Japanese Classifier Lexicon

@cite{aikhenvald-2000} @cite{downing-1996}

Typed classifier entries for Japanese (josūshi 助数詞).

Japanese numeral classifiers are suffixed to the numeral (e.g. san-biki 三匹 "three-CL:small.animal"). Selection is semantically motivated, encoding animacy, shape (with 1D/2D/3D dimensionality), and function.

The inventory covers all 27 classifiers from @cite{downing-1996} Table 1.1 (Core Inventory), plus selected classifiers from Table 1.2 (Extended Inventory): 竿 sao, 羽 wa, 振 furi, 膳 zen, 脚 kyaku, 杯 hai. Shape-based classifiers are tagged by dimensionality per Ch. 5's analysis.

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.nin : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

人 nin — people (neutral register). Encodes: humanness.

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.nin = { form := "人", gloss := "person", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.humanness] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.mei : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

名 mei — people (formal/honorific register). Encodes: humanness + social status.

Equations

• One or more equations did not get rendered due to their size.

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.hiki : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

匹 hiki — small/medium animals (dogs, cats, insects, fish). Encodes: animacy + size.

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.hiki = { form := "匹", gloss := "small.animal", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.animacy, Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.size] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.tou : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

頭 tou — large animals (horses, cattle, elephants). Encodes: animacy + large size.

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.tou = { form := "頭", gloss := "large.animal", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.animacy, Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.size] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.wa : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

羽 wa — birds (and rabbits, by cultural extension). Encodes: animacy (avian). Extended inventory (@cite{downing-1996} Table 1.2).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.wa = { form := "羽", gloss := "bird", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.animacy] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.hon' : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

本 hon' — long, thin objects (pens, bottles, flowers, umbrellas); also items following a trajectory (TV programs, telephone calls). Encodes: shape (1D, elongated).

Equations

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def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.mai : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

枚 mai — flat, thin objects (paper, stamps, plates, shirts). Encodes: shape (2D, flat).

Equations

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def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.ko : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

個 ko — small, round/compact objects (eggs, apples, stones). General inanimate classifier for some speakers. Encodes: shape (3D, compact).

Equations

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def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.sao : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

竿 sao — poles, long rod-like objects. Encodes: shape (1D, rigid pole). Extended inventory (@cite{downing-1996} Table 1.2).

Equations

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def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.satsu : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

冊 satsu — bound volumes (books, magazines). Encodes: shape (2D, flat bound).

Equations

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def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.tsubu : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

粒 tsubu — small, grainlike objects (grains of rice, grapes, gems, pills, drops of liquid). Encodes: shape (3D, granular).

Equations

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def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.dai : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

台 dai — furniture, machines, land and air vehicles. Encodes: function (mechanical/vehicular).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.dai = { form := "台", gloss := "machine/vehicle", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.function] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.ken : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

軒 ken — buildings or parts of buildings acting in some functional capacity, such as a home or shop. Encodes: function (shelter/structure).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.ken = { form := "軒", gloss := "building", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.function] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.ken' : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

件 ken' — incidents, occurrences (robberies, fires, accidents). Encodes: function (event/incident). Note: homophonous with 軒 ken (buildings) but distinct kanji.

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.ken' = { form := "件", gloss := "incident", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.function] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.ki : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

機 ki — airplanes (other air vehicles such as helicopters, rockets, UFOs). Encodes: function (powered flight/engine).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.ki = { form := "機", gloss := "air.vehicle", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.function] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.ku : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

句 ku — haiku (17-syllable poems), other short poems. Encodes: function (poetic form).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.ku = { form := "句", gloss := "poem", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.function] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.kyoku : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

曲 kyoku — pieces of music. Encodes: function (musical work).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.kyoku = { form := "曲", gloss := "music.piece", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.function] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.mon : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

問 mon — questions, problems. Encodes: function (intellectual item).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.mon = { form := "問", gloss := "question", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.function] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.mune : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

棟 mune — buildings (whole structures with roofs). Encodes: function (roofed structure). Note: overlaps with 軒 ken (buildings as functional spaces).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.mune = { form := "棟", gloss := "building.roof", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.function] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.seki : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

隻 seki — large boats, ships. Encodes: function (large maritime vessel).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.seki = { form := "隻", gloss := "large.boat", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.function] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.soku : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

足 soku — pairs of footwear (shoes, socks, boots). Encodes: function (worn on feet).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.soku = { form := "足", gloss := "footwear.pair", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.function] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.soo : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

艘 soo — small boats. Encodes: function (small maritime vessel).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.soo = { form := "艘", gloss := "small.boat", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.function] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.ten : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

点 ten — points in a score, items in an inventory, works of art. Encodes: function (scoring/inventory/art).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.ten = { form := "点", gloss := "point/item", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.function] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.toori : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

通り toori — methods, opinions, ways. Encodes: function (abstract method/manner).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.toori = { form := "通り", gloss := "method/way", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.function] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.tsuu : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

