【No. 0141】Counting of Rabbit
May 8, 2015 17:37
In Japan, there are so many counter words.
Since there are also some strange one, even Japanese sometimes mistake their use.
For example, the counting of rabbit.
According to the general definition, rabbits should be counted as "1匹, 2匹, ...(one animal, two animals, ...)," but we count rabbits as "1羽, 2羽, ...(one bird, two birds, ...)."
The reason why we count rabbits as if they are birds is based on historical and religious backgrounds.
In the former Buddhism in Japan, it was forbidden to eat quadrupedal animals.
However, Japanese wanted to eat rabbits, and the rabbits hippety-hop, so they considered the rabbits as birds.
It is definitely quiddity, haha.
Actually, both "う(cormorant)" and "さぎ(heron)" of "うさぎ(rabbit)" means birds.
Since there are also some strange one, even Japanese sometimes mistake their use.
For example, the counting of rabbit.
According to the general definition, rabbits should be counted as "1匹, 2匹, ...(one animal, two animals, ...)," but we count rabbits as "1羽, 2羽, ...(one bird, two birds, ...)."
The reason why we count rabbits as if they are birds is based on historical and religious backgrounds.
In the former Buddhism in Japan, it was forbidden to eat quadrupedal animals.
However, Japanese wanted to eat rabbits, and the rabbits hippety-hop, so they considered the rabbits as birds.
It is definitely quiddity, haha.
Actually, both "う(cormorant)" and "さぎ(heron)" of "うさぎ(rabbit)" means birds.
日本語には非常に多くの数詞が存在します。
中には少し変わったものや、日本人でも時々間違えるものもあります。
例えば、うさぎの数え方です。
一般的な定義に従えば、うさぎは1匹2匹と数えることになりますが、実際は1羽2羽と数えます。
1羽2羽という数え方は、通常は鳥類に対して使います。
うさぎをまるで鳥のように数えるようになったことには、歴史的・宗教的な背景があります。
かつての仏教では、基本的に4足歩行の動物を食べてはいけませんでした。
しかし日本人は、うさぎを食べたかったため、うさぎはピョンピョン跳ねるから鳥だと屁理屈をこねました。
実は、うさぎの「う」と「さぎ」はどちらも鳥を表しています。
中には少し変わったものや、日本人でも時々間違えるものもあります。
例えば、うさぎの数え方です。
一般的な定義に従えば、うさぎは1匹2匹と数えることになりますが、実際は1羽2羽と数えます。
1羽2羽という数え方は、通常は鳥類に対して使います。
うさぎをまるで鳥のように数えるようになったことには、歴史的・宗教的な背景があります。
かつての仏教では、基本的に4足歩行の動物を食べてはいけませんでした。
しかし日本人は、うさぎを食べたかったため、うさぎはピョンピョン跳ねるから鳥だと屁理屈をこねました。
実は、うさぎの「う」と「さぎ」はどちらも鳥を表しています。
Corrections (1)
No. 1 wombat
- Counting of Rabbit
- Counting of Rabbits
- Since there are also some strange one, even Japanese sometimes mistake their use.
- Since there are also some strange ones, even Japanese sometimes mistake their use.
- For example, the counting of rabbit.
- For example, the counting of rabbits.
- In the former Buddhism in Japan, it was forbidden to eat quadrupedal animals.
- In the former Buddhism of in Japan, it was forbidden to eat four-legged quadrupedal animals.
- However, Japanese wanted to eat rabbits, and the rabbits hippety-hop, so they considered the rabbits as birds.
- However, Japanese wanted to eat rabbits, and as the rabbits 'hippety-hop', so they considered them rabbits as birds.
- It is definitely quiddity, haha.
- It is definitely quiddity, haha.Sorry, what do you mean by 'quiddity'?
- Actually, both "う(cormorant)" and "さぎ(heron)" of "うさぎ(rabbit)" means birds.
- Actually, both "う(cormorant)" and "さぎ(heron)" of "うさぎ(rabbit)" means birds.
I find counters very confusing! I didn't know rabbits are counted as birds; how interesting.
Toru
Thank you so much for correcting my post! :)
> Sorry, what do you mean by 'quiddity'?
I wanted to say "屁理屈（へりくつ）," which means something like "quibbling" or "sophism." I think I could use the word "cheat" or "fakery." My dictionary showed various expressions of "屁理屈," but maybe I made a wrong choice. Sorry!
- It is definitely quiddity, haha.Sorry, what do you mean by 'quiddity'?
> Sorry, what do you mean by 'quiddity'?
I wanted to say "屁理屈（へりくつ）," which means something like "quibbling" or "sophism." I think I could use the word "cheat" or "fakery." My dictionary showed various expressions of "屁理屈," but maybe I made a wrong choice. Sorry!