Japanese wordplay: Difference between revisions
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==Gorowase== |
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'''Goroawase''' is a form of [[Japanese language|Japanese]] wordplaywhereby [[homophonous]] words are associated with a given series of letters, numbers or symbols, in order to associate a new meaning with that series. The new words can be used to express a [[superstition]] about certain letters or numbers. More commonly, however, ''goroawase'' is used as a [[mnemonic]] technique, especially in the memorization of numbers such as dates in [[history]], scientific [[constant]]s, and [[phone number]]s. |
'''Goroawase''' is a form of [[Japanese language|Japanese]] wordplaywhereby [[homophonous]] words are associated with a given series of letters, numbers or symbols, in order to associate a new meaning with that series. The new words can be used to express a [[superstition]] about certain letters or numbers. More commonly, however, ''goroawase'' is used as a [[mnemonic]] technique, especially in the memorization of numbers such as dates in [[history]], scientific [[constant]]s, and [[phone number]]s. |
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==Numeric substitution== |
==Numeric substitution== |
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Every digit has a set of possible phonetic values, due to the variety of valid Japanese, [[Chinese language|Chinese]]-origin, and [[English language|English]]-origin pronunciations for numbers in Japanese. Often readings are created by taking the standard reading and retaining only the first syllable (for example ''roku'' becomes ''ro''). ''Goroawase'' substitutions are well known as mnemonics, notably in the selection of memorable telephone numbers for commercial services, and in the memorization of numbers such as years in the study of history. |
Every digit has a set of possible phonetic values, due to the variety of valid Japanese, [[Chinese language|Chinese]]-origin, and [[English language|English]]-origin pronunciations for numbers in Japanese. Often readings are created by taking the standard reading and retaining only the first syllable (for example ''roku'' becomes ''ro''). ''Goroawase'' substitutions are well known as mnemonics, notably in the selection of memorable telephone numbers for commercial services, and in the memorization of numbers such as years in the study of history. |
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===Possible pronunciations=== |
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Mnemonics are formed by selecting a fitting reading for a given number from the list below. |
Mnemonics are formed by selecting a fitting reading for a given number from the list below. |
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Revision as of 18:57, 11 March 2008
Gorowase
Goroawase is a form of Japanese wordplaywhereby homophonous words are associated with a given series of letters, numbers or symbols, in order to associate a new meaning with that series. The new words can be used to express a superstition about certain letters or numbers. More commonly, however, goroawase is used as a mnemonic technique, especially in the memorization of numbers such as dates in history, scientific constants, and phone numbers.
Numeric substitution
Every digit has a set of possible phonetic values, due to the variety of valid Japanese, Chinese-origin, and English-origin pronunciations for numbers in Japanese. Often readings are created by taking the standard reading and retaining only the first syllable (for example roku becomes ro). Goroawase substitutions are well known as mnemonics, notably in the selection of memorable telephone numbers for commercial services, and in the memorization of numbers such as years in the study of history.
Mnemonics are formed by selecting a fitting reading for a given number from the list below.
| Number | Japanese readings | Chinese readings | English readings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | maru, ma | rei, re | o, zero, ze |
| 1 | hitotsu, hito, hi | ichi, yi | wan |
| 2 | futatsu, fu, futa | ni | tsū |
| 3 | mitsu, mi | san, sa | siri |
| 4 | yon, yo, yotsu | shi | foa |
| 5 | itsutsu, itsu | go, ko | fai-bu |
| 6 | mutsu, mu | roku, ro | sikusu |
| 7 | nana, nanatsu, na | shichi | sebe-n |
| 8 | yatsu, ya | hachi, ha, ba | ei-to |
| 9 | kokonotsu, ko | kyu, ku | nainu |
| 10 | tō | ju, ji | te-n |
Examples
As Mneumonics
1492 (the year of discovery of America) can be memorized as: iyo! kuni ga mieta! (derived as follows: i (1) yo (4)! ku (9) ni (2) (ga mieta)!), meaning: "Wow! I found a country!"
23564 (23 hours, 56 minutes, 4 seconds, the length of a sidereal day) can be read "ni-san-go-ro-shi", which sounds very similar to "nii-san koroshi" (兄さん殺し), or in English killing one's brother.
Other Examples
4649 "yoroshiku" (derived as follows: "yo" (4) "ro" (6) "shi" (4) "ku" (9)) means: "Nice to meet you."
18782 can be read "i-ya-na-ya-tsu" (いやなやつ) – meaning unpleasant guy
37564(two times 18782) can be read "mi-na-go-ro-shi" (みなごろし), meaning massacre, or kill them all
893 can be read "ya-ku-za" (やくざ) or Yakuza. It is traditionally a bad omen for a student to receive this candidate number for an examination.