Three forks, three chopsticks, three books, three glasses, and three Mikans (Mandarin oranges). Counting in English is as easy as one, two, three. Not so in Japanese! In Japanese you have "Mitsu" forks, "Sanban" chopsticks, "Sansatsu" books, "Sanpai" glasses, and "Mitsu" mikans. The Japanese language has "counters", different words signifying the number of the object you are counting. Different objects have different counters depending on their size and what they are/do. For example "one" person is different than "one" pen or "one" paper clip. To see an extended list of counters, click here. (but only if you want to be overwhelmed!)Here are the charts from our book explaining the counters.
This month we have begun studying the counters. It's difficult but really helpful to know for everyday life!
Wow, it would take me an eternity just to learn to count. :-(
ReplyDeleteWow, that is really complex (and interesting)! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThat's just not right...differnt counters for different size of objects??? Good thing you guys are so intelligent!
ReplyDeleteI love how you illustrate your posts with photos, no matter the subject! I can't believe how many counters there are, sheesh! Korean has two I think (or at least two counters are all I know of) and I thought THAT was confusing!
ReplyDeletei got tired just reading that. lol. praying for endurance and strength in your language learning and your teams RIGHT now !!! :)
ReplyDeleteGood thing that you are so young! A seasoned person like me would struggle.
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