Cardinal numbers
English Hoyloy English Hoyloy zero.........[li(E)Ng+] [kOng'] seventy-one [tsit=tzap_it-]/[tsit=it-] one..........[tzit=(+/-)] [it-] ..etc two..........[nNg-]/[nO-] [Ri-] eighty............[bp(/w)eQ"tzap=(+/-)] three........[sa~=] [sam=] eighty-one........[bp(/w)eQ"tzap_it-]/[bpat=it-] four.........[si'] [sj(u)'] ..etc five.........[gO-] [ngO"] ninety............[qau=(+)tzap=(+/-)] six..........[laK=(+/-)] [lyOK=(+/-)] ninety-one........[qau=(+)tzap_it-]/[qyu=(+)it-] seven........[tsit-] ..etc eight........[bp(/w)eQ-] [bpat-] one hundred.......[tzit_bpaQ-] nine.........[qau"] [qyu"] one hundred ten..........[tzap=(+/-)] [sip=(+/-)] and one..........[tzit_bpaQ"kONg"it-] eleven.......[tzap_it-] ..etc twelve.......[tzap_Ri-] one hundred thirteen.....[tzap_sa~=] and ten..........[bpaQ"it-] fourteen.....[tzap_si'] one hundred fifteen......[tzap_gO-] and eleven.......[tzit_bpaQ"tzap_it-] sixteen......[tzap_laK=(+/-)] ..etc seventeen....[tzap_tsit-] one thousand......[tzit_tsi(E)Ng=] eighteen.....[tzap_bp(/w)eQ-] one thousand nineteen.....[tzap_qau"] and one..........[tzit_tsi(E)Ng= kONg"it-] twenty.......[Ri_tzap=(+/-)] ..etc twenty one...[Ri_tzap_it-]/[Ry,ap_it-] one thousand and ..etc ten..........[tzit_tsi(E)Ng= kONg"tzap=(+/-)] thirty.......[sa~_tzap=(+/-)] ..etc thirty-one...[sa~-tzap_it-]/[sam-it-] one thousand and ..etc one hundred......[tsi(E)Ng-it-] forty........[si"tzap=(+/-)] one thousand one hundred forty-one....[si"tzap_it-]/[sy,ap=it-] and one..[tzit_tsi(E)Ng= tzit_bpaQ"kOng"it] ..etc ..etc fifty........[gO_tzap=(+/-)] ten thousand......[tzit_ban-] fifty-one....[gO_tzap_it-]/[ngO=(+)it-] ..etc ..etc one milion........[tzi_bpaQ"ban-] sixty........[laK_tzap=(+/-)] ..etc sixty-one....[laK_tzap_it-]/[lyOK_it] one hundred ..etc milion...........[tzit_i(E)K-] seventy......[tsit=tzap=(+/-)] ..etcFractional numbers
Besides the word [tzit_bpwa~'] for 'one half', all fractional numbers are formed with the formula of: [qwi=(+)hun= tzi_qwi"] which means 'how many of how many (total) portions' and thus [sa~-hun= tzi-it-] for 'one third' and [bp(/w)eQ"hun= tzi-gO-] for 'five eighth'.
The decimal point is called [dtyam"] (point). Thus 9.15 reads as [qyu=(+)dtyam=it=ngO"]. For percentage, either the English word 'percent' or the Hoyloy counterpart may be used. Thus 25% may read as [Ri_tzap_gO_percent] or [bpaQ"hun= tzi_Ri_gO-] though native Hoyloy speakers may pronounce the word 'percent' a little differently.
Ordinal numbers
The ordinal numbers from first to tenth are as follows:
[dt(/w)e_it], [dt(/w)e_Ri-], [dt(/w)e_sa~=], [dt(/w)e_si'], [dt(/w)e_gO-], [dt(/w)e_laK=(+/-)], [dt(/w)e_tsit-], [dt(/w)e_bp(/w)eQ-], [dt(/w)e_qau"] and [dt(/w)e_tzap=(+/-)].Other ordinal numbers are formed with cardinal numbers prefixed with the sequence marker [dt(/w)e\-].
Same digits of different names
As can be seen in the table of cardinal numbers, except for [tsit-] (seven) all digits have two different names. The first of each pair is called a colloqiual reading and the second, literary reading. Given below is the general guidance for choosing the correct names accroding to customary usages.
