The Most Useful Japanese Counters You Need to Know

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 everythingโ€”in fact, the Japanese language has about 500 โ€“ 600 counters! (reference page is in Japanese only) Even native speakers will confess they donโ€™t know all of them. In this article, weโ€™ll discuss the most common Japanese counters and how to use them.

What Is a Counter?

The numbers 1 - 4 written in sand, with rocks below each number. The number of rocks corresponds to the number above.

In Japanese, counters are used to help define numbered or counted objects. English uses counters tooโ€”in fact, almost every language does. A common example of a counter in English would be:

โ€œMix 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.

โ€œIโ€™d like three sodas, please.โ€

โ€œI just saw two deer running across the field.โ€

โ€œDid 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 ๆœฌ (ใปใ‚“). Deer are large animals and are counted like all other large animals using ้ ญ (ใจใ†). Pancakes are thin and flat, which uses the counter ๆžš (ใพใ„).

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, Iโ€™d 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“). โ€œYou can use it for everything,โ€ heโ€™ll say.

While ๅ€‹ can be used to count a TON of different things, there are certain things it canโ€™t be used for.

In general, the counter ๅ€‹ (ใ“) is drawn from Japanโ€™s 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:

  1. ๆ˜จๆ—ฅใ€้ณฅใ‚’2ๅ€‹่ฆ‹ใŸใ€‚(ใใฎใ†ใ€ใจใ‚Šใ‚’ใซใ“ใฟใŸ):   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‚).  Weโ€™ll cover this in more detail below.

  1. ๆ˜จๆ—ฅใ€้ณฅใ‚’2็พฝ่ฆ‹ใŸใ€‚(ใใฎใ†ใ€ใจใ‚Šใ‚’ใซใ‚ใฟใŸ):   I saw 2 birds yesterday.

What makes ๅ€‹ tricky is that it can even be used for non-physical, abstract object as well.

Example:

  1. ๆ˜จๆ—ฅใ€ๅคขใ‚’2ๅ€‹่ฆ‹ใŸใ€‚(ใใฎใ†ใ€ใ‚†ใ‚ใ‚’ใซใ“ใฟใŸ):  I had 2 dreams yesterday.

Isnโ€™t there a simpler way?  Thatโ€™s where โ€œใคโ€ comes in.

Counting With ใค:  When All Else Fails

Unlike ๅ€‹, the counter ใค can be naturally applied to both of the previous examples:

  1. โ€œI saw two birds yesterday.โ€ โ†’ โ€œๆ˜จๆ—ฅใ€้ณฅใ‚’๏ผ’ใค่ฆ‹ใŸใ€‚โ€ (ใใฎใ†ใ€ใจใ‚Šใ‚’ใตใŸใคใฟใŸ)
  2. โ€œI saw two dreams last night.โ€ โ†’ โ€œๆ˜จๆ—ฅใ€ๅคขใ‚’๏ผ’ใค่ฆ‹ใŸใ€‚โ€ (ใใฎใ†ใ€ใ‚†ใ‚ใ‚’ใตใŸใคใฟใŸ)

If you donโ€™t know how to count using the Japanese โ€œใคโ€ system, you can learn it below.

ใค 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 ใค counter.  Donโ€™t 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 โ€œใคโ€ counting system is common, but usually only for numbers 1 โ€“ 9.  The number 10 is pronounced as โ€œใจใŠโ€ and can be used, but itโ€™s more common to use the Sino-Japanese counting system for numbers 10 or higher.

Example:

  1. ๆ˜จๆ—ฅใ€11ใฎๅคขใ‚’่ฆ‹ใŸใ€‚(ใใฎใ†ใ€ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใ„ใกใฎใ‚†ใ‚ใ‚’ใฟใŸ):  I had 11 dreams yesterday.
  2. ๆ˜จๆ—ฅใ€้ณฅใ‚’14่ฆ‹ใŸใ€‚(ใใฎใ†ใ€ใจใ‚Šใ‚’ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใ‚ˆใ‚“ใฟใŸ):  I saw 14 birds yesterday.

Of course, if you can master and use the counters below, youโ€™ll impress people from Japan.  Most importantly, learning these counters will be highly useful when speaking Japanese with native speakers.

How to Count With ใค

ใค is a newer system than ๅ€‹ and comes from the fully-Japanese category known as ๅ’Œ่ชž๏ผˆใ‚ใ”๏ผ‰. If you can remember theย ใค counting style from 1~10, the rest of the numbers should be no problem.

EnglishWagoJapanese ReadingRomaji
Oneไธ€ใคใฒใจใคhitotsu
TwoไบŒใคใตใŸใคfutatsu
Threeไธ‰ใคใฟใฃใคmittsu
Fourๅ››ใคใ‚ˆใฃใคyottsu
Fiveไบ”ใคใ„ใคใคitsutsu
Sixๅ…ญใคใ‚€ใฃใคmuttsu
Sevenไธƒใคใชใชใคnanatsu
Eightๅ…ซใคใ‚„ใฃใคyattsu
Nineไนใคใ“ใ“ใฎใคkokonotsu
TenๅใจใŠtoo

For your benefit, Iโ€™ve divided the counters into categories of where youโ€™ll use them the most. But first, letโ€™s start off with some of the most common counters youโ€™ll hear in Japan.

Common Counters

A photo of a black board with tally marks all over it. The tally marks are in bundles of 5, with a piece of white chalk in the center of the blackboard.

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 ใค 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 arenโ€™t sure of how to count something, use the ใค counting system listed above.

ๅ€‹ derives from the original Chinese-based language used in ancient Japan, or ๆผข่ชž๏ผˆใ‹ใ‚“ใ”๏ผ‰. Counting in this style is perhaps more familiar to most learners.

Examples:

  1. โ€œTwo apples, please.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใ‚Šใ‚“ใ”ใ‚’ไบŒๅ€‹ใใ ใ•ใ„ใ€‚โ€ (ใ‚Šใ‚“ใ”ใ‚’ใซใ“ใใ ใ•ใ„)
  2. โ€œThere are 8 planets total in the solar system.โ€ โ†’ โ€œๅคช้™ฝ็ณปใฎๆƒ‘ๆ˜Ÿใฏๅ…จ้ƒจใง๏ผ˜ๅ€‹ใ‚ใ‚Šใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใŸใ„ใ‚ˆใ†ใ‘ใ„ใฎใ‚ใใ›ใ„ใฏใœใ‚“ใถใงใฏใกใ“ใ‚ใ‚Šใพใ™)
  3.  I had 2 dreams yesterday.โ€  โ†’  โ€œๆ˜จๆ—ฅใ€ๅคขใ‚’2ๅ€‹่ฆ‹ใŸใ€‚โ€(ใใฎใ†ใ€ใ‚†ใ‚ใ‚’ใซใ“ใฟใŸ)
EnglishKangoJapanese ReadingRomaji
Oneไธ€ๅ€‹ใ„ใฃใ“ikko
TwoไบŒๅ€‹ใซใ“niko
Threeไธ‰ๅ€‹ใ•ใ‚“ใ“sanko
Fourๅ››ๅ€‹ใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ“yonko
Fiveไบ”ๅ€‹ใ”ใ“goko
Sixๅ…ญๅ€‹ใ‚ใฃใ“rokko
Sevenไธƒๅ€‹ใชใชใ“nanako
Eightๅ…ซๅ€‹ใฏใกใ“ /
ใฏใฃใ“
hachiko /
hakko
Nineไนๅ€‹ใใ‚…ใ†ใ“kyuuko
Tenๅๅ€‹ใ˜ใฃใ“ /
ใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใ“
jikko /
jukko

ไบบ๏ผˆใซใ‚“๏ผ‰- People

ไบบ(ใซใ‚“) is used for counting people in any situation that isnโ€™t a booking or reservation. If there are 3 or more people, you can count using the standard counting system (ใ„ใก, ใซ, ใ•ใ‚“, etc.). In the case of one or two people, however, the ใค counting method is used.  But the ใค is changed to ใ‚Š(ri).  (1ไบบ=ใฒใจใ‚Š, 2ไบบ= ใตใŸใ‚Š)

Examples:

  1. โ€œThere are three people in my family.โ€ โ†’ โ€œ็งใฎๅฎถๆ—ใฏ3ไบบใงใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใ‚ใŸใ—ใฎใ‹ใžใใฏใ•ใ‚“ใซใ‚“ใงใ™)
  2. โ€œI want some time with just the two of us.โ€ โ†’ โ€œ2ไบบใใ‚Šใฎๆ™‚้–“ใŒๆฌฒใ—ใ„ใ€‚โ€ (ใตใŸใ‚Šใใ‚Šใฎใ˜ใ‹ใ‚“ใŒใปใ—ใ„)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One personไธ€ไบบใฒใจใ‚Šhitori
Two peopleไบŒไบบใตใŸใ‚Šfutari
Three peopleไธ‰ไบบใ•ใ‚“ใซใ‚“sannin
Four peopleๅ››ไบบใ‚ˆใซใ‚“yonin
Five peopleไบ”ไบบใ”ใซใ‚“gonin
Six peopleๅ…ญไบบใ‚ใใซใ‚“rokunin
Seven peopleไธƒไบบใ—ใกใซใ‚“ /
ใชใชใซใ‚“
shichinin /
nananin
Eight peopleๅ…ซไบบใฏใกใซใ‚“hachinin
Nine peopleไนไบบใใ‚…ใ†ใซใ‚“ /
ใใซใ‚“
kyuunin /
kunin
Ten peopleๅไบบใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใซใ‚“juunin

**Important!  If you ever order food from a restaurant in Japan, you may see this kanji ๅ‰(ใพใˆ) attached at the end of these counters.   For example, you may see this kanji ไธ€ไบบๅ‰(ใ„ใกใซใ‚“ใพใˆ).  Notice that this is not read as โ€œใฒใจใ‚Šใพใˆ.โ€

When there is the kanji โ€œๅ‰โ€ attached to a person counter, the meaning changes to โ€œserving portions.โ€  If you say ไธ‰ไบบๅ‰(ใ•ใ‚“ใซใ‚“ใพใˆ) in a restaurant, that means you want food for 3 people, or 3 servings.

EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
For one personไธ€ไบบๅ‰ใ„ใกใซใ‚“ใพใˆichininmae
For two peopleไบŒไบบๅ‰ใซใซใ‚“ใพใˆnininmae
For three peopleไธ‰ไบบๅ‰ใ•ใ‚“ใซใ‚“ใพใˆsanninmae
For four peopleๅ››ไบบๅ‰ใ‚ˆใซใ‚“ใพใˆyoninmae
For five peopleไบ”ไบบๅ‰ใ”ใซใ‚“ใพใˆgoninmae
For six peopleๅ…ญไบบๅ‰ใ‚ใใซใ‚“ใพใˆrokuninmae
For seven peopleไธƒไบบๅ‰ใชใชใซใ‚“ใพใˆ /
ใ—ใกใซใ‚“ใพใˆ
nananinmae /
shichininmae
For eight peopleๅ…ซไบบๅ‰ใฏใกใซใ‚“ใพใˆhachininmae
For nine peopleไนไบบๅ‰ใใ‚…ใ†ใซใ‚“ใพใˆ /
ใใซใ‚“ใพใˆ
kyuuninmae /
kuninmae
For ten peopleๅไบบๅ‰ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใซใ‚“ใพใˆjuuninmae

ๅŒน๏ผˆใฒใ๏ผ‰- Small Animals (Cats, Dogs, Monkeys, Some Fish, Etc.)

If you own pets in your home, ๅŒน(ใฒใ) is the counter you would use. Typically โ€œsmallโ€ refers to an animal that can be picked up by the average adult. ๅŒน is counted using the ๅ€‹ counting method.

Some small fish can be counted using ๅŒน as well.

Example:

  1. โ€œI have four cats.โ€ โ†’ โ€œ็งใฏ็Œซใ‚’4ๅŒน้ฃผใฃใฆใ„ใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใ‚ใŸใ—ใฏใญใ“ใ‚’ใ‚ˆใ‚“ใฒใใ‹ใฃใฆใ„ใพใ™)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One (small) animalไธ€ๅŒนใ„ใฃใดใippiki
Two (small) animalsไบŒๅŒนใซใฒใnihiki
Three (small) animalsไธ‰ๅŒนใ•ใ‚“ใณใsanbiki
Four (small) animalsๅ››ๅŒนใ‚ˆใ‚“ใฒใyonhiki
Five (small) animalsไบ”ๅŒนใ”ใฒใgohiki
Six (small) animalsๅ…ญๅŒนใ‚ใฃใดใroppiki
Seven (small) animalsไธƒๅŒนใชใชใฒใ /
ใ—ใกใฒใ
nanahiki /
shichihiki
Eight (small) animalsๅ…ซๅŒนใฏใฃใดใ /
ใฏใกใฒใ
happiki /
hachihiki
Nine (small) animalsไนๅŒนใใ‚…ใ†ใฒใkyuuhiki
Ten (small) animalsๅๅŒนใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใดใ /
ใ˜ใฃใดใ
juppiki /
jippiki

้ ญ๏ผˆใจใ†๏ผ‰- Large Animals (Horses, Cows, Crocodiles, Marine Mammals, Etc.)

In contrast to ๅŒน(ใฒใ), ้ ญ(ใจใ†) 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  ๆœฌ(hon โ€“ fishes with long, slender bodies) or ๅŒน (usually for smaller fish).

Example:

  1. โ€œWe saw three horses on the farm.โ€ โ†’ โ€œ่พฒๅ ดใง้ฆฌใ‚’3้ ญ่ฆ‹ใŸใ€‚โ€ (ใฎใ†ใ˜ใ‚‡ใ†ใงใ†ใพใ‚’ใ•ใ‚“ใจใ†ใฟใŸ)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One (large) animalไธ€้ ญใ„ใฃใจใ†ittou
Two (large) animalsไบŒ้ ญใซใจใ†nitou
Three (large) animalsไธ‰้ ญใ•ใ‚“ใจใ†santou
Four (large) animalsๅ››้ ญใ‚ˆใ‚“ใจใ†yontou
Five (large) animalsไบ”้ ญใ”ใจใ†gotou
Six (large) animalsๅ…ญ้ ญใ‚ใใจใ†rokutou
Seven (large) animalsไธƒ้ ญใชใชใจใ†nanatou
Eight (large) animalsๅ…ซ้ ญใฏใฃใจใ† /
ใฏใกใจใ†
hattou /
hachitou
Nine (large) animalsไน้ ญใใ‚…ใ†ใจใ†kyuutou
Ten (large) animalsๅ้ ญใ˜ใฃใจใ† /
ใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใจใ†
jittou /
juttou

็พฝ๏ผˆใ‚๏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  โ€œใคโ€ or ๅ€‹ (ใ“) counters to count whole, cooked poultry.

Example:

  1. โ€œMy cat killed two rabbits today.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใ†ใกใฎ็ŒซใฏไปŠๆ—ฅใ€ใ‚ฆใ‚ตใ‚ฎใ‚’2็พฝๆฎบใ—ใŸใ€‚โ€ (ใ†ใกใฎใญใ“ใฏใใ‚‡ใ†ใ€ใ‚ฆใ‚ตใ‚ฎใ‚’ใซใ‚ใ“ใ‚ใ—ใŸ)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One (bird, rabbit, bat)ไธ€็พฝใ„ใกใ‚ichiwa
Two (birds, rabbits, bats)ไบŒ็พฝใซใ‚niwa
Three (birds, rabbits, bats)ไธ‰็พฝใ•ใ‚“ใ‚ / ใ•ใ‚“ใฐsanwa / sanba
Four (birds, rabbits, bats)ๅ››็พฝใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ‚yonwa
Five (birds, rabbits, bats)ไบ”็พฝใ”ใ‚gowa
Six (birds, rabbits, bats)ๅ…ญ็พฝใ‚ใใ‚ /
ใ‚ใฃใฑ
rokuwa /
roppa
Seven (birds, rabbits, bats)ไธƒ็พฝใชใชใ‚ nanawa
Eight (birds, rabbits, bats)ๅ…ซ็พฝใฏใกใ‚hachiwa
Nine (birds, rabbits, bats)ไน็พฝใใ‚…ใ†ใ‚kyuuwa
Ten (birds, rabbits, bats)ๅ็พฝใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใ‚ /
ใ˜ใฃใฑ
juuwa /
jippa

*Note:  According the NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), bats can be counted with this ็พฝ (ใ‚) counter, or using ๅŒน๏ผˆใฒใ๏ผ‰counter listed above.  The ๅŒน๏ผˆใฒใ๏ผ‰is more commonly used on the news and shows.

้šŽ๏ผˆใ‹ใ„๏ผ‰- Floors of a Building

้šŽ (ใ‹ใ„) is a counter youโ€™ll 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:

  1. โ€œI live in a five-story apartment building.โ€ โ†’ โ€œ็งใฏ5้šŽๅปบใฆใฎใ‚ขใƒ‘ใƒผใƒˆใซไฝใ‚“ใงใ„ใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใ‚ใŸใ—ใฏใ”ใ‹ใ„ใ ใฆใฎใ‚ขใƒ‘ใƒผใƒˆใซใ™ใ‚“ใงใ„ใพใ™)
  2. โ€œThe restaurant is on the third floor.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใƒฌใ‚นใƒˆใƒฉใƒณใฏ3้šŽใซใ‚ใ‚Šใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใƒฌใ‚นใƒˆใƒฉใƒณใฏใ•ใ‚“ใŒใ„ใซใ‚ใ‚Šใพใ™)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One/first floorไธ€้šŽใ„ใฃใ‹ใ„ikkai
Two/second floorไบŒ้šŽใซใ‹ใ„nikai
Three/thrid floorไธ‰้šŽใ•ใ‚“ใŒใ„ /
ใ•ใ‚“ใ‹ใ„
sangai /
sankai
Four/fourth floorๅ››้šŽใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ‹ใ„yonkai
Five/fifth floorไบ”้šŽใ”ใ‹ใ„gokai
Six/sixth floorๅ…ญ้šŽใ‚ใฃใ‹ใ„rokkai
Seven/seventh floorไธƒ้šŽใชใชใ‹ใ„nanakai
Eight/eighth floorๅ…ซ้šŽใฏใกใ‹ใ„ /
ใฏใฃใ‹ใ„
hachikai /
hakkai
Nine/ninth floorไน้šŽใใ‚…ใ†ใ‹ใ„kyuukai
Ten/tenth floorๅ้šŽใ˜ใฃใ‹ใ„ /
ใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใ‹ใ„
jikkai /
jukkai

ๅฐ๏ผˆใ ใ„๏ผ‰- Furniture, Vehicles, Electronics

The counter ๅฐ(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 ๅฐ is uncommon.

