View source for Japanese counter word

{{Short description|Japanese measure words used with numbers to count things, actions, and events}}
In [[Japanese language|Japanese]], '''counter words''' or '''counters''' are [[measure word]]s used with [[Japanese numerals|numbers]] to count things, actions, and events. Counters are added directly after numbers.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Miura |first=Akira |date=1996 |title=Handbook of Japanese Grammar |journal=The Modern Language Journal |volume=80 |issue=3 |pages=424–425|doi=10.2307/329477 |jstor=329477 }}</ref> There are numerous counters, and different counters are used depending on the kind or shape of nouns that are being described.<ref name=":3" /> The Japanese term, {{nihongo||助数詞|'''josūshi'''|{{lit|helping number word}}}}, appears to have been literally [[calque]]d from the English term '''''auxiliary [[Japanese numerals|numeral]]''''' used by [[Basil Hall Chamberlain]] in ''A Handbook of Colloquial Japanese''.<ref>{{cite book|p=350|script-chapter=ja:助数詞|script-title=ja:日本語文法大辞典|language=ja|editor-last=Yamaguchi|editor-first=Akiho|editor-last2=Akimoto|editor-first2=Morihide|publisher=Meiji Shoin|isbn=4-625-40300-6|date=1 March 2001|script-quote=ja:チェンバレンは『日本口語文法第三版』で、Auxiliary Numeralsとして述べているが、その訳語として「助数詞」が使われるようになったのであろう。}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|p=107|last=Chamberlain|first=Basil Hall|chapter=Auxiliary Numerals.|title=A Handbook of Colloquial Japanese|quote=In English we do not say “one bread,” “two beers,” but “one ''loaf'' of bread,” “two ''glasses'' of beer.” Similarly we say “ten ''sheets'' of paper,” “a hundred ''head'' of cattle,” “so many ''rubbers'' of whist.” Compare the [[List of English-based pidgins|Pidjin-English]] “piecey,” in such expressions as “one piecey man,” “two piecey house,” etc. Words of this kind are, in Japanese grammar, termed “auxiliary numerals.” “Auxiliaries ''to'' the numerals” would be more strictly correct. The term “[[Classifier (linguistics)|classifier]]” has also been proposed; but “auxiliary numeral” is that which has obtained the widest currency.|edition=3rd|year=1 January 1898}}</ref>

In Japanese, as in [[Chinese classifier|Chinese]] and [[Korean count word|Korean]], numerals cannot quantify [[noun]]s by themselves (except, in certain cases, for the numbers from one to ten; see below).<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-94-011-5272-3|title=Topics in Constraint-Based Grammar of Japanese|date=1999|publisher=Springer Netherlands|isbn=978-0-7923-5611-0|editor-last=Gunji|editor-first=Takao|series=Studies in Linguistics and Philosophy|volume=68|location=Dordrecht|doi=10.1007/978-94-011-5272-3|editor-last2=Hasida|editor-first2=Kôiti}}</ref>  For example, to express the idea "two dogs" in Japanese one could say either:

{{columns-start}}
{{fs interlinear|lang=ja|indent=2|二 匹 の 犬|ni hiki no inu|two small-animal-MW POSS dog|}}
{{column}}
{{fs interlinear|lang=ja|indent=2|犬 二 匹|inu ni hiki|dog two small-animal-MW|}}
{{columns-end}}

but just pasting {{lang|ja|二}} and {{lang|ja|犬}} together in either order is ungrammatical.  Here {{wikt-lang|ja|二}} {{translit|ja|ni}} is the number "two", {{wikt-lang|ja|匹}} {{translit|ja|hiki}} is the '''counter''' for small animals, {{wikt-lang|ja|の}} {{translit|ja|no}} is the possessive particle (a reversed "of", similar to the "&nbsp;'s" in "John's dog"), and {{wikt-lang|ja|犬}} {{translit|ja|inu}} is the word "dog".  

Counters are not independent words; they must appear with a numeric prefix.  The number can be imprecise: {{wikt-lang|ja|何}} {{translit|ja|nan}} or, less commonly, {{wikt-lang|ja|幾}} {{translit|ja|iku}}, can both be used to mean "some/several/many", and, in questions, "what/how many/how much". For example:

{{columns-start}}
{{fs interlinear|lang=ja|indent=2|何 名 様|nan mei sama|some people-MW honored-ones|"some guests"}}
{{column}}
{{fs interlinear|lang=ja|indent=2|何 名 様 ？|nan mei sama ?|what people-MW honored-ones Q|"how many guests?"}}
{{columns-end}}

Some nouns prefer {{lang|ja|幾}} {{translit|ja|iku}}, as in:
: {{lang|ja|幾晩？}} {{translit|ja|iku-ban?}} "how many nights?"
: {{lang|ja|幾日も行っていた}} {{translit|ja|iku-nichi mo itte ita}} "I was gone for many days."

Counters are similar in function to the word "pieces" in "two pieces of paper" or "cups" in "two cups of coffee". However, they cannot take non-numerical modifiers.  So while "two pieces of paper" translates fairly directly as:

{{fs interlinear|lang=ja|indent=2|紙 二 枚|kami ni mai|paper two flat-MW|"two pieces of paper"}}

"two green pieces of paper" must be rendered as {{lang|ja|緑の紙二枚}} {{translit|ja|midori no kami ni-mai}}, akin to "two pieces of green paper".

Just as in English, different counters can be used to convey different types of quantity.

{{columns-start}}
{{fs interlinear|lang=ja|indent=2|パン 一斤|pan ikkin|bread one-loaf|"one loaf of bread"}}
{{column}}
{{fs interlinear|lang=ja|indent=2|パン 一枚|pan ichimai|bread one-flat-MW|"one slice of bread"}}
{{columns-end}}

There are numerous counters, and depending on the kind or shape of nouns the number is describing, different counters are used.<ref name=":3" />

Grammatically, counter words can appear either before or after the noun they count. They generally occur ''after'' the noun (following [[Japanese particles|particles]]), and if used before the noun, they emphasize the quantity; this is a common mistake for English learners of Japanese. For example:

{{fs interlinear|lang=ja|indent=2|ビール を 二本 飲んだ|bīru o nihon nonda|beer OBJ two-long-thin-MW drank|}}

In contrast:

{{fs interlinear|lang=ja|indent=2|二本 の ビール を 飲んだ|nihon no bīru o nonda|two-long-thin-MW POSS beer OBJ drank|}}

would only be appropriate when emphasizing the number as in responding with "[I] drank ''two'' bottles of beer" to "How many beers did you drink?".

