1: initial-accented
- ~: or
Unless specified below, for a number that consists of a multiple of 10 greater than 10 itself and a numeral from 1 to 10, such as 21–29, 31–39, …, 101–110, 201–210, …, only the numeral forms a separable minor phrase with the counter, while the multiple of 10 behaves as shown in the previous sections on numbers. Dai only loosely combines with a number–counter sequence.
| Counter | Original pronunciation | Numeral set | Accentuation |
|---|---|---|---|
| āru (アール; 'are') | /áRɾɯ/ |
|
+1 |
| andā (アンダー; 'point under par') | /áNdaR/ |
|
+1 |
| anpea (アンペア; 'ampere') | /aNpéa/ |
|
+1 ~ -2 |
| i (位; 'ordinal rank in performance ~ numerical place ~ departed soul') | /í/ |
|
P |
| |||
| i (位; 'ordinal feudal East-Asian courtier rank') |
|
P | |
| iningu (イニング; 'inning') | /íniNɡɯ/ |
|
+1 |
| iro (色; 'color') | /iɾó/ |
|
P |
| inchi (インチ; 'inch') | /íNcɕi/ |
|
+1 |
| won (ウォン) | /wóN/ |
|
+1 |
| en (円; 'yen') | /éN/ |
|
D |
|
P | ||
| |||
| ōmu (オーム; 'ohm') | /óRmɯ/ |
|
+1 |
| okutābu (オクターブ; 'octave') | /okɯ̥táRbɯ/ |
|
-3 |
| onsu (オンス; 'ounce') | /óNsɯ/ |
|
+1 |
| ka (日; 'ordinal day of the month ~ special ordinal day past the 200th ~ cardinal day')[c] |
|
D | |
|
-1 | ||
| |||
| nichi (日; 'ordinal day of the month') | /nícɕi/ |
|
-1 |
|
P | ||
| |||
| nichi → (n)chi (日; 'cardinal day ~ dai-prefixed ordinal day in general') |
|
-1 | |
|
P | ||
| |||
|
D | ||
| kame (日目; 'ordinal day in general') |
|
-1 | |
| |||
| nichime (日目; 'ordinal day in general') |
|
-1 | |
| |||
| kakan (日間; 'cardinal day') |
|
-3 | |
| |||
| nichikan (日間; 'cardinal day') |
|
-3 | |
| |||
| ka (課; 'lesson ~ company section') | /ká/ |
|
P |
| |||
| kai (階; 'storey') | /kái/ |
|
D |
| kaikyū (階級; 'military rank ~ weight class') | /kaikjɯR/ |
|
+1 |
| kai (回; 'occurrence ~ sport match ~ game round') | /kái/ |
|
+1 |
|
P | ||
| |||
|
D | ||
| kaiki (回忌; 'year elapsed after the date of death')[e] | /káiki ~ kaiki/ |
|
+1 |
| kairi (海里; 'sea mile') | /káiɾi/ |
|
+1 |
| kagetsu (ヶ月; 'cardinal month') |
|
+1 | |
| kakoku (ヶ国; 'cardinal country') |
|
+1 | |
| kasho (ヶ所; 'cardinal place') | /káɕo/ |
|
+1 |
| kajō (ヶ条; 'cardinal list item') | /kaʑoR/ |
|
+1 |
| kanen (ヶ年; 'cardinal year') |
|
+1 | |
| kasane (重ね; 'layer') | /kasane/ |
|
+1 |
| kazoku (家族; 'family') | /kázokɯ/ |
|
+1 |
| gata (型; 'type') |
|
D | |
| gatsu (月; 'ordinal month of the year') |
|
-1 | |
|
P | ||
| gakki (学期; 'school term') | /ɡaQki/ |
|
+1 |
| gakkyū (学級; 'study class') | /ɡaQkjɯR/ |
|
+1 |
| kappu (カップ; 'cup') | /káQpɯ/ |
|
+1 |
| kabu (株; 'plant with its root ~ strain of microbe ~ share of stock') | /kabɯ/ |
|
P |
| |||