Example:

  1. โ€œThere are two cars at that stoplight.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใ‚ใฎไฟกๅทใงใ€่ปŠใŒ2ๅฐๆญขใพใฃใฆใ„ใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใ‚ใฎใ—ใ‚“ใ”ใ†ใงใ€ใใ‚‹ใพใŒใซใ ใ„ใจใพใฃใฆใ„ใพใ™)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One (piece of) furniture, vehicle, electronicsไธ€ๅฐใ„ใกใ ใ„ichidai
Two (pieces of) furniture, vehicle, electronicsไบŒๅฐใซใ ใ„nidai
Three (pieces of) furniture, vehicle, electronicsไธ‰ๅฐใ•ใ‚“ใ ใ„sandai
Four (pieces of) furniture, vehicle, electronicsๅ››ๅฐใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ ใ„yondai
Five (pieces of) furniture, vehicle, electronicsไบ”ๅฐใ”ใ ใ„godai
Six (pieces of) furniture, vehicle, electronicsๅ…ญๅฐใ‚ใใ ใ„rokudai
Seven (pieces of) furniture, vehicle, electronicsไธƒๅฐใชใชใ ใ„
/
ใ—ใกใ ใ„
nanadai / shichidai
Eight (pieces of) furniture, vehicle, electronicsๅ…ซๅฐใฏใกใ ใ„hachidai
Nine (pieces of) furniture, vehicle, electronicsไนๅฐใใ‚…ใ†ใ ใ„kyuudai
Ten (pieces of) furniture, vehicle, electronicsๅๅฐใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใ ใ„juudai

*Note:  Trains can be the exception.  Youโ€™ll hear the counters โ€œไธก (ใ‚Šใ‚‡ใ† โ€“ counter for carriages)โ€, โ€œ็ทจๆˆ (ใธใ‚“ใ›ใ„ โ€“ composition, formation, or operation of carriages)โ€ and โ€œๆœฌ (ใปใ‚“ โ€“ counter for long objects) to count trains.

ๆœฌ๏ผˆใปใ‚“๏ผ‰- Stick-Shaped or Long Objects

ๆœฌ(ใปใ‚“)  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 ๆœฌ!

In addition, there are some abstract things often counted using ๆœฌ. 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 ๆœฌ is the kanji for book, you canโ€™t count books using ๆœฌ as a counter! Weโ€™ll get to that one next.

Example:

  1. โ€œMy class collected 127 plastic bottles from nearby parks.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใ†ใกใฎใ‚ฏใƒฉใ‚นใฏ่ฟ‘ใใฎๅ…ฌๅœ’ใ‹ใ‚‰ใƒšใƒƒใƒˆใƒœใƒˆใƒซใ‚’127ๆœฌ้›†ใ‚ใพใ—ใŸใ€‚โ€ (ใ†ใกใฎใใ‚‰ใ™ใฏใกใ‹ใใฎใ“ใ†ใˆใ‚“ใ‹ใ‚‰ใƒšใƒƒใƒˆใƒœใƒˆใƒซใ‚’ใฒใ‚ƒใใซใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใชใชใปใ‚“ใ‚ใคใ‚ใพใ—ใŸ)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One (long, cylindrical shaped item)ไธ€ๆœฌใ„ใฃใฝใ‚“ippon
Two (long, cylindrical shaped items)ไบŒๆœฌใซใปใ‚“nihon
Three (long, cylindrical shaped items)ไธ‰ๆœฌใ•ใ‚“ใผใ‚“sanbon
Four (long, cylindrical shaped items)ๅ››ๆœฌใ‚ˆใ‚“ใปใ‚“yonhon
Five (long, cylindrical shaped items)ไบ”ๆœฌใ”ใปใ‚“gohon
Six (long, cylindrical shaped items)ๅ…ญๆœฌใ‚ใฃใฝใ‚“roppon
Seven (long, cylindrical shaped items)ไธƒๆœฌใชใชใปใ‚“ /
ใ—ใกใปใ‚“
nanahon /
shichihon
Eight (long, cylindrical shaped items)ๅ…ซๆœฌใฏใฃใฝใ‚“happon
Nine (long, cylindrical shaped items)ไนๆœฌใใ‚…ใ†ใปใ‚“kyuuhon
Ten (long, cylindrical shaped items)ๅๆœฌใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใฝใ‚“ /
ใ˜ใฃใฝใ‚“
juppon / jippon

ๅ†Š๏ผˆใ•ใค๏ผ‰- Books, Bound Files, Notebooks

As mentioned previously, books arenโ€™t counted using ๆœฌ๏ผˆใปใ‚“๏ผ‰. The counter ๅ†Š(ใ•ใค) is used for books, notebooks, and anything else consisting of bound paper or sheets.

Example:

  1. โ€œMy brother has three manga books.โ€ โ†’ โ€œๅ…„ใฏใƒžใƒณใ‚ฌใ‚’3ๅ†ŠๆŒใฃใฆใ„ใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใ‚ใซใฏใƒžใƒณใ‚ฌใ‚’ใ•ใ‚“ใ•ใคใ‚‚ใฃใฆใ„ใพใ™)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One (book)ไธ€ๅ†Šใ„ใฃใ•ใคissatsu
Two (books)ไบŒๅ†Šใซใ•ใคnisatsu
Three (books)ไธ‰ๅ†Šใ•ใ‚“ใ•ใคsansatsu
Four (books)ๅ››ๅ†Šใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ•ใคyonsatsu
Five (books)ไบ”ๅ†Šใ”ใ•ใคgosatsu
Six (books)ๅ…ญๅ†Šใ‚ใใ•ใคrokusatsu
Seven (books)ไธƒๅ†Šใชใชใ•ใคnanasatsu
Eight (books)ๅ…ซๅ†Šใฏใฃใ•ใคhassatsu
Nine (books)ไนๅ†Šใใ‚…ใ†ใ•ใคkyuusatsu
Ten (books)ๅๅ†Šใ˜ใฃใ•ใค /
ใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใ•ใค
jissatsu /
jussatsu

ๆžš๏ผˆใพใ„๏ผ‰- Flat Objects

Whereas ๅ†Š(ใ•ใค) counts bound sheets of paper, ๆžš(ใพใ„) 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 ๆžš.

Example:

  1. โ€œCould I have a sheet of paper, please?โ€ โ†’ โ€œ็ด™ใ‚’1ๆžšใ„ใŸใ ใ„ใฆใ„ใ„ใงใ™ใ‹๏ผŸโ€ (ใ‹ใฟใ‚’ใ„ใกใพใ„ใ„ใŸใ ใ„ใฆใ„ใ„ใงใ™ใ‹)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One (flat object)ไธ€ๆžšใ„ใกใพใ„ichimai
Two (flat objects)ไบŒๆžšใซใพใ„nimai
Three (flat objects)ไธ‰ๆžšใ•ใ‚“ใพใ„sanmai
Four (flat objects)ๅ››ๆžšใ‚ˆใ‚“ใพใ„yonmai
Five (flat objects)ไบ”ๆžšใ”ใพใ„gomai
Six (flat objects)ๅ…ญๆžšใ‚ใใพใ„rokumai
Seven (flat objects)ไธƒๆžšใชใชใพใ„nanamai
Eight (flat objects)ๅ…ซๆžšใฏใกใพใ„hachimai
Nine (flat objects)ไนๆžšใใ‚…ใ†ใพใ„kyuumai
Ten (flat objects)ๅๆžšใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใพใ„juumai

Time Counters

An older, metal stopwatch halfway embedded in the sand on a beach with the sun setting in the backgroun

Here are some counters that will help when discussing the time or date of a meeting or any other time-related topics.

ๆญณ๏ผˆใ•ใ„๏ผ‰- Years (Of Age)

If you want to say how old you are, you can use ๆญณ(ใ•ใ„).  While in most Western cultures, itโ€™s considered personal to ask someoneโ€™s 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 youโ€™re 20 years old in the table.  20 has a special reading.  It isnโ€™t โ€œใซใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใ•ใ„ (ni-jussaii),โ€ but instead is read โ€œใฏใŸใก(hatachi).โ€

Example:

  1. โ€œHow old are you?โ€ โ€œIโ€™m 25 years old.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใ‚ใชใŸใฏไฝ•ๆญณใงใ™ใ‹๏ผŸโ€ โ€œ25ๆญณใงใ™โ€ (ใ‚ใชใŸใฏใชใ‚“ใ•ใ„ใงใ™ใ‹? ใซใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใ”ใ•ใ„ใงใ™)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One year oldไธ€ๆญณใ„ใฃใ•ใ„issai
Two years oldไบŒๆญณใซใ•ใ„nisai
Three years oldไธ‰ๆญณใ•ใ‚“ใ•ใ„sansai
Four years oldๅ››ๆญณใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ•ใ„yonsai
Five years oldไบ”ๆญณใ”ใ•ใ„gosai
Six years oldๅ…ญๆญณใ‚ใใ•ใ„rokusai
Seven years oldไธƒๆญณใชใชใ•ใ„nanasai
Eight years oldๅ…ซๆญณใฏใฃใ•ใ„hassai
Nine years oldไนๆญณใใ‚…ใ†ใ•ใ„kyuusai
Ten years oldๅๆญณใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใ•ใ„ /
ใ˜ใฃใ•ใ„
jussai /
jissai
Twenty years oldไบŒๅๆญณใฏใŸใกhatachi

ๆ™‚๏ผˆใ˜๏ผ‰- Hours, Oโ€™Clock

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 ้–“(ใ‹ใ‚“).

