Numbers and counters — つ, 人, 枚, 本, 台, 匹 and more
Can count objects with counters
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
りんごを三つください。
Three apples, please.
ペンを二本持っています。
I have two pens.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Japanese uses counters (助数詞) after numbers, depending on the shape/type of object being counted.
| Counter | For | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| つ | general objects | ひとつ | ふたつ | みっつ |
| 人(にん) | people | ひとり* | ふたり* | さんにん |
| 枚(まい) | flat things | いちまい | にまい | さんまい |
| 本(ほん) | long things | いっぽん* | にほん | さんぼん* |
| 台(だい) | machines/vehicles | いちだい | にだい | さんだい |
| 匹(ひき) | small animals | いっぴき* | にひき | さんびき* |
* = sound changes. Pattern: Number + Counter + の + Noun, or Noun を Number + Counter + Verb.
General counter つ (1-10 only, uses native Japanese numbers): ひとつ、ふたつ、みっつ、よっつ、いつつ、むっつ、ななつ、やっつ、ここのつ、とお。
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesForgetting sound changes (いっぽん not いちほん); Using wrong counter for the object type; Not knowing the つ series
りんごを三つください。
Three apples, please.
りんご(apple) + を + 三つ(みっつ, 3 things, general counter) + ください
ペンを二本持っています。
I have two pens.
ペン(pen) + を + 二本(にほん, 2 long things) + 持っています(もっています, have)
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises