Along with kanji and onomatopoeia, counting is an element of Japanese that seems daunting due to the sheer amount of words involved.
There seems to be a counter for everythingโin fact, the Japanese language has about 500 โ 600 counters! (reference page is in Japanese only) Even native speakers will confess they donโt know all of them. In this article, weโll discuss the most common Japanese counters and how to use them.
What Is a Counter?

In Japanese, counters are used to help define numbered or counted objects. English uses counters tooโin fact, almost every language does. A common example of a counter in English would be:
โMix in two cups of milk.โ
In English, general counters are most often found in measurement-specific instances. Beyond that, things are count things using the actual name of the object.
โIโd like three sodas, please.โ
โI just saw two deer running across the field.โ
โDid you order four pancakes, or five?โ
Counting in Japanese is simpler in this respect.
Because sodas are drinks stored in long, hollow containers, they are counted the same way as other drinks by using ๆฌ (ใปใ). Deer are large animals and are counted like all other large animals using ้ ญ (ใจใ). Pancakes are thin and flat, which uses the counter ๆ (ใพใ).
Most counters can be used with various objects, and the only rules to remember are a few changes in pronunciation that we will get to later. Before diving into common Japanese counters, Iโd like to introduce you to 2 of the most useful that you can use is almost any situation.
Counters in Japanese: Is There An Easier Way?
If my husband ever hears me complaining about how many counters there are to memorize, he shrugs and tells me to just use ๅ (ใ). โYou can use it for everything,โ heโll say.
While ๅ can be used to count a TON of different things, there are certain things it canโt be used for.
In general, the counter ๅ (ใ) is drawn from Japanโs Chinese roots and is used for small, and/or most physical objects, but not ALL objects. Usually, counting things like animals using ๅ would sound strange.
Example:
- ๆจๆฅใ้ณฅใ2ๅ่ฆใใ(ใใฎใใใจใใใซใใฟใ): I saw 2 birds yesterday.
While birds are technically physical objects, that fact that they are living creatures makes using the ๅ counter sound weird.
In this case, the most elegant solution would be to use the counter for birds, which is ็พฝ (ใ). Weโll cover this in more detail below.
- ๆจๆฅใ้ณฅใ2็พฝ่ฆใใ(ใใฎใใใจใใใซใใฟใ): I saw 2 birds yesterday.
What makes ๅ tricky is that it can even be used for non-physical, abstract object as well.
Example:
- ๆจๆฅใๅคขใ2ๅ่ฆใใ(ใใฎใใใใใใซใใฟใ): I had 2 dreams yesterday.
Isnโt there a simpler way? Thatโs where โใคโ comes in.
Counting With ใค: When All Else Fails
Unlike ๅ, the counter ใค can be naturally applied to both of the previous examples:
- โI saw two birds yesterday.โ โ โๆจๆฅใ้ณฅใ๏ผใค่ฆใใโ (ใใฎใใใจใใใตใใคใฟใ)
- โI saw two dreams last night.โ โ โๆจๆฅใๅคขใ๏ผใค่ฆใใโ (ใใฎใใใใใใตใใคใฟใ)
If you donโt know how to count using the Japanese โใคโ system, you can learn it below.
ใค is so useful, that even when I make an effort to use the proper counters when ordering a drink or food at a restaurant, my order might just be repeated back using the ใค counter. Donโt be ashamed to resort to using this counter. It can be used to count many things and you can easily communicate with native speakers.
**Important note: In Japan, using the โใคโ counting system is common, but usually only for numbers 1 โ 9. The number 10 is pronounced as โใจใโ and can be used, but itโs more common to use the Sino-Japanese counting system for numbers 10 or higher.
Example:
- ๆจๆฅใ11ใฎๅคขใ่ฆใใ(ใใฎใใใใ ใใใกใฎใใใใฟใ): I had 11 dreams yesterday.
- ๆจๆฅใ้ณฅใ14่ฆใใ(ใใฎใใใจใใใใ ใใใใฟใ): I saw 14 birds yesterday.
Of course, if you can master and use the counters below, youโll impress people from Japan. Most importantly, learning these counters will be highly useful when speaking Japanese with native speakers.
How to Count With ใค
ใค is a newer system than ๅ and comes from the fully-Japanese category known as ๅ่ช๏ผใใ๏ผ. If you can remember theย ใค counting style from 1~10, the rest of the numbers should be no problem.
English | Wago | Japanese Reading | Romaji |
One | ไธใค | ใฒใจใค | hitotsu |
Two | ไบใค | ใตใใค | futatsu |
Three | ไธใค | ใฟใฃใค | mittsu |
Four | ๅใค | ใใฃใค | yottsu |
Five | ไบใค | ใใคใค | itsutsu |
Six | ๅ ญใค | ใใฃใค | muttsu |
Seven | ไธใค | ใชใชใค | nanatsu |
Eight | ๅ ซใค | ใใฃใค | yattsu |
Nine | ไนใค | ใใใฎใค | kokonotsu |
Ten | ๅ | ใจใ | too |
For your benefit, Iโve divided the counters into categories of where youโll use them the most. But first, letโs start off with some of the most common counters youโll hear in Japan.
Common Counters
While this list has been extensive, there are a few more commonly used counters in daily life. These are harder to categorize but still important.
ๅ (ใ): Most Inanimate Objects, Certain Abstract Objects, Etc.
ๅ comes in right behind the ใค counter in terms of usefulness. You can use ๅ to count most inanimate objects or certain abstract things like ideas or dreams. You can count so many things using ๅ, but as mentioned above, counting things like animals can sound weird. My advice is if you arenโt sure of how to count something, use the ใค counting system listed above.
ๅ derives from the original Chinese-based language used in ancient Japan, or ๆผข่ช๏ผใใใ๏ผ. Counting in this style is perhaps more familiar to most learners.
Examples:
- โTwo apples, please.โ โ โใใใใไบๅใใ ใใใโ (ใใใใใซใใใ ใใ)
- โThere are 8 planets total in the solar system.โ โ โๅคช้ฝ็ณปใฎๆๆใฏๅ จ้จใง๏ผๅใใใพใใโ (ใใใใใใใฎใใใใใฏใใใถใงใฏใกใใใใพใ)
- I had 2 dreams yesterday.โ โ โๆจๆฅใๅคขใ2ๅ่ฆใใโ(ใใฎใใใใใใซใใฟใ)
English | Kango | Japanese Reading | Romaji |
One | ไธๅ | ใใฃใ | ikko |
Two | ไบๅ | ใซใ | niko |
Three | ไธๅ | ใใใ | sanko |
Four | ๅๅ | ใใใ | yonko |
Five | ไบๅ | ใใ | goko |
Six | ๅ ญๅ | ใใฃใ | rokko |
Seven | ไธๅ | ใชใชใ | nanako |
Eight | ๅ ซๅ | ใฏใกใ / ใฏใฃใ | hachiko / hakko |
Nine | ไนๅ | ใใ ใใ | kyuuko |
Ten | ๅๅ | ใใฃใ / ใใ ใฃใ | jikko / jukko |
ไบบ๏ผใซใ๏ผ- People
ไบบ(ใซใ) is used for counting people in any situation that isnโt a booking or reservation. If there are 3 or more people, you can count using the standard counting system (ใใก, ใซ, ใใ, etc.). In the case of one or two people, however, the ใค counting method is used. But the ใค is changed to ใ(ri). (1ไบบ=ใฒใจใ, 2ไบบ= ใตใใ)
Examples:
- โThere are three people in my family.โ โ โ็งใฎๅฎถๆใฏ3ไบบใงใใโ (ใใใใฎใใใใฏใใใซใใงใ)
- โI want some time with just the two of us.โ โ โ2ไบบใใใฎๆ้ใๆฌฒใใใโ (ใตใใใใใฎใใใใใปใใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One person | ไธไบบ | ใฒใจใ | hitori |
Two people | ไบไบบ | ใตใใ | futari |
Three people | ไธไบบ | ใใใซใ | sannin |
Four people | ๅไบบ | ใใซใ | yonin |
Five people | ไบไบบ | ใใซใ | gonin |
Six people | ๅ ญไบบ | ใใใซใ | rokunin |
Seven people | ไธไบบ | ใใกใซใ / ใชใชใซใ | shichinin / nananin |
Eight people | ๅ ซไบบ | ใฏใกใซใ | hachinin |
Nine people | ไนไบบ | ใใ
ใใซใ / ใใซใ | kyuunin / kunin |
Ten people | ๅไบบ | ใใ ใใซใ | juunin |
**Important! If you ever order food from a restaurant in Japan, you may see this kanji ๅ(ใพใ) attached at the end of these counters. For example, you may see this kanji ไธไบบๅ(ใใกใซใใพใ). Notice that this is not read as โใฒใจใใพใ.โ
When there is the kanji โๅโ attached to a person counter, the meaning changes to โserving portions.โ If you say ไธไบบๅ(ใใใซใใพใ) in a restaurant, that means you want food for 3 people, or 3 servings.
