How to count numbers, Japanese way

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In Japan, when you count something, it needs to be added to “counter words”. There seem to have more than a few hundreds of counter words, which are selected based on the things you want to count. Please allow us to introduce how to use some counter words here.

Basic ways to read and ask how to count

Basically, you simply add a counter word after the basic way to count numbers. Here is the standard way of counting numbers.
One/ ichi, Two/ni, Three/san, Four/yon, Five/go, Six/roku, Seven/nana, Eight/hachi, Nine/kyu and Ten/ jyu

When you ask numbers, you need to add “Nan” prior to counter words.

The appropriate way of counting numbers depends on the shape and characteristics.

For example, there are different ways of counting numbers for apples, depending on the status of counting.

You can count “hitotsu” or “ikko” for an apple. However, you count “hitokire” for a slice of apples. You say “hitoyama” for a pile of apples on the counter in grocery stores. You use “hitofukuro” for a bag of apples and “hitohako” for a box of apples.

It may be easier if you memorize the meaning of the counter words because the counter words literally indicate the shape and characteristics of the things you want to count.

Common counting words

Mai

“Mai” is used when counted for thin materials. For the case of using “Mai”, you can count and ask in a regular way.

For example, they are like papers, CDs, shirts, Towels, Sheets of seaweed, Dishes, curtains, floor sheets, paper-covered sliding doors and Tatami mats.

How to count: “ichi-mai /1”, “ni-mai/2”, “san-mai/3”, “yon-mai/4”, “go-mai/5”, “roku-mai/6”, “nana-mai/7”, “hachi-mai /8”, “kyu-mai/9”, “ jyu-mai/10” and “Nan-mai?/How many? ”

Ko/Tsu

“Ko” or “Tsu” is used when counted for something small. “Ko” can be counted differently for some occasions. Usage of “Tsu” can vary a lot.

For example, they are like erasers, tape measures, accessories, hats, apples, cakes, cups, trash cans, balls, and stars. “Tsu” can’t be used more than 11. In addition, ten is “tou” no addition of “Tsu”. “Tsu” can be used not only for things but also for kid’s ages and orders.

How to count for “Ko”: “ikko/1”, “niko/2”, “sanko/3”, “yonko/4”, “goko/5”, “rokko/6”, “nanako/7”, “hakko/8”, “kyuko/9”, “jyukko/10” and “nanko?/how many?”

How to count for “Tsu”: “hitotsu/1”, “futatsu/2”, “mittsu/3”, “yottsu/4”, “itsutsu/5”, “muttsu/6”, “nanatsu/7”, “yattsu/8”, “kokonotsu/9”, “tou/10” and “ikutsu?/ how many?”

Ri/Nin

“Ri/Nin” is used for counting the number of people. It changes drastically for some occasions.

How to count: “hitori/1”, “futari/2”, “sannin/3”, “yonin/4”, “gonin/5” and “nannin?/ how many?”

Hon

“Hon” is used when you count something long. Also, “Hon” is used for counting the number of trains, homeruns, movies and games. How to count “Hon” also changes for some occasions.

For examples, they are like pencils, screw drivers, umbrellas, flowers, ties, carrots, pet bottles, teeth, tires and bridges.

How to count: “ippon/1”, “nihon/2”, “sanbon/3”, “yonhon/4”, “gohon/5”, “roppon/6”, “nanahon/7”, “happon/8”, “kyuhon/9”, “jyuppon/10” and “nanbon?/how many?”

Others

Chaku	Clothes
Soku	Shoes, socks (One for the pair)
Hai	Water or drinks in a cup or bucket, Squids and octopuses, Special ships
Shina/Hin	Kinds of dishes
Sara	Food on the plate
Kire	A piece of cut food
Shoku/Ninmae	The amount of food for one person
Kan	Sushi
Chou	Tofu
Hiki	Animals, fish and insects
Tou	Large animals
Wa	Birds
Ken	Buildings
Kai	Storeys of buildings
Kyaku	A piece of furniture with legs (desks and chairs)
Satsu	Books, magazines, bound volumes
Bu	Copies (of a newspaper, magazine)
Tsu	Letters
Kumi	One group of things with the certain number. Couple, cards, classes at school
Dai	Vehicles, Appliances
Ryou	Cargos
Sai	Age
Kai	The number of turns
Do	The number of turns, temperature
Ban	Turns, matches, games
Hou	Packets (of powder)
Jyou	Tablets, capsules