Examples:

  1. โ€œLetโ€™s meet at the station at 9 a.m.โ€ โ†’ โ€œๆœ9ๆ™‚ใซ้ง…ใงไผšใ„ใพใ—ใ‚‡ใ†ใ€‚โ€ (ใ‚ใ•ใใ˜ใซใˆใใงใ‚ใ„ใพใ—ใ‚‡ใ†)
  2. โ€œIt takes two hours to reach Tokyo from here.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใ“ใ“ใ‹ใ‚‰ๆฑไบฌใพใงใ€2ๆ™‚้–“ๆŽ›ใ‹ใ‚Šใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใ“ใ“ใ‹ใ‚‰ใจใ†ใใ‚‡ใ†ใพใงใ€ใซใ˜ใ‹ใ‚“ใ‹ใ‹ใ‚Šใพใ™)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One hourไธ€ๆ™‚้–“ใ„ใกใ˜ใ‹ใ‚“ichijikan
Two hoursไบŒๆ™‚้–“ใซใ˜ใ‹ใ‚“nijikan
Three hoursไธ‰ๆ™‚้–“ใ•ใ‚“ใ˜ใ‹ใ‚“sanjikan
Four hoursๅ››ๆ™‚้–“ใ‚ˆใ˜ใ‹ใ‚“yojikan
Five hoursไบ”ๆ™‚้–“ใ”ใ˜ใ‹ใ‚“gojikan
Six hoursๅ…ญๆ™‚้–“ใ‚ใใ˜ใ‹ใ‚“rokujikan
Seven hoursไธƒๆ™‚้–“ใชใชใ˜ใ‹ใ‚“ /
ใ—ใกใ˜ใ‹ใ‚“
nanajikan /
shichijikan
Eight hoursๅ…ซๆ™‚้–“ใฏใกใ˜ใ‹ใ‚“hachijikan
Nine hoursไนๆ™‚้–“ใใ˜ใ‹ใ‚“kujikan
Ten hoursๅๆ™‚้–“ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใ˜ใ‹ใ‚“juujikan

ๅˆ†๏ผˆใตใ‚“๏ผ‰- Minutes, Degrees of an Angle, Portions

As you can see, ๅˆ†(ใตใ‚“) is used for counting more than just minutes. For brevity, weโ€™ll be focusing on using it as a counter for time. Just like with ๆ™‚(ใ˜), if you use ๅˆ† to count a set number of minutes, you will need to add ้–“๏ผˆใ‹ใ‚“).

ๅˆ† can also be use to talk about proportions/ratios. In this case, ๅˆ† would be read as “ใถ or “ใถใ‚“.”

Examples:

  1. โ€œIโ€™ll arrive at 10:45.โ€ โ†’ โ€œ10ๆ™‚45ๅˆ†ใซ็€ใใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใ˜ใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใ”ใตใ‚“ใซใคใใพใ™)
  2. โ€œComplete this test within thirty minutes.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใ“ใฎใƒ†ใ‚นใƒˆใ‚’30ๅˆ†ไปฅๅ†…ใงใ—ใชใ•ใ„ใ€‚โ€ (ใ“ใฎใƒ†ใ‚นใƒˆใ‚’ใ•ใ‚“ใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใทใ‚“ใ„ใชใ„ใงใ—ใชใ•ใ„)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One minuteไธ€ๅˆ†ใ„ใฃใทใ‚“ippun
Two minutesไบŒๅˆ†ใซใตใ‚“nifun
Three minutesไธ‰ๅˆ†ใ•ใ‚“ใทใ‚“sanpun
Four minutesๅ››ๅˆ†ใ‚ˆใ‚“ใตใ‚“ /
ใ‚ˆใ‚“ใทใ‚“
yonfun /
yonpun
Five minutesไบ”ๅˆ†ใ”ใตใ‚“gofun
Six minutesๅ…ญๅˆ†ใ‚ใฃใทใ‚“roppun
Seven minutesไธƒๅˆ†ใชใชใตใ‚“nanafun
Eight minutesๅ…ซๅˆ†ใฏใฃใทใ‚“happun
Nine minutesไนๅˆ†ใใ‚…ใ†ใตใ‚“kyuufun
Ten minutesๅๅˆ†ใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใทใ‚“ /
ใ˜ใฃใทใ‚“
juppun /
jippun

ๆœˆ๏ผˆใคใ/ใŒใค/ใ’ใค๏ผ‰- Months

The counter ๆœˆ (ใคใ/ใŒใค/ใ’ใค) 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 ๆœˆ.

Examples:

  1. โ€œMy birthday is in July.โ€ โ†’ โ€œ็งใฎ่ช•็”Ÿๆ—ฅใฏ7ๆœˆใงใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใ‚ใŸใ—ใฎใŸใ‚“ใ˜ใ‚‡ใ†ใณใฏใ—ใกใŒใคใงใ™)
  2. โ€œIt takes nine months for a baby to be born.โ€ โ†’ โ€œ่ตคใกใ‚ƒใ‚“ใŒ็”Ÿใพใ‚Œใ‚‹ใพใงไนใƒถๆœˆ*ๆŽ›ใ‹ใ‚Šใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใ‚ใ‹ใกใ‚ƒใ‚“ใŒใ†ใพใ‚Œใ‚‹ใพใงใใ‚…ใ†ใ‹ใ’ใคใ‹ใ‹ใ‚Šใพใ™)

*When counting a certain number of months, you will need to use (ใ‹) between the number and the counter ๆœˆ (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 ใƒถ (e.g. ไธ€ใƒถๆœˆ), which is an “older style” character. You may also see “ใ‚ซ” (ไธ€ใ‚ซๆœˆ), which may be in in some newspapers. The kanji character, “็ฎ‡” (ไธ€็ฎ‡ๆœˆ) is also used, but it’s not nearly as common as the other characters.

EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One monthไธ€ใ‹ๆœˆใ„ใฃใ‹ใ’ใคikkagetsu
Two monthsไบŒใ‹ๆœˆใซใ‹ใ’ใคnikagetsu
Three monthsไธ‰ใ‹ๆœˆใ•ใ‚“ใ‹ใ’ใคsankagetsu
Four Monthsๅ››ใ‹ๆœˆใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ‹ใ’ใคyonkagetsu
Five Monthsไบ”ใ‹ๆœˆใ”ใ‹ใ’ใคgokagetsu
Six Monthsๅ…ญใ‹ๆœˆใ‚ใฃใ‹ใ’ใคrokkagetsu
Seven Monthsไธƒใ‹ๆœˆใชใชใ‹ใ’ใคnanakagetsu
Eight Monthsๅ…ซใ‹ๆœˆใฏใกใ‹ใ’ใค /
ใฏใฃใ‹ใ’ใค
hachikagetsu /
hakkagetsu
Nine Monthsไนใ‹ๆœˆใใ‚…ใ†ใ‹ใ’ใคkyuukagetsu
Ten Monthsๅใ‹ๆœˆใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใ‹ใ’ใค /
ใ˜ใฃใ‹ใ’ใค
jukkagetsu /
jikkagetsu

ๆ—ฅ๏ผˆใ‹/ใซใก๏ผ‰- Days

The counter ๆ—ฅ(ใ‹/ใซใก) 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 -ใฏใคใ‹(hatsuka)

Examples:

  1. โ€œThe letter will arrive in three days.โ€ โ†’ โ€œๆ‰‹็ด™ใฏไธ‰ๆ—ฅไปฅๅ†…ใงๅฑŠใใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใฆใŒใฟใฏใฟใฃใ‹ใ„ใชใ„ใงใจใฉใใพใ™)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
First day of the monthไธ€ๆ—ฅใคใ„ใŸใกtsuitachi
Second day of the monthไบŒๆ—ฅใตใคใ‹futsuka
Third day of the monthไธ‰ๆ—ฅใฟใฃใ‹mikka
Fourth day of the monthๅ››ๆ—ฅใ‚ˆใฃใ‹yokka
Fifth day of the monthไบ”ๆ—ฅใ„ใคใ‹itsuka
Sixth day of the monthๅ…ญๆ—ฅใ‚€ใ„ใ‹muika
Seventh day of the monthไธƒๆ—ฅใชใฎใ‹nanoka
Eighth day of the monthๅ…ซๆ—ฅใ‚ˆใ†ใ‹youka
Ninth day of the monthไนๆ—ฅใ“ใ“ใฎใ‹kokonoka
Tenth day of the monthๅๆ—ฅใจใŠใ‹tooka
Twentieth day of the monthไบŒๅๆ—ฅใฏใคใ‹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:

  • ไบŒๆ—ฅ้–“(futsukakan):  A period of two days
  • ไธ‰ๆ—ฅ้–“(mikkakan):  A period of three days
  • ๅ››ๆ—ฅ้–“ (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€“ ใฏใคใ‹ใ‹ใ‚“(hatsukakan)

*Note:  There is an exception if you want to say, โ€œone day.โ€  This would NOT be ใคใ„ใŸใก้–“ (tsuitachikan).  Youโ€™ll drop the โ€œ้–“โ€ and just use ไธ€ๆ—ฅ to represent the period of one day.  The reading for this becomes โ€œichinichi.โ€

  • ไธ€ๆ—ฅ(ichinichi):  A period of one day

Travel

Picture about travel that includes an airplane, the Statute of Liberty, a Big Buddha Statue, a world map, and other attractions

Here are some counters that you might come across if you travel to or within Japan. They are especially useful if youโ€™re stuck with an all-Japanese website while booking a flight or hotel.

