There is so much variation across languages that goes beyond simple differences in vocabulary. You may need to learn sounds that don’t occur in English (such as vowels with umlauts in German or tones in Chinese). You may need to restructure your sentences and use a different word order. And some linguistic concepts may only have loose parallels or may not even exist in English. One of the differences between English and Japanese that is sometimes overlooked is the usage of Japanese counting words, often referred to as Japanese counters.
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What are Japanese counters?
The basic Japanese numbers ichi, ni, san, etc. on their own only express pure numbers. They are sufficient for phone numbers and ID numbers, but they can’t be used to say you have a specific number of items. For that, you need to use a Japanese counter. Depending on the type of thing you want to quantify, you’ll use a different counter word.
The need for counters in Japanese may be unintuitive at first, but it helps if you recognize that English also has counters! The most common English counter is “piece.” You don’t say “one art,” “two jewelries,” or “three papers” (unless you’re talking about assignments). Instead, you say “one piece of art,” “two pieces of jewelry,” and “three pieces of paper.” Other counters in English include “slice” (as in “slice of bread”), “glass” (as in “glass of water”), and the ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.)
Japanese counters are much more varied and cover many more types of items, but the concept is the same. You should assume you need a counter whenever you talk about quantities in Japanese.
How many Japanese counters are there?
The straightforward answer is there are around 500 counters in Japanese. The sheer number of counters may make you wonder, “How long does it take to learn Japanese?” But counters don’t need to be a sticking point. For the majority of situations, knowing just a few counters will suffice for clear communication.
Japanese counters chart
This chart summarizes the different counters that will be introduced in this article.
| Purpose | Romanization | Japanese character |
| general items | ~tsu | ~つ |
| people | ~nin (exceptions: 1 person = hitori; 2 people = futari) |
~人 |
| small, round items (and general items) |
~ko | ~個 |
| flat objects | ~mai | ~枚 |
| long, cylindrical objects | ~hon | ~本 |
| frequency / number of times | ~kai | ~回 |
| rank (ordinal numbers) | ~me | ~目 |
~Tsu counter: the most general Japanese counter
The most flexible—and thus the most useful—Japanese counter is colloquially referred to as the tsu counter. This is because almost all its words end with the hiragana つ (tsu).
You can reasonably use the tsu counter with any inanimate object. This includes intangible things like ideas and problems. It’s also the standard counter used at restaurants when ordering food in Japanese.
The main downside of the tsu counter is that the quantities sound entirely different from the basic Japanese numbers. You’ll mostly have to disregard what you’ve learned about Japanese numbers when learning this new system. But you can practice keeping all your pronunciations straight in Rosetta Stone tutoring sessions with expert Japanese speakers.
~Tsu counter chart
The tsu counter only covers the numbers 1-10, which are presented in this chart. If you’re unsure about the pronunciation of a word, check out our Japanese pronunciation guide.
| Quantity | Japanese | Pronunciation |
| 1 item |
hitotsu一つ | hee-toh-tsoo |
| 2 items | futatsu 二つ |
foo-tah-tsoo |
| 3 items | mittsu 三つ |
meet-tsoo |
| 4 items | yottsu 四つ |
yoht-tsoo |
| 5 items | itsutsu 五つ |
ee-tsoo-tsoo |
| 6 items | muttsu 六つ |
moot-tsoo |
| 7 items | nanatsu 七つ |
nah-nah-tsoo |
| 8 items | yattsu八つ | yaht-tsoo |
| 9 items | kokonotsu 九つ |
koh-koh-noh-tsoo |
| 10 items | too 十 |
tohh |
~Tsu counter example sentences
When using a tsu counter in a sentence, there are two patterns:
- [tsu counter word] + [no particle] + [thing] + [remainder of the sentence]
- [thing] + [particle (usually ga or o)] + [tsu counter word] + [remainder of the sentence]
To say, “I bought two suitcases,” these are your options:
- futatsu no sūtsūkēsu o kaimashita (二つのスーツケースを買いました)
- sūtsūkēsu o futatsu kaimashita (スーツケースを二つ買いました)
Although the first pattern may be more intuitive from an English-speaking background, since the number precedes the item as in English, the second pattern is more commonly used in Japanese.
~Nin counter: the Japanese people counter
Since people are not objects, you’ll want to know how to appropriately count them so as to not offend anyone! The people counter uses the kanji meaning “person,” which looks like 人. Be careful though: The pronunciation of this character changes based on context.
For the most part, pronouncing this Japanese counter is just the basic Japanese number + nin. However, “one person” and “two people” are both irregular words. You’ll notice that they do resemble the corresponding tsu counter (one item = hitotsu and one person = hitori). “Four people” is also technically different, but the alteration is not very noticeable.
