質問: I haven't been able to find a good source online, so I'm asking you guys. What is the pitch-accent rule for numbers? Is 十五 (じゅうご) a 0 or a 1 or a 3 or what? Is there a general pattern? I realize that numbers in Japanese are a whole can of worms that I haven't completely understood just yet, but I think I understand the basic forms, though just not their pitch-accents. In terms of my level, consider me an absolute beginner. Thanks!
回答: That number indicates which mora has downstep in pitch right after it. For example, それは0 やはり2 ねこ1 だ1 から0 goes like this. ・ れ は や は そ り ね ・ こ だ ・ か ら Likewise, それはやはり、ねこだから does ・ れ は や は ね そ り こ だ ・ か ら And, それは、やはり、ねこ、だから is ・ れ は は ね だ そ や り こ か ら Incidentally, 十五 is じゅうご1, which is じゅうご{HHLL} 1. いち2 ひとつ2 2. に1 ふたつ3 3. さん0 みっつ3 4. よん1 よっつ3 5. ご1 いつつ2 6. ろく2 むっつ3 7. なな1 しち2 ななつ2 8. はち2 やっつ3 9. きゅう1 ここのつ3 10. じゅう1 とお1 11. じゅういち・{HHHHL}4 12. じゅうに3 13. じゅうさん{HHHHL}3 14. じゅうよん3 じゅうし{HHLL}1 15. じゅうご1 (sometimes じゅうご3) 16. じゅうろく4 17. じゅうなな3 じゅうしち4 18. じゅうはち4 19. じゅうく1 じゅうきゅう{HHHHHL}3 20. にじゅう{LHHL}2 or にじゅう{HLLL}1 When you count, it goes いち{HL}1 にぃ1 さん1 しぃ1 ... じゅう{HHL}1 じゅういち{HHHHL}3, じゅうに{HHHH}03, じゅうさん{HHHHL}3, じゅうし{HHHH}03, じゅうご{HHLL}1, じゅうろく{HHHHL}, じゅうしち{HHHHH}04 or じゅうしち{HHHHL}3, じゅうはち043 , 19 and 20 are as above. In addition, those over 10 can be pronounced kind of separately as じゅう...いち.