== Phrase structure involving numerals and counters ==
[[File:Japanese Nominal structure.png|thumb|Japanese Nominal Structure as proposed by Akira Watanabe]]
In [[generative grammar]], one proposed structure of Japanese nominal phrases includes three layers of functional projections: #P, CaseP, and QuantifierP.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Watanabe|first=Akira|date=February 2006|title=Functional Projections of Nominals in Japanese: Syntax of Classifiers*|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11049-005-3042-4|journal=Natural Language & Linguistic Theory|volume=24|issue=1|pages=241–306|doi=10.1007/s11049-005-3042-4|s2cid=33599661|issn=0167-806X|url-access=subscription}}</ref>  Here, #P is placed above NP to explain Japanese's lack of plural morphology, and to make clear the # head is the stem of such morphology.<ref name=":0" /> This structure relies on [[Syntactic movement|movement]] in order to satisfy agreement via [[extended projection principle]] features.{{clarifyme|date=December 2022}}<ref name=":0" />

== Substitution of counters ==
In Japanese, virtually all nouns must use a counter to express number because Japanese lacks singular/plural morphology.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-94-007-2681-9|title=Handbook of Quantifiers in Natural Language|date=2012|publisher=Springer Netherlands|isbn=978-94-007-2680-2|editor-last=Keenan|editor-first=Edward L.|series=Studies in Linguistics and Philosophy|volume=90|location=Dordrecht|doi=10.1007/978-94-007-2681-9|editor-last2=Paperno|editor-first2=Denis}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> In this sense, virtually all Japanese nouns are [[mass noun]]s. This grammatical feature can result in situations where one is unable to express the number of a particular object in a syntactically correct way because one does not know, or cannot remember, the appropriate counting word. With quantities from one to ten, this problem can often be sidestepped by using the traditional numerals (see below), which can quantify many nouns without help. For example, "four apples" is {{lang|ja|りんご四個}} {{translit|ja|ringo yonko}} where {{wikt-lang|ja|個}} {{translit|ja|ko}} is the counter, but can also be expressed, using the traditional numeral four, as {{lang|ja|りんご四つ}} {{translit|ja|ringo yottsu}}.  These traditional numerals cannot be used to count all nouns, however; some, including nouns for people and animals, require a proper counter (except for 1 and 2 people, which virtually always use variants of the traditional numerals; see [[#Exceptions|exceptions]]).

Some of the more common counters may substitute for less common ones. For example, {{lang|ja|匹}} {{translit|ja|hiki}} (see below) is often used for all animals, regardless of size. However, many speakers will prefer to use the traditionally correct counter, {{lang|ja|頭}} {{translit|ja|tō}}, when speaking of larger animals such as horses. This yields a range of possible counters, with differing degrees of usage and acceptability – for example, when ordering [[kushikatsu]] (fried skewers), one may order them as {{lang|ja|二串}} {{translit|ja|futa-kushi}} (two skewers), {{lang|ja|二本}} {{translit|ja|ni-hon}} (two sticks), or {{lang|ja|二つ}} {{translit|ja|futa-tsu}} (two items), in decreasing order of precision.

Counters may be intentionally misused for humorous, stupid, or insulting effects. For example, the phrase {{lang|ja|男一匹}} {{translit|ja|otoko ippiki}} ("one man [like an animal]"), uses {{lang|ja|匹}} {{translit|ja|hiki}}, the counter for animals, instead of the typical counters for people.<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=ja:男一匹とは |trans-title=What is 'otoko ippiki'? |url=https://kotobank.jp/word/%E7%94%B7%E4%B8%80%E5%8C%B9-453322 |access-date=2023-01-10 |script-website=ja:コトバンク |publisher=日本国語大辞典 |language=ja |script-quote=ja:一人前の男子ということを強めていう語。また、しっかりした男。|trans-quote=Used to emphasize the idea of a fully fledged young man. Can also refer to a man with a strong character.}}</ref>

==Table of traditional numerals==
{| class="wikitable"
! Numeral
! Japanese
! Pronunciation ([[romaji]])
! Writing ([[hiragana]])
|-
| 1
| {{lang|ja|一つ}}
| {{translit|ja|hitotsu}}
| {{lang|ja|ひとつ}}
|-
| 2
| {{lang|ja|二つ}}
| {{translit|ja|futatsu}}
| {{lang|ja|ふたつ}}
|-
| 3
| {{lang|ja|三つ}}
| {{translit|ja|mittsu}}
| {{lang|ja|みっつ}}
|-
| 4
| {{lang|ja|四つ}}
| {{translit|ja|yottsu}}
| {{lang|ja|よっつ}}
|-
| 5
| {{lang|ja|五つ}}
| {{translit|ja|itsutsu}}
| {{lang|ja|いつつ}}
|-
| 6
| {{lang|ja|六つ}}
| {{translit|ja|muttsu}}
| {{lang|ja|むっつ}}
|-
| 7
| {{lang|ja|七つ}}
| {{translit|ja|nanatsu}}
| {{lang|ja|ななつ}}
|-
| 8
| {{lang|ja|八つ}}
| {{translit|ja|yattsu}}
| {{lang|ja|やっつ}}
|-
| 9
| {{lang|ja|九つ}}
| {{translit|ja|kokonotsu}}
| {{lang|ja|ここのつ}}
|-
| 10
| {{lang|ja|十}}
| {{translit|ja|tō}}
| {{lang|ja|とお}}
|}

==Common counters by category==
This is a selective list of some of the more commonly used counting words.