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
For one person | ไธไบบๅ | ใใกใซใใพใ | ichininmae |
For two people | ไบไบบๅ | ใซใซใใพใ | nininmae |
For three people | ไธไบบๅ | ใใใซใใพใ | sanninmae |
For four people | ๅไบบๅ | ใใซใใพใ | yoninmae |
For five people | ไบไบบๅ | ใใซใใพใ | goninmae |
For six people | ๅ ญไบบๅ | ใใใซใใพใ | rokuninmae |
For seven people | ไธไบบๅ | ใชใชใซใใพใ / ใใกใซใใพใ | nananinmae / shichininmae |
For eight people | ๅ ซไบบๅ | ใฏใกใซใใพใ | hachininmae |
For nine people | ไนไบบๅ | ใใ
ใใซใใพใ / ใใซใใพใ | kyuuninmae / kuninmae |
For ten people | ๅไบบๅ | ใใ ใใซใใพใ | juuninmae |
ๅน๏ผใฒใ๏ผ- Small Animals (Cats, Dogs, Monkeys, Some Fish, Etc.)
If you own pets in your home, ๅน(ใฒใ) is the counter you would use. Typically โsmallโ refers to an animal that can be picked up by the average adult. ๅน is counted using the ๅ counting method.
Some small fish can be counted using ๅน as well.
Example:
- โI have four cats.โ โ โ็งใฏ็ซใ4ๅน้ฃผใฃใฆใใพใใโ (ใใใใฏใญใใใใใฒใใใฃใฆใใพใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One (small) animal | ไธๅน | ใใฃใดใ | ippiki |
Two (small) animals | ไบๅน | ใซใฒใ | nihiki |
Three (small) animals | ไธๅน | ใใใณใ | sanbiki |
Four (small) animals | ๅๅน | ใใใฒใ | yonhiki |
Five (small) animals | ไบๅน | ใใฒใ | gohiki |
Six (small) animals | ๅ ญๅน | ใใฃใดใ | roppiki |
Seven (small) animals | ไธๅน | ใชใชใฒใ / ใใกใฒใ | nanahiki / shichihiki |
Eight (small) animals | ๅ ซๅน | ใฏใฃใดใ / ใฏใกใฒใ | happiki / hachihiki |
Nine (small) animals | ไนๅน | ใใ ใใฒใ | kyuuhiki |
Ten (small) animals | ๅๅน | ใใ
ใฃใดใ / ใใฃใดใ | juppiki / jippiki |
้ ญ๏ผใจใ๏ผ- Large Animals (Horses, Cows, Crocodiles, Marine Mammals, Etc.)
In contrast to ๅน(ใฒใ), ้ ญ(ใจใ) is the counter for animals that are too large to be picked up easily by an average adult.
้ ญ can also be used for marine mammals like whales, dolphins, sea lions, etc. Aquatic creatures like fish (tuna, bonito, and yellowtail, saury, etc.) are counted using ๆฌ(hon โ fishes with long, slender bodies) or ๅน (usually for smaller fish).
Example:
- โWe saw three horses on the farm.โ โ โ่พฒๅ ดใง้ฆฌใ3้ ญ่ฆใใโ (ใฎใใใใใงใใพใใใใจใใฟใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One (large) animal | ไธ้ ญ | ใใฃใจใ | ittou |
Two (large) animals | ไบ้ ญ | ใซใจใ | nitou |
Three (large) animals | ไธ้ ญ | ใใใจใ | santou |
Four (large) animals | ๅ้ ญ | ใใใจใ | yontou |
Five (large) animals | ไบ้ ญ | ใใจใ | gotou |
Six (large) animals | ๅ ญ้ ญ | ใใใจใ | rokutou |
Seven (large) animals | ไธ้ ญ | ใชใชใจใ | nanatou |
Eight (large) animals | ๅ ซ้ ญ | ใฏใฃใจใ / ใฏใกใจใ | hattou / hachitou |
Nine (large) animals | ไน้ ญ | ใใ ใใจใ | kyuutou |
Ten (large) animals | ๅ้ ญ | ใใฃใจใ / ใใ ใฃใจใ | jittou / juttou |
็พฝ๏ผใ๏ผ- Birds, Bats*, Rabbits
็พฝ(ใ) is a rather specific counter used for birds, bats, and rabbits. It can also be used for poultry, such a roast chicken or turkey. However, many native speakers would use the โใคโ or ๅ (ใ) counters to count whole, cooked poultry.
Example:
- โMy cat killed two rabbits today.โ โ โใใกใฎ็ซใฏไปๆฅใใฆใตใฎใ2็พฝๆฎบใใใโ (ใใกใฎใญใใฏใใใใใฆใตใฎใใซใใใใใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One (bird, rabbit, bat) | ไธ็พฝ | ใใกใ | ichiwa |
Two (birds, rabbits, bats) | ไบ็พฝ | ใซใ | niwa |
Three (birds, rabbits, bats) | ไธ็พฝ | ใใใ / ใใใฐ | sanwa / sanba |
Four (birds, rabbits, bats) | ๅ็พฝ | ใใใ | yonwa |
Five (birds, rabbits, bats) | ไบ็พฝ | ใใ | gowa |
Six (birds, rabbits, bats) | ๅ ญ็พฝ | ใใใ / ใใฃใฑ | rokuwa / roppa |
Seven (birds, rabbits, bats) | ไธ็พฝ | ใชใชใ | nanawa |
Eight (birds, rabbits, bats) | ๅ ซ็พฝ | ใฏใกใ | hachiwa |
Nine (birds, rabbits, bats) | ไน็พฝ | ใใ ใใ | kyuuwa |
Ten (birds, rabbits, bats) | ๅ็พฝ | ใใ
ใใ / ใใฃใฑ | juuwa / jippa |
*Note: According the NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), bats can be counted with this ็พฝ (ใ) counter, or using ๅน๏ผใฒใ๏ผcounter listed above. The ๅน๏ผใฒใ๏ผis more commonly used on the news and shows.
้๏ผใใ๏ผ- Floors of a Building
้ (ใใ) is a counter youโll find on any elevator or floor plan for a building with 2 or more stories. It can refer to specific floors (i.e., the 4th floor, the 8th floor) or how many levels the building has.
