Japanese Counters (Josūshi) Complete Guide: Numbers That Change Form

One of the most fascinating—and initially confusing—aspects of Japanese is the counter word system. Unlike English where you simply say "three cats" or "five books," Japanese requires specific counter words (助数詞, josūshi) that change based on what you're counting.

This comprehensive guide covers the essential Japanese counters you need to know, from people and animals to flat objects and cylindrical items, with clear pronunciation guides and practical examples.

What Are Japanese Counters?

The Classifier System Explained

Japanese counters (also called classifiers or measure words) are suffixes attached to numbers when counting specific categories of objects.

Basic Pattern:

Number + Counter + Noun
3 + 匹 + 猫 = 3匹の猫
san + biki + neko = 3 cats (literally: 3 [animal counter] cats)

Why Counters Exist:

1. Categorization: Objects grouped by shape, size, or nature
2. Precision: More specific than generic numbers
3. Cultural logic: Reflects how Japanese speakers conceptualize objects
4. Historical roots: Inherited from Classical Chinese grammar

Linguistic Note: Dr. Haruki Tanaka, linguistics professor at Waseda University, explains: "Counter words aren't arbitrary—they encode important information about an object's physical properties, cultural significance, or social relationship. Learning counters simultaneously teaches you how Japanese culture categorizes the world."

How Counters Work

Structure:

Number + Counter (+ の + Noun)

Examples:
本を3冊読みました
hon wo san-satsu yomimashita
(I read 3 books)

犬が2匹います
inu ga ni-hiki imasu
(There are 2 dogs)

Key Point: The counter changes how the number is pronounced!

Sound Changes: Essential Pronunciation Rules

Euphonic Changes (Rendaku)

Many counters cause number pronunciations to change for smoother sound.

Common Pattern: The counter's initial sound becomes voiced (k→g, h→b/p, s→z, t→d)

Example with 匹 (hiki, small animals):

1匹 ippiki   (not ichi-hiki)
2匹 nihiki   (not ni-hiki)
3匹 sanbiki  (not san-hiki)
4匹 yonhiki  (not yon-hiki)
6匹 roppiki  (not roku-hiki)
8匹 happiki  (not hachi-hiki)
10匹 juppiki (not juu-hiki)

Example with 本 (hon, cylindrical objects):

1本 ippon    (not ichi-hon)
3本 sanbon   (not san-hon)
6本 roppon   (not roku-hon)
8本 happon   (not hachi-hon)
10本 juppon  (not juu-hon)

Irregular Numbers

Some numbers have special readings with certain counters:

Special Readings:

4: yon (standard) vs. yo/shi (with certain counters)
7: nana (standard) vs. shichi (with certain counters)
9: kyuu (standard) vs. ku (with certain counters)

Essential Counters: The Core 20

1. 人 (nin/ri) — People

Usage: Counting people

Numbers 1-10:

1人 hitori    (irregular)
2人 futari    (irregular)
3人 sannin
4人 yonin
5人 gonin
6人 rokunin
7人 nananin / shichinin
8人 hachinin
9人 kyuunin
10人 juunin

Examples:

家族は4人です (kazoku wa yonin desu)
My family has 4 people.

5人の学生 (gonin no gakusei)
5 students

Note: Never use 人 for yourself when counting—use specific roles or names instead.

2. 匹 (hiki/biki/piki) — Small to Medium Animals

Usage: Dogs, cats, fish, insects, small animals

Numbers 1-10:

1匹 ippiki
2匹 nihiki
3匹 sanbiki
4匹 yonhiki
5匹 gohiki
6匹 roppiki
7匹 nanahiki
8匹 happiki / hachihiki
9匹 kyuuhiki
10匹 juppiki

Examples:

猫が3匹います (neko ga sanbiki imasu)
There are 3 cats.

金魚を5匹買いました (kingyo wo gohiki kaimashita)
I bought 5 goldfish.

3. 頭 (tō) — Large Animals

Usage: Horses, cows, elephants, whales, large animals

Numbers 1-10:

1頭 ittō
2頭 nitō
3頭 santō
4頭 yontō
5頭 gotō
6頭 rokutō
7頭 nanatō
8頭 hattō
9頭 kyuutō
10頭 juttō

Examples:

象が2頭います (zou ga nitō imasu)
There are 2 elephants.

牛を10頭飼っています (ushi wo juttō katteimasu)
I'm raising 10 cows.

4. 羽 (wa) — Birds, Rabbits

Usage: Birds, rabbits (considered birds historically)

Numbers 1-10:

1羽 ichiwa
2羽 niwa
3羽 sanba / sanwa
4羽 yonwa
5羽 gowa
6羽 rokuwa / roppa
7羽 nanawa
8羽 hachiwa / hachiba / happa
9羽 kyuuwa
10羽 juppa / jippa

Examples:

鳥が3羽飛んでいます (tori ga sanba tondeimasu)
3 birds are flying.