For zero:
-- [li(E)Ng+], used as a one-digit number by itself only. It may 'cobuild' with a self-contained numerative
as in [sa~-dtyam" li(E)Ng_hun= li(E)Ng_byo"] (three o'clock zero minute zero second; that is, three o'clock
sharp [sa~-dtyam" tzya~']), or [li(E)Ng-(_)percent]/[bpaQ"hun= tzi_li(E)Ng+] (zero percent). Otherwise, the
construction for a zero quantity of something usually takes the the form of [bo_bpwa~\'] (lit. no half) followed
by a numerative or simply [bo+] (there is no). Examples:
1. [dtoQ"dtiNg" bo-(_)bpwa~"haNg_/miQ_qya~-] (there is not anything on the desk/table);
2. [bpwe-a" bo-(_)bpwa~"dtiQ"/dte+] (there is not a drop of tea in the cup).
-- [kOng'], used for combination with other digits only. Examples:
1. [dt(/w)e_tzit_bpaQ"kONg"sa~-/ho-] (number 103);
2. [kONg"qyu=kOng' tsit=tsit=kONg'] (090 770).
For one:
-- [tzit=(+/-)], used as a cardinal number by itself or in combination with a numerative for a quantitative
construction, such as [tzit_dtai-(_)/O-dto=bai"] (one motorcycle) or with a unit of number such as [tzit_bpaQ-]
(one hundred), [tzit_tsi(E)Ng=] (one thousand), [tzit_tsi(E)ng= tzit_bpaQ-gO_tzap_it-] (one thousand one
hundred and fifty-one) and so forth. Otherwise [it-] should be used instead.
-- [it-], used as a number by itself or part of a fractional number, or an ordinal number with a sequence marker
such as [ts(/w)e-it-] (the first day in a month), or combined with other digits to form a two digit or bigger
number such as [tsit=tzap_it-] (71). Note that for a one-digit quantitative construction, [tzit=(+/-)], not [it-],
should be used. Also [it-], not [tzit=(+/-)], should be used inside a proper name or fixed expression.
For two:
-- [nNg-]/[nO-], used as a cardinal number by itself or in combination with a numerative for a quantitative
construction, such as [nNg_lyap-(_)/nNg-] (two eggs) or with a unit of number of hundred or higher order such
as [nNg_bpaQ-] (two hundred), [nNg_tsi(E)Ng=] (two thousand), [nNg_tsi(E)ng= nNg_bpaQ-gO_tzap_Ri-]
(two thousand two hundred and fifty-two)and so forth. Otherwise [Ri-] should be used instead.
-- [Ri-], used as a number by itself or part of a fractional number, or an ordinal number with a sequence
marker such as [bpai"Ri-] (Tuesday), or combined with other digit or digits to form a two-digit or bigger number
such as [tzap_Ri-] (twelve). Note that [Ri_tzap=(+/-)] (twenty) may be shortened to
[Ry,ap=(+/-)] when used
in numbers of 'twenty plus'. Also [Ri-], not [nNg-], should be used inside a proper name or fixed expression.
For three:
-- [sa~=], used for all applications except for those cited under the caption of [sam=].
-- [sam=], used for reading long numbers (see next section) or as alternative for 'thirty' in a
'thirty plus' number such as shown in the table of cardinal numbers, being itself a contraction of
[sa~-tzap=] in reality. Note that for proper names or some fixed expressions [sam=] is used
instead of [sa~=].
For four:
-- [si'], used for all applications except for those cited under the caption of [sj(u)']. Note that [sy'ap-] may
be used for 'forty-' in numbers from forty-one to forty-nine.
-- [sj(u)'], used for reading long numbers (see next section). Also used in proper names and some fixed
expressions.
For five:
-- [gO-], used for all applications except for those cited under the caption of [ngO"].
-- [ngO"], used for reading long numbers (see next section). Also used in proper names and
some fixed expressions.
For six:
-- [laK=(+/-)], used for all applications except for those cited under the caption of [lyOK=(+/-)].
-- [lyOK=(+/-)], used for reading long numbers (see next section). Also used in proper names and
some fixed expressions.
For eight:
-- [bp(/w)eQ-], used for all applications except for those cited under the caption of [bpat-].
-- [bpat-], used for reading long numbers (see next section). Also used in proper names and
some fixed expressions.
For nine:
-- [qau"], used for all applications except for those cited under the caption of [qyu"].
-- [qyu"], used for reading long numbers (see next section). Also used in proper names and some
fixed expressions.
For ten:
-- [tzap=(+/-)], used for all applications except for those cited under the caption of [sip=(+/-)].
