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（いち）

• the first day of the month

• 一人（ひとり）

• one

• 一日（ついたち）

• one day long

• 一日（いちにち）

• one person

• 一つ

• one thing

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 (the first day of the month)

• ひとつ

• 一日
  （the span of a day)

• ひとり

• 一

• いち

• 一つ

• （ついたち）

• 一人

• いちにち

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

• 一（いち）

• 月（がつ）

• 日（たち）

• 一（つい）

Two sticks means "two"

Feruary 2 (Biggest time to smallest time)

• 二

• ふつ

• 二 (the day)

• に

• 日

• か

• 月

• がつ

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

• よ、When counting objects

• に

• し、When doing math

• いち

• さん

• よん、When counting objects