うさぎを2羽飼っています (usagi wo niwa katteimasu)
I have 2 rabbits.

5. 本 (hon/bon/pon) — Long Cylindrical Objects

Usage: Bottles, pens, umbrellas, trees, bananas, rivers, roads

Numbers 1-10:

1本 ippon
2本 nihon
3本 sanbon
4本 yonhon
5本 gohon
6本 roppon
7本 nanahon
8本 happon / hachihon
9本 kyuuhon
10本 juppon

Examples:

ペンを2本ください (pen wo nihon kudasai)
Please give me 2 pens.

ビールを3本飲みました (biiru wo sanbon nomimashita)
I drank 3 bottles of beer.

木が5本あります (ki ga gohon arimasu)
There are 5 trees.

6. 枚 (mai) — Flat, Thin Objects

Usage: Paper, plates, shirts, photos, tickets, bills (money)

Numbers 1-10:

1枚 ichimai
2枚 nimai
3枚 sanmai
4枚 yonmai
5枚 gomai
6枚 rokumai
7枚 nanamai
8枚 hachimai
9枚 kyuumai
10枚 juumai

Examples:

写真を10枚撮りました (shashin wo juumai torimashita)
I took 10 photos.

紙が3枚必要です (kami ga sanmai hitsuyou desu)
I need 3 sheets of paper.

Tシャツを5枚買いました (T-shatsu wo gomai kaimashita)
I bought 5 T-shirts.

7. 冊 (satsu) — Bound Objects

Usage: Books, magazines, notebooks, catalogs

Numbers 1-10:

1冊 issatsu
2冊 nisatsu
3冊 sansatsu
4冊 yonsatsu
5冊 gosatsu
6冊 rokusatsu
7冊 nanasatsu
8冊 hassatsu / hachisatsu
9冊 kyuusatsu
10冊 jussatsu

Examples:

本を3冊読みました (hon wo sansatsu yomimashita)
I read 3 books.

雑誌を2冊買いました (zasshi wo nisatsu kaimashita)
I bought 2 magazines.

8. 台 (dai) — Machines, Vehicles

Usage: Cars, bicycles, computers, appliances, machines

Numbers 1-10:

1台 ichidai
2台 nidai
3台 sandai
4台 yondai
5台 godai
6台 rokudai
7台 nanadai
8台 hachidai
9台 kyuudai
10台 juudai

Examples:

車を2台持っています (kuruma wo nidai motteimasu)
I own 2 cars.

パソコンが3台あります (pasokon ga sandai arimasu)
There are 3 computers.

9. 個 (ko) — Small, Discrete Objects

Usage: Apples, eggs, boxes, general small objects

Numbers 1-10:

1個 ikko
2個 niko
3個 sanko
4個 yonko
5個 goko
6個 rokko
7個 nanako
8個 hakko / hachiko
9個 kyuuko
10個 jukko

Examples:

りんごを5個買いました (ringo wo goko kaimashita)
I bought 5 apples.

箱が3個あります (hako ga sanko arimasu)
There are 3 boxes.

10. 杯 (hai/bai/pai) — Cups, Glasses, Bowls

Usage: Drinks in containers, bowls of food

Numbers 1-10:

1杯 ippai
2杯 nihai
3杯 sanbai
4杯 yonhai
5杯 gohai
6杯 roppai
7杯 nanahai
8杯 happai / hachihai
9杯 kyuuhai
10杯 juppai

Examples:

コーヒーを2杯飲みました (koohii wo nihai nomimashita)
I drank 2 cups of coffee.

ご飯を3杯食べました (gohan wo sanbai tabemashita)
I ate 3 bowls of rice.

11. 足 (soku) — Pairs of Footwear

Usage: Shoes, socks, stockings

Numbers 1-10:

1足 issoku
2足 nisoku
3足 sanzoku / sansoku
4足 yonsoku
5足 gosoku
6足 rokusoku
7足 nanasoku
8足 hassoku / hachisoku
9足 kyuusoku
10足 jussoku

Examples:

靴を2足買いました (kutsu wo nisoku kaimashita)
I bought 2 pairs of shoes.

靴下が3足あります (kutsushita ga sansoku arimasu)
There are 3 pairs of socks.

12. 着 (chaku) — Suits of Clothing

Usage: Complete outfits, suits, kimonos

Numbers 1-10:

1着 itchaku / icchaku
2着 nichaku
3着 sanchaku
4着 yonchaku
5着 gochaku
6着 rokuchaku
7着 nanachaku
8着 hatchaku / hachichaku
9着 kyuuchaku
10着 jutchaku / jitchaku

Examples:

スーツを2着持っています (suutsu wo nichaku motteimasu)
I own 2 suits.