-- [sip=(+/-)], used in proper names and fixed expressions only.
Reading long numbers
A long number is disassembled, systematically or randomly, into two-digit or three-digit groups each reading as a single word. Examples:
1. a figure: 77,845,132 goes as 77 [tsit=tsit-] 845 [bpat=sj(u)"ngO"] 132 [it=sam-Ri-];
2. a telephone number: 04* 7631189 goes as 04 [kOng"sj(u)'] 763 [tsit=lyOK_sam=] 11 [it=it-] 89 [bpat=qyu"];
3. a lottery number: 457311902 goes as 45 [sj(u)"ngO"] 73 [tsit=sam=] 11 [it=it-] 902 [qyu=(+)kOng"Ri-]
among alternative ways of reading.
*In Taiwan, an area code is usually written and read with a starting zero, which is a signal for dialing long distance calls and not part of the area code.
To spread out a figure into words, the rule of thumb is to pause--using a basic tone--after units of thousand and above; for example 308,566 goes as [sa~-tzap_ban- bp(/w)eQ"tsi(E)Ng- gO_bpaQ"laK_tzap_laK=(+/-)]. But for numbers like 'one thousand and some hundred' and 'one ten-thousand and some thousand' the readings are usually shortened to disyllabic words. For examples: 16,000 goes as [tzit_ban- laK_tsiNg=] or [ban_laK=(+/-)]; and 1,100 goes as [tzit_tsi(E)Ng= tzit_bpaQ-] or [tsi(E)Ng-it-]. Note that colloqiual names for all digits except for [kONg'] (zero) are used.
Asking about numbers or quantities
Questions involving numbers such as quantities or prices are formed in two ways: one with the question word [gwa_tz(/w)e-] (how much/how many) and the other with an interrogative of quantity formed by 'cobuilding' the particle -[qwi"]- with a numerative. The form of [gwa_tz(/w)e-] plus a numerative is also applicable. Examples:
Q: [tsyu-(_)a=dti(E)Ng" u_qwi=(+)tzyaQ"/tzyau-(+)a"] or [tsyu-(_)a=dti(E)Ng"# u_gwa_tz(/w)e_/tzyau-(+)a"] 'how many birds are there on the tree?' A: [tzit=(+/-) nNg- sa~=//sa~-tzyaQ-] 'one two three. three (birds)' Q: [ONg-(_)lai+ tzit_lyap=(+/-) gwa_tz(/w)e-] 'how much is (one) pineapple?' or [ONg-(_)lai+ an=tzwa~=/b(/w)e-] 'whatwise does pineapple sell? A: [sa~-lyap=(+/-) tzit_bpaQ-] 'three for one hundred' Q: [li" u_gwa_tz(/w)e_/tzi~+] 'how much money do you have?' A: [bo-(_)bpwa~"sen"] 'not a penny'
Indefinite numerals
Before turning to the discussion of indefinite numerals, let's take a second look at the last example in the previous section. This phrase word, [bo-(_)bpwa~"sen"], is formed by 'cobuilding' the morpheme for 'no', [bo+], with a special quantitative construction, [bpwa~"sen"], with literal meaning of 'half cent' . This is an equivalent of 'not any' in English*. This is the first example of varied quantitative construction. In the rest of this section, we'll look at some examples constructed with indefinite numerals. All examples are supposedly in answering the question given as the first example in previous section.
*Of course, you may simply say [bo+] in answer to a yes-or-no question such as
[tsyu-(_)a=dti(E)Ng" u_tzyau=(+)a"|bo'] (Are there any birds on the tree?)
[bo-(+)qwi=(+)tzyaQ]*1, for 'not many';
[tzit_bpwa~"tzyaQ-]*2, lit. one and half, for 'a few';
[tzap_gwa_tzyaQ-], lit. ten outside, for 'over/more than ten';
[Ri_sa~-tzap_tzyaQ-], for 'twenty to thirty'; and
[sa~-gO_tzap_tzyaQ-], for 'thirty to fifty'.
*1Or [bo-(_)gwa_tz(/w)e_tzyaQ-] and [gwa_tz(/w)e-] may be used without a numerative.
*2Or [u-|qwi'tzyaQ'a'], with the rolling-off tonal format, for 'quite a few'. For 'more than quite a few',
put it this way: [bput=tzi=a=tz(/w)e_tzyQ-]. Note that [bput=tzi=a"], meaning 'quite', may modify a variety of
adjectives; e.g.