| karatto (カラット; 'carat') | /kaɾáQto ~ káɾaQto/ |
|
+1 ~ -3 |
| karorī (カロリー; 'calorie') | /káɾoɾiR/ |
|
+1 |
| kan (缶; 'can') | /káN/ |
|
P |
| |||
| kan (巻; 'book volume') | /káN/ |
|
P ~ +1 |
|
P | ||
| |||
| kan (貫) | /káN/ |
|
+1 ~ P |
|
P | ||
| |||
| kanme (貫目) | /kaN-me/ |
|
-1 |
| ki (機; 'airplane') ki (期; 'phase ~ stage ~ term of incumbency ~ geological age') ki (基; 'solid standing object') |
/kí/ |
|
P |
| |||
|
D | ||
| kishu (機種; 'airplane/machine model') | /kí̥ɕɯ → ki̥ɕɯ́/ |
|
+1 |
| ki (騎; 'horse rider') |
|
P | |
| |||
|
D | ||
| kiatsu (気圧; 'atmosphere') | /kiatsɯ/ |
|
+1 |
| giga (ギガ; 'gig') | /ɡíɡa/ |
|
+1 |
| kyaku (脚; 'piece of legged furniture') | /kjákɯ/ |
|
-1 |
|
P | ||
| |||
| kyaku (客; 'utensil for guests') | /kjakɯ/ |
|
-1 |
|
P | ||
| |||
| kyū (級; 'stair ~ ranking class ~ study class') | /kjɯ́R/ |
|
D |
| kyū (球; 'ball pitch') | /kjɯ́R/ |
|
D |
|
P ~ D | ||
| kyūme (球目; 'ordinal ball pitch') |
|
-1 | |
| gyō (行; 'line of text') | /ɡjóR/ |
|
P |
| |||
| kyoku (曲; 'musical composition') | /kjokɯ ~ kjókɯ/ |
|
-1 |
|
P | ||
| |||
| kyoku (局; 'board game') | /kjókɯ/ |
|
-1 |
|
P | ||
| |||
| kire (切れ; 'slice') | /kiɾé/ |
|
P |
| |||
| kiro (キロ; 'kilo') | /kíɾo/ |
|
P |
| |||
|
D | ||
| kiroguramu (キログラム; 'kilogram') | /kiɾoɡɯ́ɾamɯ/ |
|
-3 |
| kirowatto (キロワット; 'kilowatt') | /kiɾowáQto/ |
|
-3 |
| kiromētoru (キロメートル; 'kilometre') | /kiɾoméRtoɾɯ/ |
|
-4 |
| kirorittoru (キロリットル; 'kilolitre') | /kiɾoɾíQtoɾɯ/ |
|
-4 |
| kin (斤; 'catty') | /kíN/ |
|
P |
| |||
| ku (句; 'verse') | /kɯ́/ |
|
P |
| |||
| ku (区; 'zone ~ section') | /kɯ́/ |
|
P |
| |||
| kukaku (区画; 'land section') | /kɯ̥kakɯ/ |
|
+1 |
| kukan (区間; 'road section ~ mathematical interval') | /kɯ̥́kaN → kɯ̥káN/ |
|
+1 |
| kuchi (口; 'mouthful ~ sharp weapon ~ monetary contribution ~ dance performance') | /kɯ̥cɕi/ |
|
P |
|
-1 ~ P | ||
| |||
| kumi (組; 'set ~ group') | /kɯmí/ |
|
P |
| |||
| kumi (組; 'school class') |
|
P | |
| |||
| kurasu (クラス; 'class') | /kɯ́ɾasɯ/ |
|
+1 |
|
+1 ~ P | ||
| guramu (グラム; 'gram') | /ɡɯ́ɾamɯ/ |
|
+1 |
| gurūpu (グループ; 'group') | /ɡɯɾɯ́Rpɯ/ |
|
-3 |
| keitō (系統; 'system') | /keitoR/ |
|
+1 |
| keta (桁; 'numerical place') | /keta/ |
|
P |
| |||
| ken (件; 'incident') | /kéN/ |
|
P |
| |||
|
D | ||
| ken (軒; 'house') | /kéN/ |
|
P |
| |||
|
D | ||
| ko (戸; 'house(hold)') | /kó/ |
|
P |
| ko (個; 'thing') | /kó/ |
|
P |
| kō (校; 'school') | /kóR/ |
|
P |
| |||
|
D | ||
| kō (校; 'ordinal proofed copy') | |||
| gō (号; 'periodical issue') | /ɡóR/ |
|
P |
| gō (合; 'gě ~ confrontation') | /ɡóR/ |
|
+1 ~ P |
|
P | ||
| |||
| kōtei (工程; 'process') | /koRtei/ |
|
+1 |
| kōnen (光年; 'light year') | /koRneN ~ kóRneN/ |