Examples:
- โI live in a five-story apartment building.โ โ โ็งใฏ5้ๅปบใฆใฎใขใใผใใซไฝใใงใใพใใโ (ใใใใฏใใใใ ใฆใฎใขใใผใใซใใใงใใพใ)
- โThe restaurant is on the third floor.โ โ โใฌในใใฉใณใฏ3้ใซใใใพใใโ (ใฌในใใฉใณใฏใใใใใซใใใพใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One/first floor | ไธ้ | ใใฃใใ | ikkai |
Two/second floor | ไบ้ | ใซใใ | nikai |
Three/thrid floor | ไธ้ | ใใใใ / ใใใใ | sangai / sankai |
Four/fourth floor | ๅ้ | ใใใใ | yonkai |
Five/fifth floor | ไบ้ | ใใใ | gokai |
Six/sixth floor | ๅ ญ้ | ใใฃใใ | rokkai |
Seven/seventh floor | ไธ้ | ใชใชใใ | nanakai |
Eight/eighth floor | ๅ ซ้ | ใฏใกใใ / ใฏใฃใใ | hachikai / hakkai |
Nine/ninth floor | ไน้ | ใใ ใใใ | kyuukai |
Ten/tenth floor | ๅ้ | ใใฃใใ / ใใ ใฃใใ | jikkai / jukkai |
ๅฐ๏ผใ ใ๏ผ- Furniture, Vehicles, Electronics
The counter ๅฐ(ใ ใ) can be used for furniture, electronics or appliances, and land transport vehicles*. It can also count whole cakes or pies, but in my experience, ordering a cake or pie using ๅฐ is uncommon.
Example:
- โThere are two cars at that stoplight.โ โ โใใฎไฟกๅทใงใ่ปใ2ๅฐๆญขใพใฃใฆใใพใใโ (ใใฎใใใใใงใใใใพใใซใ ใใจใพใฃใฆใใพใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One (piece of) furniture, vehicle, electronics | ไธๅฐ | ใใกใ ใ | ichidai |
Two (pieces of) furniture, vehicle, electronics | ไบๅฐ | ใซใ ใ | nidai |
Three (pieces of) furniture, vehicle, electronics | ไธๅฐ | ใใใ ใ | sandai |
Four (pieces of) furniture, vehicle, electronics | ๅๅฐ | ใใใ ใ | yondai |
Five (pieces of) furniture, vehicle, electronics | ไบๅฐ | ใใ ใ | godai |
Six (pieces of) furniture, vehicle, electronics | ๅ ญๅฐ | ใใใ ใ | rokudai |
Seven (pieces of) furniture, vehicle, electronics | ไธๅฐ | ใชใชใ ใ / ใใกใ ใ | nanadai / shichidai |
Eight (pieces of) furniture, vehicle, electronics | ๅ ซๅฐ | ใฏใกใ ใ | hachidai |
Nine (pieces of) furniture, vehicle, electronics | ไนๅฐ | ใใ ใใ ใ | kyuudai |
Ten (pieces of) furniture, vehicle, electronics | ๅๅฐ | ใใ ใใ ใ | juudai |
*Note: Trains can be the exception. Youโll hear the counters โไธก (ใใใ โ counter for carriages)โ, โ็ทจๆ (ใธใใใ โ composition, formation, or operation of carriages)โ and โๆฌ (ใปใ โ counter for long objects) to count trains.
ๆฌ๏ผใปใ๏ผ- Stick-Shaped or Long Objects
ๆฌ(ใปใ) is a counter that covers a wide variety of objects. Items such as pencils, bottles, asparagus, certain varieties of fish, etc. can all be counted with ๆฌ!
In addition, there are some abstract things often counted using ๆฌ. They are phone calls, nice plays in certain sports (kendo, judo, wrestling, etc.) contest prizes, and things with a solid start or ending (i.e., performances, movies, scripts, etc.).
One thing to be careful of is that even though ๆฌ is the kanji for book, you canโt count books using ๆฌ as a counter! Weโll get to that one next.
Example:
- โMy class collected 127 plastic bottles from nearby parks.โ โ โใใกใฎใฏใฉในใฏ่ฟใใฎๅ ฌๅใใใใใใใใซใ127ๆฌ้ใใพใใใโ (ใใกใฎใใใใฏใกใใใฎใใใใใใใใใใใใซใใฒใใใซใใ ใใชใชใปใใใคใใพใใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One (long, cylindrical shaped item) | ไธๆฌ | ใใฃใฝใ | ippon |
Two (long, cylindrical shaped items) | ไบๆฌ | ใซใปใ | nihon |
Three (long, cylindrical shaped items) | ไธๆฌ | ใใใผใ | sanbon |
Four (long, cylindrical shaped items) | ๅๆฌ | ใใใปใ | yonhon |
Five (long, cylindrical shaped items) | ไบๆฌ | ใใปใ | gohon |
Six (long, cylindrical shaped items) | ๅ ญๆฌ | ใใฃใฝใ | roppon |
Seven (long, cylindrical shaped items) | ไธๆฌ | ใชใชใปใ / ใใกใปใ | nanahon / shichihon |
Eight (long, cylindrical shaped items) | ๅ ซๆฌ | ใฏใฃใฝใ | happon |
Nine (long, cylindrical shaped items) | ไนๆฌ | ใใ ใใปใ | kyuuhon |
Ten (long, cylindrical shaped items) | ๅๆฌ | ใใ
ใฃใฝใ / ใใฃใฝใ | juppon / jippon |
ๅ๏ผใใค๏ผ- Books, Bound Files, Notebooks
As mentioned previously, books arenโt counted using ๆฌ๏ผใปใ๏ผ. The counter ๅ(ใใค) is used for books, notebooks, and anything else consisting of bound paper or sheets.
Example:
- โMy brother has three manga books.โ โ โๅ ใฏใใณใฌใ3ๅๆใฃใฆใใพใใโ (ใใซใฏใใณใฌใใใใใคใใฃใฆใใพใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One (book) | ไธๅ | ใใฃใใค | issatsu |
Two (books) | ไบๅ | ใซใใค | nisatsu |
Three (books) | ไธๅ | ใใใใค | sansatsu |
Four (books) | ๅๅ | ใใใใค | yonsatsu |
Five (books) | ไบๅ | ใใใค | gosatsu |
Six (books) | ๅ ญๅ | ใใใใค | rokusatsu |
Seven (books) | ไธๅ | ใชใชใใค | nanasatsu |
Eight (books) | ๅ ซๅ | ใฏใฃใใค | hassatsu |
Nine (books) | ไนๅ | ใใ ใใใค | kyuusatsu |
Ten (books) | ๅๅ | ใใฃใใค / ใใ ใฃใใค | jissatsu / jussatsu |
ๆ๏ผใพใ๏ผ- Flat Objects
Whereas ๅ(ใใค) counts bound sheets of paper, ๆ(ใพใ) is the counter to use for single sheets of paper or other flat objects. For example, stickers, DVDs, and slices of bread can all be counted with ๆ.
Example:
- โCould I have a sheet of paper, please?โ โ โ็ดใ1ๆใใใ ใใฆใใใงใใ๏ผโ (ใใฟใใใกใพใใใใ ใใฆใใใงใใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One (flat object) | ไธๆ | ใใกใพใ | ichimai |
Two (flat objects) | ไบๆ | ใซใพใ | nimai |
Three (flat objects) | ไธๆ | ใใใพใ | sanmai |
Four (flat objects) | ๅๆ | ใใใพใ | yonmai |
Five (flat objects) | ไบๆ | ใใพใ | gomai |
Six (flat objects) | ๅ ญๆ | ใใใพใ | rokumai |
Seven (flat objects) | ไธๆ | ใชใชใพใ | nanamai |
Eight (flat objects) | ๅ ซๆ | ใฏใกใพใ | hachimai |
Nine (flat objects) | ไนๆ | ใใ ใใพใ | kyuumai |
Ten (flat objects) | ๅๆ | ใใ ใใพใ | juumai |
Time Counters
Here are some counters that will help when discussing the time or date of a meeting or any other time-related topics.
ๆญณ๏ผใใ๏ผ- Years (Of Age)
If you want to say how old you are, you can use ๆญณ(ใใ). While in most Western cultures, itโs considered personal to ask someoneโs age, you might be shocked at how often the question comes up in Japan. ๆญณ is a useful counter to remember.
