{"id":494,"date":"2025-08-30T10:11:16","date_gmt":"2025-08-30T01:11:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jlpt-japanese-study.com\/?p=494"},"modified":"2025-08-31T10:33:19","modified_gmt":"2025-08-31T01:33:19","slug":"essential-japanese-counters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jlpt-japanese-study.com\/?p=494","title":{"rendered":"Essential Japanese Counters"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tget the app for 60% off through this site<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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This table summarizes the basic usage of Japanese counters (\u52a9\u6570\u8a5e, <\/span>jos\u016bshi<\/span><\/i>). It provides a concise guide to how different types of objects are counted, helping learners efficiently memorize the most commonly used counters in daily conversation.<\/span><\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

No.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Counter (\u52a9\u6570\u8a5e)<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Hiragana<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Pronunciation<\/span><\/p><\/td>

What It’s Used For<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Examples<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

1<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u3064<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u3064<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-tsu<\/span><\/p><\/td>

General, everyday items. (Native Japanese counting from 1 to 10)<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u3072\u3068\u3064 (1), \u3075\u305f\u3064 (2), \u307f\u3063\u3064 (3)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

2<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u500b<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u3053<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-ko<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Small, round, or general items.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\ud83c\udf4e\u308a\u3093\u3054 (apples), \ud83c\udf5e\u30d1\u30f3 (bread), \ud83e\udd5a\u5375 (eggs)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

3<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u672c<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u307b\u3093 \/ \u301c\u307d\u3093 \/ \u301c\u307c\u3093<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-hon\/-pon\/-bon<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Long, thin objects.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\ud83d\udd8a\ufe0f\u30da\u30f3 (pens), \ud83c\udf33\u6728 (trees), \ud83c\udf4c\u30d0\u30ca\u30ca (bananas)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

4<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u5339<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u3072\u304d \/ \u301c\u3074\u304d \/ \u301c\u3073\u304d<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-hiki\/-piki\/-biki<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Small animals, fish, and insects.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\ud83d\udc08\u732b (cats), \ud83d\udc15\u72ac (dogs), \ud83d\udc1f\u9b5a (fish)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

5<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u679a<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u307e\u3044<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-mai<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Thin, flat objects.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\ud83d\udcc4\u7d19 (paper), \ud83d\udc55\u670d (clothes), \ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f\u76bf (plates)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

6<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u4eba<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u306b\u3093<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-nin<\/span><\/p><\/td>

People. (Exception: 1 person is \u4e00\u4eba “hitori”, 2 people is \u4e8c\u4eba “futari”)<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\ud83d\udc68\u200d\ud83d\udc69\u200d\ud83d\udc67\u200d\ud83d\udc66\u5bb6\u65cf (family), \ud83e\uddd1\u200d\ud83e\udd1d\u200d\ud83e\uddd1\u53cb\u9054 (friends)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

7<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u53f0<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u3060\u3044<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-dai<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Machines and vehicles.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\ud83d\ude97\u8eca (cars), \ud83d\udeb2\u81ea\u8ee2\u8eca (bicycles), \ud83d\udda5\ufe0f\u30d1\u30bd\u30b3\u30f3 (computers)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

8<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u7fbd<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u308f \/ \u301c\u3070 \/ \u301c\u3071<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-wa\/-ba\/-pa<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Birds, rabbits, and feathered creatures.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\ud83d\udc26\u9ce5 (birds), \ud83e\udda2\u767d\u9ce5 (swans)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

9<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u56de<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u304b\u3044<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-kai<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Occurrences, times (in succession).<\/span><\/p><\/td>

1\u56de (once), 2\u56de (twice)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

10<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u518a<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u3055\u3064<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-satsu<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Bound items like books and magazines.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\ud83d\udcd6\u672c (books), \ud83d\udcda\u96d1\u8a8c (magazines)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

11<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u676f<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u306f\u3044 \/ \u301c\u3071\u3044 \/ \u301c\u3070\u3044<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-hai\/-pai\/-bai<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Cupfuls of drinks.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u2615\u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc (coffee), \ud83c\udf7a\u30d3\u30fc\u30eb (beer)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

12<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u8db3<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u305d\u304f<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-soku<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Pairs of footwear.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\ud83d\udc5e\u9774 (shoes), \ud83e\udde6\u9774\u4e0b (socks)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