{| class="wikitable"
! Pronunciation
! Japanese
! Use
|-
! colspan="3" | People and Things
|-
| {{lang|ja|ぶ}} {{translit|ja|bu}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|部}}
| Copies of a magazine or newspaper, or other packets of papers
|-
| {{lang|ja|だい}} {{translit|ja|dai}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|台}}
| Cars, bicycles, machines, mechanical devices, [[home appliance|household appliance]]s
|-
| {{lang|ja|はい}} {{translit|ja|hai}}, {{lang|ja|ぱい}} {{translit|ja|pai}}, {{lang|ja|ばい}} {{translit|ja|bai}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|杯}}
| Cups and glasses of drink, spoonsful; [[cuttlefish]], [[octopus]]es, [[crab]]s, [[squid]], [[abalone]], boats (slang)
|-
| {{lang|ja|ひき}} {{translit|ja|hiki}}, {{lang|ja|ぴき}} {{translit|ja|piki}}, {{lang|ja|びき}} {{translit|ja|biki}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|匹}}
| Small animals, insects, fish, reptiles, amphibians, [[oni (folklore)|oni]] (demons/ogres)
|-
| {{lang|ja|ほん}} {{translit|ja|hon}}, {{lang|ja|ぽん}} {{translit|ja|pon}}, {{lang|ja|ぼん}} {{translit|ja|bon}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|本}}
| '''frequently used word'''  Long, thin objects: rivers, roads, train tracks, ties, pencils, bottles, guitars; also, metaphorically, telephone calls, train or bus routes, movies (see also: {{translit|ja|tsūwa}}), points or bounds in sports events. Although {{lang|ja|本}} also means "book", the counter for books is {{translit|ja|satsu}}.
|-
| {{lang|ja|かい}} {{translit|ja|kai}}, {{lang|ja|がい}} {{translit|ja|gai}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|階}}
| Number of floors, stories
|-
| {{lang|ja|こ}} {{translit|ja|ko}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|個}}, {{wikt-lang|ja|箇}}, {{wikt-lang|ja|个}}, or {{wikt-lang|ja|ヶ}}
| '''frequently used word''' Implies that the item is small and/or round.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.punipunijapan.com/japanese-counter-ko/|title = Counting Small Objects in Japanese with 個 &#124; PuniPuniJapan| date=15 August 2013 }}</ref> {{lang|ja|個}} is also used for military units.
|-
| {{lang|ja|まい}} {{translit|ja|mai}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|枚}}
| '''frequently used word''' Thin, flat objects: sheets of paper, photographs, plates, articles of clothing (see also: {{translit|ja|chaku}})
|-
| {{lang|ja|めい}} {{translit|ja|mei}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|名}}
| [[People]] (polite) ({{lang|ja|名}} means "name")
|-
| {{lang|ja|めん}} {{translit|ja|men}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|面}}
| Broad, flat objects: mirrors, boards for board games (chess, igo, shogi), stages of [[computer game]]s, walls of a room, tennis courts
|-
| {{lang|ja|にん}} {{translit|ja|nin}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|人}}
| People (but see table of exceptions below)
|-
| {{lang|ja|り}} {{translit|ja|ri}}
| {{lang|ja|り}} or {{wikt-lang|ja|人}}
| People, used in the words {{lang|ja|一人 (ひとり)}} and {{lang|ja|二人 (ふたり)}}
|-
| {{lang|ja|さつ}} {{translit|ja|satsu}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|冊}}
| Books
|-
| {{lang|ja|つ}} {{translit|ja|tsu}}
| {{lang|ja|[[wikt:つ#Etymology_4|つ]]}}
| '''frequently used word''' General-purpose counter, used as part of the indigenous Japanese numbers {{lang|ja|一つ}} ("one thing"), {{lang|ja|二つ}} ("two things"), {{lang|ja|三つ}} ("three things"), etc.
|-
| {{lang|ja|わ}} {{translit|ja|wa}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|話}}
| Stories, episodes of TV series, etc.
|-
! colspan="3" | Time, Calendar, etc.
|-
| {{lang|ja|びょう}} {{translit|ja|byō}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|秒}}
| Seconds
|-
| {{lang|ja|ふん}} {{translit|ja|fun}}, {{lang|ja|ぷん}} {{translit|ja|pun}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|分}}
| Minutes
|-
| {{lang|ja|がつ}} {{translit|ja|gatsu}}, also {{lang|ja|つき}} {{translit|ja|tsuki}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|月}}
| Months of the year. Month-long periods when read {{translit|ja|tsuki}} (see also: {{translit|ja|kagetsu}})
|-
| {{lang|ja|はく}} {{translit|ja|haku}}, {{lang|ja|ぱく}} {{translit|ja|paku}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|泊}}
| Nights of a stay
|-
| {{lang|ja|じ}} {{translit|ja|ji}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|時}}
| Hours of the day
|-
| {{lang|ja|じかん}} {{translit|ja|jikan}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|時間}}
| Hour-long periods
|-
| {{lang|ja|か}} {{translit|ja|ka}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|日}}
| Day of the month
|-
| {{lang|ja|かげつ}} {{translit|ja|kagetsu}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|ヶ月}}, {{lang|ja|箇月}}
| Month-long periods (see also: {{translit|ja|gatsu}}).  {{lang|ja|箇}} is normally abbreviated using a small [[katakana]] {{lang|ja|[[ヶ]]}} in modern Japanese. Alternatively {{lang|ja|個}}, hiragana {{lang|ja|か}}, small katakana {{lang|ja|ヵ}} and full-size katakana {{lang|ja|カ}} & {{lang|ja|ケ}} can also be seen, although only {{lang|ja|か}} is similarly frequent.
|-
| {{lang|ja|ねん}} {{translit|ja|nen}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|年}}
| Years, school years (grades); not years of age
|-
| {{lang|ja|にち}} {{translit|ja|nichi}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|日}}
| Days of the month (but see table of exceptions below)
|-
| {{lang|ja|さい}} {{translit|ja|sai}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|歳}} (or {{wikt-lang|ja|才}})
| Years of age ({{lang|ja|才}} is used informally as a [[ryakuji]])
|-
| {{lang|ja|しゅう}} {{translit|ja|shū}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|週}}
| Weeks
|-
! colspan="3" | Extent, Frequency, etc.
|-
| {{lang|ja|ばい}} {{translit|ja|bai}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|倍}}
| Multiples, -fold as in "twofold"
|-
| {{lang|ja|ばん}} {{translit|ja|ban}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|番}}
| Position, turn, sports matches
|-
| {{lang|ja|ど}} {{translit|ja|do}}, also {{lang|ja|たび}} {{translit|ja|tabi}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|度}}
| '''frequently used word''' Occurrences, number of times, degrees of temperature or angle (see also: {{translit|ja|kai}}).
|-
| {{lang|ja|じょう}} {{translit|ja|jō}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|畳}}
| [[Tatami]] mats. The kanji {{lang|ja|畳}} is also read {{translit|ja|tatami}} and is the same one used for the mats. The room size of a [[washitsu]] in Japan is given as a number of mats, for example 4½ {{translit|ja|jō}}
|-
| {{lang|ja|かい}} {{translit|ja|kai}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|回}}
|'''frequently used word''' Occurrences, number of times (see also: {{translit|ja|do}})
|-
|}

==Extended list of counters==
This list also includes some counters and usages that are rarely used or not widely known; other words can also be used as counters more sporadically.

