Re:Reasons some languages are harder to learn
by SavantIdiot on Sunday May 16, 2021 @11:11PM
(#27179729)
Doesn't Japanese have different words for numbers depending on the shape of the object (e.g., "one" for flat things, "one" for cylindrical things, etc...)? Some languages (Hindi, Japanese, Chinese) I can't even figure out where words begin/end (or sentences), even with a dictionary. (I'm looking at you, Japanese particle).
[ Parent
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Japanese and Chinese uses counting words. Saying how many bottles of beer you have and how many sheets of paper you have use the same number but a different counting word. These are analogous to the following English sentences: "one bottle of beer" vs "one sheet of paper" except you cannot drop the counting word, saying "one beer" or "one paper" is incorrect.