**Note: Take a close look when youโre 20 years old in the table. 20 has a special reading. It isnโt โใซใใ ใฃใใ (ni-jussaii),โ but instead is read โใฏใใก(hatachi).โ
Example:
- โHow old are you?โ โIโm 25 years old.โ โ โใใชใใฏไฝๆญณใงใใ๏ผโ โ25ๆญณใงใโ (ใใชใใฏใชใใใใงใใ? ใซใใ ใใใใใงใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One year old | ไธๆญณ | ใใฃใใ | issai |
Two years old | ไบๆญณ | ใซใใ | nisai |
Three years old | ไธๆญณ | ใใใใ | sansai |
Four years old | ๅๆญณ | ใใใใ | yonsai |
Five years old | ไบๆญณ | ใใใ | gosai |
Six years old | ๅ ญๆญณ | ใใใใ | rokusai |
Seven years old | ไธๆญณ | ใชใชใใ | nanasai |
Eight years old | ๅ ซๆญณ | ใฏใฃใใ | hassai |
Nine years old | ไนๆญณ | ใใ ใใใ | kyuusai |
Ten years old | ๅๆญณ | ใใ
ใฃใใ / ใใฃใใ | jussai / jissai |
Twenty years old | ไบๅๆญณ | ใฏใใก | hatachi |
ๆ๏ผใ๏ผ- Hours, OโClock
This counter is used both for telling time and counting hours. Just be aware that if you are using it to count a specific number of hours, ๆ must be followed with ้(ใใ).
Examples:
- โLetโs meet at the station at 9 a.m.โ โ โๆ9ๆใซ้ง ใงไผใใพใใใใโ (ใใใใใซใใใงใใใพใใใ)
- โIt takes two hours to reach Tokyo from here.โ โ โใใใใๆฑไบฌใพใงใ2ๆ้ๆใใใพใใโ (ใใใใใจใใใใใพใงใใซใใใใใใใพใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One hour | ไธๆ้ | ใใกใใใ | ichijikan |
Two hours | ไบๆ้ | ใซใใใ | nijikan |
Three hours | ไธๆ้ | ใใใใใ | sanjikan |
Four hours | ๅๆ้ | ใใใใ | yojikan |
Five hours | ไบๆ้ | ใใใใ | gojikan |
Six hours | ๅ ญๆ้ | ใใใใใ | rokujikan |
Seven hours | ไธๆ้ | ใชใชใใใ / ใใกใใใ | nanajikan / shichijikan |
Eight hours | ๅ ซๆ้ | ใฏใกใใใ | hachijikan |
Nine hours | ไนๆ้ | ใใใใ | kujikan |
Ten hours | ๅๆ้ | ใใ ใใใใ | juujikan |
ๅ๏ผใตใ๏ผ- Minutes, Degrees of an Angle, Portions
As you can see, ๅ(ใตใ) is used for counting more than just minutes. For brevity, weโll be focusing on using it as a counter for time. Just like with ๆ(ใ), if you use ๅ to count a set number of minutes, you will need to add ้๏ผใใ).
ๅ can also be use to talk about proportions/ratios. In this case, ๅ would be read as “ใถ or “ใถใ.”
Examples:
- โIโll arrive at 10:45.โ โ โ10ๆ45ๅใซ็ใใพใใโ (ใใ ใใใใใใ ใใใตใใซใคใใพใ)
- โComplete this test within thirty minutes.โ โ โใใฎใในใใ30ๅไปฅๅ ใงใใชใใใโ (ใใฎใในใใใใใใ ใฃใทใใใชใใงใใชใใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One minute | ไธๅ | ใใฃใทใ | ippun |
Two minutes | ไบๅ | ใซใตใ | nifun |
Three minutes | ไธๅ | ใใใทใ | sanpun |
Four minutes | ๅๅ | ใใใตใ / ใใใทใ | yonfun / yonpun |
Five minutes | ไบๅ | ใใตใ | gofun |
Six minutes | ๅ ญๅ | ใใฃใทใ | roppun |
Seven minutes | ไธๅ | ใชใชใตใ | nanafun |
Eight minutes | ๅ ซๅ | ใฏใฃใทใ | happun |
Nine minutes | ไนๅ | ใใ ใใตใ | kyuufun |
Ten minutes | ๅๅ | ใใ
ใฃใทใ / ใใฃใทใ | juppun / jippun |
ๆ๏ผใคใ/ใใค/ใใค๏ผ- Months
The counter ๆ (ใคใ/ใใค/ใใค) is used both to count a number of months and to signify months of the year. While each month can be written entirely in Japanese, it is common to use a number with the kanji ๆ.
Examples:
- โMy birthday is in July.โ โ โ็งใฎ่ช็ๆฅใฏ7ๆใงใใโ (ใใใใฎใใใใใใณใฏใใกใใคใงใ)
- โIt takes nine months for a baby to be born.โ โ โ่ตคใกใใใ็ใพใใใพใงไนใถๆ*ๆใใใพใใโ (ใใใกใใใใใพใใใพใงใใ ใใใใคใใใใพใ)
*When counting a certain number of months, you will need to use (ใ) between the number and the counter ๆ (as show in the table below).
However, there are other characters used to count a number of months. “ใ” is the most “up-to-date” character, but you maybe also see ใถ (e.g. ไธใถๆ), which is an “older style” character. You may also see “ใซ” (ไธใซๆ), which may be in in some newspapers. The kanji character, “็ฎ” (ไธ็ฎๆ) is also used, but it’s not nearly as common as the other characters.
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One month | ไธใๆ | ใใฃใใใค | ikkagetsu |
Two months | ไบใๆ | ใซใใใค | nikagetsu |
Three months | ไธใๆ | ใใใใใค | sankagetsu |
Four Months | ๅใๆ | ใใใใใค | yonkagetsu |
Five Months | ไบใๆ | ใใใใค | gokagetsu |
Six Months | ๅ ญใๆ | ใใฃใใใค | rokkagetsu |
Seven Months | ไธใๆ | ใชใชใใใค | nanakagetsu |
Eight Months | ๅ ซใๆ | ใฏใกใใใค / ใฏใฃใใใค | hachikagetsu / hakkagetsu |
Nine Months | ไนใๆ | ใใ ใใใใค | kyuukagetsu |
Ten Months | ๅใๆ | ใใ
ใฃใใใค / ใใฃใใใค | jukkagetsu / jikkagetsu |
ๆฅ๏ผใ/ใซใก๏ผ- Days
The counter ๆฅ(ใ/ใซใก) can be used to count a specific amount of days or to express the date.
Notice that there is a special reading for the number 20:
20th day of the month -ใฏใคใ(hatsuka)
Examples:
- โThe letter will arrive in three days.โ โ โๆ็ดใฏไธๆฅไปฅๅ ใงๅฑใใพใใโ (ใฆใใฟใฏใฟใฃใใใชใใงใจใฉใใพใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
First day of the month | ไธๆฅ | ใคใใใก | tsuitachi |
Second day of the month | ไบๆฅ | ใตใคใ | futsuka |
Third day of the month | ไธๆฅ | ใฟใฃใ | mikka |
Fourth day of the month | ๅๆฅ | ใใฃใ | yokka |
Fifth day of the month | ไบๆฅ | ใใคใ | itsuka |
Sixth day of the month | ๅ ญๆฅ | ใใใ | muika |
Seventh day of the month | ไธๆฅ | ใชใฎใ | nanoka |
Eighth day of the month | ๅ ซๆฅ | ใใใ | youka |
Ninth day of the month | ไนๆฅ | ใใใฎใ | kokonoka |
Tenth day of the month | ๅๆฅ | ใจใใ | tooka |
Twentieth day of the month | ไบๅๆฅ | ใฏใคใ | hatsuka |
If you would like to say a certain number of days, all you need to do is add ้(kan) to the end of the date (except for the number 1)*.
