Class 7: Numbers & Counters in Japanese
Goal: Learn how to count and use different counters in Japanese to refer to objects, people, and animals.
1. Basic Numbers
Let’s start with the basic numbers from 1 to 10 in Japanese.
2. Numbers 11-100
To form numbers from 11 to 99, combine じゅう (juu) with the single digits.
- 11: じゅういち (juu ichi) – 10 + 1
- 20: にじゅう (ni juu) – 2 x 10
- 35: さんじゅうご (san juu go) – 30 + 5
- 100: ひゃく (hyaku)
Note: Some numbers like 4 (し or よん), 7 (しち or なな), and 9 (く or きゅう) have alternate readings. Use よん, なな, and きゅう more often to avoid confusion, as し and しち are associated with "death."
3. Counters in Japanese
Japanese uses counters for counting different types of objects, animals, or people. The counter changes depending on the category.
4. Common Counters
Here are some of the most common counters you will encounter:
-
People: ～にん (～nin)
- 1 person: ひとり (hitori)
- 2 people: ふたり (futari)
- 3 or more people: ～にん (~nin) (Example: さんにん – three people)
-
Small animals: ～ひき (～hiki)
- 1 small animal: いっぴき (ippiki)
- 2 small animals: にひき (nihiki)
- 3 small animals: さんびき (sanbiki)
-
Long objects: ～ほん (～hon)
- 1 long object: いっぽん (ippon)
- 2 long objects: にほん (nihon)
- 3 long objects: さんぼん (sanbon)
-
Flat objects: ～まい (～mai)
- 1 flat object: いちまい (ichimai)
- 2 flat objects: にまい (nimai)
- 3 flat objects: さんまい (sanmai)
-
General objects: ～つ (～tsu)
- 1 object: ひとつ (hitotsu)
- 2 objects: ふたつ (futatsu)
- 3 objects: みっつ (mittsu)
5. Examples of Using Counters
- わたしはひとつりんごをたべました。 (Watashi wa hitotsu ringo wo tabemashita.) – I ate one apple.
- ねこがさんびきいます。 (Neko ga sanbiki imasu.) – There are three cats.
- いぬがふたりとあそびます。 (Inu ga futari to asobimasu.) – The dog plays with two people.
6. Irregular Counters and Pronunciation Changes
Some counters experience changes in pronunciation when combined with certain numbers. For example:
- ひき (hiki) becomes ぴき (piki) after 1, 6, 8.
- Example: 1 animal → いっぴき (ippiki)
- ほん (hon) becomes ぽん (pon) after 1, 6, 8.
- Example: 1 long object → いっぽん (ippon)
7. Vocabulary for Objects and Animals
Here’s some vocabulary for common items to use with the counters:
8. Kanji (5 More Kanji)
Here are 5 kanji related to numbers and counting:
9. Sentence Practice
Let’s practice creating sentences with numbers and counters:
- りんごをみっつください。 (Ringo wo mittsu kudasai.) – Please give me three apples.
- いぬがにひきいます。 (Inu ga nihiki imasu.) – There are two dogs.
10. Listening Practice
Listen to conversations or audio where people mention numbers and objects. Try to identify the numbers and counters used.
11. Homework
- Write 5 sentences using different counters (for people, animals, objects).
- Memorize the 5 new kanji (百, 千, 万, 円, 人).
- Practice counting objects around you in Japanese (e.g., books, pens, etc.).
In the next class, we will focus on telling time and talking about days, months, and years in Japanese. Let me know if you have any questions about this class!
