Japanese pitch accent rules (affixes)

Native prefixes

The prefixes ki‑ (生; /kí/ 'pure'), su‑ (素; /sɯ́/ 'bare'), fu‑/bu‑ (不; 'un‑') and ma‑ (真(っ); /ma(Q)/ 'true ~ right in the middle') can form regular long compounds:^[1]

• musume → kimusume (娘→生娘; 'a girl → a virgin'): /mɯsɯmé → ki-mɯ́sɯme/
• odori → suodori (踊り→素踊り; 'dance → dance in plain kimono'): /odoɾi → sɯ-ódoɾi/
• chōnin → suchōnin (町人→素町人; 'a townsman → a mere plebeian'): /cɕoRniN ~ cɕóRniN → sɯ̥-cɕóRniN/
• chōhō → buchōhō (調法→不調法; 'handy → awkward'): /cɕoRhoR ~ cɕóRhoR → bɯ-cɕóRhoR/
• ushiro → maushiro (後ろ→真後ろ; 'behind → right behind'): /ɯɕiɾo → ma-ɯ́ɕiɾo/
• mukai → mamukai (向かい→真向かい; 'opposite → exactly opposite; right in front'): /mɯkai → ma-mɯ́kai/
• mukō → mamukō (向こう→真向こう; 'opposite → exactly opposite; right in front'): /mɯkóR ~ mɯkoR → ma-mɯ́koR/
• omote → maomote (表→真表; 'the front side → straight ahead'): /omoté → ma-ómote/
• yonaka → mayonaka (夜中→真夜中; 'midnight → the dead of night'): /jonaká → ma-jónaka/
• shikaku → mashikaku (四角→真四角; 'a quadrilateral → a perfect square'): /ɕi̥kakɯ́ → ma-ɕí̥kakɯ → ma-ɕi̥kákɯ/
• shōmen → mashōmen (正面→真正面; 'straight ahead → dead straight ahead'): /ɕoRméN → ma-ɕóRmeN ~ ma-ɕoRméN/
• saki → massaki (先→真っ先; 'the beginning → the very beginning'): /saki → maQ-sáki ~ maQ-sakí/
• hadaka → mappadaka (裸→真っ裸; 'naked → buck naked'): /hadaka → maQ-pádaka/
• taira → mattaira (平ら→真っ平ら; 'flat → perfectly flat'): /taiɾa → maQ-táiɾa/
• sakasama → massakasama (逆様→真っ逆様; 'inverse → exactly inverse'): /sakasama → maQ-sákasama/
• futatsu → mapputatsu (二つ→真っ二つ; '2 things → exactly 2 halves'): /ɸɯ̥tatsɯ́ → maQ-pɯ̥́tatsɯ → maQ-pɯ̥tátsɯ/
• hiruma → mappiruma (昼間→真っ昼間; 'daytime → broad daylight'): /hiɾɯmá → maQ-píɾɯma/
• shikaku → masshikaku (四角→真っ四角; 'a quadrilateral → a perfect square'): /ɕi̥kakɯ́ → maQ-ɕí̥kakɯ → maQ-ɕi̥kákɯ/
• shōmen → masshōmen (正面→真っ正面; 'straight ahead → dead straight ahead'): /ɕoRméN → maQ-ɕóRmeN ~ maQ-ɕoRméN/
• kuro → makkuro (黒→真っ黒; 'black → pitch black'): /kɯ́ɾo → maQ-kɯ́ɾo/
• shiro → masshiro (白→真っ白; 'white → pure white'): /ɕíɾo → maQ-ɕíɾo/
• ao → massao (青→真っ青; 'blue → deep blue'): /áo → maQ-sáo/
  • But: aka → makka (赤→真っ赤; 'red → deep red'): /áka → maQ-ká/
• sugu → massugu (直ぐ→真っ直ぐ; 'straight → dead straight'): /sɯ́ɡɯ → maQ-sɯ́ɡɯ/
• saichū → massaichū (最中→真っ最中; 'in the very middle → right in the very middle'): /sáicɕɯR → maQ-sáicɕɯR/

Short compounds with su‑ and fu‑/bu‑ tend to be initial-accented:

• ashi → suashi (足→素足; 'a foot → a bare foot'): /aɕí → sɯ́-aɕi/
• kao → sugao (顔→素顔; 'a face → a bare face'): /kao → sɯ́-ɡao/
• hada → suhada (肌→素肌; 'skin → bare skin'): /háda → sɯ́-hada/
• muki → fumuki (向き→不向き; 'suitability → unsuitability'): /mɯ́ki → ɸɯ́-mɯki/
• nare → funare (慣れ→不慣れ; 'experience → inexperience'): /naɾé → ɸɯ́-naɾe/
• suki → busuki (好き→不好き; 'like → dislike'): /sɯ̥kí → bɯ́-sɯ̥ki/

Short compounds with ma‑, on the other hand, tend to be unaccented:

• mizu → mamizu (水→真水; 'water → freshwater'): /mizɯ → ma-mizɯ/
• yoko → mayoko (横→真横; 'the side → right beside'): /joko → ma-joko ~ ma-jokó/
• ura → maura (裏→真裏; 'the back side → right behind'): /ɯɾá → ma-ɯɾa/
• natsu → manatsu (夏→真夏; 'summer → midsummer'): /natsɯ́ → ma-natsɯ/
• fuyu → mafuyu (冬→真冬; 'summer → midwinter'): /ɸɯjɯ́ → ma-ɸɯjɯ/
• hiru → mahiru (昼→真昼; 'noon → midday'): /hiɾɯ́ → ma-hiɾɯ/
• naka → manaka (中→真中; 'the middle → right in the middle'): /náka → ma-naka ~ má-naka/
• But:
  • ue → maue (上→真上; 'above → right above'): /ɯe → ma-ɯé/
  • shita → mashita (下→真下; 'below → right below'): /ɕi̥ta → ma-ɕi̥tá/

Some prefixes may not affect the original accent of the prefixed components, while others add accent:

