5.1. COUNTING 231
number counting things: counting days: (pronounced )1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910We see that for counting days, 1 has two possible readings; the dif-
ference between and is that the first means ”the first
day of the month”, and the second means ”one day (in duration/length)”.
For the other nine counting statements, the count means both ”...th day of
the month” as well as ”... days”. In addition to the double reading for 1,
and the native Japanese readings for 2 through 10, there are a few more
special readings for counting days when used for the numbers 14, 20 and
24, but we will look at this in more detail in the counter particles list for the
counter.
Before we move on to the counters list, we need to finish looking
at what numbers do when paired with counters, and this involves looking
at how they may change readings when paired with certain counters: they
may contract, and the counter may become voiced. There are a few general
rules that apply, although of course – as always – there are a few exceptions
to these general rules (when a counter has such an exception, this will be
highlighted in its section).