助数詞 · counters
How to count things in Japanese
〜つ
The general counter 〜つ counts almost anything from one to nine: ひとつ, ふたつ, みっつ… Ten is とお, and from eleven you use plain numbers.
Things in general
| 1 | 1つ | ひとつ |
| 2 | 2つ | ふたつ |
| 3 | 3つ | みっつ |
| 4 | 4つ | よっつ |
| 5 | 5つ | いつつ |
| 6 | 6つ | むっつ |
| 7 | 7つ | ななつ |
| 8 | 8つ | やっつ |
| 9 | 9つ | ここのつ |
| 10 | 10つ | とお |
Highlighted readings are the irregular ones.
How many?
Ask with いくつ (いくつ).
When you do not know the right counter, 〜つ is the safe choice for objects. It also counts abstract things: 「質問が二つあります」.
Past ten there is no つ: eleven things is just じゅういち. いくつ also asks someone's age politely: 「おいくつですか」.
Examples
Tap a kanji for its reading.
- りんごを三つください。Three apples, please.
- 質問が二つあります。I have two questions.
- 箱の中にボールがいくつありますか。How many balls are in the box?
- 一つだけ選んでください。Please pick just one.
Common mistakes
- ✗ じゅういちつ✓ じゅういち〜つ stops at ten; after that use plain numbers or a specific counter.