In the same way that we have already seen that Chinese numbers are perhaps somewhat complicated to represent and even more so when we are not used to their language or writing, Japanese numbers may also be difficult for us, although their symbology may vary depending on the number they represent. and that there is also a series of characters for those that are commercial transactions.
The truth is that the Chinese and Japanese numbers are quite similar, although chinese culture It has been a great influence for the Japanese and in fact, the small numbers will be identical in both cases.
Japanese numbers:
- In the history of numberswe can see the influence between cultures when developing numerological systems and in fact, although the Hindu numbers ended up being developed thanks to the Arabic numbers, in the case of the Japanese, we have to show the influence on them and speaking of numbers, had the Chinese and also the Arabs.
- We have already said that for small numbers, from 1 to 10, we can say that the Japanese numbers will be like the Chinese ones, but to count from eleven to nineteen, enough with place 10 (Juu) and add the corresponding number. For example 11 would be 10 + 1 (Juu Ichi), 12 would be 10 + 2 (Juu Ni), 13 Juu San, 14 Juu Yon, 15 Juu Go, 16 Juu Roku, 17 Juu Shichi, 18 Juu Hachi, 19 Juu Kyuu.
- In the case of counting from 20what would have to be done would be place the number before the decimal and then write the 10, and in this way we can do: 20 which would be 2 x 10 (Ni Juu), 30 which would be 3 x 10 (San Juu), and so on.
- So we can say that:
- The tens between 20 and 90 are “(digit)-huu”
- The hundreds between 200 and 900 are «(digit)-hyaku»
- The thousand units between 2000 and 9000 are «(digit)-sen».
- There are phonetic modifications for some numbers, for example 300 is not pronounced
hyaku-san otherwise san-byaku
-
As for the numbers that are really big, and for example from 10,000it must be said that the Japanese numbers will be quite similar to those of the westonly instead of separate them into groups of three (by the thousands) they do it in groups of four.
- Another similar element in the Japanese numeration with respect to the Chinese, will be the fact that represent or write numbers in a different way for which they are commercial transactions and in order to prevent anyone from modifying or manipulating the written numbers.
Superstitions in Japanese numbers:
- On the other hand, and aside from the representation of these numbers, we have to add that Japanese culture is a culture closely linked to superstitions and in the case of its numerology, it should be added that 4, 7 and 9 were pronounced in a special way and its true pronunciation is similar to a word of bad omen.
- In this way, if the 4 should be pronounced as shi (死) but this word also is used to say death, it is remedied by pronouncing the 4 as yon.
- It is also customary, although not all Japanese follow it, that the children are called like the numbers, since if you have several, it is easier to call them by the number of the child that corresponds to them. In this way many children are called Ichirō (一郎), Jirō (二郎), Saburō (三郎), Shirō (四郎) and Gorō (五郎) to, respectively be called as the first son, the second, the third, the fourth and the fifth.