|
+1 |
| kōmoku (項目; 'category') | /koRmokɯ/ |
|
+1 |
| koku (石) | /kókɯ/ |
|
-1 |
|
P | ||
| |||
| sai (歳; 'year old') |
|
P | |
|
+1[i] | ||
| |||
|
D | ||
| saikuru (サイクル; 'cycle') | /sáikɯɾɯ/ |
|
+1 |
| satsu (冊; 'book') |
|
-1 | |
|
P | ||
| sara (皿; 'plate of food') | /saɾa/ |
|
P |
| shi (市; 'city') | /ɕí/ |
|
P |
| ji (児; 'child') | /ʑí/ |
|
P |
| |||
| ji (次; 'ordinal occurrence') |
|
P | |
| |||
| jigen (次元; 'dimension') | /ʑiɡeN/ |
|
+1 |
| ji (字; 'written character') | /ʑí/ |
|
P |
| |||
| ji (時; 'ordinal hour of the day ~ cardinal hour') | /ʑí/ |
|
P |
| |||
| jikan (時間; 'cardinal hour') | /ʑikaN/ |
|
+1 |
| |||
| jigen (時限; 'school period') | /ʑiɡeN ~ ʑíɡeN/ |
|
+1 |
| shiai (試合; 'competition ~ contest ~ tournament ~ sport match') | /ɕiai/ |
|
+1 |
| shīshī (cc) | /ɕiRɕíR/ |
|
-2 |
| shīzun (シーズン; 'season') | /ɕíRzɯN/ |
|
+1 |
| shīto (シート; 'sheet') | /ɕíRto/ |
|
+1 |
| shitsu (室; 'room') | /ɕi̥tsɯ́/ |
|
-1 |
|
D | ||
|
P | ||
| |||
| sha (社; 'Shinto shrine ~ company') | /ɕá/ |
|
P |
| |||
| shaku (尺; 'shaku ~ fish') | /ɕakɯ́/ |
|
-1 |
|
P | ||
| |||
| shasen (車線; 'traffic lane') | /ɕaseN/ |
|
+1 |
| shu (首; 'East-Asian poem') | /ɕɯ́/ |
|
P |
| |||
| shu (種; 'type ~ variety ~ species') | /ɕɯ́/ |
|
P |
| |||
| shumoku (種目; 'categorized item ~ sporting event') | /ɕɯmokɯ ~ ɕɯ́mokɯ/ |
|
+1 |
| shurui (種類; 'type ~ variety ~ species') | /ɕɯ́ɾɯi/ |
|
+1 |
| shū (周; 'circling lap') shū (週; 'week') |
/ɕɯ́R/ |
|
D |
| shūnen (周年; 'anniversary year') | /ɕɯRneN/ |
|
+1 |
| jū (重; 'layer ~ tier ~ storey') | /ʑɯ́R/ |
|
D |
| jun (巡; 'rotation through a roster') |
|
D | |
| jo (女; 'ordinal daughter')[l] | /ʑó/ |
|
P |
| jo (女; 'cardinal daughter') |
| ||
| nan (男; 'ordinal son')[n] |
|
P | |
|
+1 ~ P | ||
| nan (男; 'cardinal son') |
|
P | |
| shō (勝; 'win') | /ɕóR/ |
|
D |
| shō (章; 'chapter') shō (床; 'sickbed') |
/ɕóR/ |
|
P |
| shō (升) | /ɕóR/ |
|
P |
|
P ~ D | ||
|
P ~ +1 | ||
| |||
| jō (錠; 'pill') | /ʑóR/ |
|
P |
| jō (条; 'legal section/clause/article ~ long and thin object') | /ʑóR/ |
|
P |
| |||
| jō (畳; 'tatami') |
|
P ~ +1 | |
| |||
| jō (乗; 'ordinal exponent') | /ʑóR/ |
|
D |
| shoku (食; 'meal') | /ɕokɯ/ |
|
-1 |
|
P | ||
| |||
| shoku (色; 'color') |
|
-1 | |
|
P | ||
| |||
| shin (審; 'court hearing') |
|
D | |
| sun (寸) | /sɯ́N/ |
|
P |
|
+1 | ||
| seiki (世紀; 'century') | /séiki/ |
|
+1 |
| setai (世帯; 'household') | /setái ~ sétai/ |
|
+1 |
| seki (隻; 'large ship ~ fish ~ bird ~ arrow ~ paired object') |
|
-1 | |
|
P | ||
| setsu (節; 'section of text ~ sport round') | /sétsu/ |
|
-1 |
|
P | ||
| |||
| sen (選; 'selection') | /séN/ |
|
D |
| sen (戦; 'battle ~ sport match') |
|