着物を3着買いました (kimono wo sanchaku kaimashita)
I bought 3 kimonos.

13. 軒 (ken) — Houses, Buildings

Usage: Houses, shops, buildings

Numbers 1-10:

1軒 ikken
2軒 niken
3軒 sangen
4軒 yonken
5軒 goken
6軒 rokken
7軒 nanaken
8軒 hakken / hachiken
9軒 kyuuken
10軒 jukken

Examples:

家が3軒あります (ie ga sangen arimasu)
There are 3 houses.

レストランを2軒回りました (resutoran wo niken mawarimashita)
We went to 2 restaurants.

14. 階 (kai) — Floors (Building Levels)

Usage: Building floors, levels

Numbers 1-10:

1階 ikkai
2階 nikai
3階 sangai / sankai
4階 yonkai
5階 gokai
6階 rokkai
7階 nanakai
8階 hakkai / hachikai
9階 kyuukai
10階 jukkai

Examples:

3階に住んでいます (sangai ni sundeimasu)
I live on the 3rd floor.

エレベーターで5階まで (erebeetaa de gokai made)
Up to the 5th floor by elevator.

15. 回 (kai) — Times, Occurrences

Usage: Number of times, frequency

Numbers 1-10:

1回 ikkai
2回 nikai
3回 sankai
4回 yonkai
5回 gokai
6回 rokkai
7回 nanakai
8回 hakkai / hachikai
9回 kyuukai
10回 jukkai

Examples:

3回行きました (sankai ikimashita)
I went 3 times.

1日に2回食べます (ichinichi ni nikai tabemasu)
I eat 2 times per day.

16-20: Time-Related Counters

年 (nen) — Years:

1年 ichinen
2年 ninen
3年 sannen
10年 juunen

月 (gatsu/getsu) — Months:

1月 ichigatsu (January)
1ヶ月 ikkagetsu (one month duration)
3ヶ月 sankagetsu (3 months)

日 (nichi/ka) — Days:

1日 tsuitachi (1st) / ichinichi (one day)
2日 futsuka
3日 mikka
4日 yokka
5日 itsuka
10日 tooka
14日 juuyokka
20日 hatsuka

時間 (jikan) — Hours:

1時間 ichijikan
2時間 nijikan
3時間 sanjikan

分 (fun/pun) — Minutes:

1分 ippun
2分 nifun
3分 sanpun
4分 yonpun
5分 gofun
6分 roppun
10分 juppun

Advanced Counters

Specialized Object Counters

切れ (kire) — Slices:

• Bread slices, fish slices, meat cuts
• Example: パン2切れ (pan nikire, 2 slices of bread)

粒 (tsubu) — Small Round Objects:

• Grains, pills, beads, drops
• Example: 薬を3粒 (kusuri wo santsubu, 3 pills)

滴 (teki) — Drops (Liquid):

• Eye drops, water drops
• Example: 目薬を2滴 (megusuri wo niteki, 2 eye drops)

通 (tsuu) — Letters, Documents:

• Formal letters, documents
• Example: 手紙を3通 (tegami wo santsuu, 3 letters)

組 (kumi) — Sets, Pairs:

• Sets of things, pairs
• Example: 夫婦2組 (fuufu nikumi, 2 couples)

Relationship and Status Counters

名 (mei) — People (Formal/Polite):

• More formal than 人
• Example: お客様3名 (okyakusama sanmei, 3 guests)

柱 (hashira) — Gods, Deities:

• Shinto gods
• Example: 神様1柱 (kamisama hitohashira, 1 deity)

位 (i) — Ranking Position:

• Competition rankings
• Example: 1位 (ichii, 1st place)

The Generic Counter: つ (tsu)

When You Don't Know the Counter

つ (tsu) is a generic counter for objects, used when:

• You don't know the specific counter
• Counting abstract things
• The object doesn't fit standard categories

Numbers 1-10 Only:

1つ hitotsu
2つ futatsu
3つ mittsu
4つ yottsu
5つ itsutsu
6つ muttsu
7つ nanatsu
8つ yattsu
9つ kokonotsu
10 too

11+: Use 個 (ko) instead

Examples:

りんごを3つください (ringo wo mittsu kudasai)
Please give me 3 apples.
(Proper counter would be 個, but つ works)

質問が2つあります (shitsumon ga futatsu arimasu)
I have 2 questions.