~Nin counter chart
For any number of people above ten, just follow the rules for larger numbers and add nin. (Numbers ending in four will have the altered pronunciation, such as 34 people = san juu yonin.)
| Quantity | Japanese | Pronunciation |
| 1 person |
hitori一人 | hee-toh-ree |
| 2 people | futari 二人 |
foo-tah-ree |
| 3 people | san nin 三人 |
sahn neen |
| 4 people | yonin 四人 |
yoh-neen |
| 5 people | go nin 五人 |
goh neen |
| 6 people | roku nin 六人 |
roh-koo neen |
| 7 people | nana nin OR shichi nin 七人 |
nah-nah neen OR shee-chee neen |
| 8 people | hachi nin八人 | hah-chee neen |
| 9 people | kyuu nin 九人 |
kyoo neen |
| 10 people | juu nin 十人 |
joo neen |
~Nin counter example sentences
In a sentence, the pattern for the nin (人) counter is essentially the same as for the tsu counter. This holds for most counters.
- [people counter] + [no particle] + [type of person] + [remainder of the sentence]
- [type of person] + [particle (usually ga)] + [people counter] + [remainder of the sentence]
To say, “There are five Americans,” you could say either of these sentences:
- go nin no amerikajin ga imasu (五人のアメリカ人がいます)
- amerikajin ga go nin imasu (アメリカ人が五人います)
Japanese counters based on the object’s shape
While there are unique counters for some things (such as people), most counters cover a classification of objects. Categories that have their own counters include machines, buildings, and small animals.
Some of the most commonly used Japanese counters group objects by shape. Even if two items are otherwise unrelated, if they have similar shapes, they will likely use the same counter.
~Ko counter: for small, round objects
When something is relatively small and round, the most appropriate counter sounds like ko and uses the kanji 個. Some items you count with ko (個) are most fruits, sports balls, and trinkets.
Ko (個) can also be used in the same way as the catch-all tsu counter! If you’re counting more than 10 items and don’t know the counter word, it’s recommended that you use ko (個).
The counter ko (個) is important to recognize if you intend to buy omiyage. The word omiyage can refer to any kind of souvenir, but in Japanese culture, they typically take the form of individually packaged local snacks that you can distribute to friends and co-workers.
In Japanese culture, giving out omiyage when you return from a trip is considered crucial. It’s also important to make sure you buy enough so you don’t offend anyone. The quantities should be listed on the packages. Most omiyage are counted with ko (個), but flatter snacks may use the next counter on this list, mai.
~Ko counter chart and examples
Watch out for the irregular readings of one, six, and ten:
| Quantity | Japanese | Pronunciation |
| 1 small, round item |
ikko一個 | eek-koh |
| 2 small, round items | ni ko 二個 |
nee koh |
| 3 small, round items | san ko 三個 |
sahn koh |
| 4 small, round items | yon ko 四個 |
yohn koh |
| 5 small, round items | go ko 五個 |
goh koh |
| 6 small, round items | rokko 六個 |
rohk-koh |
| 7 small, round items | nana ko 七個 |
nah-nah koh |
| 8 small, round items | hachi ko 八個 |
hah-chee koh |
| 9 small, round items | kyuu ko 九個 |
kyoo koh |
| 10 small, round items | jukko 十個 |
jook-koh |
For any larger numbers, the last digit will determine the pronunciation. To count 11 items, you’ll say juu ikko, while 20 items is ni jukko.
Here are some example sentences using ko (個):
- ikko no ringo o tabemashita (一個のリンゴを食べました) = I ate one apple.
- tamago ga rokko arimasu (卵六個があります) = I have six eggs.
~Mai counter: for flat objects
The mai counter, written with the kanji 枚, is for flat objects. You may be surprised what constitutes a “flat object.” Naturally, paper is counted with mai (枚), including when paper takes the form of a card or ticket. But chocolate bars, clothes, plates, and doors are also counted with mai (枚)!
~Mai counter chart and examples
Mai (枚) is one of the easier counters to remember since it has no irregular pronunciations.
| Quantity | Japanese | Pronunciation |
| 1 flat item |
ichi mai一枚 | ee-chee mah-ee |
| 2 flat items | ni mai 二枚 |
nee mah-ee |
| 3 flat items | san mai 三枚 |
sahn mah-ee |
| 4 flat items | yon mai 四枚 |
yohn mah-ee |
| 5 flat items | go mai 五枚 |
goh mah-ee |
| 6 flat items | roku mai 六枚 |
roh-koo mah-ee |
| 7 flat items | nana mai 七枚 |
nah-nah mah-ee |
| 8 flat items | hachi mai 八枚 |
hah-chee mah-ee |
| 9 flat items | kyuu mai 九枚 |
kyoo mah-ee |
| 10 flat items | juu mai 十枚 |
joo mah-ee |
The pattern is the same as before for making sentences:
- chiketto o ni mai kudasai (チケットをニ枚ください) = Two tickets please.
- jaketto o yon mai motte imasu (ジャケットを四枚持っています) = I have four jackets.