D | |
| sen (銭; 'Japanese cent') | /séN/ |
|
P ~ +1 |
|
P | ||
| |||
| zen (膳; 'bowl of food ~ pair of chopsticks') | /zeN/ |
|
P |
| senchi (センチ; 'centimetre') | /séNcɕi/ |
|
+1 |
| senchi (センチメートル; 'centimetre') | /seNcɕiméRtoɾɯ/ |
|
-4 |
| sento (セント; 'cent') | /séNto/ |
|
+1 |
| sō (層; 'storey') | /sóR/ |
|
D |
| sō (艘; 'small ship') |
|
P | |
|
D ~ P | ||
|
P ~ +1 | ||
| soku (足; 'pair of footwear') |
|
-1 | |
|
P | ||
|
-1 ~ P | ||
| |||
| soroi (揃い; 'set ~ suite') | /soɾoi ~ {soɾoí → soɾói}/ |
|
P |
|
+1 | ||
| dāsu (ダース; 'dozen') | /dáRsɯ/ |
|
+1 |
| tai (体; 'corpse ~ divine statue') | /tái/ |
| |
| dai (代; 'generation') | /dái/ |
|
P |
|
D | ||
| |||
| daime (代目; 'ordinal generation') |
|
-1 | |
| dai (台; 'vehicle ~ machine ~ appliance') | /dái/ |
|
P |
|
D | ||
| |||
| dai (題; 'exam question') | /dái/ |
|
P |
|
D | ||
| |||
| daseki (打席; 'at-bat') | /daseki/ |
|
+1 |
| taba (束; 'bundle') | /tába/ |
|
P |
| tabi (度; 'occurrence') | /tabí/ |
|
P |
| tama (玉; 'ball ~ vegetable head ~ serving of noodles') | /tamá/ |
|
P |
| dan (段; 'tier ~ text column ~ paragraph ~ theatrical act') | /dáN/ |
|
P |
|
D | ||
| |||
| dan (段)[p] |
|
P | |
|
D | ||
| danshiki (段式; 'phase ~ stage')[q] |
|
D | |
| dankai (段階; 'phase ~ stage') | /daNkai/ |
|
+1 |
| chiku (地区; 'region ~ zone') | /cɕí̥kɯ → cɕi̥kɯ́/ |
|
+1 |
| chiten (地点; 'locational point/spot') | /{cɕí̥teN → cɕi̥téN} ~ cɕi̥teN/ |
|
+1 |
| chaku (着; 'ordinal arrival ~ ordinal finishing place') | /cɕákɯ/ |
|
-1 |
|
-1 ~ P | ||
| |||
| chaku (着; 'outfit') |
|
-1 | |
|
P | ||
| |||
| chō (町) chō (丁; 'Japanese-style book leaf ~ block of tofu ~ serving ~ match of a Japanese sport') |
/cɕóR/ |
|
P |
|
P ~ D | ||
|
P ~ +1 | ||
| |||
| chōme (丁目) | /cɕoR-mé/ |
|
-1 ~ D |
| tsui (対; 'pair of objects') | /tsɯi/ |
|
D |
|
P | ||
| |||
| tsuki (月; 'cardinal month') | /tsɯ̥kí/ |
|
P |
|
P ~ -1 | ||
| tsubu (粒; 'granule ~ drop(let)') | /tsɯ́bɯ/ |
|
P |
| tsubo (坪) | /tsɯbo/ |
|
P |
| dīkē (DK; 'dining kitchen') | /diRkéR/ |
|
-2 |
| teki (滴; 'drop(let)') |
|
-1 | |
|
P | ||
| deshiberu (デシベル; 'decibel') | /déɕibeɾɯ ~ deɕíbeɾɯ/ |
|
+1 |
| ten (店; 'shop') |
|
P | |
| |||
| tenpo (店舗; 'shop') | /téNpo/ |
|
+1 |
| ten (点; 'item') | /teN/ |
|
P |
| |||
|
D | ||
| ten (点; 'numerical point') |
|
+1 | |
|
D | ||
|
+1 ~ P | ||
| |||
|
P | ||
| do (度; 'degree') | /do/ |
|
P |
| |||
|
D | ||
| do (度; 'occurrence') |
|
-1 | |
|
P | ||
| |||
|
D | ||
| dome (度目; 'ordinal occurrence') |
|
-1 | |
| tō (頭; 'large animal ~ traditionally Japanese hat ~ traditionally Japanese mask') |
|
P | |
| tō (等; 'rank ~ class ~ grade') | /tóR/ |
|
D ~ +1 |
| tōri (通り; 'method ~ set of items') | /toRɾí/ |