{| class="wikitable"
! Pronunciation
! Japanese
! Use
|-
| {{lang|ja|ば}} {{translit|ja|ba}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|場}}
| Scene of a play
|-
| {{lang|ja|ばい}} {{translit|ja|bai}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|倍}}
| Multiples, -fold as in "twofold"
|-
| {{lang|ja|ばん}} {{translit|ja|ban}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|晩}}
| Nights (see also: {{translit|ja|ya}})
|-
| {{lang|ja|ばん}} {{translit|ja|ban}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|番}}
| Position, platform for a train line, turn, sports matches
|-
| {{lang|ja|び}} {{translit|ja|bi}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|尾}}
| Small fish and [[shrimp]]s (used in the fish trade; most people say {{translit|ja|hiki}} instead)
|-
| {{lang|ja|ぶ}} {{translit|ja|bu}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|部}}
| Copies of a magazine or newspaper, or other packets of papers
|-
| {{lang|ja|ぶん}} {{translit|ja|bun}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|文}}
| Sentences
|-
| {{lang|ja|びょう}} {{translit|ja|byō}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|秒}}
| Seconds
|-
| {{lang|ja|ちゃく}} {{translit|ja|chaku}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|着}}
| Suits of clothing (see also: {{translit|ja|mai}})
|-
| {{lang|ja|ちょう}} {{translit|ja|chō}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|挺}}
| Long, narrow things such as guns, [[shodo|sticks of ink]], [[Litter (vehicle)|palanquin]]s, [[Pulled rickshaw|rickshaws]], [[violin]]s
|-
| {{lang|ja|ちょう}} {{translit|ja|chō}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|丁}}
| Sheets, pages, leaves, tools, scissors, saws, trousers, [[pistol]]s, cakes of [[tofu]], town [[City block|block]]s, servings at a restaurant
|-
| {{lang|ja|ちょう}} {{translit|ja|chō}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|町}}
| Town blocks
|-
| {{lang|ja|だい}} {{translit|ja|dai}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|代}}
| Generations, historical periods, reigns
|-
| {{lang|ja|だい}} {{translit|ja|dai}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|台}}
| Cars, bicycles, machines, mechanical devices, [[home appliance|household appliance]]s
|-
| {{lang|ja|だん}} {{translit|ja|dan}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|段}}
| levels, ranks, steps (of stairs).
|-
| {{lang|ja|だんらく}} {{translit|ja|danraku}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|段落}}
| Paragraphs
|-
| {{lang|ja|ど}} {{translit|ja|do}}, also {{lang|ja|たび}} {{translit|ja|tabi}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|度}}
| Occurrences, number of times, degrees of temperature or angle (see also: {{translit|ja|kai}}).
|-
| {{lang|ja|ふで}} {{translit|ja|fude}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|筆}}
| Sequences of letters or drawings that you write or draw without removing your pen off the paper. Not to be confused with {{translit|ja|hitsu}} ({{lang|ja|筆}}) below.
|-
| {{lang|ja|ふく}} {{translit|ja|fuku}}, {{lang|ja|ぷく}} {{translit|ja|puku}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|服}}
| Bowls of {{translit|ja|[[matcha]]}} (powdered green tea); packets or doses of powdered medicine; puffs (of, e.g., a cigarette); rests or breaks
|-
| {{lang|ja|ふく}} {{translit|ja|fuku}}, {{lang|ja|ぷく}} {{translit|ja|puku}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|幅}}
| Hanging [[scroll]]s ({{translit|ja|[[kakemono|kakejiku]]}})
|-
| {{lang|ja|ふん}} {{translit|ja|fun}}, {{lang|ja|ぷん}} {{translit|ja|pun}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|分}}
| Minutes
|-
| {{lang|ja|ふり}} {{translit|ja|furi}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|振}}
| Swords
|-
| {{lang|ja|がっきゅう}} {{translit|ja|gakkyū}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|学級}}
| [[Class (education)|Class]]es (in pre-university education)
|-
| {{lang|ja|がつ}} {{translit|ja|gatsu}}, also {{lang|ja|つき}} {{translit|ja|tsuki}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|月}}
| Months of the year. Month-long periods when read {{translit|ja|tsuki}} (see also: {{translit|ja|kagetsu}})
|-
| {{lang|ja|ご}} {{translit|ja|go}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|語}}
| Words
|-
| {{lang|ja|ごう}} {{translit|ja|gō}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|合}}
| small container (e.g. rice cup, sake cup)
|-
| {{lang|ja|ごん}} {{translit|ja|gon}}, also {{lang|ja|こと}} {{translit|ja|koto}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|言}}
| Words
|-
| {{lang|ja|ぐ}} {{translit|ja|gu}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|具}}
| Suits of [[armour]], sets of furniture
|-
| {{lang|ja|ぎょう}} {{translit|ja|gyō}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|行}}
| Lines of text
|-
| {{lang|ja|はく}} {{translit|ja|haku}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|泊}}
| Nights of a stay
|-
| {{lang|ja|はい}} {{translit|ja|hai}}, {{lang|ja|ぱい}} {{translit|ja|pai}}, {{lang|ja|ばい}} {{translit|ja|bai}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|杯}}
| Cups and glasses of drink, spoonfuls, [[cuttlefish]], [[octopus]]es, [[crab]]s, [[squid]], [[abalone]], boats (slang)
|-
| {{lang|ja|はい}} {{translit|ja|hai}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|敗}}
| Losses (sports bouts)
|-
| {{lang|ja|はこ}} {{translit|ja|hako}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|箱}}
| Boxes
|-
| {{lang|ja|はり}} {{translit|ja|hari}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|張}}
| Umbrellas, parasols, tents
|-
| {{lang|ja|はしら}} {{translit|ja|hashira}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|柱}}
| gods, memorial tablets
|-
| {{lang|ja|はつ}} {{translit|ja|hatsu}}, {{lang|ja|ぱつ}} {{translit|ja|patsu}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|発}}
| Gunshots, bullets, aerial fireworks; orgasms, sex acts
|-
| {{lang|ja|ひき}} {{translit|ja|hiki}}, {{lang|ja|ぴき}} {{translit|ja|piki}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|匹}}
| Small animals, insects, fish, reptiles, amphibians, [[oni (folklore)|oni]] (ogres)
|-
| {{lang|ja|ひん}} {{translit|ja|hin}}, {{lang|ja|ぴん}} {{translit|ja|pin}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|品}}
| Parts of a meal, courses (see also: {{translit|ja|shina}})
|-
| {{lang|ja|ひつ}} {{translit|ja|hitsu}}, {{lang|ja|ぴつ}} {{translit|ja|pitsu}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|筆}}
|pieces of land and number of people
|-
| {{lang|ja|ほ}} {{translit|ja|ho}}, {{lang|ja|ぽ}} {{translit|ja|po}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|歩}}
| Number of (foot)steps
|-
| {{lang|ja|ほん}} {{translit|ja|hon}}, {{lang|ja|ぽん}} {{translit|ja|pon}}, {{lang|ja|ぼん}} {{translit|ja|bon}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|本}}
| Long, thin objects: rivers, roads, [[train]] tracks, [[necktie|tie]]s, [[pencil]]s, [[bottle]]s, [[guitar]]s; also, metaphorically, telephone calls (see also: {{translit|ja|tsūwa}}), train or [[bus]] routes, movies, home runs, points or bounds{{Clarify| reason = "bounds" in what sense? Is this a typo for "rounds"?|date=September 2010}}  in sports events. Although {{lang|ja|本}} also means "book", the counter for books is {{translit|ja|satsu}}.