~Hon counter: for long, cylindrical objects
The hon counter is for long, cylindrical objects. It uses the kanji 本. If you’re somewhat familiar with kanji, you may recognize 本 as the character meaning “book.” While this is its primary meaning, when used together with a number, it becomes a counter word. Funnily enough, it can’t be used to count books!
Things counted with hon (本) include pens, umbrellas, and bananas. Drinks that come in bottles or cans are also counted with hon (本).
~Hon counter chart and examples
Half of the quantities have irregular readings, so you’ll need to pay close attention with this counter.
| Quantity | Japanese | Pronunciation |
| 1 long, cylindrical item |
ippon一本 | eep-pohn |
| 2 long, cylindrical items | ni hon 二本 |
nee hohn |
| 3 long, cylindrical items | san bon 三本 |
sahn bohn |
| 4 long, cylindrical items | yon hon 四本 |
yohn hohn |
| 5 long, cylindrical items | go hon 五本 |
goh hohn |
| 6 long, cylindrical items | roppon 六本 |
rohp-pohn |
| 7 long, cylindrical items | nana hon 七本 |
nah-nah hohn |
| 8 long, cylindrical items | happon 八本 |
hahp-pohn |
| 9 long, cylindrical items | kyuu hon 九本 |
kyoo hohn |
| 10 long, cylindrical items | juppon 十本 |
joop-pohn |
When using hon (本), just as when using ko (個), the pronunciation for larger numbers is determined by the last digit. For example, 11 items becomes juu ippon, and 23 items is ni juu san bon.
Examples using hon (本) include:
- banana ga roppon desu (バナナが六本です) = There are six bananas.
- aka wain o ippon kudasai (赤ワインを一本ください) = A bottle of red wine, please.
~Kai counter: the Japanese frequency counter
The counter kai, written as 回, is usually best translated as “times,” as in “I did that three times.” Although this counter isn’t for physical objects, you’ll find it comes up in many situations.
~Kai counter chart
There are a few irregular readings (one, six, and 10), so you’ll want to be careful.
| Quantity | Japanese | Pronunciation |
| 1 time |
ikkai一回 | eek-kah-ee |
| 2 times | ni kai 二回 |
nee kah-ee |
| 3 times | san kai 三回 |
sahn kah-ee |
| 4 times | yon kai 四回 |
yohn kah-ee |
| 5 times | go kai 五回 |
goh kah-ee |
| 6 times | rokkai 六回 |
rohk-kah-ee |
| 7 times | nana kai 七回 |
nah-nah kah-ee |
| 8 times | hachi kai OR hakkai八回 | hah-chee kah-ee OR hahk-kah-ee |
| 9 times | kyuu kai 九回 |
kyoo kah-ee |
| 10 times | jukkai 十回 |
jook-kah-ee |
Various uses of the ~kai counter
Since the purpose of kai (回) is distinctly different from the other counters, its usage is also different. You don’t need a particle, and it goes directly in front of the action.
- sono eiga o ni kai mimashita (その映画を二回見ました) = I watched that movie two times.
- ibento ni nana kai sanka shimashita (イベントに七回参加しました) = I participated in the event seven times.
If you’re familiar with words for intervals of time, you can also use this pattern to express how often you do something in that interval:
- [interval] + [ni particle] + [~kai] + [remainder of the sentence]
For example:
- isshuukan ni go kai nihongo no kurasu ni ikimasu (一週間に五回日本語のクラスに行きます) = I go to Japanese class five times a week.
- ichi nen ni ikkai kokyou ni kaerimasu (一年に一回故郷に帰ります) = I return to my hometown once a year.
One more situation where you might encounter kai (回) is with the phrase “one more time.” Students are first usually taught the version using do (度) with the phrase mou ichido. You can replace that, however, and kai (回) is more flexible than do (度).
- mou ikkai itte kudasai (もう一回言ってください) = Please say it again one more time.
~Me counter: for ranking items
Ordinal numbers that allow you to rank things (first, second, third, etc.) are relatively easy in Japanese. The key word is me, written with the kanji 目.
You can add me (目) after any other counter! For example, hitotsu means “1 thing.” By adding me and making it hitotsu me, the meaning changes to “the first thing.” Futari means “2 people,” but futari me means “the second person.”
Using the ~me with the ~kai counter
Me (目) is especially useful when used in conjunction with kai (回). The meaning changes from “one time” (ikkai) to “the first time” (ikkai me).
- san kai nihon ni itta koto ga arimasu (三回日本に行ったことがあります) = I have gone to Japan three times.
- nihon ni kuru no wa san kai me desu (日本に来るのは三回目です) = It’s my third time coming to Japan. (You can use this when you’re in Japan.)
How to choose which Japanese counters to learn
The main takeaway is to focus on mastering the tsu counter. With only that counter, you’ll be able to communicate the quantities of the majority of things. It’s also good to prioritize counters with special uses, such as the people counter nin (人) and the frequency counter kai (回).
If there are other Japanese counters that directly apply to important areas of your life, such as telling people about your pets with hiki (匹) or technology with dai (台), those are also good to look into.
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