|
D |
| ton (トン; 'ton(ne)') | /tóN/ |
|
P |
| nen (年; 'year') | /néN/ |
|
P |
|
D | ||
| |||
|
D | ||
| nensei (年生; 'ordinal year's student') |
|
+1 | |
| notto (ノット; 'knot') | /nóQto/ |
|
+1 |
| ha (派; 'faction ~ sect ~ school of thought') | /há/ |
|
P |
| |||
| ha (波; 'wave') |
|
P | |
| |||
| pāsento (パーセント; 'per cent') | /paRséNto/ |
|
-3 |
| hai (杯; 'cup ~ glass ~ bowl ~ watercraft ~ cephalopod ~ abalone') | /hái/ |
|
P |
|
D | ||
| |||
| hai (敗; 'loss') | /hái/ |
|
D |
| bai (倍; 'multiplicative time') | /bai ~ bái/ |
|
D |
| hashira (柱; 'deity ~ noble ~ departed soul') | /haɕiɾá ~ haɕiɾa/ |
|
+1 ~ P |
|
+1 ~ P ~ -1 | ||
|
+1 | ||
| ban (番; 'ordinal numerical label ~ ordinal rank in performance ~ sport match ~ noh play') | /báN/ |
|
P |
|
D | ||
| |||
| banme (番目; 'ordinal numerical label ~ ordinal rank in performance') | /baN-me/ |
|
-1 |
| bante (番手; 'ordinal ranked performer ~ ordinal battle position ~ ordinal textile count') | /baNte/ |
|
+1 |
| banchi (番地; 'ordinal land lot') | /baNcɕi/ |
|
+1 |
| maku (幕; 'theatrical act') | /makɯ́/ |
|
P |
|
P ~ -1 | ||
| |||
| makume (幕目; 'ordinal kabuki act') |
|
-1 | |
| byō (秒; 'ordinal second of the minute ~ cardinal second') | /bjóR/ |
|
P |
| |||
|
D | ||
| bu (部; 'book copy (set)') | /bɯ́ ~ bɯ/ |
|
P |
| |||
| bu (分; 'bu ~ tenth ~ hundredth ~ per cent') | /bɯ/ |
|
P |
| fun (分; 'fun ~ ordinal minute of the hour ~ cardinal temporal minute ~ angular minute') | /ɸɯ́N/ |
|
P |
| |||
|
D | ||
| bunme (分目; 'tenth') |
|
-1 ~ D | |
| ho (歩; 'footstep') | /hó/ |
|
P |
| |||
| hon (本; 'long and thin object ~ point in martial arts') | /hóN/ |
|
P |
|
D | ||
| |||
| mai (枚; 'thin and flat object ~ paddy ~ plantation ~ sumo ranking place on the roster ~ sumo division's wrestler ~ tayū ~ nagauta singer ~ kago bearer') |
|
P | |
|
D | ||
| |||
| moku (目; 'go eye') | /mókɯ/ | P | |
| |||
| mon (問; 'question') |
|
P | |
|
D ~ P | ||
| |||
| mon (文; 'wén → monetary mon') | /móN/ |
|
P |
| |||
| mon (文; 'footwear-length mon') |
|
P | |
| |||
| monme (匁) | /moN-mé/ |
|
-1 |
| ya (夜; 'night') | P | ||
|
+1 | ||
| |||
| ya (夜; 'special ordinal night of the lunar month') |
|
P ~ D | |
|
D | ||
| ri (里) | /ɾí/ |
|
P |
| |||
| ri (人; 'person') |
|
P | |
|
-1 | ||
| tari (人; 'person') |
|
P | |
|
-1 ~ +1 ~ P | ||
| nin (人; 'person') | /níN/ |
|
P |
|
+1 | ||
| |||
|
D | ||
| rimae (人前; 'person's allotment') |
|
D | |
| tarimae (人前; 'person's allotment') |
| ||
| ninmae (人; 'person's allotment') |
| ||
| ryō (両; 'liǎng ~ pair of objects ~ set of clothes ~ suit of armor') | /ɾjóR/ |
|
+1 ~ P |
| |||
| ryō (両; 'land vehicle') |
|
P | |
| |||