|-
| {{lang|ja|ひょう}} {{translit|ja|hyō}}, {{lang|ja|ぴょう}} {{translit|ja|pyō}} 
| {{wikt-lang|ja|票}}
| Votes
|-
| {{lang|ja|ひょうし}} {{translit|ja|hyōshi}}, {{lang|ja|びょうし}} {{translit|ja|byōshi}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|拍子}}
| Musical [[Beat (music)|beat]]s
|-
| {{lang|ja|じ}} {{translit|ja|ji}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|字}}
| Letters, [[kanji]], [[kana]]
|-
| {{lang|ja|じ}} {{translit|ja|ji}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|児}}
| Children. As in "father of two (children)", etc.
|-
| {{lang|ja|じ}} {{translit|ja|ji}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|時}}
| Hours of the day
|-
| {{lang|ja|じかん}} {{translit|ja|jikan}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|時間}}
| Hour-long periods
|-
| {{lang|ja|じょう}} {{translit|ja|jō}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|畳}}
| [[Tatami]] mats. The kanji {{lang|ja|畳}} is also read {{translit|ja|tatami}} and is the same one used for the mats. The room size of a [[washitsu]] in Japan is given as a number of mats, for example 4½ {{translit|ja|yo jō han}}
|-
| {{lang|ja|じょう}} {{translit|ja|jō}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|錠}}
| Pills/[[capsule (pharmacy)|capsule]]s
|-
| {{lang|ja|じょう}} {{translit|ja|jō}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|条}}
| Articles of law, thin objects, rays or streams of light, streaks of smoke or lightning
|-
| {{lang|ja|か}} {{translit|ja|ka}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|日}}
| Day of the month
|-
| {{lang|ja|か}} {{translit|ja|ka}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|架}}
| Frames
|-
| {{lang|ja|か}} {{translit|ja|ka}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|課}}
| Lessons
|-
| {{lang|ja|かぶ}} {{translit|ja|kabu}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|株}}
| [[Stock]]s; nursery trees
|-
| {{lang|ja|かげつ}} {{translit|ja|kagetsu}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|ヶ月}}, {{lang|ja|箇月}}
| Month-long periods (see also: {{translit|ja|gatsu}}).  {{lang|ja|箇}} is normally abbreviated using a small [[katakana]] {{lang|ja|ヶ}} in modern Japanese. Alternatively {{lang|ja|個}}, [[hiragana]] {{lang|ja|か}}, small katakana {{lang|ja|ヵ}} and full-size katakana {{lang|ja|カ}} & {{lang|ja|ケ}} can also be seen, although only {{lang|ja|か}} is similarly frequent.
|-
| {{lang|ja|かい}} {{translit|ja|kai}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|回}}
| Occurrences, number of times (see also: {{translit|ja|do}})
|-
| {{lang|ja|かい}} {{translit|ja|kai}}, {{lang|ja|がい}} {{translit|ja|gai}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|階}}
| Number of floors, storeys
|-
| {{lang|ja|かこく}} {{translit|ja|kakoku}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|ヶ国}}, {{lang|ja|箇国}}
| Countries
|-
| {{lang|ja|かこくご}} {{translit|ja|kakokugo}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|ヶ国語}}, {{lang|ja|箇国語}}
| (National) languages
|-
| {{lang|ja|かく}} {{translit|ja|kaku}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|画}}
| [[Stroke order|Strokes]] in kanji
|-
| {{lang|ja|かん}} {{translit|ja|kan}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|貫}}
| Pieces of [[sushi|nigiri-zushi]]
|-
| {{lang|ja|かん}} {{translit|ja|kan}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|艦}}
| Warships
|-
| {{lang|ja|けいとう}} {{translit|ja|keitou}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|系統}}
| Bus routes
|-
| {{lang|ja|けん}} {{translit|ja|ken}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|件}}
| Abstract matters and cases
|-
| {{lang|ja|けん}} {{translit|ja|ken}}, {{lang|ja|げん}} {{translit|ja|gen}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|軒}}
| Houses
|-
| {{lang|ja|き}} {{translit|ja|ki}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|機}}
| Aircraft, machines
|-
| {{lang|ja|き}} {{translit|ja|ki}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|基}}
| [[grave (burial)|Grave]]s, [[wreath]]s, [[CPU]]s, [[Nuclear reactor|reactor]]s, [[elevator]]s, [[dam]]s
|-
| {{lang|ja|きん}} {{translit|ja|kin}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|斤}}
| Loaves of bread
|-
| {{lang|ja|きれ}} {{translit|ja|kire}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|切れ}}
| Slices (of bread, cake, [[sashimi]] etc.)
|-
| {{lang|ja|こ}} {{translit|ja|ko}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|個}}, {{wikt-lang|ja|箇}}, {{wikt-lang|ja|个}}, or {{wikt-lang|ja|ヶ}}
| General measure word, used when there is no specific counter. {{lang|ja|個}} is also used for [[military]] units.
|-
| {{lang|ja|こ}} {{translit|ja|ko}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|戸}}
| Houses ({{lang|ja|戸}} means "door")
|-
| {{lang|ja|こう}} {{translit|ja|kō}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|校}}
| Schools
|-
| {{lang|ja|こう}} {{translit|ja|kō}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|稿}}
| Drafts of a manuscript
|-
| {{lang|ja|こう}} {{translit|ja|kō}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|行}}
| Banks
|-
| {{lang|ja|こま}} {{translit|ja|koma}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|齣}}, {{wikt-lang|ja|コマ}}
| Frames, panels. {{lang|ja|齣}} is virtually unused nowadays.
|-
| {{lang|ja|こん}} {{translit|ja|kon}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|献}}
| shots (of drink)
|-
| {{lang|ja|く}} {{translit|ja|ku}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|区}}
| Sections, city [[Wards of Japan|district]]s
|-
| {{lang|ja|く}} {{translit|ja|ku}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|句}}
| [[Haiku]], [[senryū]]
|-
| {{lang|ja|くち}} {{translit|ja|kuchi}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|口}}
| (Bank) accounts, donations ({{lang|ja|口}} means "opening" or "entrance")
|-
| {{lang|ja|くみ}} {{translit|ja|kumi}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|組}}
| Groups, a pair of people (twins, a husband and a wife, dancers, etc.)
|-
| {{lang|ja|くらす}} {{translit|ja|kurasu}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|クラス}}
| School classes
|-
| {{lang|ja|きゃく}} {{translit|ja|kyaku}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|脚}}
| Desks, chairs, long-stemmed glasses
|-
| {{lang|ja|きゃく}} {{translit|ja|kyaku}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|客}}
| Pairs of cup and saucer
|-
| {{lang|ja|きょく}} {{translit|ja|kyoku}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|曲}}
| Pieces of music
|-
| {{lang|ja|きょく}} {{translit|ja|kyoku}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|局}}
| [[Board game]] matches ([[chess]], [[Go (board game)|igo]], [[shogi]], [[mahjong]]); radio stations, television stations
|-
| {{lang|ja|まい}} {{translit|ja|mai}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|枚}}
| Thin, flat objects, sheets of paper, photographs, plates, articles of clothing (see also: {{translit|ja|chaku}})
|-
| {{lang|ja|まき}} {{translit|ja|maki}} or {{lang|ja|かん}} {{translit|ja|kan}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|巻}}
