Counters (助数詞)
In Japanese, you can't just say a number + noun like in English. You need a counter— a special suffix that depends on the type of thing you're counting. Think of it like English “two sheetsof paper” or “threeheadof cattle”, except Japanese uses them for everything.
The Generic Counter — つ
When you don't know the right counter, use the native Japanese numbers with つ. This works for most objects up to 10.
Above 10, you'll need the specific counter for that category.
人 (にん) — People
For counting people. Note the irregular readings for 1 and 2.
三人で行きました。
さんにんでいきました
We went as a group of three.
個 (こ) — Small objects
For small, compact things: apples, eggs, balls, boxes, etc.
本 (ほん) — Long, thin objects
Pens, bottles, trees, roads, rivers, ties, bananas, fingers, legs, phone calls — anything long and cylindrical.
The reading alternates: ほん → ぽん → ぼん depending on the number.
枚 (まい) — Flat objects
Paper, tickets, plates, shirts, photos, slices of bread — anything flat and thin. No sound changes, making it one of the easiest counters.
切符を二枚ください。
きっぷをにまいください
Two tickets, please.
匹 (ひき) — Small animals
Cats, dogs, fish, insects, and other small to medium animals.
Same pattern as 本: ひき → ぴき → びき. Large animals like horses and elephants use 頭 (とう) instead.
台 (だい) — Machines & vehicles
Cars, bikes, computers, TVs, washing machines — anything mechanical.
杯 (はい) — Cups & glasses
Cups of coffee, glasses of water, bowls of rice.
コーヒーを一杯ください。
コーヒーをいっぱいください
One cup of coffee, please.
冊 (さつ) — Books
Books, notebooks, magazines — bound volumes.
Time Counters
時 (じ) — O'clock
分 (ふん/ぷん) — Minutes
日 — Days of the month
Days 1-10 use special native readings. After that, it's regular.
Other Common Counters
Sound Change Patterns
Many counters change pronunciation with certain numbers. The most common pattern applies to counters starting with h-sounds (ほん、ひき、はい、etc.):
| Number | Normal | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | は → ぱ | いっぱい |
| 3 | は → ば | さんばい |
| 6 | は → ぱ | ろっぱい |
| 8 | は → ぱ | はっぱい |
| 10 | は → ぱ | じゅっぱい |
This same pattern applies to 本 (ほん→ぽん→ぼん), 匹 (ひき→ぴき→びき), and 杯 (はい→ぱい→ばい).
Word Order
The counter typically comes after the noun (with を or が) or before the verb:
りんごを三つ買った。
I bought three apples.
猫が二匹いる。
There are two cats.