Goroawase is an
especially common form of Japanese wordplay whereby homophonous words (a word that is pronounced the same as another word but
differs in meaning) are associated with a given series of letters, numbers or
symbols, in order to associate a new meaning with that series.
Many businesses use goroawase techniques to create
some interesting telephone numbers –such as combinations that describe the
services they provide- to help potential customers to remember the number.
Pronunciation
(In addition to these pronunciations, similar sounds can be used in exceptional
cases.)
0
(zero, rei, maru, o, wa)
1 (ichi, i, hitotsu, hi )
2 (ni, futatsu, fu)
3 (san, sa, mittsu, mi)
4 (shi, yottsu, yon, yo)
5 (go, ko, itsutsu, itsu)
6
(roku, ro, muttsu, mu)
7 (shichi,
nana, nanatsu, na)
8
(hachi, ha, yattsu, ya)
9
(kyuu, ku, gu, kokonotsu, ko)
10 (juu, ju, tou, to)
Examples:
4-6-4-9
Yo-ro-shi-ku (Nice to meet
you)
0-1-4-1
o-i-shi-i (delicious)
1-5
Ichi-go (strawberry)
3-9
San-kyu (thank you)
The phone number of a steak
house can be: 5501-0290
Ko-ko-wa-ichi(ban) o-ni-ku-o(ishii)
(Lit. The
best and most delicious meat is served here.)
The
phone number of a flower shop can be:
2525-8703
Ni-ko-ni-ko ha-na-wa-sa(kura)
(Lit.
A smiling flower is a cherry blossom.)