| Rolls, scrolls, kan for volumes of book
|-
| {{lang|ja|まく}} {{translit|ja|maku}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|幕}}
| Theatrical acts
|-
| {{lang|ja|めい}} {{translit|ja|mei}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|名}}
| People (polite) ({{lang|ja|名}} means "name")
|-
| {{lang|ja|めん}} {{translit|ja|men}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|面}}
| Mirrors, boards for board games (chess, igo, shogi), stages of [[computer game]]s, walls of a room, tennis courts
|-
| {{lang|ja|もん}} {{translit|ja|mon}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|門}}
| [[Cannon]]s
|-
| {{lang|ja|もん}} {{translit|ja|mon}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|問}}
| Questions
|-
| {{lang|ja|ねん}} {{translit|ja|nen}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|年}}
| Years, school years (grades); not years of age
|-
| {{lang|ja|にち}} {{translit|ja|nichi}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|日}}
| Days of the month (but see table of exceptions below)
|-
| {{lang|ja|にん}} {{translit|ja|nin}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|人}}
| People (but see table of exceptions below)
|-
| {{lang|ja|にんまえ}} {{translit|ja|ninmae}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|人前}}
| Food portions (without exceptions, unlike {{translit|ja|nin}} above)
|-
| {{lang|ja|おり}} {{translit|ja|ori}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|折}}
| Boxes made of folded paper (compare to {{translit|ja|hako}} above, which refers to boxes in general)
|-
| {{lang|ja|ぺーじ}} {{translit|ja|pēji}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|ページ}}, {{wikt-lang|ja|頁}}
| Pages
|-
| {{lang|ja|れい}} {{translit|ja|rei}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|例}}
| Cases, examples
|-
|-
| {{lang|ja|れい}} {{translit|ja|rei}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|礼}}
| [[Bowing (social)|Bow]]s during worship at a shrine
|-
| {{lang|ja|れん}} {{translit|ja|ren}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|連}}
| finger rings or necklace loops
|-
| {{lang|ja|り}} {{translit|ja|ri}}
| {{lang|ja|り}} or {{wikt-lang|ja|人}}
| People, used in the words {{lang|ja|一人 (ひとり)}} and {{lang|ja|二人 (ふたり)}}.
|-
| {{lang|ja|りん}} {{translit|ja|rin}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|輪}}
| Wheels, flowers
|-
| {{lang|ja|りょう}} {{translit|ja|ryō}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|両}}
| Railway cars
|-
| {{lang|ja|さい}} {{translit|ja|sai}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|才}} or {{wikt-lang|ja|歳}}
| Years of age
|-
| {{lang|ja|さお}} {{translit|ja|sao}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|棹}}
| Chests of drawers, flags
|-
| {{lang|ja|さつ}} {{translit|ja|satsu}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|冊}}
| Books
|-
| {{lang|ja|せき}} {{translit|ja|seki}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|席}}
| Seats, [[rakugo]] shows, (drinking) parties
|-
| {{lang|ja|せき}} {{translit|ja|seki}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|隻}}
| Ships, half of a pair (e.g., half of a folding screen), item carried in a bundle (fish, birds, arrows etc.)
|-
| {{lang|ja|しな}} {{translit|ja|shina}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|品}}
| Parts of a meal, courses (see also: {{translit|ja|hin}})
|-
| {{lang|ja|しゃ}} {{translit|ja|sha}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|社}}
| used for businesses, i.e. {{lang|ja|会社}}
|-
| {{lang|ja|しき}} {{translit|ja|shiki}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|式}}
| Sets of things, such as documents or furniture
|-
| {{lang|ja|しょう}} {{translit|ja|shō}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|勝}}
| Wins (sports bouts)
|-
| {{lang|ja|しゅ}} {{translit|ja|shu}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|首}}
| [[Waka (poetry)|Tanka]]
|-
| {{lang|ja|しゅう}} {{translit|ja|shū}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|週}}
| Weeks
|-
| {{lang|ja|しゅるい}} {{translit|ja|shurui}} or {{lang|ja|しゅ}} {{translit|ja|shu}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|種類}} or {{wikt-lang|ja|種}}
| Kinds, species
|-
| {{lang|ja|そく}} {{translit|ja|soku}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|足}}
| Pairs of footwear, pairs of socks, stockings, [[tabi]]
|-
| {{lang|ja|そう}} {{translit|ja|sō}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|双}}
| Pairs
|-
| {{lang|ja|たば}} {{translit|ja|taba}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|束}}
| bundles (of banknotes), bunches (of flowers, vegetables), sheaves
|-
| {{lang|ja|たい}} {{translit|ja|tai}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|体}}
| Images, statues, person's remains, dolls, androids, humanoid robots
|-
| {{lang|ja|たわら}} {{translit|ja|tawara}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|俵}}
| Bags of rice
|-
| {{lang|ja|てき}} {{translit|ja|teki}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|滴}}
| Drops of liquid
|-
| {{lang|ja|てん}} {{translit|ja|ten}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|点}}
| Points, dots, pieces of a set
|-
| {{lang|ja|とう}} {{translit|ja|tō}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|頭}}
| Large animals, cattle, elephants, whales, dolphins, butterflies ({{lang|ja|頭}} means "head")
|-
| {{lang|ja|とき}} {{translit|ja|toki}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|時}}
| Time periods, a sixth of either day or night (in the traditional, obsolete way of telling time). See also: {{translit|ja|jikan}}
|-
| {{lang|ja|とおり}} {{translit|ja|tōri}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|通り}}
| Combinations, puzzle solutions
|-
| {{lang|ja|つ}} {{translit|ja|tsu}}
| {{lang|ja|つ}}
| Used as part of the indigenous Japanese numbers {{lang|ja|一つ}}, {{lang|ja|二つ}}, {{lang|ja|三つ}} etc.
|-
| {{lang|ja|つう}} {{translit|ja|tsū}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|通}}
| Letters
|-
| {{lang|ja|つぼ}} {{translit|ja|tsubo}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|坪}}
| [[tsubo|Commonly used unit of area]] equal to 3.3 square metres.
|-
| {{lang|ja|つぶ}} {{translit|ja|tsubu}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|粒}}
| Almonds, grain
|-
| {{lang|ja|つうわ}} {{translit|ja|tsūwa}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|通話}}
| Telephone calls (see also: {{translit|ja|hon}})
|-
| {{lang|ja|わ}} {{translit|ja|wa}}, {{lang|ja|ば}} {{translit|ja|ba}}, {{lang|ja|ぱ}} {{translit|ja|pa}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|羽}}
| Birds, rabbits. {{lang|ja|羽}} means "feather" or "wing."
|-
| {{lang|ja|わ}} {{translit|ja|wa}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|把}}
| Bundles
|-
| {{lang|ja|わ}} {{translit|ja|wa}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|話}}
| Stories, episodes of TV series, etc.
|-
| {{lang|ja|や}} {{translit|ja|ya}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|夜}}
| Nights (see also: {{translit|ja|ban}})
|-
| {{lang|ja|ぜん}} {{translit|ja|zen}}
| {{wikt-lang|ja|膳}}
| Pairs of [[chopsticks]]; bowls of rice
|}