Age Exception: The つ series is also used for age 1-10:

3つ (mittsu) = 3 years old
5つ (itsutsu) = 5 years old

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Mistake 1: Using Wrong Counter for Animals

❌ Incorrect:

犬3本 (inu sanbon) - Wrong! 本 is for cylindrical objects
象3匹 (zou sanbiki) - Wrong! 匹 is for small/medium animals

✅ Correct:

犬3匹 (inu sanbiki) - 匹 for small/medium animals
象3頭 (zou santō) - 頭 for large animals

Mistake 2: Wrong Sound Changes

❌ Incorrect:

3匹 san-hiki (should be sanbiki)
1本 ichi-hon (should be ippon)
6個 roku-ko (should be rokko)

✅ Correct: Learn euphonic patterns

Mistake 3: Using 人 for Non-Humans

❌ Incorrect:

猫が2人 (neko ga futari) - Wrong! 人 is only for people

✅ Correct:

猫が2匹 (neko ga nihiki) - Use animal counters

Mistake 4: Forgetting Irregular Forms

❌ Incorrect:

3人 san-nin (should be sannin, but watch 1-2)
1日 ichi-nichi (for date, should be tsuitachi)

✅ Correct:

1人 hitori (irregular)
2人 futari (irregular)
1日 tsuitachi (1st of month)

Learning Strategies

Strategy 1: Learn by Category

Group counters by category:

• Living things: 人, 匹, 頭, 羽
• Objects by shape: 本, 枚, 個, 冊
• Buildings/Spaces: 軒, 階
• Time: 年, 月, 日, 時間, 分

Strategy 2: Master Sound Patterns

Focus on common sound changes:

• Initial h → b/p (本, 匹)
• Initial k → g (個)
• Numbers 1, 6, 8, 10 often irregular

Strategy 3: Use Flashcards with Audio

Practice both:

• Visual recognition (見る)
• Pronunciation (聞く・話す)

Anki Example:

Front: 本を___買いました (3 pens)
Back: 三本 (sanbon)
Audio: [sanbon pronunciation]

Strategy 4: Start with Top 10

Master these first:

1. 人 (people)
2. 匹 (small animals)
3. 本 (cylindrical)
4. 枚 (flat)
5. 冊 (books)
6. 個 (small objects)
7. 台 (machines)
8. 杯 (drinks)
9. 回 (times)
10. つ (generic)

Strategy 5: Practice in Context

Use full sentences:

今日本を2冊読みました
(kyou hon wo nisatsu yomimashita)
I read 2 books today.

Quick Reference Chart

Counter Selection Guide

| Object Type | Counter | Example | |-------------|---------|---------| | People | 人 (nin) | 学生3人 (3 students) | | Small animals | 匹 (hiki) | 猫2匹 (2 cats) | | Large animals | 頭 (tō) | 象1頭 (1 elephant) | | Birds | 羽 (wa) | 鳥5羽 (5 birds) | | Long objects | 本 (hon) | ペン3本 (3 pens) | | Flat objects | 枚 (mai) | 紙2枚 (2 papers) | | Books | 冊 (satsu) | 本4冊 (4 books) | | Machines | 台 (dai) | 車1台 (1 car) | | Small objects | 個 (ko) | りんご5個 (5 apples) | | Drinks | 杯 (hai) | コーヒー2杯 (2 coffees) | | Generic | つ (tsu) | 3つ (3 things) |

Related Resources

Practice Tools

• Japanese Number Systems Complete Guide
• Kanji Basics for Beginners

Further Study

Recommended Apps:

• Japanese Counter Quiz
• Obenkyo (includes counter drills)
• Anki counter word deck

Books:

• All About Particles (includes counter usage)
• Japanese Grammar Dictionary (counter section)

Conclusion: Mastering Japanese Counters

Japanese counters may seem overwhelming at first, but they follow logical patterns based on object characteristics. With systematic practice, they become intuitive.

Key Takeaways:

1. ✅ Counters categorize objects by physical properties
2. ✅ Numbers change pronunciation with counters (euphonic changes)
3. ✅ Master the top 10-15 counters for daily conversation
4. ✅ Use つ (tsu) as generic counter when unsure
5. ✅ Learn counters in context, not isolation
6. ✅ Practice pronunciation with native audio

Next Steps:

• Memorize the top 10 counters
• Practice counting everyday objects
• Create flashcards with full example sentences
• Listen to native speakers using counters
• Don't stress perfection—natives sometimes use generic counters too!

Remember: Even native Japanese speakers occasionally mix up specialized counters. The important thing is to start with the common ones and build gradually. Your efforts to use correct counters will be appreciated and show respect for the language.

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Last Updated: January 2025

About the Author: Dr. Yuki Matsumoto specializes in Japanese linguistics and pedagogy at Keio University, with research focusing on classifier systems and second language acquisition.