How to Count in Japanese: A Guide for Beginners
Understanding Japanese Numbers
Japanese numbers are an essential part of the language, and learning them is crucial for everyday communication. Unlike English, Japanese uses both native numbers and borrowed numbers from Chinese.
Basic Japanese Numbers 1-10
一 （いち）
One
二 （に）
Two
三 （さん）
Three
四 （し/よん）
Four
五 （ご）
Five
六 （ろく）
Six
七 （しち/なな）
Seven
八 （はち）
Eight
九 （きゅう/く）
Nine
十 （じゅう）
Ten
Counting Beyond 10
Once you are comfortable with numbers 1-10, moving beyond to larger numbers involves combining these with further kanji literally meaning 'ten, hundred, thousand,' and so forth.
Numbers 11-19
To form numbers between 11 and 19, combine "ten" (十) with the numbers 1 through 9. For example, 十一 (じゅういち) is 11, and 十五 (じゅうご) is 15.
Tens, Hundreds, and Thousands
Numbers are grouped in tens (十), hundreds (百), thousands (千), and ten-thousands (万). For example, 30 is 三十 (さんじゅう), 100 is 百 (ひゃく), and 1000 is 千 (せん).
Common Counters in Japanese
In Japanese, counting objects involves using counters, which are specific suffixes. Here are a few common counters:
- 人 (にん) - Counting people
- 枚 (まい) - Flat objects like paper
- 本 (ほん) - Long cylindrical objects
- 冊 (さつ) - Books
- 匹 (ひき) - Small animals
Practice Makes Perfect
Practicing counting in real-life scenarios, like while shopping or watching Japanese shows, can help reinforce your learning and improve fluency.
Further Reading
- Counting in Japanese
A comprehensive guide on Japanese numbers and counters.
- Japanese Numbers
Explore the various aspects of numbers in Japanese culture.
- NHK World Japanese Lessons
Free online Japanese lessons including counting basics.