| wari (割; 'tenth ~ ten-hundredth ~ ten-percent') | /waɾi/ |
|
P |
Fractions
The accentuation of a fraction concerns the last numeral of the denominator, bun (分; /bɯ́N/) and the particle no, which form together an unaccented phrase, and are then followed by the number for the numerator with its own accent. Only the last numeral of the numerator forms the unaccented phrase, and anything before it connects to it loosely as usual.[9]
- 1⁄2: /ni-bɯN no (|) icɕí/
- 1⁄3: /saN-bɯN no (|) icɕí/
- 1⁄10: /ʑɯR-bɯN no (|) icɕí/
- 1⁄295: /ni-hjakɯ kjɯ́R-ʑɯR | ɡo-bɯN no (|) icɕí/
Notes
- ↑ Some three stars in Orion.
- ↑ Twenty layers.
- ↑ The first day of the month is /tsɯitacɕí/, which involves neither a numeral nor a counter.
- ↑ But the historical 12 courtier ranks and the "Twelve-Storey" Ryōunkaku are /ʑɯR ní-kai/.
- ↑ Except for 1, every other number represents 1 less than the nominal value. For example, "3" actually means 2 years, "7" means 6, etc.
- ↑ Alternatively, isshūki (一周忌; /iQɕɯ́Rki/).
- ↑ More commonly, shokō (初校; /ɕo-koR/ 'the first proof').
- ↑ More commonly, saikō (再校; /sai-koR/ 'the second proof').
- ↑ The nucleus shifts rightward away from the devoiced vowel.
- ↑ The nucleus shifts leftward away from the devoiced vowel.
- ↑ Sanjamatsuri (三社祭; /saNʑa-mátsɯɾi/ 'the Three-Shrine Festival') is a collocational exception.
- ↑ The eldest daughter is chōjo (長女; /cɕóRʑo/).
- 1 2 Alternatively spelt 次.
- ↑ The eldest son is chōnan (長男; /cɕóRnaN ~ cɕoRnáN/).
- ↑ Alternatively, shodai (初代; /ɕódai ~ ɕodai/ 'the first generation').
- ↑ The lowest rank is shodan (初段; /ɕodaN/).
- ↑ Attributively, for example in sandanshiki roketto (三段式ロケット; 'a three-stage rocket').
- 1 2 /ɾei-{téN,teN}/ means 'zero points', and is not to be confused with /ɾéiteN/, which means a 'zero point' or 'point zero'.[41][42]
- ↑ "One year" or "1 (B)CE." The first year of a named era or calendar is gannen (元年; /ɡáNneN/ lit. 'original year'), as in Nintoku Tennō gannen (仁徳天皇元年; '313, the first year of Emperor Nintoku's reign'), Heisei gannen (平成元年; 'Heisei 1'), Kigen gannen (紀元元年; '1 CE'), mai kā gannen (マイカー元年; lit. 'my-car 1' '1966, the first year of consumer cars in Japan'), fukushi gannen (福祉元年; '1990, the first year of Japan's welfare system'), dejitaru hōsō gannen (デジタル放送元年; 'the first year of digital broadcasting'), Isuramureki gannen (イスラム暦元年; 'the first year of the Islamic calendar'), etc.
- ↑ /icɕi-néN-sei, ni-néN-sei/ mean 'first-year student, second-year student', and are not to be confused with /icɕi-neN-sei, ni-neN-sei/ which mean 'annual plant, biennial plant'.[43][44]
- 1 2 Alternatively, jomaku (序幕; /ʑomakɯ/ 'the first act').
