Counting numbers in Japanese

Learn how to say numbers in Japanese. Being able to say numbers will broaden your range of expression in Japanese.

How to count numbers in Japanese

Remember how to count basic numbers. Be aware that some Japanese numbers have two ways of reading.

Examples 0-10

10-90<two-digits>

100-900<three-digits>

Big numbers

Must know "counters"

The Japanese language has a unit for counting things called "counter".

So, for example, in English, you can simply add the number 1 person and make 2 or more plural, but in Japanese, the unit of the counter is changed depending on the thing.

This is a bit tricky because the way to read the number changes depending on the counter, but Japanese people naturally use this kind of counter, so it is important to remember it to understand Japanese.

It is said that there are as many as 500 counters. However, Japanese people know only about 20 at most. Japanese language learners should aim to memorize 10 at first.

In this section, we will introduce five common counters.

Tori/nin for people

Mai for papers

Hon/bon/pon for long and thin things

Chaku for clothes

Kai for floors

Underground rooms are not common in Japan. They are counted from the floor above ground.