ๆณŠ๏ผˆใฏใ๏ผ‰- Overnight Stays, Rentals

If you are trying to book a night in a hotel or rent a car, ๆณŠ(ใฏใ) will come in handy. For hotel stays, this counts the nights you will spend in the hotel. One night, two days would be โ€œไธ€ๆณŠไบŒๆ—ฅ.โ€ (ใ„ใฃใฑใใตใคใ‹)

Example:

  1. โ€œI would like to stay for two nights, please.โ€ โ†’ โ€œ2ๆณŠใงใŠ้ก˜ใ„ใ—ใŸใ„ใฎใงใ™ใŒใ€‚โ€ (ใซใฏใ*ใงใŠใญใŒใ„ใ—ใŸใ„ใฎใงใ™ใŒ)

*Note: 2ๆณŠ can also be read as “ใตใŸใฏใ” (futahaku), and some hotels/accommodations might use this since it is more polite.

EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One night stayไธ€ๆณŠใ„ใฃใฑใippaku
Two nights stayไบŒๆณŠใซใฏใnihaku
Three nights stayไธ‰ๆณŠใ•ใ‚“ใฑใsanpaku
Four nights stayๅ››ๆณŠใ‚ˆใ‚“ใฏใ /
ใ‚ˆใ‚“ใฑใ
yonhaku /
yonpaku
Five nights stayไบ”ๆณŠใ”ใฏใgohaku
Six nights stayๅ…ญๆณŠใ‚ใฃใฑใroppaku
Seven nights stayไธƒๆณŠใชใชใฏใnanahaku
Eight nights stayๅ…ซๆณŠใฏใกใฏใ /
ใฏใฃใฑใ
hachihaku /
happaku
Nine nights stayไนๆณŠใใ‚…ใ†ใฏใkyuuhaku
Ten nights stayๅๆณŠใ˜ใฃใฑใ /
ใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใฑใ
jippaku /
juppaku

้ƒจๅฑ‹๏ผˆใธใ‚„๏ผ‰- Booking Hotel Rooms

If youโ€™re booking rooms at a hotel, Japanese inn, or lodge youโ€™ll use the counter ้ƒจๅฑ‹ (ใธใ‚„) .  However, when you want to talk about rooms at a hotel or a Japanese inn (ryokan), you would use another room counter ๅฎค(ใ—ใค).

The counter ้ƒจๅฑ‹ is a bit unique in its pronunciation.  The Japanese ใค counting method is used. The correct pronunciation for counting up to 3 using ้ƒจๅฑ‹ is: โ€œไธ€้ƒจๅฑ‹(ใฒใจใธใ‚„)ใ€ไบŒ้ƒจๅฑ‹(ใตใŸใธใ‚„)ใ€ไธ‰้ƒจๅฑ‹(ใ•ใ‚“ใธใ‚„/ใฟใธใ‚„). .

The numbers 4 and above revert back to the Chinese-based counting system: โ€œๅ››้ƒจๅฑ‹(ใ‚ˆใ‚“ใธใ‚„)ใ€ไบ”้ƒจๅฑ‹(ใ”ใธใ‚„)ใ€ๅ…ญ้ƒจๅฑ‹(ใ‚ใใธใ‚„)ใ€ไธƒ้ƒจๅฑ‹(ใชใชใธใ‚„)ใ€ๅ…ซ้ƒจๅฑ‹(ใฏใกใธใ‚„)ใ€ไน้ƒจๅฑ‹(ใใ‚…ใ†ใธใ‚„)ใ€ๅ้ƒจๅฑ‹(ใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใธใ‚„).

Example:

  1. โ€œI booked two rooms.โ€ โ†’ โ€œ2้ƒจๅฑ‹ใ‚’ไบˆ็ด„ใ—ใพใ—ใŸใ€‚โ€ (ใตใŸใธใ‚„ใ‚’ใ‚ˆใ‚„ใใ—ใพใ—ใŸ)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One roomไธ€้ƒจๅฑ‹ใฒใจใธใ‚„hitoheya
Two roomsไบŒ้ƒจๅฑ‹ใตใŸใธใ‚„futaheya
Three roomsไธ‰้ƒจๅฑ‹ใ•ใ‚“ใธใ‚„ /
ใฟใธใ‚„
sanheya /
miheya
Four roomsๅ››้ƒจๅฑ‹ใ‚ˆใ‚“ใธใ‚„ /
ใ‚ˆใธใ‚„
yonheya /
yoheya
Five roomsไบ”้ƒจๅฑ‹ใ”ใธใ‚„goheya
Six roomsๅ…ญ้ƒจๅฑ‹ใ‚ใใธใ‚„rokuheya
Seven roomsไธƒ้ƒจๅฑ‹ใชใชใธใ‚„nanaheya
Eight roomsๅ…ซ้ƒจๅฑ‹ใฏใกใธใ‚„hachiheya
Nine roomsไน้ƒจๅฑ‹ใใ‚…ใ†ใธใ‚„kyuuheya
Ten roomsๅ้ƒจๅฑ‹ใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใธใ‚„ /
ใจใธใ‚„
juhheya /
toheya

*Note:  In Japan, houses typically have both western style and Japanese style rooms.  The ้ƒจๅฑ‹ 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(ใ—ใค)

ๅฎค(ใ—ใค) is the counter you would use to count the number of bedrooms in a house, hotel, or apartment.

Example:

  1. โ€œThere are four vacancies in the apartment.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใใฎใ‚ขใƒ‘ใƒผใƒˆใฏใ€็ฉบใ้ƒจๅฑ‹ใŒ4ๅฎคใ‚ใ‚Šใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใใฎใ‚ขใƒ‘ใƒผใƒˆใฏใ‚ใในใ‚„ใŒใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ—ใคใ‚ใ‚Šใพใ™)
  2. โ€œThere are three rooms on the top floor of the hotel.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใƒ›ใƒ†ใƒซใฎๆœ€ไธŠ้šŽใซใฏ3ๅฎคๅฎขๅฎคใŒใ‚ใ‚Šใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใƒ›ใƒ†ใƒซใฎใ•ใ„ใ˜ใ‚‡ใ†ใ‹ใ„ใซใฏใ•ใ‚“ใ—ใคใใ‚ƒใใ—ใคใŒใ‚ใ‚Šใพใ™)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One (hotel) roomไธ€ๅฎคใ„ใฃใ—ใคisshitsu
Two (hotel) roomsไบŒๅฎคใซใ—ใคnishitsu
Three (hotel) roomsไธ‰ๅฎคใ•ใ‚“ใ—ใคsanshitsu
Four (hotel) roomsๅ››ๅฎคใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ—ใคyonshitsu
Five (hotel) roomsไบ”ๅฎคใ”ใ—ใคgoshitsu
Six (hotel) roomsๅ…ญๅฎคใ‚ใใ—ใคrokushitsu
Seven (hotel) roomsไธƒๅฎคใชใชใ—ใคnanashitsu
Eight (hotel) roomsๅ…ซๅฎคใฏใฃใ—ใค /
ใฏใกใ—ใค
hasshitsu /
hachishitsu
Nine (hotel) roomsไนๅฎคใใ‚…ใ†ใ—ใคkyuushitsu
Ten (hotel) roomsๅๅฎคใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใ—ใค /
ใ˜ใฃใ—ใค
jusshitsu /
jisshitsu

ไพฟ๏ผˆใณใ‚“๏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:

  1. โ€œFlight no. NH 1771 arrived October 1, 2020.โ€ โ†’ โ€œNH 1771ไพฟใฏ๏ผ‘๏ผๆœˆ1ๆ—ฅใซๅˆฐ็€ใ—ใพใ—ใŸใ€‚โ€ (NH 1771ใณใ‚“ใฏใซใ›ใ‚“ใซใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใญใ‚“ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใŒใคใคใ„ใŸใกใซใจใ†ใกใ‚ƒใใ—ใพใ—ใŸ)
  2. โ€œThere is only one flight from Tokyo to Miyazaki Prefecture.โ€ โ†’ โ€œๆฑไบฌ้ƒฝใ‹ใ‚‰ๅฎฎๅดŽ็œŒใพใง 1ไพฟใ—ใ‹ใ‚ใ‚Šใพใ›ใ‚“ใ€‚โ€ (ใจใ†ใใ‚‡ใ†ใจใ‹ใ‚‰ใฟใ‚„ใ–ใใ‘ใ‚“ใพใงใ„ใกใณใ‚“ใ—ใ‹ใ‚ใ‚Šใพใ›ใ‚“)

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.

EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One flightไธ€ไพฟใ„ใกใณใ‚“ichibin
Two flightsไบŒไพฟใซใณใ‚“nibin
Three flightsไธ‰ไพฟใ•ใ‚“ใณใ‚“sanbin
Four flightsๅ››ไพฟใ‚ˆใ‚“ใณใ‚“yonbin
Five flightsไบ”ไพฟใ”ใณใ‚“gobin
Six flightsๅ…ญไพฟใ‚ใใณใ‚“rokubin
Seven flightsไธƒไพฟใชใชใณใ‚“nanabin
Eight flightsๅ…ซไพฟใฏใกใณใ‚“hachibin
Nine flightsไนไพฟใใ‚…ใ†ใณใ‚“kyuubin
Ten flightsๅไพฟใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใณใ‚“juubin

ๅท๏ผˆใ”ใ†๏ผ‰- Room Numbers, Train Numbers

Whether you book a hotel room or a train ticket, this counter will be helpful. ๅท(ใ”ใ†) is used for counting train cars, as well as designating room numbers.