For Example:
- ไบๆฅ้(futsukakan): A period of two days
- ไธๆฅ้(mikkakan): A period of three days
- ๅๆฅ้ (yokkakan): A period of four days
- and so on.
Don’t forget that the number 20 has a special reading!
A period of 20 days โ ใฏใคใใใ(hatsukakan)
*Note: There is an exception if you want to say, โone day.โ This would NOT be ใคใใใก้ (tsuitachikan). Youโll drop the โ้โ and just use ไธๆฅ to represent the period of one day. The reading for this becomes โichinichi.โ
- ไธๆฅ(ichinichi): A period of one day
Travel
Here are some counters that you might come across if you travel to or within Japan. They are especially useful if youโre stuck with an all-Japanese website while booking a flight or hotel.
ๆณ๏ผใฏใ๏ผ- Overnight Stays, Rentals
If you are trying to book a night in a hotel or rent a car, ๆณ(ใฏใ) will come in handy. For hotel stays, this counts the nights you will spend in the hotel. One night, two days would be โไธๆณไบๆฅ.โ (ใใฃใฑใใตใคใ)
Example:
- โI would like to stay for two nights, please.โ โ โ2ๆณใงใ้กใใใใใฎใงใใใโ (ใซใฏใ*ใงใใญใใใใใใฎใงใใ)
*Note: 2ๆณ can also be read as “ใตใใฏใ” (futahaku), and some hotels/accommodations might use this since it is more polite.
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One night stay | ไธๆณ | ใใฃใฑใ | ippaku |
Two nights stay | ไบๆณ | ใซใฏใ | nihaku |
Three nights stay | ไธๆณ | ใใใฑใ | sanpaku |
Four nights stay | ๅๆณ | ใใใฏใ / ใใใฑใ | yonhaku / yonpaku |
Five nights stay | ไบๆณ | ใใฏใ | gohaku |
Six nights stay | ๅ ญๆณ | ใใฃใฑใ | roppaku |
Seven nights stay | ไธๆณ | ใชใชใฏใ | nanahaku |
Eight nights stay | ๅ ซๆณ | ใฏใกใฏใ / ใฏใฃใฑใ | hachihaku / happaku |
Nine nights stay | ไนๆณ | ใใ ใใฏใ | kyuuhaku |
Ten nights stay | ๅๆณ | ใใฃใฑใ / ใใ ใฃใฑใ | jippaku / juppaku |
้จๅฑ๏ผใธใ๏ผ- Booking Hotel Rooms
If youโre booking rooms at a hotel, Japanese inn, or lodge youโll use the counter ้จๅฑ (ใธใ) . However, when you want to talk about rooms at a hotel or a Japanese inn (ryokan), you would use another room counter ๅฎค(ใใค).
The counter ้จๅฑ is a bit unique in its pronunciation. The Japanese ใค counting method is used. The correct pronunciation for counting up to 3 using ้จๅฑ is: โไธ้จๅฑ(ใฒใจใธใ)ใไบ้จๅฑ(ใตใใธใ)ใไธ้จๅฑ(ใใใธใ/ใฟใธใ). .
The numbers 4 and above revert back to the Chinese-based counting system: โๅ้จๅฑ(ใใใธใ)ใไบ้จๅฑ(ใใธใ)ใๅ ญ้จๅฑ(ใใใธใ)ใไธ้จๅฑ(ใชใชใธใ)ใๅ ซ้จๅฑ(ใฏใกใธใ)ใไน้จๅฑ(ใใ ใใธใ)ใๅ้จๅฑ(ใใ ใฃใธใ).
Example:
- โI booked two rooms.โ โ โ2้จๅฑใไบ็ดใใพใใใโ (ใตใใธใใใใใใใพใใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One room | ไธ้จๅฑ | ใฒใจใธใ | hitoheya |
Two rooms | ไบ้จๅฑ | ใตใใธใ | futaheya |
Three rooms | ไธ้จๅฑ | ใใใธใ / ใฟใธใ | sanheya / miheya |
Four rooms | ๅ้จๅฑ | ใใใธใ / ใใธใ | yonheya / yoheya |
Five rooms | ไบ้จๅฑ | ใใธใ | goheya |
Six rooms | ๅ ญ้จๅฑ | ใใใธใ | rokuheya |
Seven rooms | ไธ้จๅฑ | ใชใชใธใ | nanaheya |
Eight rooms | ๅ ซ้จๅฑ | ใฏใกใธใ | hachiheya |
Nine rooms | ไน้จๅฑ | ใใ ใใธใ | kyuuheya |
Ten rooms | ๅ้จๅฑ | ใใ
ใฃใธใ / ใจใธใ | juhheya / toheya |
*Note: In Japan, houses typically have both western style and Japanese style rooms. The ้จๅฑ counter is used to count western style rooms, while ้(ma) can be used to count Japanese style rooms (at some Japanese inns or hotels).
Counting Rooms (In a House, Building, Etc.) โ ๅฎค(ใใค)
ๅฎค(ใใค) is the counter you would use to count the number of bedrooms in a house, hotel, or apartment.
Example:
- โThere are four vacancies in the apartment.โ โ โใใฎใขใใผใใฏใ็ฉบใ้จๅฑใ4ๅฎคใใใพใใโ (ใใฎใขใใผใใฏใใในใใใใใใคใใใพใ)
- โThere are three rooms on the top floor of the hotel.โ โ โใใใซใฎๆไธ้ใซใฏ3ๅฎคๅฎขๅฎคใใใใพใใโ (ใใใซใฎใใใใใใใใซใฏใใใใคใใใใใคใใใใพใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One (hotel) room | ไธๅฎค | ใใฃใใค | isshitsu |
Two (hotel) rooms | ไบๅฎค | ใซใใค | nishitsu |
Three (hotel) rooms | ไธๅฎค | ใใใใค | sanshitsu |
Four (hotel) rooms | ๅๅฎค | ใใใใค | yonshitsu |
Five (hotel) rooms | ไบๅฎค | ใใใค | goshitsu |
Six (hotel) rooms | ๅ ญๅฎค | ใใใใค | rokushitsu |
Seven (hotel) rooms | ไธๅฎค | ใชใชใใค | nanashitsu |
Eight (hotel) rooms | ๅ ซๅฎค | ใฏใฃใใค / ใฏใกใใค | hasshitsu / hachishitsu |
Nine (hotel) rooms | ไนๅฎค | ใใ ใใใค | kyuushitsu |
Ten (hotel) rooms | ๅๅฎค | ใใ
ใฃใใค / ใใฃใใค | jusshitsu / jisshitsu |
ไพฟ๏ผใณใ๏ผ- Flight Numbers, Long-Distance Flights/Bus Trips/Train Trips
If you ever buy a plane ticket in Japan, you will see this counter. It is primarily used to depict flight numbers.
Examples:
- โFlight no. NH 1771 arrived October 1, 2020.โ โ โNH 1771ไพฟใฏ๏ผ๏ผๆ1ๆฅใซๅฐ็ใใพใใใโ (NH 1771ใณใใฏใซใใใซใใ ใใญใใใ ใใใคใคใใใกใซใจใใกใใใใพใใ)
- โThere is only one flight from Tokyo to Miyazaki Prefecture.โ โ โๆฑไบฌ้ฝใใๅฎฎๅด็ใพใง 1ไพฟใใใใใพใใใโ (ใจใใใใใจใใใฟใใใใใใพใงใใกใณใใใใใใพใใ)
Provided they are long-distance trips, ไพฟ can be used to count boat and train trips as well. It is also used to count deliveries.