• mae → manmae (前→真ん前; 'the front → right in front'): /máe → maN-máe/
  • But: naka → mannaka (中→真ん中; 'the middle → right in the middle'): /náka → maN-naka/
• maru → manmaru (丸→真ん丸; 'a circle → a perfect circle'): /maɾɯ → maN-maɾɯ ~ maN-máɾɯ/
• marui → manmarui (丸い→真ん丸い; 'is round → is perfectly round'): /maɾɯi ~ maɾɯ́i → maN-maɾɯi ~ maN-maɾɯ́i/
• yowai → kayowai (弱い→か弱い; 'is weak → is frail'): /jowái → ka-jowái/
• futoi → zubutoi (太い→図太い; 'is brazen → is very brazen'): /ɸɯ̥tói → zɯ-bɯtói/
• osoroshī → soraosoroshī (恐ろしい→空恐ろしい; 'is dreadful → is ominously dreadful'): /osoɾoɕíR → soɾa-osoɾoɕíR/
• hashiru → tabashiru (走る→た走る・迸る; 'runs → cascades'): /haɕíɾɯ → ta-baɕíɾɯ/

Emphatic prefixes, especially those that express contempt or antagonism, such as ai‑ (相; /ái/ 'reciprocal'), nama‑ (生; /náma/ 'fresh'), ō-/dai- (大; /dái/ 'big'), ko‑ (小; 'little'), etc tend to result in initial-accented compounds, although younger speakers may regularize them (the dagger ^† marks obsolete or obsolescent accent):

• tsugu → aitsugu (次ぐ→相次ぐ; 'happens next → happens in continuous succession'): /tsɯɡɯ → ái-tsɯɡɯ/
• yasashī → namayasashī (易しい→生易しい; 'is simple → is plain simple'): /jasaɕiR ~ jasaɕíR → nama-jasaɕiR ~ nama-jasaɕíR ~ náma-jasaɕiR/
• hyōhō → namabyōhō (兵法→生兵法; 'the art of war → superficial knowledge of the art of war'): /hjóRhoR → nama-bjóRhoR ~ ^†náma-bjoRhoR/
• shiroi → namatchiroi (白い→生っ白い; 'is white → is pasty'): /ɕiɾói → namaQ-cɕiɾói ~ ^†námaQ-cɕiɾoi/
• zūzūshī → ikezūzūshī (図々しい→いけ図々しい; 'is brazen → is utterly brazen'): /zɯzɯɕíR → ike-zɯzɯɕíR ~ íke-zɯzɯɕiR/
• urusai → kourusai (煩い→小煩い; 'is pesky → is frustratingly pesky'): /ɯɾɯsái → ko-ɯɾɯsái ~ ko-ɯɾɯsai ~ kó-ɯɾɯsai/
• yakamashī → koyakamashī (喧しい→小喧しい; 'is fussy → is annoyingly fussy'): /jakamaɕíR → ko-jakamaɕíR ~ ko-jakamaɕiR ~ kó-jakamaɕiR/
• mendō → komendō (面倒→小面倒; 'irksome → triflingly irksome'): /meNdóR → ko-meNdóR ~ kó-meNdoR/
• namaiki → konamaiki (生意気→小生意気; 'cheeky → annoyingly cheeky'): /namaiki → ko-namáiki ~ ko-námaiki ~ kó-namaiki/
• ichijikan → koichijikan (一時間→小一時間; 'an hour → just about an hour'): /icɕiʑíkaN → ko-icɕiʑíkaN ~ kó-icɕiʑikaN/
• baka → ōbaka (馬鹿→大馬鹿; 'an idiot → an utter moron'): /báka → oR-baka ~ oR-báka ~ óR-baka/
• kirai → daikirai (嫌い→大嫌い; 'hate → loathsome'): /kiɾai → dái-kiɾai/
• suki → daisuki (好き→大好き; 'like → beloved'): /sɯ̥kí → dái-sɯ̥ki/

Ko‑ without such a negative connotation can make initial-accented or unaccented short compounds:

• kabu → kokabu (蕪→小蕪; 'turnip → small turnip'): /kabɯ → kó-kabɯ/
• michi → komichi (道→小道; 'a road → a narrow road'): /micɕi → kó-micɕi ~ ko-micɕi/
• tachi → kodachi (太刀→小太刀): /tácɕi → kó-dacɕi/
• aza → koaza (字→小字): /áza → ko-aza/
• uta → kouta (唄→小唄; 'a song → a kouta'): /ɯtá → ko-ɯta/
• uma → kouma (馬→小馬; 'a horse → a foal'): /ɯmá → ko-ɯma/
• yubi → koyubi (指→小指; 'a finger → a little finger'): /jɯbí → ko-jɯbi/

Ō‑ otherwise still often results in initial-accented short compounds:

• to → ōdo (戸→大戸; 'a door → the big main door'): /to → óR-do ~ oR-do/
• ya → ōya (家→大家; 'a dealer → a landlord'): /já → óR-ja/
• kawa → ōkawa (川→大川; 'a river → a large river'): /kawá → óR-kawa/
• shio → ōshio (潮→大潮; 'a tide → a spring tide'): /ɕió → óR-ɕio ~ oR-ɕio/
• aza → ōaza (字→大字): /áza → óR-aza/
• kami → ōkami (神→大神・狼; 'a god → a great god; a wolf'): /kámi → óR-kami ~ oR-kami; óR-kami/

Ai‑ and moto‑ (元; /móto/ 'former') can form non-compoundified compounds:

• taisuru → ai taisuru (対する→相対する; 'confronts → confronts one another'): /taisɯ́ɾɯ → ái | taisɯ́ɾɯ/
• daijin → moto daijin (大臣→元大臣; 'a minister → a former minister'): /dáiʑiN → móto | dáiʑiN/

Sino-Japanese prefixes

A number of Sino-Japanese prefixes are prone to make initial-accented or non-compoundified compounds:^[2]