Examples:

  1. โ€œCars two through seven are for non-reserved seating.โ€ โ†’ โ€œ2ๅท่ปŠใ‹ใ‚‰7ๅท่ปŠใฏ่‡ช็”ฑๅธญใงใ”ใ–ใ„ใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใซใ”ใ†ใ—ใ‚ƒใ‹ใ‚‰ใชใชใ”ใ†ใ—ใ‚ƒใฏใ˜ใ‚†ใ†ใ›ใใงใ”ใ–ใ„ใพใ™)
  2. โ€œYour room is Room 201. Please enjoy your stay.โ€ โ†’ โ€œ้ƒจๅฑ‹ใฏ201ๅทๅฎคใงใ™ใ€‚ใฉใ†ใžใ”ใ‚†ใฃใใ‚Šใ€‚โ€ (ใธใ‚„ใฏ201ใ”ใ†ใ—ใคใงใ™ใ€‚ใฉใ†ใžใ”ใ‚†ใฃใใ‚Š)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
Number oneไธ€ๅทใ„ใกใ”ใ†ichigou
Number twoไบŒๅทใซใ”ใ†nigou
Number threeไธ‰ๅทใ•ใ‚“ใ”ใ†sangou
Number fourๅ››ๅทใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ”ใ†yongou
Number fiveไบ”ๅทใ”ใ”ใ†gogou
Number sixๅ…ญๅทใ‚ใใ”ใ†rokugou
Number sevenไธƒๅทใชใชใ”ใ† /
ใ—ใกใ”ใ†
nanagou /
shichigou
Number eightๅ…ซๅทใฏใกใ”ใ†hachigou
Number nineไนๅทใใ‚…ใ†ใ”ใ†kyuugou
Number tenๅๅทใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใ”ใ†juugou

ๆฉŸ๏ผˆใ๏ผ‰- Airplanes, Jets, Blimps, Other Airships

This is used to count airplanes or other airborne vessels, or big machines in general. Be aware that ๆฉŸ (ใ) is a machine-specific counter and canโ€™t be used to count birds, flying animals, or clouds.

Example:

  1. โ€œI took two planes today.โ€ โ†’ โ€œไปŠๆ—ฅใ€้ฃ›่กŒๆฉŸใซ๏ผ’ๆฉŸไน—ใ‚Šใพใ—ใŸใ€‚โ€ (ใใ‚‡ใ†ใ€ใฒใ“ใ†ใใซใซใใฎใ‚Šใพใ—ใŸ)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One airplane/machineไธ€ๆฉŸใ„ใฃใikki
Two airplanes/machinesไบŒๆฉŸใซใniki
Three airplanes/machinesไธ‰ๆฉŸใ•ใ‚“ใsanki
Four airplanes/machinesๅ››ๆฉŸใ‚ˆใ‚“ใyonki
Five airplanes/machinesไบ”ๆฉŸใ”ใgoki
Six airplanes/machinesๅ…ญๆฉŸใ‚ใฃใrokki
Seven airplanes/machinesไธƒๆฉŸใชใชใnanaki
Eight airplanes/machinesๅ…ซๆฉŸใฏใฃใ /
ใฏใกใ
hakki /
hachiki
Nine airplanes/machinesไนๆฉŸใใ‚…ใ†ใkyuuki
Ten airplanes/machinesๅๆฉŸใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใ /
ใ˜ใฃใ
jukki /
jikki

School Counters

Two young boys and a young girl dressed in a Japanese school uniform. They are talking while walking down a residential road

If you decide to study abroad, several counters will be common in your classroom life. These can also be useful if youโ€™re studying Japanese in your hometown or preparing to take an exam like the JLPT!

ๅˆ—๏ผˆใ‚Œใค๏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 ๅˆ—(ใ‚Œใค) on signs at a grocery store, airport, or event.

Example:

  1. โ€œPlease form two lines at this register.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใ“ใฎใƒฌใ‚ธใซ2ๅˆ—ใงไธฆใ‚“ใงใใ ใ•ใ„ใ€‚โ€ (ใ“ใฎใƒฌใ‚ธใซใซใ‚Œใคใงใชใ‚‰ใ‚“ใงใใ ใ•ใ„)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One lineไธ€ๅˆ—ใ„ใกใ‚Œใคichiretsu
Two linesไบŒๅˆ—ใซใ‚Œใคniretsu
Three linesไธ‰ๅˆ—ใ•ใ‚“ใ‚Œใคsanretsu
Four linesๅ››ๅˆ—ใ‚ˆใ‚Œใค /
ใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ‚Œใค
yoretsu /
yonretsu
Five linesไบ”ๅˆ—ใ”ใ‚Œใคgoretsu
Six linesๅ…ญๅˆ—ใ‚ใใ‚Œใคrokuretsu
Seven linesไธƒๅˆ—ใชใชใ‚Œใคnanaretsu
Eight linesๅ…ซๅˆ—ใฏใกใ‚Œใคhachiretsu
Nine linesไนๅˆ—ใใ‚…ใ†ใ‚Œใคkyuuretsu
Ten linesๅๅˆ—ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใ‚Œใคjuuretsu

่กŒ๏ผˆใŽใ‚‡ใ†๏ผ‰- Line of Writing, Verse

่กŒ(ใŽใ‚‡ใ†) is similar to ๅˆ—(ใ‚Œใค) but is applied specifically to lines of text.

Examples:

  1. โ€œSummarize this paragraph in three lines.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใ“ใฎๆฎต่ฝใ‚’3่กŒใซใพใจใ‚ใชใ•ใ„ใ€‚โ€ (ใ“ใฎใ ใ‚“ใ‚‰ใใ‚’ใ•ใ‚“ใŽใ‚‡ใ†ใซใพใจใ‚ใชใ•ใ„)
  2. โ€œPlease read the first line.โ€ โ†’ โ€œไธ€่กŒ็›ฎใ‚’่ชญใ‚“ใงใใ ใ•ใ„ใ€‚โ€ (ใ„ใกใŽใ‚‡ใ†ใ‚ใ‚’ใ‚ˆใ‚“ใงใใ ใ•ใ„)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One line of textไธ€่กŒใ„ใกใŽใ‚‡ใ†ichigyou
Two lines of textไบŒ่กŒใซใŽใ‚‡ใ†nigyou
Three lines of textไธ‰่กŒใ•ใ‚“ใŽใ‚‡ใ†sangyou
Four lines of textๅ››่กŒใ‚ˆใ‚“ใŽใ‚‡ใ†yongyou
Five lines of textไบ”่กŒใ”ใŽใ‚‡ใ†gogyou
Six lines of textๅ…ญ่กŒใ‚ใใŽใ‚‡ใ†rokugyou
Seven lines of textไธƒ่กŒใชใชใŽใ‚‡ใ† /
ใ—ใกใŽใ‚‡ใ†
nanagyou /
shichigyou
Eight lines of textๅ…ซ่กŒใฏใกใŽใ‚‡ใ†hachigyou
Nine lines of textไน่กŒใใ‚…ใ†ใŽใ‚‡ใ†kyuugyou
Ten lines of textๅ่กŒใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใŽใ‚‡ใ†juugyou

่ชฒ๏ผˆใ‹๏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:

  1. โ€œRead chapter 2 of your textbook as homework.โ€ โ†’ โ€œๅฎฟ้กŒใงๆ•™็ง‘ๆ›ธใฎ2่ชฒใ‚’่ชญใฟใชใ•ใ„ใ€‚โ€ (ใ—ใ‚…ใใ ใ„ใงใใ‚‡ใ†ใ‹ใ—ใ‚‡ใฎใซใ‹ใ‚’ใ‚ˆใฟใชใ•ใ„.)
  2. โ€œI work at the city hall in the education department.โ€ โ†’ โ€œ็งใฏๅธ‚ๅฝนๆ‰€ใฎๅญฆๆ กๆ•™่‚ฒ่ชฒใซๅ‹คใ‚ใฆใ„ใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใ‚ใŸใ—ใฏใ—ใ‚„ใใ—ใ‚‡ใฎใŒใฃใ“ใ†ใใ‚‡ใ†ใ„ใใ‹ใซใคใจใ‚ใฆใ„ใพใ™)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One chapter/departmentไธ€่ชฒใ„ใฃใ‹ikka
Two chapters/departmentsไบŒ่ชฒใซใ‹nika
Three chapters/departmentsไธ‰่ชฒใ•ใ‚“ใ‹sanka
Four chapters/departmentsๅ››่ชฒใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ‹yonka
Five chapters/departmentsไบ”่ชฒใ”ใ‹goka
Six chapters/departmentsๅ…ญ่ชฒใ‚ใฃใ‹rokka
Seven chapters/departmentsไธƒ่ชฒใชใชใ‹ /
ใ—ใกใ‹
nanaka /
shichika
Eight chapters/departmentsๅ…ซ่ชฒใฏใฃใ‹ /
ใฏใกใ‹
hakka /
hachika
Nine chapters/departmentsไน่ชฒใใ‚…ใ†ใ‹kyuuka
Ten chapters/departmentsๅ่ชฒใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใ‹ /
ใ˜ใฃใ‹
jukka /
jikka

ๆœŸ๏ผˆใ๏ผ‰- Term

Another counter than can be found in the office or the classroom, ๆœŸ(ใ) counts terms or semesters.