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One flight | ไธไพฟ | ใใกใณใ | ichibin |
Two flights | ไบไพฟ | ใซใณใ | nibin |
Three flights | ไธไพฟ | ใใใณใ | sanbin |
Four flights | ๅไพฟ | ใใใณใ | yonbin |
Five flights | ไบไพฟ | ใใณใ | gobin |
Six flights | ๅ ญไพฟ | ใใใณใ | rokubin |
Seven flights | ไธไพฟ | ใชใชใณใ | nanabin |
Eight flights | ๅ ซไพฟ | ใฏใกใณใ | hachibin |
Nine flights | ไนไพฟ | ใใ ใใณใ | kyuubin |
Ten flights | ๅไพฟ | ใใ ใใณใ | juubin |
ๅท๏ผใใ๏ผ- Room Numbers, Train Numbers
Whether you book a hotel room or a train ticket, this counter will be helpful. ๅท(ใใ) is used for counting train cars, as well as designating room numbers.
Examples:
- โCars two through seven are for non-reserved seating.โ โ โ2ๅท่ปใใ7ๅท่ปใฏ่ช็ฑๅธญใงใใใใพใใโ (ใซใใใใใใใชใชใใใใใฏใใใใใใงใใใใพใ)
- โYour room is Room 201. Please enjoy your stay.โ โ โ้จๅฑใฏ201ๅทๅฎคใงใใใฉใใใใใฃใใใโ (ใธใใฏ201ใใใใคใงใใใฉใใใใใฃใใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
Number one | ไธๅท | ใใกใใ | ichigou |
Number two | ไบๅท | ใซใใ | nigou |
Number three | ไธๅท | ใใใใ | sangou |
Number four | ๅๅท | ใใใใ | yongou |
Number five | ไบๅท | ใใใ | gogou |
Number six | ๅ ญๅท | ใใใใ | rokugou |
Number seven | ไธๅท | ใชใชใใ / ใใกใใ | nanagou / shichigou |
Number eight | ๅ ซๅท | ใฏใกใใ | hachigou |
Number nine | ไนๅท | ใใ ใใใ | kyuugou |
Number ten | ๅๅท | ใใ ใใใ | juugou |
ๆฉ๏ผใ๏ผ- Airplanes, Jets, Blimps, Other Airships
This is used to count airplanes or other airborne vessels, or big machines in general. Be aware that ๆฉ (ใ) is a machine-specific counter and canโt be used to count birds, flying animals, or clouds.
Example:
- โI took two planes today.โ โ โไปๆฅใ้ฃ่กๆฉใซ๏ผๆฉไนใใพใใใโ (ใใใใใฒใใใใซใซใใฎใใพใใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One airplane/machine | ไธๆฉ | ใใฃใ | ikki |
Two airplanes/machines | ไบๆฉ | ใซใ | niki |
Three airplanes/machines | ไธๆฉ | ใใใ | sanki |
Four airplanes/machines | ๅๆฉ | ใใใ | yonki |
Five airplanes/machines | ไบๆฉ | ใใ | goki |
Six airplanes/machines | ๅ ญๆฉ | ใใฃใ | rokki |
Seven airplanes/machines | ไธๆฉ | ใชใชใ | nanaki |
Eight airplanes/machines | ๅ ซๆฉ | ใฏใฃใ / ใฏใกใ | hakki / hachiki |
Nine airplanes/machines | ไนๆฉ | ใใ ใใ | kyuuki |
Ten airplanes/machines | ๅๆฉ | ใใ
ใฃใ / ใใฃใ | jukki / jikki |
School Counters
If you decide to study abroad, several counters will be common in your classroom life. These can also be useful if youโre studying Japanese in your hometown or preparing to take an exam like the JLPT!
ๅ๏ผใใค๏ผ- Lines, Queues, Rows
This counter can be applied to rows of text, rows of items, or even rows of people. In addition to a classroom setting, you can often find ๅ(ใใค) on signs at a grocery store, airport, or event.
Example:
- โPlease form two lines at this register.โ โ โใใฎใฌใธใซ2ๅใงไธฆใใงใใ ใใใโ (ใใฎใฌใธใซใซใใคใงใชใใใงใใ ใใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One line | ไธๅ | ใใกใใค | ichiretsu |
Two lines | ไบๅ | ใซใใค | niretsu |
Three lines | ไธๅ | ใใใใค | sanretsu |
Four lines | ๅๅ | ใใใค / ใใใใค | yoretsu / yonretsu |
Five lines | ไบๅ | ใใใค | goretsu |
Six lines | ๅ ญๅ | ใใใใค | rokuretsu |
Seven lines | ไธๅ | ใชใชใใค | nanaretsu |
Eight lines | ๅ ซๅ | ใฏใกใใค | hachiretsu |
Nine lines | ไนๅ | ใใ ใใใค | kyuuretsu |
Ten lines | ๅๅ | ใใ ใใใค | juuretsu |
่ก๏ผใใใ๏ผ- Line of Writing, Verse
่ก(ใใใ) is similar to ๅ(ใใค) but is applied specifically to lines of text.
Examples:
- โSummarize this paragraph in three lines.โ โ โใใฎๆฎต่ฝใ3่กใซใพใจใใชใใใโ (ใใฎใ ใใใใใใใใใใซใพใจใใชใใ)
- โPlease read the first line.โ โ โไธ่ก็ฎใ่ชญใใงใใ ใใใโ (ใใกใใใใใใใใงใใ ใใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One line of text | ไธ่ก | ใใกใใใ | ichigyou |
Two lines of text | ไบ่ก | ใซใใใ | nigyou |
Three lines of text | ไธ่ก | ใใใใใ | sangyou |
Four lines of text | ๅ่ก | ใใใใใ | yongyou |
Five lines of text | ไบ่ก | ใใใใ | gogyou |
Six lines of text | ๅ ญ่ก | ใใใใใ | rokugyou |
Seven lines of text | ไธ่ก | ใชใชใใใ / ใใกใใใ | nanagyou / shichigyou |
Eight lines of text | ๅ ซ่ก | ใฏใกใใใ | hachigyou |
Nine lines of text | ไน่ก | ใใ ใใใใ | kyuugyou |
Ten lines of text | ๅ่ก | ใใ ใใใใ | juugyou |
่ชฒ๏ผใ๏ผ- Chapter, Department, Division
In a classroom setting, ่ชฒ(ใ) is used to count the chapters of a book or textbook. It can also be used to designate departments of an office or large group.
Examples:
- โRead chapter 2 of your textbook as homework.โ โ โๅฎฟ้กใงๆ็งๆธใฎ2่ชฒใ่ชญใฟใชใใใโ (ใใ ใใ ใใงใใใใใใใฎใซใใใใฟใชใใ.)
- โI work at the city hall in the education department.โ โ โ็งใฏๅธๅฝนๆใฎๅญฆๆ กๆ่ฒ่ชฒใซๅคใใฆใใพใใโ (ใใใใฏใใใใใใฎใใฃใใใใใใใใใซใคใจใใฆใใพใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One chapter/department | ไธ่ชฒ | ใใฃใ | ikka |
Two chapters/departments | ไบ่ชฒ | ใซใ | nika |
Three chapters/departments | ไธ่ชฒ | ใใใ | sanka |
Four chapters/departments | ๅ่ชฒ | ใใใ | yonka |
Five chapters/departments | ไบ่ชฒ | ใใ | goka |
Six chapters/departments | ๅ ญ่ชฒ | ใใฃใ | rokka |
Seven chapters/departments | ไธ่ชฒ | ใชใชใ / ใใกใ | nanaka / shichika |
Eight chapters/departments | ๅ ซ่ชฒ | ใฏใฃใ / ใฏใกใ | hakka / hachika |
Nine chapters/departments | ไน่ชฒ | ใใ ใใ | kyuuka |
Ten chapters/departments | ๅ่ชฒ | ใใ
ใฃใ / ใใฃใ | jukka / jikka |
ๆ๏ผใ๏ผ- Term
Another counter than can be found in the office or the classroom, ๆ(ใ) counts terms or semesters.
