Buzz
Counting numbers is one of the essential skills to acquire when learning a new language. Japanese features two numerical systems: the Sino-Japanese system (Kango) and the native Japanese system (Wago). The native Japanese system is only used for counting up to 10. The Sino-Japanese system requires the addition of a counter word after the number to specify the type of object being counted.
Steps
Counting to 10 in the Native Japanese (Wago) Style
Understand when to use the native Japanese counting style. The native Japanese system is generally simpler than the Sino-Japanese system and is exclusively used for counting objects from 1 to 10. This system is also considered the more common counting method. However, it cannot be used for counting money, time, or people.
- The native Japanese counting style does not require counter words, making it easier to use in everyday situations, such as when ordering 1 cup of coffee or 3 servings of sushi.
Start with numbers 1 through 5. Use flashcards or a similar method to learn the first five numbers in the native Japanese counting style. If you already know Hiragana, you can listen to these words.
- One (1) is ひとつ (hitotsu, pronounced "hee-toh-tsoo").
- Two (2) is ふたつ (futatsu, pronounced "foo-tah-tsoo").
- Three (3) is みっつ (mittsu, pronounced "mee-tsoo." Pause briefly between syllables).
- Four (4) is よっつ (yottsu, pronounced "yoh-tsoo").
- Five (5) is いつつ (itsutsu, pronounced "ee-tsoo-tsoo").
- There is no representation for zero (0) in the native Japanese counting system. To count zero, you must use the Kanji from the Sino-Japanese system.
Continue learning numbers 6 through 10. Once you’ve mastered the first five numbers, move on to the next five using similar practice methods. Now you can count up to 10 in the native Japanese or Wago style.
- Six (6) is むっつ (muttsu, pronounced "moo-tsoo").
- Seven (7) is ななつ (nanatsu, pronounced "nah-nah-tsoo").
- Eight (8) is やっつ (yattsu, pronounced "yah-tsoo").
- Nine (9) is ここのつ (kokonotsu, pronounced "koh-koh-noh-tsoo").
- Ten (10) is とう (tou, pronounced "toh").
- You may notice that, except for 10, all numbers end with the sound "tsu" (つ). When reading Kanji, you can identify the counting system based on whether the numbers end with this character.
Using the Sino-Japanese System
Memorize the words and characters for numbers 1 through 5. The Sino-Japanese system uses Kanji to represent each number. The pronunciation of these characters differs from the native Japanese system. Use flashcards or a similar method to memorize these characters and their pronunciations.
- One (1) is 一 (ichi, pronounced "ee-chee").
- Two (2) is 二 (ni, pronounced "nee").
- Three (3) is 三 (san, pronounced "sahn").
- Four (4) is 四 (shi, pronounced "shee"). Since this sounds like the word for "death" in Japanese, the pronunciation yon is often used instead—especially when referring to people.
- Five (5) is 五 (go, pronounced "goh").
Move on to characters and numbers 6 through 10. Once you’ve learned the Kanji and pronunciations for numbers 1 through 5, you can proceed to the next five numbers. Practice until you’re as comfortable with these as you are with the first five. Now you can count to 10 in the Sino-Japanese system.
- Six (6) is 六 (roku, pronounced "loh-koo").
- Seven (7) is 七 (shichi, pronounced "shee-chee"). Since this also sounds like shi (four), the pronunciation nana is often used as an alternative.
- Eight (8) is 八 (hachi, pronounced "hah-chee").
- Nine (9) is 九 (kyuu, pronounced "kyoo").
- Ten (10) is 十 (juu, pronounced "joo").
- You can also use Kanji with the native Japanese system. Simply add the character "tsu" (つ) after the Kanji. For example, the number 1 would be 一つ. You would read this as hitotsu, not ichi.
Combine characters to create larger numbers. Once you can count to 10, counting higher becomes a breeze. Unlike English and other European languages, Japanese doesn’t require learning new words for larger numbers. By breaking numbers into parts and combining the corresponding characters, you can count up to 99 with just 10 characters.
- For example, 31 is 三十一: Three tens and one. You would read it as san juu ichi. 54 is 五十四: Five tens and four. You would read it as go juu shi.
Add 目 (me, pronounced "meh") to count ordinal numbers. If you want to say "first" or "second" instead of the usual cardinal numbers, add the character 目 after the number. Read the number followed by 目.
- For example, 一 目 means "first." You would read it as ichi me (pronounced "ee-chee meh").
- Count similarly for larger numbers. For instance, 三十一 目 means "thirty-first." However, in most cases, you’ll be referring to the 31st something, such as the 31st time or someone’s 31st birthday. To express this, you’ll need an appropriate counter word for that item.
Learn Basic Counter Words
Count people with the counter 人 (nin, pronounced "neen"). While many counter words can apply to various objects, none of them are used for counting people. When counting people, you must always add 人 after the number.
- For example, 九 人 (kyuu nin, pronounced "kyoo neen") means "nine people."
- The first two counters are exceptions. To say "one person," 一 人, you would say hitori (pronounced "hee-tohr-ee"). To say "two people," 二 人, you would say futari (pronounced "foo-tah-lee"). For all other numbers, simply add nin to the number.
Use the counter つ (tsu, pronounced "tsoo") for three-dimensional objects. Although Japanese has hundreds of specific counters, this one can be used for almost anything. It applies not only to solid 3D objects but also to things without a definite shape, such as shadows or sound waves.
- For numbers 1 through 10, つ is used in the native Japanese system, not the Sino-Japanese system.
- While this counter applies to 3D objects, it can also be used for abstract things like thoughts, opinions, ideas, or reasons.
- Use the tsu counter when ordering something—whether it’s a cup of coffee, sushi rolls, or concert tickets.
Use the counter 個 (ko, pronounced "koh") for items with clear boundaries. The ko counter is almost as versatile as tsu, with significant overlap between the two. However, ko has some limitations that tsu does not.
- For example, you can use ko to describe the age difference between two people but not to state someone’s age.
- Generally, if you use ko or tsu as a counter, people will understand what you mean.
Add 目 (me, pronounced "meh") after a counter to indicate order. When using a number and a counter, you’re describing a quantity. If you add 目 after the counter, it indicates the ordinal position of the item (instead of the quantity).
- For example, 一回 means "one time." However, adding 目 changes it to 一回目, meaning "the first time."
- Similarly, 四人 means "four people." Adding 目 turns it into 四人目, meaning "the fourth person."
Tips
- Since the character "一" can easily be altered to represent other numbers, more complex Kanji are used for money, financial records, and legal documents.
- Western and Arabic numerals are commonly used in horizontal writing, while Kanji characters are used in vertical writing.
- If the concept of "counters" seems confusing or complicated, remember that technically, all languages use counters. For example, in Vietnamese, you wouldn’t say you have 5 dirt—you’d say you have 5 piles of dirt. The only difference in Japanese is that everything has a counter, not just items with indefinite shapes.
