Japanese uses different counters for different types of objects. Here, you'll learn about four common counters: 〜つ (general), 〜ほん (long objects), 〜ひき (small animals), and 〜とう (large animals).
The 〜つ Counter (General/Native Japanese Counter)
〜つ is used for counting general objects up to 10. These are native Japanese numbers and are very common for everyday items.
| Number | Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ひとつ | hitotsu | one (thing) |
| 2 | ふたつ | futatsu | two (things) |
| 3 | みっつ | mittsu | three (things) |
| 4 | よっつ | yottsu | four (things) |
| 5 | いつつ | itsutsu | five (things) |
| 6 | むっつ | muttsu | six (things) |
| 7 | ななつ | nanatsu | seven (things) |
| 8 | やっつ | yattsu | eight (things) |
| 9 | ここのつ | kokonotsu | nine (things) |
| 10 | とお | too | ten (things) |
Examples:
Note: The 〜つ counter is used for general items and only goes from 1 to 10. These numbers are unique native Japanese words, not regular number+counter combinations. After 10, the 〜つ counter is no longer used — switch to more specific counters like 〜こ for small items (e.g., じゅういっこ for 11 things).
Beginners often overuse 〜つ, but it's best for everyday, undefined objects like snacks or souvenirs. Avoid using it for people, animals, time, or anything with a clearly defined shape or function. For example, paper → use 〜まい; pencils → use 〜ほん; people → use 〜にん.
The 〜ほん Counter (Long, Cylindrical Objects)
〜ほん is used for long, cylindrical objects (like bottles, pencils, trees). The pronunciation changes depending on the number.
| Number | Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | いっぽん | ippon | one long object |
| 2 | にほん | nihon | two long objects |
| 3 | さんぼん | sanbon | three long objects |
| 4 | よんほん | yonhon | four long objects |
| 5 | ごほん | gohon | five long objects |
| 6 | ろっぽん | roppon | six long objects |
| 7 | ななほん | nanahon | seven long objects |
| 8 | はっぽん | happon | eight long objects |
| 9 | きゅうほん | kyuuhon | nine long objects |
| 10 | じゅっぽん | juppon | ten long objects |
Examples:
Note: The 〜ほん counter is used for long, cylindrical objects like bottles, pencils, straws, and trees. Be careful: pronunciation changes depending on the number. Numbers like 1, 3, 6, 8, and 10 trigger sound shifts — ほん becomes ぽん (pon) or ぼん (bon), such as いっぽん (1), さんぼん (3), ろっぽん (6), はっぽん (8), and じゅっぽん (10).
This is called a “sound change” (rendaku or sokuon), and it's very common with Japanese counters. After 10, you keep stacking numbers regularly: 11 long objects = じゅういっぽん.
Tip: If you're unsure whether something counts as "long," ask yourself if it's taller than it is wide and can be held in your hand like a stick, tube, or pole.
The 〜ひき Counter (Small Animals)
〜ひき is used for small animals like cats, dogs, fish, and insects. The pronunciation changes with the number.
| Number | Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | いっぴき | ippiki | one small animal |
| 2 | にひき | nihiki | two small animals |
| 3 | さんびき | sanbiki | three small animals |
| 4 | よんひき | yonhiki | four small animals |
| 5 | ごひき | gohiki | five small animals |
| 6 | ろっぴき | roppiki | six small animals |
| 7 | ななひき | nanahiki | seven small animals |
| 8 | はっぴき | happiki | eight small animals |
| 9 | きゅうひき | kyuuhiki | nine small animals |
| 10 | じゅっぴき | juppiki | ten small animals |
Examples:
Note: The 〜ひき counter is used for small animals like cats, dogs, fish, and insects. Numbers such as 1, 3, 6, 8, and 10 cause a sound change: ひき becomes ぴき (piki) or びき (biki). For example: いっぴき (1), さんびき (3), ろっぴき (6), はっぴき (8), and じゅっぴき (10).
From 11 onward, just use the regular number + ひき pattern, applying the same sound changes when needed (e.g., じゅういっぴき for 11 animals).
Tip: Use 〜ひき for pets, wild animals, sea creatures, and most insects. For larger animals like horses or elephants, switch to 〜とう.
The 〜とう Counter (Large Animals)
〜とう is used for large animals like horses, cows, elephants, and whales.
| Number | Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | いっとう | ittou | one large animal |
| 2 | にとう | nitou | two large animals |
| 3 | さんとう | santou | three large animals |
| 4 | よんとう | yontou | four large animals |
| 5 | ごとう | gotou | five large animals |
| 6 | ろくとう | rokutou | six large animals |
| 7 | ななとう | nanatou | seven large animals |
| 8 | はちとう | hachitou | eight large animals |
| 9 | きゅうとう | kyuutou | nine large animals |
| 10 | じゅっとう | juttou | ten large animals |
Examples:
Note: The 〜とう counter is used for large animals like horses, cows, elephants, and whales. For numbers like 1 and 10, pronunciation changes: とう becomes っとう (small っ) for example: いっとう (1) and じゅっとう (10).
After 10, continue using regular number + とう: 11 large animals = じゅういっとう. Be sure to watch for additional sound shifts at 8 (はっとう) if you want to stay natural, though some speakers say はちとう as well.
Tip: Use 〜とう only for "large quadrupeds or mammals" — especially animals you'd find on a farm or in a zoo. Do not use this counter for people or pets; for small animals, switch to 〜ひき.