Essential 13 Japanese Counters You Should Learn

Counting is supposed to be simple, right? Well, not in Japanese!

At first glance, the Japanese counting system might appear daunting. Simply stating numbers isn’t sufficient; you must use specific counterwords that correspond to what you’re counting. This can be tricky, as the counterwords vary based on the item. But don’t fret—we’re here to guide you! In this article, you’ll discover 13 essential Japanese counters that will make counting much easier.

Important: Several of these counters alter the pronunciation of the numbers that precede them, and their own pronunciation may vary depending on the number they accompany. A table will illustrate these pronunciation changes where applicable. If a counter isn’t included in the tables below, or if no table exists for that counter, simply combine the counter and number without modifying the pronunciation.

The basic counters

The first two counters are essential tools you’ll want to master, as they are applicable in virtually any situation. By focusing on just these two, you’ll be equipped to communicate effectively in a variety of contexts.

1. つ (tsu)

This is your essential counter for all things Japanese! Whether you’re ordering food and drinks, discussing various objects, or even exploring abstract ideas, this counter can handle it all.

You can basically substitute any counter on this list for つ, and people will understand you.

Typically, people count up to the number 9 using this counter, and the pronunciation of each number varies accordingly. Here’s a guide on how to say these numbers:

In the examples provided, you’ll notice that both kanji and Arabic numerals are utilized, as illustrated in the table. This pattern remains consistent across all instances in the list. While we’ve primarily focused on kanji in this article, both numeral systems appear in written Japanese.

Example sentence: 

りんごを三つ買いました。

(ringo o mittsu kaimashita – I bought three apples)

2. 個 (ko)

The second counter on our list is nearly as versatile as つ, but with its own unique applications. You can use it to count 3D objects, food orders, age differences, tiny items like cells, massive entities such as planets, and even empty boxes and cans.

The pronunciation of the numbers 1, 6, 8, 10, and 100 change when using 個. Here’s how:

Example sentence: 

リンゴを五個買いました。

(ringo o goko kaimashita – I bought five apples.)

Specialized counters

After mastering the basic counters, start including these more specialized ones in your Japanese.

3. 人 (nin)

When counting people in Japanese, simply add 人 (nin) to the end of a number. However, remember there are two exceptions where the pronunciation of the number alters slightly.

•   一人 (hitori – one person)
•   二人 (futari – two people)

Example sentence: 

パーティーに五人が来ました。

(pātī ni gonin ga kimashita – Five people came to the party.)

4. 枚 (mai)

This counter is perfect for flat items such as paper, plates, or pizza slices. If it’s flat, it fits! The pronunciation remains unchanged when using this counter; simply place it after the number, and you’re all set.

Example sentence:

切手を二枚ください。

(kitte o nimai kudasai – Two stamps, please.)

5. 本 (hon)

This counter is for long, cylindrical objects. Think bottles, pens, or even bananas.

Here’s how the pronunciation of the numbers and 本 change:

This pattern continues for numbers past 10, too. For example, 16 long objects are 十六本 (jūroppon) and so on.

Example sentence: 

ペンを一本借りてもいいですか。

(pen o ippon karitemo ī desu ka? – May I borrow a pen?)

6. 冊 (satsu)

Use this counter for books and notebooks. Some of the numbers change when using this counter:

Example sentence: 

図書館で本を三冊借りました。

(Toshokan de hon o sansatsu karimashita – I borrowed three books from the library.)

7. 台 (dai)

Use 台 (dai) to count machines, vehicles, and furniture.

Example sentence:

駐車場に車が六台あります。

(chūshajō ni kuruma ga rokudai arimasu – There are six cars in the parking lot.)

Animal counters

The next three counters will help you talk about animals in Japanese.

8. 匹 (hiki)

Use this for small animals, insects, and fish. Let’s look at the pronunciation changes when using this counter:

Example sentence: 

猫を二匹飼っています。

(neko o nihiki katte imasu – I have two cats.)

9. 頭 (tō)

When dealing with larger animals like cows or horses, use 頭 (tō).

Example sentence: 

牧場に牛が三頭います。

(Bokujō ni ushi ga santō imasu – There are three cows in the pasture.)

10. 羽 (wa)

This counter (which literally means “feather”) is for birds and, surprisingly, rabbits.

Example sentence: 

鳥が四羽空を飛んでいます。

(tori ga yonwa sora o tonde imasu – Four birds are flying in the sky.)

Other useful counters

And finally, here are three more counters that are useful in day-to-day conversations.

11. 回 (kai)

Use this to count the number of times something happens. Here are the pronunciation changes:

Example sentence: 

今週日本語の授業が三回あります。

(konshū nihongo no jugyō ga sankai arimasu – This week, there are three Japanese classes.)

12. 分 (fun)

For counting minutes, use 分. Here are the pronunciation changes:

Example sentence: 

バスは十分遅れています。

(basu wa juppun okurete imasu – The bus is ten minutes late.)

13. 歳 (sai)

When discussing someone’s age in Japanese, the term used is 歳 (sai). It’s important to note that there are a few pronunciation variations associated with this counter.

Example sentence: 

私の妹は七歳です。

(watashi no imōto wa nanasai desu – My younger sister is seven years old.)

Learn to count in Japanese

Mastering these 14 counters will enhance your Japanese communication skills significantly. Whenever you find yourself unsure of the appropriate counter to use, rely on the first two in this list—つ and 個—as versatile options that can be applied to nearly any situation.

And if you need more practice and support, why not learn Japanese online with a LingualNeeds tutor?