- ↑ But ichimoku oku (一目置く; /icɕi-mokɯ okɯ ~ icɕí-mokɯ okɯ/ 'yields one eye → accepts one's own inferiority'). The other senses of ichimoku, such as 'one look ~ one view' also accepts /icɕi-mokɯ ~ icɕí-mokɯ/.
- ↑ But /ʑɯR-mokɯ/ is used for 'everyone's point of view'.
- ↑ The ten nights of niànfó in Japanese Pure Land Buddhism is /ʑɯ́R-ja ~ ʑɯR-ja/.
- ↑ One Thousand and One Nights.
- ↑ Alternatively, /naná-jo/, with the native reading yo (夜; /jó/).
- ↑ Alternatively, /izajoi/.
References
- 1 2 Hirayama (1961), p. 891.
- ↑ Sakurai & Akinaga (1998), pp. 223–224.
- 1 2 3 4 Kindaichi & Akinaga (2025), p. (42).
- 1 2 Kindaichi & Akinaga (2025), p. (45).
- 1 2 Hirayama (1961), pp. 892–895.
- ↑ Akinaga (1998), p. 216.
- 1 2 3 Sakurai & Akinaga (1998), p. 224.
- 1 2 3 Takishima, Masako (1 May 2018). 数詞の発音とアクセント. NHK Bunken NHK文研 (in Japanese). NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Hirayama (1961), p. 897.
- 1 2 Yamashita & Fujii (2025), pp. 117–119.
- ↑ Yamashita & Fujii (2025), p. 119.
- ↑ Shioda, Takehiro (1 July 2024). 「1.5」は、イチテンゴ？ イッテンゴ？. NHK Bunken NHK文研 (in Japanese). NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute.
- ↑ NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute (2025), p. [88].
- ↑ Kindaichi & Akinaga (2025), pp. 88, 466, 485, 649.
- ↑ NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute (2025), pp. 135, 739, 984, 913.
- ↑ Matsumura, Akira; 三省堂編修所, eds. (20 September 2019). 大辞林 (in Japanese) (4th ed.). Sanseido. ISBN 978-4-385-13906-7.
- 1 2 3 4 Sakurai & Akinaga (1998), pp. 224–226.
- 1 2 3 Kindaichi & Akinaga (2025), pp. (42)–(43).
- ↑ Hirayama (1961), p. 892.
- 1 2 Hirayama (1961), p. 894.
- ↑ Kindaichi & Akinaga (2025), p. (43).
- ↑ Hirayama (1961), pp. 892–893.
- 1 2 Hirayama (1961), p. 896.
- ↑ Kindaichi & Akinaga (2025), pp. (43)–(44).
- ↑ Kindaichi & Akinaga (2025), pp. (43), (46)–(47).
- ↑ Kindaichi & Akinaga (2025), p. (47).
- ↑ Hirayama (1961), pp. 894–895.
- ↑ Sakurai & Akinaga (1998), p. 225.
- ↑ Kindaichi & Akinaga (2025), pp. 218, 315, 355, 374–375, 658, 677, 724, 765, 925, 984, (44).
- 1 2 Hirayama (1961), p. 895.
- ↑ NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute (2025), p. [91].
- ↑ Sakurai & Akinaga (1998), pp. 225–226.
- 1 2 Kindaichi & Akinaga (2025), p. (44).
- ↑ Kindaichi & Akinaga (2025), pp. (44)–(45).
- ↑ Kindaichi & Akinaga (2025), pp. (45), (48).
- ↑ Kindaichi & Akinaga (2025), p. (46).
- ↑ Hirayama (1961), pp. 989–906.
- ↑ NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute (1998), pp. 63–89.
- ↑ NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute (2025), pp. 1021, [82]–[198].
- ↑ Kindaichi & Akinaga (2025), pp. 216–218, 305, 315, 355, 368, 374–375, 396–404, 658, 677, 720, 724, 765–766, 925, 982–984.
- ↑ Kindaichi & Akinaga (2025), p. 973.
- ↑ NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute (2025), p. 1455.
- ↑ Kindaichi & Akinaga (2025), pp. 47, 677.
- ↑ NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute (2025), pp. 73, 1021.
Bibliography
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