{"id":5169,"date":"2016-12-02T19:23:32","date_gmt":"2016-12-02T19:23:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/?p=5169"},"modified":"2018-07-24T13:27:10","modified_gmt":"2018-07-24T13:27:10","slug":"10-useful-japanese-counters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/10-useful-japanese-counters\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Useful Japanese Counters"},"content":{"rendered":"

For counting anything in Japanese, different affixes are attached to numbers. These affixes are called counters or \u52a9\u6570\u8a5e <\/span>jos<\/span><\/i>\u016b<\/span><\/i>shi. <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Japanese counters are used to count objects of different sizes and shapes, living things, time, actions etc. For example, \u67ff\u3092\u4e00\u500b\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 <\/span>Kaki wo ikko kudasai <\/span><\/i>(give me one persimmon). The counter for round objects is \u500b <\/span>ko <\/span><\/i>and persimmon being a round object (fruit), \u500b <\/span>ko <\/span><\/i>is used along with the number or numbers that quantifies it. <\/span><\/p>\n

The most basic \u52a9\u6570\u8a5e <\/span>jos<\/span><\/i>\u016b<\/span><\/i>shi<\/span><\/i> is \u3064 <\/span>tsu. <\/span><\/i>It is a generic counter used for counting almost anything. However, there are specific counters for specific items and in this lesson we will learn about 10 such counters.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u672c <\/b>hon<\/i><\/b> \u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0\u00a0counter for long and slender objects<\/span> like umbrellas, poles, flowers, bananas, chopsticks etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to count? <\/span><\/p>\n

1 \u00a0\u3044\u3063\u307d\u3093 ippon\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

2 \u00a0\u306b\u307b\u3093 nihon\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

3 \u00a0\u3055\u3093\u307c\u3093 sanbon\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

4 \u00a0\u3088\u3093\u307b\u3093 yonhon\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

5 \u00a0\u3054\u307b\u3093 gohon\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

6 \u00a0\u308d\u3063\u307d\u3093 roppon\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

7 \u00a0\u306a\u306a\u307b\u3093 nanahon\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

8 \u00a0\u306f\u3061\u307b\u3093 hachihon\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

9 \u00a0\u304d\u3085\u3046\u307b\u3093 ky<\/span>\u016b<\/span>hon<\/span><\/p>\n

10 \u3058\u3085\u3063\u307d\u3093 juppon<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u30d0\u30ca\u30ca\u304c\u4e09\u672c\u6b8b\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002Banana ga sanbon nokotteiru. There are three bananas left.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u500b <\/b>ko <\/i><\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i>counter for small, round or dense objects like apples, pebbles, buckets etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to count? <\/span><\/p>\n

1 \u00a0\u3044\u3063\u3053 ikko\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

2 \u00a0\u306b\u3053 niko\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

3 \u00a0\u3055\u3093\u3053 sanko\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

4 \u00a0\u3088\u3093\u3053 yonko\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

5 \u00a0\u3054\u3053 goko\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

6 \u00a0\u308d\u3063\u3053 rokko\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

7 \u00a0\u306a\u306a\u3053 nanako\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

8 \u00a0\u306f\u3063\u3053 hakko\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

9 \u00a0\u304d\u3085\u3046\u3053 ky<\/span>\u016b<\/span>ko<\/span><\/p>\n

10 \u3058\u3085\u3063\u3053 jukko<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u53cb\u9054\u304b\u3089\u30ea\u30f3\u30b4\u3092\u516b\u500b\u3082\u3089\u3063\u305f\u3002Tomodachi kara ringo wo hakko moratta. I received 8 apples from my friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u679a <\/b>mai<\/i><\/b> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i>counter for flat, thin and broad objects like \u00a0papers, plates, kimonos etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to count? <\/span><\/p>\n

1 \u00a0\u3044\u3061\u307e\u3044 ichimai<\/span><\/p>\n

2 \u00a0\u306b\u307e\u3044 nimai<\/span><\/p>\n

3 \u00a0\u3055\u3093\u307e\u3044 sanmai\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

4 \u00a0\u3088\u3093\u307e\u3044 yonmai<\/span><\/p>\n

5 \u00a0\u3054\u307e\u3044 gomai<\/span><\/p>\n

6 \u00a0\u308d\u304f\u307e\u3044 rokumai\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

7 \u00a0\u306a\u306a\u307e\u3044 nanamai\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

8 \u00a0\u306f\u3061\u307e\u3044 hachimai<\/span><\/p>\n

9 \u00a0\u304d\u3085\u3046\u307e\u3044 ky<\/span>\u016b<\/span>mai<\/span><\/p>\n

10 \u3058\u3085\u3046\u307e\u3044 j<\/span>\u016b<\/span>mai<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u7d19\u3092\u4e00\u679a\u53d6\u3063\u3066\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002Kami wo ichimai totte kudasai. Please take one sheet of paper.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u518asatsu<\/b> \u00a0counter for bound items like books, magazines etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to count? <\/span><\/p>\n