13<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u968e<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u304b\u3044 \/ \u301c\u304c\u3044<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-kai\/-gai<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Floors of a building.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

1\u968e (1st floor), 2\u968e (2nd floor)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

14<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u7740<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u3061\u3083\u304f<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-chaku<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Items of clothing.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\ud83d\udc57\u30c9\u30ec\u30b9 (dresses), \ud83d\udc5a\u30b7\u30e3\u30c4 (shirts)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

15<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u4ef6<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u3051\u3093<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-ken<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Cases, matters, or properties.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\ud83c\udfe0\u5bb6 (houses), \u4e8b\u4ef6 (incidents)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

16<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u8ed2<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u3051\u3093<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-ken<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Buildings with a single roof.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\ud83c\udfd8\ufe0f\u5bb6 (houses), \ud83c\udfda\ufe0f\u304a\u5e97 (shops)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

17<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u6b73<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u3055\u3044<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-sai<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Age.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

1\u6b73 (1 year old), 20\u6b73 (20 years old)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

18<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u5186<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u3048\u3093<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-en<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Japanese currency (Yen).<\/span><\/p><\/td>

100\u5186 (100 yen), 1000\u5186 (1000 yen)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

19<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u6642<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u3058<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-ji<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Hours.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

3\u6642 (3 o’clock), 8\u6642 (8 o’clock)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

20<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u5206<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u3075\u3093 \/ \u301c\u3077\u3093<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-fun\/-pun<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Minutes.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

5\u5206 (5 minutes), 10\u5206 (10 minutes)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

21<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u5e74<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u306d\u3093<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-nen<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Years.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

2024\u5e74 (2024), 2025\u5e74 (2025)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

22<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u304b\u6708<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u304b\u3052\u3064<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-kagetsu<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Months.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

1\u304b\u6708 (1 month), 6\u304b\u6708 (6 months)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

23<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u65e5<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u306b\u3061 \/ \u301c\u304b<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-nichi\/-ka<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Days of the month.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

1\u65e5 (1st day), 10\u65e5 (10th day)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

24<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u56de\u76ee<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u304b\u3044\u3081<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-kaime<\/span><\/p><\/td>

The number of times (e.g., first time, second time).<\/span><\/p><\/td>

1\u56de\u76ee (1st time), 2\u56de\u76ee (2nd time)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

25<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u756a<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u3070\u3093<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-ban<\/span><\/p><\/td>

A number in a series (e.g., street number, order).<\/span><\/p><\/td>

1\u756a (number 1), 2\u756a (number 2)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

26<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u5217<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u308c\u3064<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-retsu<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Lines or rows.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

1\u5217 (1st row), 2\u5217 (2nd row)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

27<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u7d44<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u304f\u307f<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-kumi<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Groups or classes.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

1\u7d44 (group 1), 2\u7d44 (group 2)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

28<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u540d<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u3081\u3044<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-mei<\/span><\/p><\/td>

People (formal\/polite).<\/span><\/p><\/td>

1\u540d\u69d8 (for one person)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

29<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u982d<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u3068\u3046<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-tou<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Large animals (e.g., elephants, cows, horses).<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\ud83d\udc18\u8c61 (elephants), \ud83d\udc0e\u99ac (horses)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

30<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u96bb<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\u301c\u305b\u304d<\/span><\/p><\/td>

-seki<\/span><\/p><\/td>

Ships or boats.<\/span><\/p><\/td>

\ud83d\udea2\u8239 (ships), \u26f5\u30e8\u30c3\u30c8 (yachts)<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>

\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBook the Free Trial Lesson<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tget the app for 60% off through this site<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

get the app for 60% off through this site This table summarizes the basic usage of Japanese counters (\u52a9\u6570\u8a5e, jos […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":496,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[60],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-grammer-points"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jlpt-japanese-study.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jlpt-japanese-study.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jlpt-japanese-study.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jlpt-japanese-study.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jlpt-japanese-study.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=494"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.jlpt-japanese-study.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/494\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":502,"href":"https:\/\/www.jlpt-japanese-study.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/494\/revisions\/502"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jlpt-japanese-study.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/496"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jlpt-japanese-study.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jlpt-japanese-study.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jlpt-japanese-study.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}