• kaku‑ (各; /kákɯ/ 'various'): kakujin (各人; /kákɯʑiN/ 'people'), kakusho (各所; /kákɯ̥ɕo/ 'places'), kaku kojin (各個人; /kákɯ̥ | kóʑiN/ 'individuals'), etc.
• ki‑ (貴; /kí/ 'esteemed'): kijo (貴女; /kíʑo/ 'a lady'), kiden (貴殿・貴兄; /kídeN; kí̥kei → ki̥kéi/ 'you, my esteemed male addressee'), ki shokan (貴書簡; /kí̥ (|) ɕokaN/ 'your esteemed letter to me'), etc.
• kyū‑ (旧; /kjɯ́R/ 'old'): kyūka (旧家; /kjɯ́Rka ~ kjɯRka/ 'a long-standing family'), kyūkabu (旧株; /kjɯ́kabɯ/ 'an old stock'), Kyūkyō (旧教; /kjɯ́RkjoR/ 'Catholicism'), kyūha (旧派; /kjɯ́Rha/ 'an old school/movement'), etc.
• gen‑ (現; /ɡéN/ 'current'): gendai (現代; /ɡéNdai/ 'the post-WW2 modern era'), gen shushō (現首相; /ɡéN (|) ɕɯɕoR ~ ɡéN (|) ɕɯ̥ɕoR/ 'the incumbent Prime Minister'), etc.
• ko‑ (故; /kó/ 'the late'): kojin (故人; /kóʑiN/ 'the deceased'), ko Taikan (故大観; /kó | táikaN/ 'the late Taikan'), etc.
• kon‑ (今; /kóN/ 'now'): konji (今時; /kóNʑi/ 'these days'), kondo (今度; /kóNdo/ 'the latest'), konnichi (今日; /kóNnicɕi/ 'today'), konnen (今年; /kóNneN/ 'this year'), konban (今晩; /kóNbaN/ 'this evening'), kon dankai (今段階; /kóN (|) daNkai/ 'this stage'), etc.
• jun‑ (純; /ʑɯ́N/ 'pure'): jun Nihonfū (純日本風; /ʑɯ́N (|) nihoNɸɯR/ 'a purely Japanese style'), etc.
• sho‑ (諸; 'various'): shokei; shoshi (諸兄・諸氏; /ɕókei; ɕóɕi/ 'you gentlemen'), etc.
• shin‑ (新; /ɕíN/ 'new'): shinkabu (新株; /ɕíNkabɯ/ 'a new stock'), shinkyū (新旧; /ɕíNkjɯR/ 'old and new'), Shinkyō (新教; /ɕíNkjoR/ 'Protestantism'), shingetsu (新月; /ɕíNɡetsɯ/ 'a new moon'), shintō (新党; /ɕíNtoR ~ ɕiNtoR/ 'a new political party'), shinnen (新年; /ɕíNneN/ 'a new year'), shinpa (新派; /ɕíNpa/ 'a new school/movement'), etc.
• sen‑ (先; /séN/ 'prior'): sengetsu (先月; /séNɡetsɯ/ 'last month'), sendo (先度; /séNdo ~ seNdo/ 'the other day'), senban (先晩; /séNbaN ~ seNbaN/ 'the other evening'), sen'ya (先夜; /séNja ~ seNja/ 'the other night'), etc.
• zen‑ (前; /zéN/ 'previous'): zense; zensei (前世; /zéNse; zéNsei/ 'the previous life; the former time'), zen shūshō (前首相; /zéN (|) ɕɯɕoR ~ zéN (|) ɕɯ̥ɕoR/ 'a former prime minister'), etc.
• zen‑ (全; /zéN/ 'all'): zenkō (全校; /zéNkoR ~ zeNkoR/ 'all (the) school(s)'), zen gakusei (全学生; /zéN (|) ɡakɯ̥sei/ 'all (the) student(s)'), zen Nippon (全日本; /zéN | niQpóN ~ zéN-niQpoN ~ zeN-niQpóN/ 'all Japan'), zensekai (全世界; /zéN-sekai ~ zeN-sékai/ 'the whole world'), etc.
• son‑ (尊; /sóN/ 'esteemed'): sonpu (尊父; /sóNpɯ/ 'your esteemed father'), sonbo (尊母; /sóNbo/ 'your esteemed mother'), sonkei (尊兄; /sóNkei/ 'your esteemed elder brother ~ you, my esteemed male addressee'), etc.
• chō‑ (超; /cɕóR/ 'super‑'): chō kokka shugi (超国家主義; /cɕoR-koQka ɕɯ́ɡi ~ cɕóR | koQka ɕɯ́ɡi/ 'ultranationalism'), etc.
• tō‑ (当; /tóR/ 'in question'): tōsha (当社; /tóRɕa/ 'the company/Shinto shrine in question'), tōnin (当人; /tóRniN/ 'the person in question'), tō kaijō (当会場; /tóR (|) kaiʑoR/ 'the venue in question'), etc.
• han‑ (反; /háN/ 'anti‑'): han shakaiteki (反社会的; /haN-ɕakaiteki ~ háN (|) ɕakaiteki/ 'antisocial'), etc.
• hi‑ (非; /hí/ 'un‑'): hi shakōteki (非社交的; /hí (|) ɕakoRteki/ 'unsociable'), etc.
• bō‑ (某; /bóR/ 'a certain'): bōjitsu (某日; /bóRʑitsɯ/ 'a certain day'), bōjo (某女; /bóRʑo/ 'a certain female person'), bō hōmen (某方面; /bóR | hoRméN ~ bóR-hoRmeN/ 'a certain corner'), etc.
• hon‑ (本; /hóN/ 'this'): honshi (本誌; /hóNɕi/ 'this periodical'), honjitsu (本日; /hóNʑitsɯ/ 'today'), hon taikai (本大会; /hóN (|) taikai/ 'this tournament'), etc.
• myō‑ (明; /mjóR ~ mjoR/ 'next'): myōnichi (明日; /mjóRnicɕi/ 'tomorrow'), myōnen (明年; /mjóRneN ~ mjoRneN/ 'next year'), myōban (明晩; /mjóRbaN/ 'tomorrow evening'), myōya (明夜; /mjóRja/ 'tomorrow night'), etc.
• ryō‑ (両; /ɾjóR/ 'both'): ryōnin (両人; /ɾjóRniN/ 'both people'), ryōke (両家; /ɾjóRke/ 'both families'), etc.