1 \u00a0\u3044\u3063\u3055\u3064 issatsu<\/span><\/p>\n

2 \u00a0\u306b\u3055\u3064 nisatsu<\/span><\/p>\n

3 \u00a0\u3055\u3093\u3055\u3064 sansatsu\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

4 \u00a0\u3088\u3093\u3055\u3064 yonsatsu<\/span><\/p>\n

5 \u00a0\u3054\u3055\u3064 gosatsu<\/span><\/p>\n

6 \u00a0\u308d\u304f\u3055\u3064 rokusatsu\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

7 \u00a0\u306a\u306a\u3055\u3064 nanasatsu\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

8 \u00a0\u306f\u3063\u3055\u3064 hassatsu<\/span><\/p>\n

9 \u00a0\u304d\u3085\u3046\u3055\u3064 ky<\/span>\u016b<\/span>satsu<\/span><\/p>\n

10 \u3058\u3085\u3063\u3055\u3064 jus<\/span>satsu<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u3053\u3053\u306b\u672c\u304c\u4e8c\u518a\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002Kokoni hon ga nisatsu arimasu. Here are two books.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u8db3 soku <\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0counter for pair, like a pair of socks, a pair of shoes etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to count? <\/span><\/p>\n

1 \u00a0\u3044\u3063\u305d\u304f issoku<\/span><\/p>\n

2 \u00a0\u306b\u305d\u304f nisoku<\/span><\/p>\n

3 \u00a0\u3055\u3093\u305e\u304f sanzoku\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

4 \u00a0\u3088\u3093\u305d\u304f yonsoku<\/span><\/p>\n

5 \u00a0\u3054\u305d\u304f gosoku<\/span><\/p>\n

6 \u00a0\u308d\u304f\u305d\u304f rokusoku\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

7 \u00a0\u306a\u306a\u305d\u304f nanasoku<\/span><\/p>\n

8 \u00a0\u306f\u3063\u305d\u304f hassoku<\/span><\/p>\n

9 \u00a0\u304d\u3085\u3046\u305d\u304f ky<\/span>\u016b<\/span>soku<\/span><\/p>\n

10 \u3058\u3085\u3063\u305d\u304f ju<\/span>ssoku<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u9774\u4e0b\u3092\u4e00\u8db3\u8cb7\u3044\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002Kutsushita wo issoku kaimashita. I bought a pair of socks.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u4eba nin \u00a0\u00a0<\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0counter for persons <\/span><\/p>\n

How to count?<\/span><\/p>\n

1 \u00a0\u00a0\u3072\u3068\u308a hitori<\/span><\/p>\n

2 \u00a0\u3075\u305f\u308a futari<\/span><\/p>\n

3 \u00a0\u3055\u3093\u306b\u3093 sannin\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

4 \u00a0\u3088\u306b\u3093 yonin<\/span><\/p>\n

5 \u00a0\u3054\u306b\u3093 gonin<\/span><\/p>\n

6 \u00a0\u308d\u304f\u306b\u3093 rokunin\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

7 \u00a0\u3057\u3061\u306b\u3093 shichinin\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

8 \u00a0\u306f\u3061\u306b\u3093 hachinin<\/span><\/p>\n

9 \u00a0\u304d\u3085\u3046\u306b\u3093 ky<\/span>\u016b<\/span>nin<\/span><\/p>\n

10 \u3058\u3085\u3046\u306b\u3093 j<\/span>\u016b<\/span>nin<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u53cb\u9054\u304c\u56db\u4eba\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002Tomodachi ga yonin imasu. I have four friends.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u6cca haku<\/b> \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0counter for number of nights stayed, like one night, two nights etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to count?<\/span><\/p>\n

1 \u00a0\u3044\u3063\u3071\u304f ippaku<\/span><\/p>\n

2 \u00a0\u306b\u306f\u304f nihaku<\/span><\/p>\n

3 \u00a0\u3055\u3093\u3071\u304f sanpaku\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

4 \u00a0\u3088\u3093\u3071\u304f yonpaku<\/span><\/p>\n

5 \u00a0\u3054\u306f\u304f gohaku<\/span><\/p>\n

6 \u00a0\u308d\u3063\u3071\u304f roppaku\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

7 \u00a0\u306a\u306a\u306f\u304f nanahaku\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

8 \u00a0\u306f\u3063\u3071\u304f happaku<\/span><\/p>\n

9 \u00a0\u304d\u3085\u3046\u306f\u304f ky<\/span>\u016b<\/span>haku<\/span><\/p>\n

