Counters w/ Approximations
In this lesson, we will learn how to combine counters with approximations (概数). What is meant by approximations is when a speaker waves between two numbers. For instance, rather than saying “two people,” one might say “two, three people.”
Though rather straightforward with a fairly strong understanding of how numbers and counter phrases are read, learners may be flustered nonetheless by the internal inconsistencies in readings that plague certain numbers, especially 4, 7, and 9, along with the sound changes (albeit highly predictable).
Orthography Note: To recreate how number/counter phrases are used in native environments, numerals will appear in Arabic numerals (half-width or full-width) as well as in Kanji. Furthermore, as a comma use also fluctuates in font and appearance, that variation will also be represented in the examples.
概数 w/o Counters
First, we will learn how to express “1-2,” “2-3, “3-4,” etc. without the intervention of counters. Predominant readings are listed first and highlighted in bold.
| 1-2 | いちに | 2-3 | にさん |
| 3-4 | さんし | 4-5 | しご |
| 5-6 | ごろく | 6-7 | ろくしち ろくなな |
| 7-8 | しちはち ななはち | 8-9 | はっく はちく はちきゅう |
Generally speaking, this pattern does not bridge between powers. When a speaker wishes to say “around 10” or “around 100,” there is no sense in rounding the figure for lower powers, as that defeats the purpose of rounding. Meaning, while it is still naturally to say the equivalent of “around 100 people” (100人くらい), it is not as naturally to say, “around 99, 100 people” (99、100人くらい).
You will also notice a general tendency to favor Sino-Japanese readings of numbers with rounded figures with numbers whose native versions have been incorporated into the Sino-Japanese number series (4, 7, 9). This is also borne out in set phrases.
1. 十中八九（じっちゅうはっく）
Literally: In 8 or 9 cases of ten
In all probability 1
Though it is rather unnatural to extend this pattern between powers, it is perfectly fine within powers.
2. １５，６の少年
A juvenile between 15-16.
3. 二、三百2
2-300
概数 w/ Counters
The general rule of thumb is that whatever reading a number that is used with a given counter reigns supreme when the number is directly followed by said counter, while the first number stated in the 概数 will still favor the Sino-Japanese number. For example, while “3, 4” is generally read as さんし, when the counter phrase with 4 is not read as し, it is replaced with the appropriate reading.
4. ３、４時間（さんよじかん）
3, 4 hours
5. ３、４千（さんよんせん）
3-4,000
As for sound changes that may occur to the first digit, those sound changes may still occur regardless of what reading is used for the second digit. For example, while 9 is usually rendered as きゅう with most counters, a preceding 8 may be pronounced as either はち or はっ.
6. ８、９回（はちきゅうかい・はっきゅうかい）
8, 9 times
Prior to the 1950s, the default pronunciations of 4, 7, and 9 were シ, シチ, and ク respectively in all counter expressions, as they technically remain as the traditionally correct readings. As unnatural as implementing them back into counter expressions in which they have fallen out of use may be, do not bewildered when encountering them in older literature or in the speech of people from surviving individuals of those generations.
As for the especially exceptional readings for the counters ～日 (period of days) and ～人 (people), the Sino-Japanese readings of the numbers are heavily favored so as to avoid switching between the native and Sino-Japanese renditions of the counters. Overall, however, the same factors mentioned thus far still apply.
| 概数 | ～日 | ～人 |
| 1-2 | いちににち | ひとりかふたり いちににん |
| 2-3 | にさんにち | にさんにん |
| 3-4 | さんよっか | さんよにん |
| 4-5 | しごにち | しごにん |
| 5-6 | ごろくにち | ごろくにん |
| 6-7 | ろくしちにち ろくななにち | ろくしちにん ろくななにん |
| 7-8 | しちはちにち ななはちにち | しちはちにん ななはちにん |
| 8-9 | はちくにち はっくにち はちきゅうにち はっきゅうにち | はちくにん はっくにん はちきゅうにん はっきゅうにん |
From this chart, we can deduce a few stark irregularities. For instance, “3, 4 days” is rendered as さんよっか, which is the only instance of the native reading of the counter used in the series. We also see that “1, 2 days” is generally rendered as ひとりかふたり, which solely uses native vocabulary.
It must be noted that it is possible to use the particle か between two counter expressions to show approximation. However, unlike the 概数 expressions discussed thus far, there is no need for the numbers mentioned to be chronological. Rather, the figures mentioned sound more so like guesses in which the speaker can easily jump around figures. In this scenario, it must also be duly noted that the “# + counter” is typically stated on each side of か, and this becomes obligatory in situations like 一人か二人 with special readings.
7. 15人か20人
15 or 20 people
- Though 十中 (among ten) is traditionally read as じっちゅう, it is often now read as じゅっちゅう or even uncontracted as じゅうちゅう. ↩︎
- Sound changes that generally occur within Sino-Japanese numbers also occur with rounded numbers. Meaning 三百 still reads as さんびゃく, and as there is usually an audible pause between numbers within a 概数 expression, 二 is often rendered elongated as にー. Note, also, that 1-200, is rendered as ひゃく・にひゃく because 1（いち) is normally not appended to 百. The same can also be said for 1-1000, but once 10,000 is hit, the unnaturalness goes away because いち does obligatorily appear with these higher powers – ex. １，２万（いち、にまん）. ↩︎