Some compounds with dō‑ (同; /dóR/) may have different accent patterns depending on the different meanings, namely 'aforementioned' and 'the same':

• dōji (同時; /doRʑi ~ dóRʑi/ 'the same time/hour'), etc.
• dōchi (同地; /dóRcɕi/ 'the said locality ~ the same locality'), etc.
• dōgetsu (同月; /dóRɡetsɯ; doRɡetsɯ/ 'the said month; the same month'), dōjitsu (同日; /dóRʑitsɯ; doRʑitsɯ/ 'the said day; the same day'), dōnen (同年; /dóRneN; doRneN/ 'the said year; the same year/age'), dōken (同県; /dóRkeN; doRkeN/ 'the said prefecture; the same prefecture'), dōkō (同校; /dóRkoR; doRkoR/ 'the said school; the same school'), dōtō (同党; /dóRtoR; doRtoR/ 'the said political party; the same political party'), dōnin; dōnin ~ dōjin (同人; /dóRniN; doRniN ~ doRʑiN/ 'the said person; the same person → a like-minded person'), etc.
• dō fujin (同夫人; /dóR | ɸɯʑiN ~ dóR-ɸɯʑiN/ 'the said lady'), etc.

The honorific prefixes spelt with 御

‑sama, ‑chama, ‑san, ‑chan, ‑don, ‑ya and ‑ki

‑sama (様; /samá/ 'appearance') and its derivatives ‑chama, ‑san and ‑chan, as well as ‑don (derived from ‑dono below), ‑ya and ‑ki (貴; derived from kimi (君; 'Lord/Lady')), are recessive and unaccented, always so after proper nouns and mostly so after common nouns. Adding the prefix o‑ (御) in these cases does not make a difference:^[11]

• Ono (小野; /ono-sama → ono-saN/), Hara (原; /háɾa-sama → háɾa-saN/), Hara Toshiaki (原敏明; /háɾa | toɕíaki̥-saN ~ háɾa toɕiaki̥-saN/), Nakamura (中村; /nakamɯɾa-sama → nakamɯɾa-saN/), Yamashita (山下; /jamáɕi̥ta-sama → jamáɕi̥ta-saN/), Katō (加藤; /kátoR-sama → kátoR-saN/), Andō (安藤; /áNdoR-sama → áNdoR-saN/), etc.
• Yuki (雪; /jɯ́ki̥-saN, jɯ́ki̥-cɕaN/), Masao (正男; /masao-saN, masao-cɕaN/), Akiko (明子; /áki̥ko-saN, áki̥ko-cɕaN/), Shōichi (正一; /ɕoRicɕi̥-saN, ɕoRicɕi̥-cɕaN ~ ɕoRicɕí̥-cɕaN ~ ɕoRícɕi̥-cɕaN/), Kazuhiko (和彦; /kazɯ́hi̥ko-saN, kazɯ́hi̥ko-cɕaN/), Daisuke (大助; /dáisɯ̥ke-saN, dáisɯ̥ke-cɕaN/), Oisesan (お伊勢さん; /o-íse-saN/ 'the Ise Shrine'), etc.
• kaka (母・嬶; /káka-sama → kakáR-sama → (o-)káR-sama → (o-)káR-saN, (o-)káR-cɕaN/ 'a mom'), toto (父; /tóto-sama → {(o-)tóR-sama → (o-)tóR-saN, (o-)tóRcɕaN}, toQtsáN, toQcɕáN ~ tóQcɕaN/ 'a dad'), baba (婆; /bába-sama → babáR-sama → (o-)báR-sama → (o-)báR-saN, (o-)báR-cɕaN/ 'a grandma'), jiji (爺; /ʑíʑi-sama → ʑiʑíR-sama → (o-)ʑíR-sama → (o-)ʑíR-saN, (o-)ʑíR-cɕaN/ 'a grandpa'), jō (嬢; /(o-)ʑóR-sama → (o-)ʑóR-saN, (o-)ʑóR-cɕaN/ 'a young mistress'), hime (姫; /(o-)híme-sama/ 'a princess'), oko (御子; /oko-sama → oko-saN/ 'your child'), oku (奥; /ókɯ̥-sama → ókɯ̥-saN/ 'the lady of the house'), yaoya (八百屋; /jaoja-saN/ 'a greengrocer'), hanaya (花屋; /hanája-saN/ 'a florist'), etc.
• oba (小母; /oba-sama → oba-saN, oba-cɕaN; oba-ki/ 'an aunt'), oji (小父; /oʑi-sama → {oʑi-saN → oQsaN → oQtsaN}, oʑi-cɕaN; oʑi-ki/ 'an uncle'), ane (姉; /ane-sama → anéR-sama → (o-)néR-sama → (o-)néR-saN, (o-)néR-cɕaN; ane-ki/ 'an elder sister'), ani (兄; /áni-sama → áN-cɕaN, {aníR-sama → (o-)níR-sama → (o-)níR-san, (o-)níR-cɕaN}; áni-ki/ 'an elder brother'), etc.
• Take (竹; /táke-doN, táke-ja/), bō(ya) (坊(や); /bóR(-ja)/ 'a little boy'), bāya (婆や; /báR-ja ~ baR-já/ 'the dear old maidservant/wet nurse'), jīya (爺や; /ʑíR-ja ~ ʑiR-já/ 'the dear old manservant'), nēya (姉や; /néR-ja/ 'the dear young maidservant/nursemaid'), etc.