10 \u3058\u3085\u3063\u3071\u304f j<\/span>u<\/span>ppaku<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u3053\u306e\u30db\u30c6\u30eb\u306f\u4e00\u6cca\u3044\u304f\u3089\u3067\u3059\u304b\u3002Kono hoteru wa ippaku ikura desuka. How much does this hotel costs for one night?<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u5339 hiki<\/b> \u00a0counter for small animals like fishes, insects, worms, small mammals etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to count?<\/span><\/p>\n

1 \u00a0\u3044\u3063\u3074\u304d ippiki<\/span><\/p>\n

2 \u00a0\u306b\u3072\u304d nihiki<\/span><\/p>\n

3 \u00a0\u3055\u3093\u3073\u304d sanbiki\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

4 \u00a0\u3088\u3093\u3072\u304d yonhiki<\/span><\/p>\n

5 \u00a0\u3054\u3072\u304d gohiki<\/span><\/p>\n

6 \u00a0\u308d\u3063\u3074\u304d roppiki<\/span><\/p>\n

7 \u00a0\u306a\u306a\u3072\u304d nanahiki\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

8 \u00a0\u306f\u3063\u3074\u304d happiki<\/span><\/p>\n

9 \u00a0\u304d\u3085\u3046\u3072\u304d ky<\/span>\u016b<\/span>hiki<\/span><\/p>\n

10 \u3058\u3085\u3063\u3074\u304d j<\/span>u<\/span>ppiki<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u9b5a\u3092\u4e00\u5339\u91e3\u308a\u307e\u3057\u305f\u3002Sakana wo ippiki tsurimashita. I caught one fish.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u53f0 <\/b>dai <\/i><\/b>\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/i>counter for vehicles or machines like cars, televisions, washing machines etc.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to count?<\/span><\/p>\n

1 \u00a0\u3044\u3061\u3060\u3044 ichidai<\/span><\/p>\n

2 \u00a0\u306b\u3060\u3044 nidai<\/span><\/p>\n

3 \u00a0\u3055\u3093\u3060\u3044 sandai\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

4 \u00a0\u3088\u3093\u3060\u3044 yondai<\/span><\/p>\n

5 \u00a0\u3054\u3060\u3044 godai<\/span><\/p>\n

6 \u00a0\u308d\u304f\u3060\u3044 rokudai<\/span><\/p>\n

7 \u00a0\u306a\u306a\u3060\u3044 nanadai<\/span><\/p>\n

8 \u00a0\u306f\u3061\u3060\u3044 hachidai<\/span><\/p>\n

9 \u00a0\u304d\u3085\u3046\u3060\u3044 ky<\/span>\u016b<\/span>dai<\/span><\/p>\n

10 \u3058\u3085\u3046\u3060\u3044 j<\/span>\u016b<\/span>dai<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u6559\u5ba4\u306b\u306f\u30d1\u30bd\u30b3\u30f3\u304c\u4e00\u53f0\u3057\u304b\u3042\u308a\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3002Kyoushitsu ni wa pasokon ga\u00a0<\/span>ichidai shika arimasen. There is only one computer in the classroom.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u968e<\/b> Kai <\/i><\/b>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/b>counter for floors<\/span><\/p>\n

How to count?<\/span><\/p>\n

1 \u00a0\u3044\u3063\u304b\u3044 ikkai<\/span><\/p>\n

2 \u306b\u304b\u3044 nikai<\/span><\/p>\n

3 \u00a0\u3055\u3093\u304c\u3044 sangai\u3000<\/span><\/p>\n

4 \u00a0\u3088\u3093\u304b\u3044 yonkai<\/span><\/p>\n

5 \u00a0\u3054\u304b\u3044 gokai<\/span><\/p>\n

6 \u00a0\u308d\u3063\u304b\u3044 rokkai<\/span><\/p>\n

7 \u00a0\u306a\u306a\u304b\u3044 nanakai<\/span><\/p>\n

8 \u00a0\u306f\u3061\u304b\u3044 hachikai<\/span><\/p>\n

9 \u00a0\u304d\u3085\u3046\u304b\u3044 ky<\/span>\u016b<\/span>kai<\/span><\/p>\n

10 \u3058\u3085\u3063\u304b\u3044 j<\/span>u<\/span>kkai<\/span><\/p>\n

Example: \u98df\u5802\u306f\u4e8c\u968e\u306b\u3042\u308a\u307e\u3059\u3002Shokudo wa nikai ni arimasu. The cafeteria is on the second floor.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For counting anything in Japanese, different affixes are attached to numbers. These affixes are called counters or \u52a9\u6570\u8a5e jos\u016bshi. Japanese counters are used to count objects of different sizes and shapes, living things, time, actions etc. For example, \u67ff\u3092\u4e00\u500b\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044 Kaki wo ikko kudasai (give me one persimmon). The counter for round objects is \u500b ko…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":143,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5169","post","type-post","status-publish","hentry","category-grammar"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5169","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/143"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5169"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5169\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5912,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5169\/revisions\/5912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5169"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5169"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/japanese\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5169"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}