通 tsuu — letters, postcards, documents; telephone calls. Encodes: function (passed/transmitted).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.tsuu = { form := "通", gloss := "letter/document", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.function] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.furi : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

振 furi — swords, bladed weapons. Encodes: function (swung/shaken). Extended inventory (@cite{downing-1996} Table 1.2).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.furi = { form := "振", gloss := "sword", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.function] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.zen : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

膳 zen — trays, pairs of chopsticks. Encodes: function (meal service). Extended inventory (@cite{downing-1996} Table 1.2).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.zen = { form := "膳", gloss := "tray/chopsticks", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.function] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.kyaku : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

脚 kyaku — legged furniture (chairs, desks, tables). Encodes: function (legged). Extended inventory (@cite{downing-1996} Table 1.2).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.kyaku = { form := "脚", gloss := "legged.furniture", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.function] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.kabu : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

株 kabu — rooted plants, roots, bulbs; shares of stock. Encodes: function (rooted/planted).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.kabu = { form := "株", gloss := "rooted.plant", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.function] }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.tsu : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

つ tsu — general/default counter (native Japanese numerals). Semantically bleached default.

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.tsu = { form := "つ", gloss := "general", isDefault := true }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.hai : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

杯 hai — cupfuls, glassfuls (mensural). Measures quantity by container volume. Extended inventory (@cite{downing-1996} Table 1.2).

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.hai = { form := "杯", gloss := "cupful", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.quanta], isMensural := true }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.shoku : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

食 shoku — meals, servings of food (mensural). Measures quantity by meal portions.

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.shoku = { form := "食", gloss := "meal", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.quanta], isMensural := true }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.teki : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

滴 teki — drops of liquid (mensural). Measures quantity by drops.

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.teki = { form := "滴", gloss := "drop", semantics := [Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.quanta], isMensural := true }

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.allClassifiers : List Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

Complete inventory: 27 core classifiers (@cite{downing-1996} Table 1.1)

• 6 extended classifiers (Table 1.2: sao, wa, furi, zen, kyaku, hai).

Equations

• One or more equations did not get rendered due to their size.

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.coreClassifiers : List Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

The 27 core classifiers from @cite{downing-1996} Table 1.1.

Equations

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def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.defaultClassifier : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.defaultClassifier = Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.tsu

def Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.lookup (form : String) : Option Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry

Equations

• Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.lookup form = List.find? (fun (x : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry) => x.form == form) Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.allClassifiers

theorem Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.tsu_is_default : tsu.isDefault = true

つ is the default classifier.

theorem Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.hiki_encodes_animacy : hiki.encodes Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.animacy = true

匹 encodes animacy.

theorem Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.nin_encodes_humanness : nin.encodes Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.humanness = true

人 encodes humanness.

theorem Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.mei_encodes_honorific : mei.encodes Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.humanness = true ∧ mei.encodes Core.NounCategorization.SemanticParameter.socialStatus = true

名 encodes humanness and social status.

theorem Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.hon_is_1D : hon'.shapeDimension = some Core.NounCategorization.ShapeDimension.oneD

Shape-based classifiers carry dimensionality tags.

theorem Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.mai_is_2D : mai.shapeDimension = some Core.NounCategorization.ShapeDimension.twoD

theorem Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.ko_is_3D : ko.shapeDimension = some Core.NounCategorization.ShapeDimension.threeD

theorem Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.tsubu_is_3D : tsubu.shapeDimension = some Core.NounCategorization.ShapeDimension.threeD

theorem Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.all_dimensions_attested : (allClassifiers.any fun (x : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry) => x.shapeDimension == some Core.NounCategorization.ShapeDimension.oneD) = true ∧ (allClassifiers.any fun (x : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry) => x.shapeDimension == some Core.NounCategorization.ShapeDimension.twoD) = true ∧ (allClassifiers.any fun (x : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry) => x.shapeDimension == some Core.NounCategorization.ShapeDimension.threeD) = true

All three shape dimensions are attested in the inventory.

theorem Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.hai_is_mensural : hai.isMensural = true

杯 is mensural; all other classifiers are sortal.

theorem Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.core_inventory_size : coreClassifiers.length = 27

The core inventory has exactly 27 classifiers.

theorem Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.full_inventory_size : allClassifiers.length = 33

The full inventory has 33 classifiers (27 core + 6 extended).

theorem Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.sortal_majority : (List.filter (fun (x : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry) => !x.isMensural) allClassifiers).length = 30

theorem Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.specific_classifiers_have_semantics : ((List.filter (fun (c : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry) => !c.isDefault && !c.isMensural) allClassifiers).all fun (x : Core.NounCategorization.ClassifierEntry) => decide (x.semantics.length > 0)) = true

All non-default sortal classifiers have at least one semantic parameter.

theorem Fragments.Japanese.Classifiers.ken_ken'_distinct : ken.form ≠ ken'.form

件 ken' (incidents) and 軒 ken (buildings) are distinct classifiers sharing the same romanization but different kanji forms.