Example:
- โIn Japan, the first semester starts in April.โ โ โๆฅๆฌใงใฏใไธๅญฆๆใ4ๆใใๅงใพใใพใใโ (ใซใปใใงใฏใใใกใใฃใใใใใคใใใฏใใพใใพใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One term | ไธๆ | ใใฃใ | ikki |
Two terms | ไบๆ | ใซใ | niki |
Three terms | ไธๆ | ใใใ | sanki |
Four terms | ๅๆ | ใใใ | yonki |
Five terms | ไบๆ | ใใ | goki |
Six terms | ๅ ญๆ | ใใฃใ | rokki |
Seven terms | ไธๆ | ใชใชใ | nanaki |
Eight terms | ๅ ซๆ | ใฏใฃใ / ใฏใกใ | hakki / hachiki |
Nine terms | ไนๆ | ใใ ใใ | kyuuki |
Ten terms | ๅๆ | ใใ
ใฃใ / ใใฃใ | jukki / jikki |
ๅ๏ผใใ๏ผ- Questions, Problems
If you find yourself taking a Japanese test, this counter will certainly appear. ๅ๏ผใใ๏ผ is the counter for problems or questions.
Example:
- โThere are 5 English problems on this test.โ โ โใใฎใในใใซ่ฑ่ชๅ้ก5ๅใๅซใพใใฆใใพใใโ (ใใฎใในใใซใใใใใใ ใใใใใใตใใพใใฆใใพใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One question | ไธๅ | ใใกใใ | ichimon |
Two questions | ไบๅ | ใซใใ | nimon |
Three questions | ไธๅ | ใใใใ | sanmon |
Four questions | ๅๅ | ใใใใ | yonmon |
Five questions | ไบๅ | ใใใ | gomon |
Six questions | ๅ ญๅ | ใใใใ | rokumon |
Seven questions | ไธๅ | ใชใชใใ / ใใกใใ | nanamon / shichimon |
Eight questions | ๅ ซๅ | ใฏใกใใ | hachimon |
Nine questions | ไนๅ | ใใ ใใใ | kyuumon |
Ten questions | ๅๅ | ใใ ใใใ | juumon |
็น๏ผใฆใ๏ผ- Dots, Points, Pottery, Artwork
็น(ใฆใ) is most commonly used for scoring. Whether itโs for a test score or a sports game, points are tallied using this counter. This can refer to not only points when keeping score, but also when referring to information (like the points in a bullet list). You can hear used in meetings when someone is going through different points/issues to discuss. In addition, ็น is also used when counting things like artwork or pottery.
Example:
- โI got a 100 on the test!โ โ โใในใใง100็นๅใฃใ๏ผโ (ใในใใง100ใฆใใจใฃใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One point/art piece | ไธ็น | ใใฃใฆใ | itten |
Two points/art pieces | ไบ็น | ใซใฆใ | niten |
Three points/art pieces | ไธ็น | ใใใฆใ | santen |
Four points/art pieces | ๅ็น | ใใใฆใ | yonten |
Five points/art pieces | ไบ็น | ใใฆใ | goten |
Six points/art pieces | ๅ ญ็น | ใใใฆใ | rokuten |
Seven points/art pieces | ไธ็น | ใชใชใฆใ | nanaten |
Eight points/art pieces | ๅ ซ็น | ใฏใกใฆใ / ใฏใฃใฆใ | hachiten / hatten |
Nine points/art pieces | ไน็น | ใใ ใใฆใ | kyuuten |
Ten points/art pieces | ๅ็น | ใใ
ใฃใฆใ / ใใฃใฆใ | jutten / jitten |
Cooking and Dining
One of my favorite things about Japan is the food. Here are some useful food-related counters, whether youโre eating out or trying your hand at Japanese recipes in your own home.
ๅ๏ผใใ๏ผ- Number of People
If you are trying to reserve a restaurant or even just walking in, this will be the first question you are asked. โHow many people are in your party?โ
Example:
โHow many people in your party?โ โTwo.โ
- โไฝๅๆงใงใใ๏ผโ โ2ๅ/2ไบบใงใใโ (ใชใใใใใพใงใใ? ใซใใ/ใตใใใงใ)
**Important: although counting people using ไบบ relies on the ~ใค counting method from 1~2, you cannot use the ~ใค method with ๅ(ใใ). It isnโt correct to say โใฒใจๅโ or โใตใๅ.โ However, as shown in the example, you can respond to the question ไฝๅๆงใงใใ๏ผ using either ๅ or ไบบ as your counter.
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One person | ไธๅ | ใใกใใ | ichimei |
Two people | ไบๅ | ใซใใ | nimei |
Three people | ไธๅ | ใใใใ | sanmei |
Four people | ๅๅ | ใใใใ | yonmei |
Five people | ไบๅ | ใใใ | gomei |
Six people | ๅ ญๅ | ใใใใ | rokumei |
Seven people | ไธๅ | ใชใชใใ / ใใกใใ | nanamei / shichimei |
Eight people | ๅ ซๅ | ใฏใกใใ | hachimei |
Nine people | ไนๅ | ใใ ใใใ | kyuumei |
Ten people | ๅๅ | ใใ ใใใ | juumei |
ๆฏ๏ผใฏใ๏ผ- Cups/Glasses of Liquid, Bowls of Food (Particularly Rice, Noodles, or Curry)
As hinted by the toasting cheer ไนพๆฏ(ใใใฑใ), ๆฏ(ใฏใ) is generally used to refer to cups or glasses used for drinking. Another common use is for counting bowls of rice, noodles, curry, or other foods eaten from a bowl.
Examples:
- โWeโd like 4 beers, please.โ โ โใใผใซใ4ๆฏใใ ใใใโ (ใใผใซใใใใฏใใใ ใใ)
- โCan I have another bowl of rice, please?โ โ โใใฏใใใใไธๆฏใใใ ใใฆใใใงใใ๏ผโ (ใใฏใใใใใใฃใฑใใใใ ใใฆใใใงใใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One cup/bowl | ไธๆฏ | ใใฃใฑใ | ippai |
Two cups/bowls | ไบๆฏ | ใซใฏใ | nihai |
Three cups/bowls | ไธๆฏ | ใใใฐใ | sanbai |
Four cups/bowls | ๅๆฏ | ใใใฏใ | yonhai |
Five cups/bowls | ไบๆฏ | ใใฏใ | gohai |
Six cups/bowls | ๅ ญๆฏ | ใใฃใฑใ | roppai |
Seven cups/bowls | ไธๆฏ | ใชใชใฏใ | nanahai |
Eight cups/bowls | ๅ ซๆฏ | ใฏใฃใฑใ / ใฏใกใฏใ | happai / hachihai |
Nine cups/bowls | ไนๆฏ | ใใ ใใฏใ | kyuuhai |
Ten cups/bowls | ๅๆฏ | ใใ
ใฃใฑใ / ใใฃใฑใ | juppai / jippai |
็๏ผใใ๏ผ- Serving Sizes; Bowls, Cups, or Baskets of Something
While ็ (ใใ) is used to count certain types of servings (typically things found in bowls or baskets, i.e., fruits, pudding), you will probably see it most often when referring to the size of a serving. This usage might not be the traditional sense of a counter, but it is incredibly common in restaurant menus or verbal orders. In this situation, we donโt use numbers, but sizes: ๅฐ(ใ) โ small, ไธฆ(ใชใฟ) โ regular, and ๅคง(ใใ) โ large.
Example:
- โIโd like a regular serving of rice, please.โ โ โใ้ฃฏใไธฆ็ใงใ้กใใใพใใโ (ใใฏใใใชใฟใใใงใใญใใใใพใ)
If you are using ็ to count something, be aware that it uses the ใค system for 1~2 items.
