Japanese Counters Explained | How to Count in Japanese

Learn How to Count In Japanese

Counting in Japanese is both fascinating and a little tricky for learners.

Unlike English, where numbers are used on their own, Japanese uses counters: special words that attach to numbers depending on what you’re counting, whether it’s people, animals, objects, or even abstract things.

Because the counter changes with the item, mastering this system is an important part of learning Japanese. You’ll hear counters in everyday life—when shopping, ordering food, or even in cultural traditions—so they’re essential for fluency.

At first, the variety of counters can feel overwhelming, but with practice they quickly become second nature. In fact, learning them not only improves your Japanese but also gives you unique insight into how the language reflects culture and daily life.

In this article, we’ll introduce some of the most common Japanese counters and explain how and when to use them.

Japanese Counters || Basic and Versatile Counters

Japanese Counters || Mai

Japanese Counters || Chaku

Japanese Counters || Dai

Japanese Counters || Hiki

Japanese Counters || Hashira

Japanese Counters || FAQs

Japanese Counters || Basic and Versatile Counters

In Japanese, there are two very common ways to count general items: 〜つ (〜tsu) and 個 (こ / ko).

• 〜つ is the traditional Japanese way of counting. It’s mostly used up to ten and often taught first to beginners. Each number has a unique reading—for example, 一つ (ひとつ / hitotsu) instead of ichi-tsu.
• 個 (こ), on the other hand, is based on the Chinese-derived number system and is more standard in modern Japanese, especially for counting things in everyday life like apples, boxes, or pieces of something.

The tricky part is that with 〜つ, the numbers don’t follow the usual pattern and must be memorized individually.

The counting with tsu is usually used to count up to 9 pieces; for 10 or more, 個 Play こ ko is used.

Play みっつください。

mittsu kudasai.

I’ll take three of them.

Play いつつください。

itsutsu kudasai.

I’ll take five of them.

Although the Japanese language has numerous units, even the Japanese do not always master these diverse expressions. On a daily basis, we use units that can be easily used for countable things.

Japanese Counters || Mai

The Japanese language has many units for counting things. The meaning can be understood by saying hitotsu, futatsu and goko but using the correct unit of measurement makes the expression even more Japanese.

Below, you will learn about such various counting units and how to read them.  This is the unit used to count thin sheets of material.

Examples:

CD二枚ください。

Play CDにまいください。

si-di- nimai kudasai.

I’ll take 2 CDs.

チケット三枚ください。

Play チケットさんまいください。

chiketto sanmai kudasai.

Three tickets, please.

Japanese Counters || Chaku

Examples:

この服を三着ください。

Play このふくをさんちゃくください。

kono huku wo sanchaku kudasai.

Please give me three of these clothes.

The original meaning of this kanji is to stick together, and for this reason it means to wear. It also has other meanings, such as arrival, and is used to indicate rank.

彼はレースで一着だった。

Play かれはレースでいっちゃくだった。

kare wa re-su de icchaku datta.

He was first in the race.

Japanese Counters || Dai

Example:

ルーターを一台貸してください。

Play ルーターを一いちだいかしてください。

ru-ta- wo ichidai kashite kudasai.

Please lend me one router.

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Japanese Counters || Hiki

Example:

あそこに五匹の犬がいる。

Play あそこにごひきのいぬがいる。

asoko ni gohiki no inu ga iru.

There are five dogs.

一匹のハエが飛んできた。

Play いっぴきのハエがとんできた。

ippiki no hae ga tonde kita. /

One fly flew over.

In Japan, there are even dictionaries that collect only the above-mentioned counting methods. This is also an important part of the appeal of the Japanese language.

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Japanese Counters || Hashira

Japanese culture is founded on polytheism, so there is more than one god. There is also a unit for counting such gods.

The 柱 Play はしら hashira is one such unit. Readings up to nine are listed below.

A hashira is a pillar. Why do we count the gods this way?

Since the time of the Kojiki and Manyoshu, Japanese people have believed that gods dwell in trees. From there, the notion that the gods are the ones who stand still in the trees and support the world was born, and this character came to be used to count the gods.

 As we have seen above, knowing how to count is important for gaining a deeper understanding of the Japanese language and culture. Please find your favorite kanji and counting system and learn it with great interest.

Still confused? We’d love to help you, so drop your question here!

Japanese Counters || FAQs

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