‑sama sometimes exert its original final accent, or becomes a regular long-compound head, in some common-noun compounds:^[12]

• okyaku → okyakusama → okyakusan (御客→御客様→御客さん; 'the guest'): /okjakɯ → okjakɯ̥-samá ~ okjakɯ̥-sáma ~ {okjakɯ̥-sama → okjakɯ̥-saN}/
• Hotoke → Hotokesama (仏→仏様; 'the Buddha'): /hotoke ~ hotoké → hotoke-samá ~ hotoke-sáma/

‑samasama is final-accented and can form its own minor phrase:^[13]

• kaisha → kaisha samasama da (会社→会社様々だ; 'a company → it's good to have this company'): /kaiɕa → kaiɕa samasamá da/
• otenki → otenki samasama da (御天気→御天気様々だ; 'the weather → it's good to have this weather'): /otéNki → otéNki | samasamá da/

‑dono

Tono → ‑dono (殿; /tóno/ 'your/their, an esteemed person's, mansion → you/they/them, an esteemed person → Mr(s)/M(is)s') is recessive, and unaccented or initial-accented:^[14]

• Yamada → Yamadadono (山田→山田殿; /jamada → jamada-dono ~ jamada-dóno/), Masao → Masaodono (正雄→正雄殿; /masao → masao-dono ~ masao-dóno/), etc.
• Yamashita → Yamashitadono (山下→山下殿; /jamáɕi̥ta → jamáɕi̥ta-dono/), Kazuhiko → Kazuhikodono (和彦→和彦殿; /kazɯ́hi̥ko → kazɯ́hi̥ko-dono/), etc.
• Katō → Katōdono (加藤→加藤殿; /kátoR → kátoR-dono/), Hanako → Hanakodono (花子→花子殿; /hánako → hánako-dono/), etc.

‑shi and ‑uji

‑shi (氏; /ɕí/ 'Mr ~ Lord') is recessive and preaccenting, and alternatively forms it own downstepped minor phrase after an accented name:^[14][15]

• Ono → Onoshi (小野→小野氏; /ono → onó-ɕi/), Nakamura → Nakamurashi (中村→中村氏; /nakamɯɾa → nakamɯɾá-ɕi/), Masao → Masaoshi (正雄→正雄氏; /masao → masaó-ɕi/), etc.
• Hara → Harashi (原→原氏; /háɾa → háɾa-ɕi ~ háɾa | ɕí/), Tokugawa → Tokugawashi (徳川→徳川氏; /tokɯ́ɡawa ~ tokɯɡawa → tokɯ́ɡawa-ɕi ~ tokɯ́ɡawa | ɕí ~ tokɯɡawá-ɕi/ 'Tokugawa → Lord Tokugawa'), etc.
• Katō → Katōshi (加藤→加藤氏; /kátoR → kátoR-ɕi ~ kátoR | ɕí/), Andō → Andōshi (安藤→安藤氏; /áNdoR → áNdoR-ɕi ~ áNdoR | ɕí/), etc.

‑shi ('a clan') is dominant and preaccenting:^[16][17]

• Tokugawa → Tokugawashi (徳川→徳川氏; /tokɯ́ɡawa ~ tokɯɡawa → tokɯɡawá-ɕi/ 'Tokugawa → the Tokugawa clan'), Hōjō → Hōjōshi (北条→北条氏; /hoRʑoR → hoRʑóR-ɕi/ 'Hōjō → the Hōjō clan'), etc.
• Mōri → Mōrishi (毛利→毛利氏; /móRɾi → moRɾí-ɕi/ 'Mōri → the Mōri clan'), Ashikaga → Ashikagashi (足利→足利氏; /aɕi̥káɡa → aɕi̥kaɡá-ɕi/ 'Ashikaga → the Ashikaga clan'), etc.

‑uji (/ɯ́ʑi/ 'a clan') is recessive or dominant, and preaccenting:^[14]

• Tanaka → Tanakauji (田中→田中氏; /tanaka → tanaká-ɯʑi/), etc.
• Kuroda → Kurodauji (黒田→黒田氏; /kɯ́ɾoda → kɯɾodá-ɯʑi ~ kɯ́ɾoda-ɯʑi/), etc.

‑ke

‑ke (家; 'a family') is typically dominant, and deaccenting or preaccenting, but is additionally recessive and not deaccenting after accented bimoraic names:^[18][19]

• Ono → Onoke (小野→小野家; /ono → ono-ke ~ onó-ke/), Yoshida → Yoshidake (吉田→吉田家; /joɕida → joɕida-ke ~ joɕidá-ke/), etc.
• Nishimura → Nishimurake (西村→西村家; /niɕímɯɾa → niɕimɯɾa-ke ~ niɕimɯɾá-ke/), etc.
• Satō → Satōke (佐藤→佐藤家; /sátoR → satoR-ke ~ satóR-ke/), Andō → Andōke (安藤→安藤家; /áNdoR → aNdoR-ke ~ aNdóR-ke/), etc.
  • But: Hara → Harake (原→原家; /háɾa → háɾa-ke ~ haɾá-ke/), etc.

‑kun, ‑gimi and ‑ue

‑kun (君) is recessive and unaccented, or preaccenting only after unaccented family names:^[14]

• Masao → Masaokun (正男→正男君; /masao → masao-kɯN/), etc.
  • But: Yamada → Yamadakun (山田→山田君; /jamada → jamada-kɯN ~ jamadá-kɯN/), Nakamura → Nakamurakun (中村→中村君; /nakamɯɾa → nakamɯɾa-kɯN ~ nakamɯɾá-kɯN/), etc.
• Nakagawa → Nakagawakun (中川→中川氏; /nakáɡawa → nakáɡawa-kɯN/), Kazuhiko → Kazuhikokun (和彦→和彦君; /kazɯ́hi̥ko → kazɯ́hi̥ko-kɯN/), etc.
• Katō → Katōkun (加藤→加藤君; /kátoR → kátoR-kɯN/), Akira → Akirakun (明→明君; /ákiɾa → ákiɾa-kɯN/), etc.

Short Sino-Japanese compounds with ‑kun tend to be initial-accented:^[14] saikun (細君; /sáikɯN/ 'my wife → your/his wife'), yūkun (遊君; /jɯ́RkɯN/ 'a courtesan'), etc.