Example:
- โI got one basket of peaches at a grocery store.โ โ โในใผใใผใงๆกใ๏ผ็่ฒทใใพใใใโ (ในใผใใผใงใใใใฒใจใใใใใพใใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One basket (of something) | ไธ็ | ใฒใจใใ | hitomori |
Two baskets (of something) | ไบ็ | ใตใใใ | futamori |
Three baskets (of something) | ไธ็ | ใใใใ | sanmori |
Four baskets (of something) | ๅ็ | ใใใใ | yonmori |
Five baskets (of something) | ไบ็ | ใใใ | gomori |
Six baskets (of something) | ๅ ญ็ | ใใใใ | rokumori |
Seven baskets (of something) | ไธ็ | ใชใชใใ | nanamori |
Eight baskets (of something) | ๅ ซ็ | ใฏใกใใ | hachimori |
Nine baskets (of something) | ไน็ | ใใ ใใใ | kyuumori |
Ten baskets (of something) | ๅ็ | ใใ ใใใ | juumori |
ๅ๏ผใใ๏ผ- Cups for Measuring Rice (Approx. 0.18 Liters)
This counter might seem specific, but it is an important one since rice is Japanโs staple food. When you buy a Japanese rice cooker, it will come with a special cup for measuring rice. You donโt want to get this wrong, because the incorrect amount of water per ๅ(ใใ) of dry rice can make for an unpleasant eating experience.
This can also be used to count sake bottles.
Example:
- โIโll cook two cups of rice.โ โ โใ้ฃฏ2ๅใ็ใใพใใโ (ใใฏใใซใใใใใใพใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One cup of rice (dry) | ไธๅ | ใใกใใ | ichigou |
Two cups of rice (dry) | ไบๅ | ใซใใ | nigou |
Three cups of rice (dry) | ไธๅ | ใใใใ | sangou |
Four cups of rice (dry) | ๅๅ | ใใใใ | yongou |
Five cups of rice (dry) | ไบๅ | ใใใ | gogou |
Six cups of rice (dry) | ๅ ญๅ | ใใใใ | rokugou |
Seven cups of rice (dry) | ไธๅ | ใชใชใใ | nanagou |
Eight cups of rice (dry) | ๅ ซๅ | ใฏใกใใ | hachigou |
Nine cups of rice (dry) | ไนๅ | ใใ ใใใ | kyuugou |
Ten cups of rice (dry) | ๅๅ | ใใ ใใใ | juugou |
ๅ๏ผใใ๏ผ- Spoonful
Another useful counter for cooking, ใใ is used mainly for counting spoons full of something. Much like ็(ใใ), it doubles as a standard of measurement. ๅฐใใ(ใใใ) is the term for teaspoon and ๅคงใใ(ใใใใ) is the term for tablespoon. You might notice that both of these terms are not written in kanji. ใใ is almost always written in hiragana. However, some cookbooks might use the kanji, so itโs good to know what it looks like.
Examples:
- โIngredients: 1 Tbsp salt, 2 tsp olive oil, a pinch of pepperโ โ โๆๆ๏ผๅกฉๅคงใใ1ๆฏใใชใชใผใๆฒนๅฐใใ2ๆฏใใณใทใงใฆๅฐใ .โ (ใใใใใ๏ผใใใใใใใใฃใฑใใใชใชใผใใใใใใซใฏใใใณใทใงใฆใใใใใใ)
- โI would like two spoons of sugar in my coffee, please.โ โ โใณใผใใผใซ็ ็ณใ๏ผใใๅ ฅใใฆใใ ใใ.โ (ใณใผใใผใซใใจใใใตใใใใใใฆใใ ใใ)
Be careful about counting spoons full of something versus counting tablespoons and teaspoons. You may notice that in the case of ใใ being used to designate teaspoons or tablespoons, it requires the counter ๆฏ(ใฏใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One spoonful | ไธๅ | ใฒใจใใ | hitosaji |
Two spoonfuls | ไบๅ | ใตใใใ | futasaji |
Three spoonfuls | ไธๅ | ใใใใใ / ใฟใใ | sansaji / misaji |
Four spoonfuls | ๅๅ | ใใใใ | yonsaji |
Five spoonfuls | ไบๅ | ใใใ | gosaji |
Six spoonfuls | ๅ ญๅ | ใใใใ | rokusaji |
Seven spoonfuls | ไธๅ | ใชใชใใ | nanasaji |
Eight spoonfuls | ๅ ซๅ | ใฏใกใใ / ใฏใฃใใ | hachisaji / hassaji |
Nine spoonfuls | ไนๅ | ใใ ใใใ | kyuusaji |
Ten spoonfuls | ๅๅ | ใใ
ใใใ / ใใ ใฃใใ | juusaji / jussaji |
่ณ๏ผใใ๏ผ- Chopsticks
If you are buying ready-to-eat food at a convenience store or supermarket, this counter might be used. ่ณ(ใใ) is the specific counter used for pairs of chopsticks.
A Typical Conversation Sounds Like This:
- โWould you like chopsticks?โ โYes, two pairs, please.โ โ โใ็ฎธไปใใพใใ๏ผโ โใฏใใ2่ณใใญใใใใพใใโ (ใใฏใใคใใพใใ๏ผ ใฏใใใซใใใใญใใใใพใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One pair of chopsticks | ไธ่ณ | ใใกใใ | ichizen |
Two pairs of chopsticks | ไบ่ณ | ใซใใ | nizen |
Three pairs of chopsticks | ไธ่ณ | ใใใใ | sanzen |
Four pairs of chopsticks | ๅ่ณ | ใใใใ | yonzen |
Five pairs of chopsticks | ไบ่ณ | ใใใ | gozen |
Six pairs of chopsticks | ๅ ญ่ณ | ใใใใ | rokuzen |
Seven pairs of chopsticks | ไธ่ณ | ใชใชใใ | nanazen |
Eight pairs of chopsticks | ๅ ซ่ณ | ใฏใกใใ | hachizen |
Nine pairs of chopsticks | ไน่ณ | ใใ ใใใ | kyuuzen |
Ten pairs of chopsticks | ๅ่ณ | ใใ ใใใ | juuzen |
่ฒซ๏ผใใ๏ผ- Sushi
Another specific counter, ่ฒซ(ใใ)s for the sushi lovers. It is useful if youโre eating at a sushi restaurant and want to show off your Japanese skills.
Example:
- โI would like two pieces of tuna sushi, please.โ โ โใใฐใญๆกใใ2่ฒซใใ ใใใโ (ใใฐใญใซใใใใซใใใใ ใใ)
English | Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji |
One piece of sushi | ไธ่ฒซ | ใใฃใใ | ikkan |
Two pieces of sushi | ไบ่ฒซ | ใซใใ | nikan |
Three pieces of sushi | ไธ่ฒซ | ใใใใ | sankan |
Four pieces of sushi | ๅ่ฒซ | ใใใใ | yonkan |
Five pieces of sushi | ไบ่ฒซ | ใใใ | gokan |
Six pieces of sushi | ๅ ญ่ฒซ | ใใฃใใ | rokkan |
Seven pieces of sushi | ไธ่ฒซ | ใชใชใใ | nanakan |
Eight pieces of sushi | ๅ ซ่ฒซ | ใฏใกใใ / ใฏใฃใใ | hachikan / hakkan |
Nine pieces of sushi | ไน่ฒซ | ใใ ใใใ | kyuukan |
Ten pieces of sushi | ๅ่ฒซ | ใใ ใฃใใ | jukkan |
In Conclusion
Japanese is a language full of counters. While there are quite a few that would be beneficial to learn, you can survive just as well using only ๅ๏ผใ๏ผand ใค. Are there any counters that have helped you in your journey to study Japanese or live abroad in Japan?
If there are, please leave a comment below or send me an e-mail! I would love to hear from you. Thank you for reading along, and good luck with your studies!
Just wanted to say a big THANKYOU Erin for all the effort you’ve put into presenting such helpful tips about learning Japanese……very much appreciated! You’ve done a great job. Thankyou very much! ๐