RJT 3 Numbers

This is one stick. It means "one"

Because the Japanese already knew how to count before the Chinese came and taught them how to write. some counting words are pronounced in the ancient Japanese way.

• 一日（ついたち）

• the first day of the month

• 一日（いちにち）

• one person

• 一（いち）

• one thing

• 一つ

• one day long

• 一人（ひとり）

• one

Because the Japanese already knew how to count before the Chinese came and taught them how to write. some counting words are pronounced in the ancient Japanese way.

• 一

• いちにち

• 一日 (the first day of the month)

• （ついたち）

• 一人

• ひとつ

• 一日
  （the span of a day)

• いち

• 一つ

• ひとり

January 1st.
(Remember: Biggest time to smallest time)

• 一（いち）

• 一（つい）

• 月（がつ）

• 日（たち）

Two sticks means "two"

Feruary 2 (Biggest time to smallest time)

• 二 (the day)

• に

• 月

• がつ

• 日

• ふつ

• 二

• か

Three sticks means "three." Notice how they are not all the same size.

Four sticks means... Oh, wait. It turns out the human brain can't comprehend that many lines at a glance. I'll explain the evolution of this one at another slide.

Why is　四 sometimes NOT pronounced 「し」？

• 'Cause it sounds just like death! I don't want to say "Table for dead peope" instead of "Table for four!"

• It's kinda like how we're scared of Friday the 13th.

How are the first four numbers pronunced?

Groups:

(a) 一

,

(b) 二

,

(c) 三

,

(d) 四

• いち

• に

• し、When doing math

• よん、When counting objects

• よ、When counting objects

• さん