Kimi → ‑gimi (君; /kimi/ 'a noble → Lord/Lady') and ‑ue (上; /ɯe/ 'the top side') tend to be dominant and preaccenting:^[11]

• Tsuruchiyo → Tsuruchiyogimi (鶴千代君; /tsɯɾɯcɕijó-ɡimi/ 'Tsuruchiyo → Lord Tsuruchiyo'), yodo → Yodo → Yodogimi (淀→淀君; /jódo → jodó-ɡimi ~ jodo-ɡimi/ 'a pool → Yodo → Lady Yodo'), etc.
• ane → anegimi; aneue (姉→姉君・姉上; /ane → ané-ɡimi; ané-ɯe/ 'an elder sister → my elder sister'), ani → anigimi; aniue (兄→兄君・兄上; /áni → aní-ɡimi; aní-ɯe/ 'an elder brother → my elder brother'), haha → hahagimi; hahaue (母→母君・母上; /háha → hahá-ɡimi; hahá-ɯe/ 'a mother → my mother'), chichi → chichigimi; chichiue (父→父君・父上; /{cɕí̥cɕi → cɕi̥cɕí} → cɕi̥cɕí-ɡimi; cɕi̥cɕí-ue/ 'a father → my father'), hime → himegimi (姫→姫君; /híme → himé-ɡimi/ 'a noblewoman → my lady'), ama → amagimi (尼→尼君; /áma ~ ama → amá-ɡimi/ 'a nun → my lady, a nun'), waka → wakagimi (若→若君; /wáka → waká-ɡimi/ 'a young master → my young master'), tsuji → tsujigimi (辻→辻君; /tsɯʑi → tsɯʑi-ɡimi ~ tsɯʑí-ɡimi/ 'an intersection → a streetwalker'), etc.

‑go

‑go (御; contracted from gozen (御前; /ɡozeN ~ ɡózeN/ 'Your/Their presence')) tends to be dominant, and deaccenting in trimoraic compounds but preaccenting in longer nouns:^[12]

• ane → anego (姉→姉御; /ane → ane-ɡo/ 'an elder sister → my/your/their elder sister'), ani → anigo (兄→兄御; /áni → ani-ɡo ~ aní-ɡo/ 'an elder brother → my/your/their elder brother'), haha → hahago (母→母御; /háha → haha-ɡo ~ hahá-ɡo/ 'a mother → my/your/their mother'), chichi → chichigo (父→父御; /cɕí̥cɕi → cɕi̥cɕí → cɕi̥cɕi-ɡo/ 'a father → my/your/their father'), etc.
• musume → musumego (娘→娘子; /mɯsɯmé → mɯsɯmé-ɡo/ 'a daughter → your/their daughter'), imōto → imōtogo (妹→妹御; /imoRtó → imoRtó-ɡo/ 'a younger sister → your/their younger sister'), otōto → otōtogo (弟→弟御; /otoRtó → otoRtó-ɡo ~ otoRto-ɡo/ 'a younger brother → your/their younger brother'), yome → yomego (嫁→嫁御; /jome → jome-ɡo ~ jomé-ɡo/ 'a daughter-in-law → your/their daughter-in-law'), hanayome → hanayomego (花嫁→花嫁御; /hanájome → hanajomé-ɡo/ 'a bride → your/their bride'), etc.

‑kō

‑kō (公; /kóR/ 'an East Asian duke → a duke/ducal prince') is recessive and unaccented, or dominant and preaccenting:^[14]

• Mito → Mitokō (水戸→水戸公; /mito → mito-koR ~ mitó-koR/ 'Mito → the Prince of Mito'), etc.
• Shimazu → Shimazukō (島津→島津公; /ɕímazɯ → ɕímazɯ-koR ~ ɕimazɯ́-koR/ 'Shimazu → Prince Shimazu'), Konoe → Konoekō (近衛→近衛公; /kónoe ~ konóe → konoé-koR/ 'Konoe → Prince Konoe'), etc.

Short Sino-Japanese compounds with ‑kō tend to be initial-accented:^[14]

• rōkō (老公; /ɾóRkoR/ 'an elderly prince'), Gukō (愚公; /ɡɯ́koR/ 'the Foolish Old Man'), etc.
• Sugawara no Michizane → Kankō (菅原道真→菅公; /sɯɡawaɾa no (|) micɕízane → káNkoR/ 'Sugawara no Michizane → Prince Sugawara'), Kusunoki Masashige → Nankō (楠木正成→楠公; /kɯ̥sɯ́noki (|) masaɕiɡe → náNkoR/ 'Kusunoki Masashige → Prince Kusunoki'), etc.

-kō ('the little') is dominant and initial-accented: Kumakō Hachikō (熊公八公; /kɯma-kóR | hacɕi̥-kóR/ 'the Little Kuma and the Little Hachi → an average Joe'), etc.

‑bō and ‑nbo(o)

‑bō (坊; /bóR/ 'an Buddhist monk's room → a monk') is dominant and preaccenting:^[14] Musashi → Musashibō (武蔵→武蔵坊; /mɯ́saɕi → mɯsaɕí-boR/), Hōkai → Hōkaibō (法界→法界坊; /hoRkai → hoRkái-boR/ 'Dharmadhatu → Hōkaibō'), etc.

‑bō ('a sonny') is dominant and initial-accented:^[14] yoshi → Yoshibō (良→良坊; /jóɕi̥ → joɕi-bóR/ 'is good → Yoshibō'), Shō → Shōbō (正→正坊; /ɕóR → ɕoR-bóR/), mie → miebō (見え→見え坊; /míe → mié → mie-bóR ~ mié-boR ~ mie-boR/ 'showing off → a show-off'), etc.

‑nbo(o) tends to be recessive and unaccented:^[20]

• sakura → sakuranbo(o) (桜→桜ん坊; /sakɯɾa → sakɯɾa-Nbo(R)/ 'a cherry blossom → a cherry'), tsurushi → tsurushinbo(o) (吊るし→吊るしん坊; /tsɯɾɯɕi → tsɯɾɯɕi-Nbo(R)/ 'dangling → off-the-rack clothes'), etc.
• kechi → kechinbo(o) (けち→けちん坊; /kécɕi → kécɕi-Nbo(R) ~ kecɕí-Nbo(R)/ 'miserliness → a miser'), etc.
  • But (words with no equivalent nouns are parenthesized): (shiwai) → shiwanbo(o) ((吝い)→吝ん坊; /(ɕiwái) → ɕiwa-NboR ~ ɕiwá-NboR ~ ɕíwa-Nbo(R)/ '(is miserly) → a miser'), (okori) → okorinbo(o) ((怒り)→怒りん坊; /(okóɾi) → okoɾí-Nbo(R)/ '(getting angry) → a hothead')

‑ō

‑ō (王; /óR/ 'a king → an East Asian imperial prince') is dominant and initial-accented:^[14] Riaō (リア王; /ɾia-óR/ 'King Lear'), zushi → Zushiō (厨子→厨子王; /zɯ́ɕi → zɯɕi-óR/ 'a miniature shrine → Zushiō'), yasha → Yashaō (夜叉→夜叉王; /jáɕa → jaɕa-óR/ 'a yaksha → the Yaksha King'), gankutsu → Gankutsuō (巌窟→巌窟王; /ɡaNkɯ̥tsɯ → ɡaNkɯ̥tsɯ-óR/ 'a cave → The Count of Monte Cristo'), etc.

