Lesson 12: Counting Things and People

To say "two tickets" or "three people" Japanese adds a counter that depends on the shape or kind of thing, a bit like English "two cups of tea" or "three sheets of paper". Nepali has this too: दुई वटा, तीन जना. Do not be afraid: five or six counters cover most daily needs.

The general counter: ひとつ, ふたつ…

Up to ten, objects of any kind can be counted with the native numbers.

Ask with いくつ (how many). Put the amount right before the verb, with no particle after it: コーヒーを ふたつ ください.

People: ひとり, ふたり, さんにん

The most useful counters

Sound changes follow one pattern for ほん, はい and ひき (and こ for 1, 6, 8, 10): 1 いっ〜, 3 さん〜(ぼん/ばい/びき), 6 ろっ〜, 8 はっ〜, 10 じゅっ〜. Memorise 1, 3, 6, 8 and 10; the rest are regular.

Family

Japanese has two sets of family words: one for your own family (said to other people) and one for other people's family or for addressing your own family members.

Dialogue: tickets for a group

Every ▶ button plays a clear computer voice, which is good for learning sounds and rhythm but is not a native speaker. Pitch (the rise and fall of the voice) can sound a little flat. Also listen to real Japanese as often as you can: videos, news for learners (NHK Easy), and Japanese people around you.

Check yourself

Try to answer every question before you look at the answers.

1. Count 1 to 5 with the general counter.
2. How do you say "2 people" and "4 people"?
3. Which counter is for flat things like tickets?
4. Say "3 pens" (ペン).
5. Say "2 coffees".
6. Say "two cats" with the right counter.
7. Where does the amount go in the sentence?
8. What is "my mother" and what is "your mother"?
9. Ask "How many people are in your family?"
10. Say "I have two siblings."

Answers

Count your correct answers. If you got fewer than 7 out of 10, read the lesson again and listen to the audio once more.

1. ひとつ, ふたつ, みっつ, よっつ, いつつ.
2. ふたり, よにん.
3. 〜まい.
4. ペン さんぼん.
5. コーヒー にはい.
6. ねこ にひき.
7. Right before the verb, with no particle.
8. はは, おかあさん.
9. かぞくは なんにんですか。
10. きょうだいが ふたり います。