Example:

  1. โ€œIn Japan, the first semester starts in April.โ€ โ†’ โ€œๆ—ฅๆœฌใงใฏใ€ไธ€ๅญฆๆœŸใŒ4ๆœˆใ‹ใ‚‰ๅง‹ใพใ‚Šใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใซใปใ‚“ใงใฏใ€ใ„ใกใŒใฃใใŒใ—ใŒใคใ‹ใ‚‰ใฏใ˜ใพใ‚Šใพใ™)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One termไธ€ๆœŸใ„ใฃใikki
Two termsไบŒๆœŸใซใniki
Three termsไธ‰ๆœŸใ•ใ‚“ใsanki
Four termsๅ››ๆœŸใ‚ˆใ‚“ใyonki
Five termsไบ”ๆœŸใ”ใgoki
Six termsๅ…ญๆœŸใ‚ใฃใrokki
Seven termsไธƒๆœŸใชใชใnanaki
Eight termsๅ…ซๆœŸใฏใฃใ /
ใฏใกใ
hakki /
hachiki
Nine termsไนๆœŸใใ‚…ใ†ใkyuuki
Ten termsๅๆœŸใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใ /
ใ˜ใฃใ
jukki /
jikki

ๅ•๏ผˆใ‚‚ใ‚“๏ผ‰-  Questions, Problems

If you find yourself taking a Japanese test, this counter will certainly appear. ๅ•๏ผˆใ‚‚ใ‚“๏ผ‰ is the counter for problems or questions.

Example:

  1. โ€œThere are 5 English problems on this test.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใ“ใฎใƒ†ใ‚นใƒˆใซ่‹ฑ่ชžๅ•้กŒ5ๅ•ใŒๅซใพใ‚Œใฆใ„ใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใ“ใฎใƒ†ใ‚นใƒˆใซใˆใ„ใ”ใ‚‚ใ‚“ใ ใ„ใ”ใ‚‚ใ‚“ใŒใตใใพใ‚Œใฆใ„ใพใ™)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One questionไธ€ๅ•ใ„ใกใ‚‚ใ‚“ichimon
Two questionsไบŒๅ•ใซใ‚‚ใ‚“nimon
Three questionsไธ‰ๅ•ใ•ใ‚“ใ‚‚ใ‚“sanmon
Four questionsๅ››ๅ•ใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ‚‚ใ‚“yonmon
Five questionsไบ”ๅ•ใ”ใ‚‚ใ‚“gomon
Six questionsๅ…ญๅ•ใ‚ใใ‚‚ใ‚“rokumon
Seven questionsไธƒๅ•ใชใชใ‚‚ใ‚“ /
ใ—ใกใ‚‚ใ‚“
nanamon /
shichimon
Eight questionsๅ…ซๅ•ใฏใกใ‚‚ใ‚“hachimon
Nine questionsไนๅ•ใใ‚…ใ†ใ‚‚ใ‚“kyuumon
Ten questionsๅๅ•ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใ‚‚ใ‚“juumon

็‚น๏ผˆใฆใ‚“๏ผ‰- Dots, Points, Pottery, Artwork

็‚น(ใฆใ‚“) is most commonly used for scoring. Whether itโ€™s 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:

  1. โ€œI got a 100 on the test!โ€ โ†’ โ€œใƒ†ใ‚นใƒˆใง100็‚นๅ–ใฃใŸ๏ผโ€ (ใƒ†ใ‚นใƒˆใง100ใฆใ‚“ใจใฃใŸ)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One point/art pieceไธ€็‚นใ„ใฃใฆใ‚“itten
Two points/art piecesไบŒ็‚นใซใฆใ‚“niten
Three points/art piecesไธ‰็‚นใ•ใ‚“ใฆใ‚“santen
Four points/art piecesๅ››็‚นใ‚ˆใ‚“ใฆใ‚“yonten
Five points/art piecesไบ”็‚นใ”ใฆใ‚“goten
Six points/art piecesๅ…ญ็‚นใ‚ใใฆใ‚“rokuten
Seven points/art piecesไธƒ็‚นใชใชใฆใ‚“nanaten
Eight points/art piecesๅ…ซ็‚นใฏใกใฆใ‚“ /
ใฏใฃใฆใ‚“
hachiten /
hatten
Nine points/art piecesไน็‚นใใ‚…ใ†ใฆใ‚“kyuuten
Ten points/art piecesๅ็‚นใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใฆใ‚“ /
ใ˜ใฃใฆใ‚“
jutten /
jitten

Cooking and Dining

A wisk, wooden spoon, and several silver metal measuring spoons on a light brown table mat with some herbs for decoration

One of my favorite things about Japan is the food. Here are some useful food-related counters, whether youโ€™re eating out or trying your hand at Japanese recipes in your own home.

ๅ๏ผˆใ‚ใ„๏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. โ€œHow many people are in your party?โ€

Example:

โ€œHow many people in your party?โ€ โ€œTwo.โ€

  1. โ€œไฝ•ๅๆง˜ใงใ™ใ‹๏ผŸโ€ โ€œ2ๅ/2ไบบใงใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใชใ‚“ใ‚ใ„ใ•ใพใงใ™ใ‹? ใซใ‚ใ„/ใตใŸใ‚Šใงใ™)

**Important: although counting people using ไบบ relies on the ~ใค counting method from 1~2, you cannot use the ~ใค method with ๅ(ใ‚ใ„). It isnโ€™t correct to say โ€œใฒใจๅโ€ or โ€œใตใŸๅ.โ€ However, as shown in the example, you can respond to the question ไฝ•ๅๆง˜ใงใ™ใ‹๏ผŸ using either ๅ or ไบบ as your counter.

EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One personไธ€ๅใ„ใกใ‚ใ„ichimei
Two peopleไบŒๅใซใ‚ใ„nimei
Three peopleไธ‰ๅใ•ใ‚“ใ‚ใ„sanmei
Four peopleๅ››ๅใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ‚ใ„yonmei
Five peopleไบ”ๅใ”ใ‚ใ„gomei
Six peopleๅ…ญๅใ‚ใใ‚ใ„rokumei
Seven peopleไธƒๅใชใชใ‚ใ„ /
ใ—ใกใ‚ใ„
nanamei /
shichimei
Eight peopleๅ…ซๅใฏใกใ‚ใ„hachimei
Nine peopleไนๅใใ‚…ใ†ใ‚ใ„kyuumei
Ten peopleๅๅใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใ‚ใ„juumei

ๆฏ๏ผˆใฏใ„๏ผ‰- Cups/Glasses of Liquid, Bowls of Food (Particularly Rice, Noodles, or Curry)

As hinted by the toasting cheer ไนพๆฏ(ใ‹ใ‚“ใฑใ„), ๆฏ(ใฏใ„) 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:

  1. โ€œWeโ€™d like 4 beers, please.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใƒ“ใƒผใƒซใ‚’4ๆฏใใ ใ•ใ„ใ€‚โ€ (ใƒ“ใƒผใƒซใ‚’ใ‚ˆใ‚“ใฏใ„ใใ ใ•ใ„)
  2. โ€œCan I have another bowl of rice, please?โ€ โ†’ โ€œใ”ใฏใ‚“ใ‚’ใ‚‚ใ†ไธ€ๆฏใ„ใŸใ ใ„ใฆใ„ใ„ใงใ™ใ‹๏ผŸโ€ (ใ”ใฏใ‚“ใ‚’ใ‚‚ใ†ใ„ใฃใฑใ„ใ„ใŸใ ใ„ใฆใ„ใ„ใงใ™ใ‹)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One cup/bowlไธ€ๆฏใ„ใฃใฑใ„ippai
Two cups/bowlsไบŒๆฏใซใฏใ„nihai
Three cups/bowlsไธ‰ๆฏใ•ใ‚“ใฐใ„sanbai
Four cups/bowlsๅ››ๆฏใ‚ˆใ‚“ใฏใ„yonhai
Five cups/bowlsไบ”ๆฏใ”ใฏใ„gohai
Six cups/bowlsๅ…ญๆฏใ‚ใฃใฑใ„roppai
Seven cups/bowlsไธƒๆฏใชใชใฏใ„nanahai
Eight cups/bowlsๅ…ซๆฏใฏใฃใฑใ„ /
ใฏใกใฏใ„
happai /
hachihai
Nine cups/bowlsไนๆฏใใ‚…ใ†ใฏใ„kyuuhai
Ten cups/bowlsๅๆฏใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใฑใ„ /
ใ˜ใฃใฑใ„
juppai /
jippai

็››๏ผˆใ‚‚ใ‚Š๏ผ‰- Serving Sizes; Bowls, Cups, or Baskets of Something

While ็›› (ใ‚‚ใ‚Š) 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 donโ€™t use numbers, but sizes: ๅฐ(ใ“) โ€“ small, ไธฆ(ใชใฟ) โ€“ regular, and ๅคง(ใŠใŠ) โ€“ large.

Example:

  1. โ€œIโ€™d like a regular serving of rice, please.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใ”้ฃฏใ‚’ไธฆ็››ใงใŠ้ก˜ใ„ใ—ใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใ”ใฏใ‚“ใ‚’ใชใฟใ‚‚ใ‚ŠใงใŠใญใŒใ„ใ—ใพใ™)

If you are using ็›› to count something, be aware that it uses the ใค system for 1~2 items.