‑ya

‑ya (屋; /já/ 'a house → a shop') tends to be dominant and preaccenting in trimoraic shop names:^[20] kagi → kagiya → Kagiya (鍵→鍵屋; /kaɡí → kaɡí-ja/ 'a key → a locksmith's shop → Kagiya^[b]'), tama → tamaya → Tamaya (玉→玉屋; /tamá → tamá-ja/ 'a ball → a jewel → a jewelry shop → Tamaya^[c]'), etc.

‑ya as used in some stage family names and derogatory terms is dominant and preaccenting as well:^[21]

• yanagi → Yanagiya (柳→柳家; /janaɡi → janaɡí-ja/ 'willow → Yanagiya^[d]'), suzu no → Suzunoya (鈴の→鈴屋; /sɯzɯ no → sɯzɯ-nó-ja/ 'a closed-shaped bell's → Suzunoya^[e]'), {haru no → Harunoya} + oboro → Harunoya Oboro (春廼舎朧; /{háɾɯ no → haɾɯ-nó-ja} + oboɾo → haɾɯ-no-ja oboɾo/ '{springtime's → Harunoya} + hazy → Tsubouchi Shōyō'), Soga no → Soganoya (曾我廼家; /soɡa no → soɡa-nó-ja/ 'Soga's → Soganoya^[f]'), etc.
• kori → koriya (凝り→凝り屋; /koɾí → koɾí-ja/ 'getting muscle stiffness → muscle stiffness → an obsessive perfectionist'), jimu → jimuya (事務→事務屋; /ʑímɯ → ʑimɯ́-ja ~ ʑimɯ-ja/ 'deskwork → a robotic bureaucrat'), etc.

In quadrimoraic or longer shop and stage family names and derogatory terms, ‑ya tends to be dominant and deaccenting:^[21]

• omodaka → Omodakaya^[g] (沢瀉→沢瀉屋; /omodaka → omodaka-ja/ 'a threeleaf arrowhead → Omodakaya'), Harima → Harimaya^[g] (播磨→播磨屋; /háɾima → haɾima-ja/), Mikawa → Mikawaya^[g] (三河→三河屋; /míkawa → mikawa-ja/), Takashima → Takashimaya^[h] (高島→高島屋; /takáɕima ~ takaɕima → takaɕima-ja/), etc.
• kidori → kidoriya (気取り→気取り屋; /kidoɾi → kidoɾi-ja/ 'affecting → affectation → a snob'), wakarazu → wakarazuya (分からず→分からず屋; /wakáɾazɯ → wakaɾazɯ-ja/ 'not making sense → a pigheaded person'), etc.

‑ya ('a shop → a supplier') works similarly, with some exceptions:^[22]

• It is preaccenting in most trimoraic compounds:
  • kutsu → kutsuya (靴→靴屋; /kɯ̥tsɯ́ → kɯ̥tsɯ́-ja/ 'a shoe → a shoe shop → a shoemaker'), kome → komeya (米→米屋; /komé → komé-ja/ 'rice → a rice shop → a rice dealer'), niku → nikuya (肉→肉屋; /nikɯ́ → nikɯ́-ja/ 'meat → a meat shop → a butcher'), hana → hanaya (花→花屋; /haná → haná-ja/ 'a flower → a flower shop → a florist'), furo → furoya (風呂→風呂屋; /ɸɯɾó ~ ɸɯ́ɾo → ɸɯɾó-ja/ 'a hot bath → a public bathhouse'), etc.
  • kasa → kasaya (傘→傘屋; /kása → kasá-ja/ 'an umbrella → an umbrella shop → an umbrella dealer'), soba → sobaya (蕎麦→蕎麦屋; /sóba → sobá-ja/ 'soba → a soba shop → a soba seller'), tane → taneya (種→種屋; /táne → tané-ja/ 'seed → a seed shop → a seedsman'), hon → hon'ya (本→本屋; /hóN → hóN-ja/ 'a book → a bookshop → a bookdealer'), pan → pan'ya (パン→パン屋; /páN → páN-ja/ 'bread → a bakery → a baker'), yane → yaneya (屋根→屋根屋; /jáne → jané-ja/ 'a roof → a roofer'), etc.
  • But:
    • ishi → ishiya (石→石屋; /iɕí → iɕi-ja/ 'stone → a stone shop → a stonemason'), yado → yadoya (宿→宿屋; /jádo → jado-ja/ 'lodging → an inn'), etc.
    • ito → itoya (糸→糸屋; /íto → itó-ja ~ ito-ja/ 'thread → a thread shop → a thread dealer'), oke → okeya (桶→桶屋; /óke → oke-ja ~ oké-ja/ 'a bucket → a bucket shop → a cooper'), tabi → tabiya (足袋→足袋屋; /tábi → tabí-ja ~ tabi-ja/ 'a tabi → a tabi shop → a tabi maker'), etc.
    • gyū → gyūya (牛→牛屋; /ɡjɯ́R → ɡjɯR-já/ 'beef → a beef shop → a beef butcher'), kon → kon'ya (紺→紺屋; /kóN → koN-ja ~ koN-já ~ koR-ja ~ koR-já/ 'navy blue → a dye shop → a dyer'), etc.
• It is deaccenting in most quadrimoraic or longer compounds, especially if the modifier is originally final-accented:
  • furugi → furugiya (古着→古着屋; /ɸɯɾɯɡi ~ ɸɯɾɯɡí → ɸɯɾɯɡi-ja/ 'secondhand clothes → a secondhand-clothes shop → a secondhand-clothes dealer'), ōgi → ōgiya (扇→扇屋; /oRɡí ~ oRɡi → oRɡi-ja/ 'a hand fan → a hand-fan shop → a hand-fan dealer'), etc.
  • oden → oden'ya (御田→御田屋; /odéN → odeN-ja/ 'oden → an oden shop → an oden seller'), omocha → omochaya (玩具→玩具屋; /omócɕa → omocɕa-ja/ 'a toy → a toy shop'), satō → satōya (砂糖→砂糖屋; /satóR → satoR-ja/ 'sugar → a sugar dealer'), tategu → tateguya (建具→建具屋; /tatéɡɯ → tateɡɯ-ja/ 'door fittings → a door-fittings shop → a joiner'), etc.
  • ichō → ichōya (衣装→衣装屋; /íɕoR → iɕoR-ja/ 'costume → a costume shop → a costumer'), kingyo → kingyoya (金魚→金魚屋; /kíNɡjo → kiNɡjo-ja/ 'a goldfish → a goldfish seller'), denki → denkiya (電気→電気屋; /déNki → deNki-ja/ 'electricity → an electrical shop → an electrical shop owner'), megane → meganeya (眼鏡→眼鏡屋; /méɡane → meɡane-ja/ 'eyeglasses → an optician's shop → an optician'), etc.
  • chōchin → chōchin'ya (提灯→提灯屋; /cɕoRcɕíN → cɕoRcɕiN-ja/ 'a paper lantern → a lantern shop → a lantern maker'), rekōdo → rekōdoya (レコード→レコード屋; /ɾekóRdo ~ ɾékoRdo → ɾekoRdo-ja/ 'a record → a record shop'), bunbōgu → bunbōguya (文房具→文房具屋; /bɯNbóRɡɯ → bɯNboRɡɯ-ja/ 'stationery → a stationery shop → a stationer'), kurīningu → kurīninguya (クリーニング→クリーニング屋; /kɯɾíRniNɡɯ ~ kɯɾiRníNɡɯ → kɯɾiRniNɡɯ-ja/ 'laundering → a laundry → a launderer'), etc.
  • But: ryōri → ryōriya (料理→料理屋; /ɾjóRɾi → ɾjoRɾí-ja/ 'cookery → a restaurant'), mizugashi → mizugashiya (水菓子→水菓子屋; /mizɯɡáɕi → mizɯɡaɕí-ja/ 'fruit → a fruit shop'), aomono → aomonoya (青物→青物屋; /aómono → aomono-ja ~ aomóno-ja ~ aomonó-ja/ 'greens → a greengrocery → a greengrocer'), etc.