[bput=tzi=a=qwi'] (quite expensive), and [bput=tzi=a=qa-yaQ=(+/-)] (quite good business).
By reviewing the examples given in this and previous sections, you will often come across the particle called -[qwi"]-*, which is not a word for it doesn't stand by itself in speech. This particle 'cobuilds' progressively with a numerative to form an interrogative equivalent to 'how many' or 'how many pieces/any units of counting'. When built regressively with a unit of number such as [tzap+] (ten), [bpaQ-] (hundred) and so forth, it serves as wild card denoting any number in the range of under the unit of number. [tzap_qwi"] or [ban_qwi"] thus represents any number from 'eleven to nineteen' or 'ten thousand and one to twenty thousand less one' repectively. Also regressively it may 'cobuild' with a sequence marker to form an interrogative of the position in a sequence. [bpai"qwi"], for instance, means literaly 'weekday which number'--that is, 'which weekday'.
*Do not confuse this particle -[qwi"]-, which may not be used as a word by itself (as indicated by the hyphen in front and rear of it ), with the word [qwi"], which means 'ghost'.
Addendum: idiomatic usages of numbers
In a number of Hoyloy idioms and sayings numbers are used much less on account of their values than figurative meanings. [ngO=(+)sj(u)"sam=] (543), for instance, is a number; while [gO_si"sa~=] means irrelevant talk. In the following listing of quotations, you will find only one that conveys the specific value of a number.
%[ban_it- sa~-dtNg+ nNg_dte"] 'in case (lit. one out of ten thousand) of oddly long - as three or evenly short as two, i.e. sudden mishap unwanted such as a fatal one. %[bo_sa~= bput=si(E)Ng-(_)le"] 'short of three times a ritual act isn't complete'. %[bput=sam_bput=sj'] lit. 'neither three nor four'= 'indecent (talk or manners)'. %[bput=dtaK=bput=tsit-] lit. 'neither six nor seven'= 'impudent (behavior)'. %[m-|mi' qau" m-|mi' tzap_it-] 'to switch between nine and eleven'; i.e. always - missing the right thing to do. %[gO_si"sa~=(-)] lit. 'five-four-three' for irrelevant talk' informally, as in - %[kaQ"\a-sa=riQ-|de'//mai"/dti_\hya= gO_si"sa~=] 'be direct and candid and stop - beating about the bush'. %[sa~-tzi(E)K=qOng= qau=(+)tzim=(+)bpo+] 'a gathering of numerous old relatives'. - [ti(E)K-qOng=] 'grandfather's brother', [tzim=(+)bpo+] 'wife of [tzi(E)K-qOng=]'. - Note that here [sa~=] 'three' and [qau"] 'nine' are used as ordinal numbers. %[sam-bpat- bo-(_)yoQ=(+/-)] 'silly women are impossible'. - lit. 'there is no medicine for (or by the name of) [sam-bpat-] (three-eight)'; - or oftener just [sam-pat-], said disapprovingly (kind of rude unless among - friends) about a woman who seems to behave inappropriately'. Numerically - [sam-bpat-] is just one digit above [sam-tsit-] (three-seven) which is a Chinese - herbal medicine. For your further information, working women with unbound feet - used to be called [sam-bpan"] (wooden board)* as compared with ladies who had - their feet bound from childhood by the old Chinese custom. Could it be that the - term [sam-bpat-] was originated through convenience by changing the sound of - [sam-bpan"] slightly? Who knows? %[sam-bput=go_si+] 'once in a while'. %[tsit-|a' kaQ"\hi(E)Ng"/bp(/w)eQ-|a'] 'he who is less experienced gets more eager for - trying'. %[tsit=/qONg" b(/w)eQ"/lau"kwi'] lit. 'in seven words said eight defects are exposed', - i.e. a talk completely contradictory. %[tzap_it=qo=a=] 'nickname of a bachelor'. %[tzap_/tswi' qau=(+)/ka-tsNg=] 'incessant trivial comments by numerous people'. [tswi'] for 'mouth', [ka-tsNg=] for buttocks, [tzap+] 'ten' and [qau"] 'nine' for 'plenty'. %[tzit_bpaQ"kOng"tzit_e+] 'the last one left'. %[yOng-sa~=(-) tOK=si'] 'to request repetitively usually through several persons'.>>click here for audio play of Hoyloy transcriptions itemized with %<<
*Amoy Dictionary (1873) by Rev. Carstairs Douglas p.409.
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