Example:

  1. โ€œI got one basket of peaches at a grocery store.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใ‚นใƒผใƒ‘ใƒผใงๆกƒใ‚’๏ผ‘็››่ฒทใ„ใพใ—ใŸใ€‚โ€ (ใ‚นใƒผใƒ‘ใƒผใงใ‚‚ใ‚‚ใ‚’ใฒใจใ‚‚ใ‚Šใ‹ใ„ใพใ—ใŸ)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One basket (of something)ไธ€็››ใฒใจใ‚‚ใ‚Šhitomori
Two baskets (of something)ไบŒ็››ใตใŸใ‚‚ใ‚Šfutamori
Three baskets (of something)ไธ‰็››ใ•ใ‚“ใ‚‚ใ‚Šsanmori
Four baskets (of something)ๅ››็››ใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ‚‚ใ‚Šyonmori
Five baskets (of something)ไบ”็››ใ”ใ‚‚ใ‚Šgomori
Six baskets (of something)ๅ…ญ็››ใ‚ใใ‚‚ใ‚Šrokumori
Seven baskets (of something)ไธƒ็››ใชใชใ‚‚ใ‚Šnanamori
Eight baskets (of something)ๅ…ซ็››ใฏใกใ‚‚ใ‚Šhachimori
Nine baskets (of something)ไน็››ใใ‚…ใ†ใ‚‚ใ‚Škyuumori
Ten baskets (of something)ๅ็››ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใ‚‚ใ‚Šjuumori

ๅˆ๏ผˆใ”ใ†๏ผ‰- Cups for Measuring Rice (Approx. 0.18 Liters)

This counter might seem specific, but it is an important one since rice is Japanโ€™s staple food. When you buy a Japanese rice cooker, it will come with a special cup for measuring rice. You donโ€™t want to get this wrong, because the incorrect amount of water per ๅˆ(ใ”ใ†) of dry rice can make for an unpleasant eating experience.

This can also be used to count sake bottles.

Example:

  1. โ€œIโ€™ll cook two cups of rice.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใ”้ฃฏ2ๅˆใ‚’็‚Šใใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใ”ใฏใ‚“ใซใ”ใ†ใ‚’ใŸใใพใ™)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One cup of rice (dry)ไธ€ๅˆใ„ใกใ”ใ†ichigou
Two cups of rice (dry)ไบŒๅˆใซใ”ใ†nigou
Three cups of rice (dry)ไธ‰ๅˆใ•ใ‚“ใ”ใ†sangou
Four cups of rice (dry)ๅ››ๅˆใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ”ใ†yongou
Five cups of rice (dry)ไบ”ๅˆใ”ใ”ใ†gogou
Six cups of rice (dry)ๅ…ญๅˆใ‚ใใ”ใ†rokugou
Seven cups of rice (dry)ไธƒๅˆใชใชใ”ใ†nanagou
Eight cups of rice (dry)ๅ…ซๅˆใฏใกใ”ใ†hachigou
Nine cups of rice (dry)ไนๅˆใใ‚…ใ†ใ”ใ†kyuugou
Ten cups of rice (dry)ๅๅˆใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใ”ใ†juugou

ๅŒ™๏ผˆใ•ใ˜๏ผ‰- Spoonful

Another useful counter for cooking, ใ•ใ˜ is used mainly for counting spoons full of something. Much like ็››(ใ‚‚ใ‚Š), it doubles as a standard of measurement. ๅฐใ•ใ˜(ใ“ใ•ใ˜) is the term for teaspoon and ๅคงใ•ใ˜(ใŠใŠใ•ใ˜) is the term for tablespoon. You might notice that both of these terms are not written in kanji. ใ•ใ˜ is almost always written in hiragana. However, some cookbooks might use the kanji, so itโ€™s good to know what it looks like.

Examples:

  1. โ€œIngredients: 1 Tbsp salt, 2 tsp olive oil, a pinch of pepperโ€ โ†’ โ€œๆๆ–™๏ผšๅกฉๅคงใ•ใ˜1ๆฏใ€ใ‚ชใƒชใƒผใƒ–ๆฒนๅฐใ•ใ˜2ๆฏใ€ใ‚ณใ‚ทใƒงใ‚ฆๅฐ‘ใ€….โ€ (ใ–ใ„ใ‚Šใ‚‡ใ†๏ผšใ—ใŠใŠใŠใ•ใ˜ใ„ใฃใฑใ„ใ€ใ‚ชใƒชใƒผใƒ–ใ‚†ใ“ใ•ใ˜ใซใฏใ„ใ€ใ‚ณใ‚ทใƒงใ‚ฆใ—ใ‚‡ใ†ใ—ใ‚‡ใ†)
  2. โ€œI would like two spoons of sugar in my coffee, please.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใ‚ณใƒผใƒ’ใƒผใซ็ ‚็ณ–ใ‚’๏ผ’ใ•ใ˜ๅ…ฅใ‚Œใฆใใ ใ•ใ„.โ€ (ใ‚ณใƒผใƒ’ใƒผใซใ•ใจใ†ใ‚’ใตใŸใ•ใ˜ใ„ใ‚Œใฆใใ ใ•ใ„)

Be careful about counting spoons full of something versus counting tablespoons and teaspoons. You may notice that in the case of ใ•ใ˜ being used to designate teaspoons or tablespoons, it requires the counter ๆฏ(ใฏใ„)

EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One spoonfulไธ€ๅŒ™ใฒใจใ•ใ˜hitosaji
Two spoonfulsไบŒๅŒ™ใตใŸใ•ใ˜futasaji
Three spoonfulsไธ‰ๅŒ™ใ•ใ‚“ใ•ใ‚“ใ˜ /
ใฟใ•ใ˜
sansaji /
misaji
Four spoonfulsๅ››ๅŒ™ใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ•ใ˜yonsaji
Five spoonfulsไบ”ๅŒ™ใ”ใ•ใ˜gosaji
Six spoonfulsๅ…ญๅŒ™ใ‚ใใ•ใ˜rokusaji
Seven spoonfulsไธƒๅŒ™ใชใชใ•ใ˜nanasaji
Eight spoonfulsๅ…ซๅŒ™ใฏใกใ•ใ˜ /
ใฏใฃใ•ใ˜
hachisaji /
hassaji
Nine spoonfulsไนๅŒ™ใใ‚…ใ†ใ•ใ˜kyuusaji
Ten spoonfulsๅๅŒ™ใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใ•ใ˜ /
ใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใ•ใ˜
juusaji /
jussaji

่†ณ๏ผˆใœใ‚“๏ผ‰- Chopsticks

If you are buying ready-to-eat food at a convenience store or supermarket, this counter might be used. ่†ณ(ใœใ‚“) is the specific counter used for pairs of chopsticks.

A Typical Conversation Sounds Like This:

  1. โ€œWould you like chopsticks?โ€ โ€œYes, two pairs, please.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใŠ็ฎธไป˜ใ‘ใพใ™ใ‹๏ผŸโ€ โ€œใฏใ„ใ€2่†ณใŠใญใŒใ„ใ—ใพใ™ใ€‚โ€ (ใŠใฏใ—ใคใ‘ใพใ™ใ‹๏ผŸ ใฏใ„ใ€ใซใœใ‚“ใŠใญใŒใ„ใ—ใพใ™)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One pair of chopsticksไธ€่†ณใ„ใกใœใ‚“ichizen
Two pairs of chopsticksไบŒ่†ณใซใœใ‚“nizen
Three pairs of chopsticksไธ‰่†ณใ•ใ‚“ใœใ‚“sanzen
Four pairs of chopsticksๅ››่†ณใ‚ˆใ‚“ใœใ‚“yonzen
Five pairs of chopsticksไบ”่†ณใ”ใœใ‚“gozen
Six pairs of chopsticksๅ…ญ่†ณใ‚ใใœใ‚“rokuzen
Seven pairs of chopsticksไธƒ่†ณใชใชใœใ‚“nanazen
Eight pairs of chopsticksๅ…ซ่†ณใฏใกใœใ‚“hachizen
Nine pairs of chopsticksไน่†ณใใ‚…ใ†ใœใ‚“kyuuzen
Ten pairs of chopsticksๅ่†ณใ˜ใ‚…ใ†ใœใ‚“juuzen

่ฒซ๏ผˆใ‹ใ‚“๏ผ‰- Sushi

Another specific counter, ่ฒซ(ใ‹ใ‚“)s for the sushi lovers. It is useful if youโ€™re eating at a sushi restaurant and want to show off your Japanese skills.

Example:

  1. โ€œI would like two pieces of tuna sushi, please.โ€ โ†’ โ€œใƒžใ‚ฐใƒญๆกใ‚Šใ‚’2่ฒซใใ ใ•ใ„ใ€‚โ€ (ใƒžใ‚ฐใƒญใซใŽใ‚Šใ‚’ใซใ‹ใ‚“ใใ ใ•ใ„)
EnglishKanjiHiraganaRomaji
One piece of sushiไธ€่ฒซใ„ใฃใ‹ใ‚“ikkan
Two pieces of sushiไบŒ่ฒซใซใ‹ใ‚“nikan
Three pieces of sushiไธ‰่ฒซใ•ใ‚“ใ‹ใ‚“sankan
Four pieces of sushiๅ››่ฒซใ‚ˆใ‚“ใ‹ใ‚“yonkan
Five pieces of sushiไบ”่ฒซใ”ใ‹ใ‚“gokan
Six pieces of sushiๅ…ญ่ฒซใ‚ใฃใ‹ใ‚“rokkan
Seven pieces of sushiไธƒ่ฒซใชใชใ‹ใ‚“nanakan
Eight pieces of sushiๅ…ซ่ฒซใฏใกใ‹ใ‚“ /
ใฏใฃใ‹ใ‚“
hachikan /
hakkan
Nine pieces of sushiไน่ฒซใใ‚…ใ†ใ‹ใ‚“kyuukan
Ten pieces of sushiๅ่ฒซใ˜ใ‚…ใฃใ‹ใ‚“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€‹๏ผˆใ“๏ผ‰and ใค. 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!

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Erin Himeno

Erin hails from the east coast of the United States. She initially came to Japan to share her love of English and country cookin', but ended up getting married and adopting two chubby cats. Erin doesn't mind; she enjoys her life in Japan and writes about culture shock, culture share, and the exciting chapters in between.

1 thought on “The Most Useful Japanese Counters You Need to Know”

  1. 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! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply

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