Long Sino-Japanese occupational titles and establishment types

Long (two kanji long or longer) Sino-Japanese occupational titles ("Doctor Ono," "Master Yamada," "Emperor Reiwa," etc) and establishment types ("Satō's Shop," "Yoshida's Barbershop," etc) are generally recessive or even non-compoundifying (see Japanese pitch accent rules § Non-compoundified compounds), but accented titles have been made dominant by some younger speakers. The following is a non-exhaustive list of examples:^[23]

• Kachō (課長; /kacɕoR/ 'a section chief'):
  • Yamada → Yamada Kachō (山田→山田課長; /jamada → jamada kacɕoR/), etc.
  • Nakagawa → Nakagawa Kachō (中川→中川課長; /nakáɡawa → nakáɡawa kacɕoR/), etc.
  • Satō → Satō Kachō (佐藤→佐藤課長; /sátoR → sátoR kacɕoR/), etc.
• Sensei (先生; /seNséi/ 'a learned person'):
  • Ono → Ono Sensei (小野→小野先生; /ono → ono seNséi/), Yamada → Yamada Sensei (山田→山田先生; /jamada → jamada seNséi/), etc.
  • Nakagawa → Nakagawa Sensei (中川→中川先生; /nakáɡawa → nakáɡawa seNsei ~ nakáɡawa | seNséi ~ nakaɡawa seNséi/), etc.
  • Hara → Hara Sensei (原→原先生; /háɾa → háɾa seNsei ~ háɾa | seNséi ~ haɾa seNséi/), Satō → Satō Sensei (佐藤→佐藤先生; /sátoR → sátoR seNsei ~ sátoR | seNséi ~ satoR seNséi/), Andō → Andō Sensei (安藤→安藤先生; /áNdoR → áNdoR seNsei ~ áNdoR | seNséi ~ aNdoR seNséi/), etc.
• Meijin (名人; /meiʑíN/ 'a Japanese-board-game master'): Takahashi → Takahashi Meijin (高橋→高橋名人; /takáhaɕi → takáhaɕi meiʑiN ~ takáhaɕi | meiʑíN ~ takahaɕi meiʑíN/), etc.
• Hakushi (博士; /hákɯ̥ɕi/ 'an academic doctor'): Takahashi → Takahashi Hakushi (高橋→高橋博士; /takáhaɕi → takáhaɕi̥ hakɯ̥ɕi ~ takáhaɕi̥ | hákɯ̥ɕi ~ takahaɕi̥ hákɯ̥ɕi/), etc.
• Tennō (天皇; /teNnóR/ 'an emperor of Japan'):
  • Ōjin Tennō (応神天皇; /oRʑiN teNnóR/ 'Emperor Ōjin'), etc.
  • Jinmu Tennō (神武天皇; /ʑíNmɯ teNnoR ~ ʑíNmɯ | teNnóR ~ ʑiNmɯ teNnóR/ 'Emperor Jinmu'), etc.
• shōten (商店; /ɕóRteN/ 'a store'):
  • Yamada → Yamada Shōten (山田→山田商店; /jamada → jamada ɕóRteN/), etc.
  • Nakagawa → Nakagawa Shōten (中川→中川商店; /nakáɡawa → nakáɡawa ɕoRteN ~ nakáɡawa | ɕóRteN ~ nakaɡawa ɕóRteN/), etc.
  • Satō → Satō Shōten (佐藤→佐藤商店; /sátoR → sátoR ɕoRteN ~ sátoR | ɕóRteN ~ satoR ɕóRteN/), etc.

Pluralizing suffixes

Nominalizing suffixes