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Introduction to Counters

15 Sentences|16 Words|16 Kanji Numbers »

Introduction to Counters

Posted by flint over 2 years ago

In this lesson we will learn how to use counters when specifying how many of an object there is.

Counting objects in Japanese

When counting or specifying how many of an object there is in Japanese, we need to use something called a counter to specify what it is that we are counting. In English we do not need to do this for most words, we just place the number before the object we are counting (ie, 5 people, 3 tables etc). There are some words in English though that we need to use a counter for (eg, 1 bottle of water, 1 pair of pants).  While in English you tend to only use counters when there is more than one possible way of counting the object (1 slice of bread, 1 loaf of bread), in Japanese you always need to use a counter even if there is just one possible way of counting it.

In this lesson we will introduce you to a few of these counters, and teach you the grammar rules so that you know how to use them.

Pronunciation of numbers with counters

Generally speaking, the word for the counter is simply said straight after the number you are counting.  For example, two cupfuls 二杯「にはい」 is the combination of the number two, 二「に」and the word for cupfuls 杯「はい].

For some number / counter combinations the sound changes slightly to something that is easier to pronounce.  For example, one cupful 一杯 is pronounced 「いっぱい」instead of 「いちはい」.

Also, some counters use the Japanese pronounciation of the word rather than the Chinese pronunciation.

For this lesson don't worry too much about the pronunciation of each word and focus on the the grammar and usage. As we introduce each counter individually in later lessons we will detail the pronuncation rules for each number with their counter.

Sentences

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Counting objects

The counter for cupfuls is 杯「はい」.When specifying the quantity for an object, the counter usually comes after the object you are counting.

Note that 一杯 is pronounced 「いっぱい」.

Please give me a glass of water.
Please bring us two cups of coffee.
Two glasses of orange juice, please.
Two teas and a coffee, please.
Please bring us two cups of tea and one cup of coffee.

When talking about bottles, you use the counter 本「ほん」. Pay attention to the placement of the counter, it is before after the particle of the object you are counting, and before the verb.

Note that 一本 is pronounced「いっぽん」and 三本 is pronounced 「さんぼん」.

They drank two bottles of wine.
He drank three bottles of beer.

Some counters are just based on the size of the object you are counting. Besides bottles, 本 can be used to count any long cylindrical object.

You may be wondering why the Kanji for books (本) is used for long cylindrical objects.  This is because originally "books" were written on scrolls, paper rolled up in a long cylindrical shape.

He has two pencils; one is long and the other short.
There's an old cherry tree in the garden.
There is a flower on the table.

The counter for flat objects on the other hand, is 枚.

I lent him a CD.
I have three tickets for it.
Two sheets were on the bed.

While less common, you can place the counter before the object you are describing using the の particle.

There is a card on the desk.
She handed me a sheet of paper.

Vocabulary

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Common Counters

ko
counter
  1. counter for articles
hai
counter
  1. counter for cupfuls, bowlfuls, spoonfuls, etc.
hon
suffix, counter
  1. counter for long cylindrical things (sometimes pronounced ぼん or ぽん)
mai
counter
  1. counter for flat objects (e.g. sheets of paper)
satsu
counter
  1. counter for books
dai
counter
  1. counter for machines, incl. vehicles
kai
counter
  1. counter for storeys and floors of a building
kai
counter
  1. counter for occurrences
sai
sai
suffix, counter
  1. -years-old
nichi
suffix, counter
  1. counter for days (also んち or ち)
nin
counter
  1. counter for people
mei
counter
  1. counter for people (usu. seating, reservations and such)
hiki
counter
  1. counter for small animals
tou
counter
  1. counter for large animals (e.g. head of cattle)
wa
counter
  1. counter for birds, rabbits, etc.

Kanji

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Stroke Count
2 Strokes
English Meaning
  1. person
Readings
Kun'yomi: ひと、-と、-り。
On'yomi: ニン、ジン。
Stroke Count
4 Strokes
English Meaning
  1. day, sun, Japan, counter for days
Readings
Kun'yomi: -か、-び、ひ。
On'yomi: ジツ、ニチ。
Stroke Count
5 Strokes
English Meaning
  1. book, present, main, origin, true, real, counter for long cylindrical things
Readings
Kun'yomi: もと。
On'yomi: ホン。
Stroke Count
6 Strokes
English Meaning
  1. name, noted, distinguished, reputation
Readings
Kun'yomi: な、-な。
On'yomi: ミョウ、メイ。
Stroke Count
5 Strokes
English Meaning
  1. pedestal, a stand, counter for machines and vehicles
Readings
Kun'yomi: うてな、しもべ、つかさ、ゆろこぶ、われ、だい、もと。
On'yomi: タイ、ダイ。
Stroke Count
3 Strokes
English Meaning
  1. genius, years old, cubic shaku
Readings
Kun'yomi: かど、ざえ、わずかに、かしこ、かた、さ、たえ、とし、もち。
On'yomi: ザイ、サイ。
Stroke Count
6 Strokes
English Meaning
  1. -times, round, game, revolve, counter for occurrences
Readings
Kun'yomi: まわ.る、まわ.す、めぐ.る、めぐ.らす、-まわ.し、-まわ.す、-まわ.り、-まわ.る、か.える、まわ.し-、もとお.る。
On'yomi: エ、カイ、ウイ。
Stroke Count
8 Strokes
English Meaning
  1. counter for cupfuls, wine glass, glass, toast
Readings
Kun'yomi: さかずき。
On'yomi: ヘ、ハイ。
Stroke Count
13 Strokes
English Meaning
  1. year-end, age, occasion, opportunity
Readings
Kun'yomi: とし、とせ、よわい。
On'yomi: サイ、セイ。
Stroke Count
16 Strokes
English Meaning
  1. head, counter for large animals
Readings
Kun'yomi: あたま、かしら、かぶり、こうべ、-がしら。
On'yomi: ト、ズ、トウ、ジュウ。
Stroke Count
4 Strokes
English Meaning
  1. equal, head, counter for small animals, roll of cloth
Readings
Kun'yomi: ひき。
On'yomi: ヒチ、ヒツ。
Stroke Count
5 Strokes
English Meaning
  1. tome, counter for books, volume
Readings
Kun'yomi: ふみ。
On'yomi: サツ、シャク、サク。
Stroke Count
6 Strokes
English Meaning
  1. feathers, counter for birds, rabbits
Readings
Kun'yomi: は、はね、わ、しゅう。
On'yomi: ウ。
Stroke Count
8 Strokes
English Meaning
  1. sheet of..., counter for flat thin objects or sheets
Readings
Kun'yomi: ひら。
On'yomi: マイ、メ、バイ。
Stroke Count
10 Strokes
English Meaning
  1. individual, counter for articles
Readings
On'yomi: コ、カ。
Stroke Count
12 Strokes
English Meaning
  1. storey, stair, counter for storeys of a building
Readings
Kun'yomi: きざはし、と、しな。
On'yomi: ケ、カイ。

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