==Euphonic changes==
Systematic changes occur when particular numbers precede counters that begin with certain phonemes. For example, {{lang|ja|一}} {{translit|ja|ichi}} + {{lang|ja|回}} {{translit|ja|kai}} → {{lang|ja|一回}} {{translit|ja|ikkai}}. The details are listed in the table below.

This can be the result of the morpho-phonological phenomenon of historical sound changes,<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Kobuchi-Philip|first=Mana|date=May 2007|title=Floating numerals and floating quantifiers|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.lingua.2006.03.008|journal=Lingua|volume=117|issue=5|pages=814–831|doi=10.1016/j.lingua.2006.03.008|issn=0024-3841|url-access=subscription}}</ref> as shown by the voicing of {{lang|ja|匹}} {{translit|ja|hiki}}:

{{fs interlinear|lang=ja|indent=2
|六  + 匹 → 六匹
|roku + '''h'''iki → ro'''pp'''iki
|six + {small animal}.CL {} {}
|}}

change from glottal {{IPA|[h]}} to bilabial {{IPA|[p]}}.

It may also be that some counters carry features which are responsible for {{what?|text=such euphonic changes|date=April 2023|reason=Difference between -ri and -nin isn't of phonetic nature.}} for singular, dual, and plural nouns, where singular carries [+singular, −augmented] features, dual carries [−singular, −augmented] features, and plural carries [−singular, +augmented] features.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Watanabe|first=Akira|date=2017-11-10|title=The mass/count distinction in Japanese from the perspective of partitivity|journal=Glossa: A Journal of General Linguistics|volume=2|issue=1|pages=98|doi=10.5334/gjgl.116|issn=2397-1835|doi-access=free}}</ref>

{{fs interlinear|lang=ja|indent=2
|一人
|hito-ri
|one-person.CL
|}}

{{fs interlinear|lang=ja|indent=2
|二人
|futa-ri
|two-person.CL
|}}

{{fs interlinear|lang=ja|indent=2
|三人
|san-'''nin'''
|three-person.CL
|}}

These changes are followed fairly consistently but exceptions and variations between speakers do exist. Where variations are common, more than one alternative is listed.

{{translit|ja|Jū}} is replaced by either {{translit|ja|ju-}} or {{translit|ja|ji-}} ({{lang|ja|じゅっ/じっ}}) followed by a doubled consonant before the voiceless consonants as shown in the table. {{translit|ja|Ji-}} is the older form, but it has been replaced by {{translit|ja|ju-}} in the speech of recent generations.

{| class="wikitable"
! Numeral
! k- ({{lang|ja|か}} {{lang|ja|きゃ}} etc.)
! s/sh- ({{lang|ja|さ}} {{lang|ja|しゃ}} etc.)
! t/ch- ({{lang|ja|た}} {{lang|ja|ちゃ}} etc.)
! h- ({{lang|ja|は}} {{lang|ja|ひ}} {{lang|ja|へ}} {{lang|ja|ほ}} {{lang|ja|ひゃ}} {{lang|ja|ひゅ}} {{lang|ja|ひょ}})
! f- ({{lang|ja|ふ}})
! p- ({{lang|ja|ぱ}} etc.)
! w- ({{lang|ja|わ}})
|-
| 1 {{translit|ja|ichi}}
| {{translit|ja|ikk-}} {{lang|ja|いっか}}
| {{translit|ja|iss-}} {{lang|ja|いっさ}}
| {{translit|ja|itt-}} {{lang|ja|いった}}
| {{translit|ja|ipp-}} {{lang|ja|いっぱ}}
| {{translit|ja|ipp-}} {{lang|ja|いっぷ}}
| {{translit|ja|ipp-}} {{lang|ja|いっぱ}}
|
|-
| 3 {{translit|ja|san}}
|
|
|
| {{translit|ja|sanb-}} {{lang|ja|さんば}}
| {{translit|ja|sanp-}} {{lang|ja|さんぷ}}
|
| {{translit|ja|sanb-}} {{lang|ja|さんば}}
|-
| 4 {{translit|ja|yon}}
|
|
|
| {{translit|ja|yonh-}} {{lang|ja|よんは}}
{{translit|ja|yonp-}} {{lang|ja|よんぱ}}
| {{translit|ja|yonf-}} {{lang|ja|よんふ}}
{{translit|ja|yonp-}} {{lang|ja|よんぷ}}
|
| {{translit|ja|yow-}} {{lang|ja|よわ}}
{{translit|ja|yonw-}} {{lang|ja|よんわ}}
{{translit|ja|yonb-}} {{lang|ja|よんば}}
|-
| 6 {{translit|ja|roku}}
| {{translit|ja|rokk-}} {{lang|ja|ろっか}}
|
|
| {{translit|ja|ropp-}} {{lang|ja|ろっぱ}}
| {{translit|ja|ropp-}} {{lang|ja|ろっぷ}}
| {{translit|ja|ropp-}} {{lang|ja|ろっぱ}}
| {{translit|ja|rokuw-}} {{lang|ja|ろくわ}}
{{translit|ja|ropp-}} {{lang|ja|ろっぱ}}
|-
| 8 {{translit|ja|hachi}}
| {{translit|ja|hakk-}} {{lang|ja|はっか}}
| {{translit|ja|hass-}} {{lang|ja|はっさ}}
| {{translit|ja|hatt-}} {{lang|ja|はった}}
| {{translit|ja|happ-}} {{lang|ja|はっぱ}}
| {{translit|ja|happ-}} {{lang|ja|はっぷ}}
| {{translit|ja|happ-}} {{lang|ja|はっぱ}}
| {{translit|ja|happ-}} {{lang|ja|はっぱ}}
{{translit|ja|hachiw-}} {{lang|ja|はちわ}}
|-
| 10 {{translit|ja|jū}}
| {{translit|ja|jikk-}} {{lang|ja|じっか}}
{{translit|ja|jukk-}} {{lang|ja|じゅっか}}
| {{translit|ja|jiss-}} {{lang|ja|じっさ}}
{{translit|ja|juss-}} {{lang|ja|じゅっさ}}
| {{translit|ja|jitt-}} {{lang|ja|じった}}
{{translit|ja|jutt-}} {{lang|ja|じゅった}}
| {{translit|ja|jipp-}} {{lang|ja|じっぱ}}
{{translit|ja|jupp-}} {{lang|ja|じゅっぱ}}
| {{translit|ja|jipp-}} {{lang|ja|じっぷ}}
{{translit|ja|jupp-}} {{lang|ja|じゅっぷ}}
| {{translit|ja|jipp-}} {{lang|ja|じっぱ}}
{{translit|ja|jupp-}} {{lang|ja|じゅっぱ}}
| {{translit|ja|jipp-}} {{lang|ja|じっぱ}}
|-
| 100 {{translit|ja|hyaku}}
| {{translit|ja|hyakk-}} {{lang|ja|ひゃっか}}
|
|
| {{translit|ja|hyapp-}} {{lang|ja|ひゃっぱ}}
| {{translit|ja|hyapp-}} {{lang|ja|ひゃっぷ}}
| {{translit|ja|hyapp-}} {{lang|ja|ひゃっぱ}}
|
|-
| 1000 {{translit|ja|sen}}
|
|
|
| {{translit|ja|senb-}} {{lang|ja|せんば}}
| {{translit|ja|senp-}} {{lang|ja|せんぷ}}
|
|
|-
| 10000 {{translit|ja|man}}
|
|
|
| {{translit|ja|manb-}} {{lang|ja|まんば}}
| {{translit|ja|manp-}} {{lang|ja|まんぷ}}
|
|
|-
| 何 {{translit|ja|nan}}
|
|
|
| {{translit|ja|nanb-}} {{lang|ja|なんば}}
| {{translit|ja|nanp-}} {{lang|ja|なんぷ}}
|
|
|}

==Exceptions==
The traditional numbers are used by and for young children to give their ages, instead of using the age counter {{lang|ja|歳}} (or {{lang|ja|才}}) {{translit|ja|sai}}.

Some counters, notably {{lang|ja|日}} {{translit|ja|nichi}} and {{lang|ja|人}} {{translit|ja|nin}}, use the traditional numerals for some numbers as shown in the table below. Other uses of traditional numbers are usually restricted to certain phrases, such as {{lang|ja|一月}} {{translit|ja|hitotsuki}} and {{lang|ja|二月}} {{translit|ja|futatsuki}} (one and two months respectively), {{lang|ja|一言}} {{translit|ja|hitokoto}} (a single word) and {{lang|ja|一度}} {{translit|ja|hitotabi}} (once).

Sometimes common numbers that have a derived meaning are written using different kanji. For example, {{translit|ja|hitori}} (alone) is written {{lang|ja|独り}}, and {{translit|ja|futatabi}} (once more, another time) is normally written {{lang|ja|再び}} instead of {{lang|ja|二度}}. The counter for months {{translit|ja|kagetsu}} (derived from kanji {{lang|ja|箇月}}) is commonly written {{lang|ja|ヶ月}}.

{{translit|ja|Nana}} and {{translit|ja|shichi}} are alternatives for 7, {{translit|ja|yon}} and {{translit|ja|shi}} are alternatives for 4, and {{translit|ja|kyū}} and {{translit|ja|ku}} are alternatives for 9. In those three pairs of options, {{translit|ja|nana}}, {{translit|ja|yon}} and  {{translit|ja|kyū}} respectively are more commonly used. Some counters, however, notably {{lang|ja|人}} {{translit|ja|nin}} (people), {{lang|ja|月}} {{translit|ja|gatsu}} (month of the year), {{lang|ja|日}} {{translit|ja|ka/nichi}} (day of the month, days), {{lang|ja|時}} {{translit|ja|ji}} (time of day) and {{lang|ja|時間}} {{translit|ja|jikan}} (hours) take certain alternatives only. These are shown in the table below.

While {{lang|ja|回}} {{translit|ja|kai}} (occurrences) and {{lang|ja|銭}} {{translit|ja|sen}} (0.01 yen, now rarely used) follow the euphonic changes listed above, homophones {{lang|ja|階}} {{translit|ja|kai}} (stories/floors of a building) and {{lang|ja|千}} {{translit|ja|sen}} (1000) are slightly different as shown below, although these differences are not followed by all speakers. Thus {{lang|ja|三階}} ("third floor") can be read either {{translit|ja|san'''k'''ai}} or {{translit|ja|san'''g'''ai}}, while {{lang|ja|三回}} ("three times") can only be read {{translit|ja|san'''k'''ai}}.

{| class="wikitable"
! Numeral
! {{lang|ja|つ}} {{translit|ja|tsu}} 
! {{lang|ja|日}} {{translit|ja|nichi}}
! {{lang|ja|人}} {{translit|ja|nin}}
! {{lang|ja|年}} {{translit|ja|nen}}
! {{lang|ja|月}} {{translit|ja|gatsu}}
! {{lang|ja|時}} {{translit|ja|ji}}
! {{lang|ja|分}} {{translit|ja|fun}}
! {{lang|ja|百}} {{translit|ja|hyaku}}
! {{lang|ja|千}} {{translit|ja|sen}}
! {{lang|ja|歳}} {{translit|ja|sai}}
! {{lang|ja|階}} {{translit|ja|kai}}
|-
| 1
|{{lang|ja|ひとつ}}<br />{{translit|ja|hitotsu}}
| {{translit|ja|tsuitachi}}{{efn|But when counting number of days rather than days of the month, {{translit|ja|ichinichi}} is used. {{translit|ja|Ippi}} is also heard.}}
| {{translit|ja|hitori}}
|
|
|
| {{translit|ja|ippun}}
|
| {{translit|ja|issen}}
| {{translit|ja|issai}}
| {{translit|ja|ikkai}}
|-
| 2
|{{lang|ja|ふたつ}}<br />{{translit|ja|futatsu}}
| {{translit|ja|futsuka}}
| {{translit|ja|futari}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| 3
|{{lang|ja|みっつ}}<br />{{translit|ja|mittsu}}
| {{translit|ja|mikka}}
|
|
|
|
| {{translit|ja|sanpun}}
| {{translit|ja|sanbyaku}}
| {{translit|ja|sanzen}}
|
| {{translit|ja|sangai}}
|-
| 4
|{{lang|ja|よっつ}}<br />{{translit|ja|yottsu}}
| {{translit|ja|yokka}}
| {{translit|ja|yonin}}{{efn|In remote rural areas (e.g. Northern [[Honshu]] and Eastern [[Hokkaido]]) older speakers might use {{translit|ja|yottari}}.{{refn|{{Cite web|url=http://www.wsc.uni-erlangen.de/pdf/tsou.pdf|title=Language Contact and Lexical Innovation|access-date=2007-02-14|archive-date=2004-12-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041216014043/http://www.wsc.uni-erlangen.de/pdf/tsou.pdf|url-status=dead}} Table 1. Native Counting in Japanese}} }}
| {{translit|ja|yonen}}
| {{translit|ja|shigatsu}}
| {{translit|ja|yoji}}
| {{translit|ja|yonpun}}
|
|
|
|
|-
| 5
|{{lang|ja|いつつ}}<br />{{translit|ja|itsutsu}}
| {{translit|ja|itsuka}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| 6
|{{lang|ja|むっつ}}<br />{{translit|ja|muttsu}}
| {{translit|ja|muika}}
|
|
|
|
| {{translit|ja|roppun}}
| {{translit|ja|roppyaku}}
|
|
| {{translit|ja|rokkai}}
|-
| 7
|{{lang|ja|ななつ}}<br />{{translit|ja|nanatsu}}
| {{translit|ja|nanoka}}
| {{translit|ja|shichinin}}
|
| {{translit|ja|shichigatsu}}
| {{translit|ja|shichiji}}
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| 8
|{{lang|ja|やっつ}}<br />{{translit|ja|yattsu}}
| {{translit|ja|yōka}}
|
|
|
|
| {{translit|ja|happun}}
| {{translit|ja|happyaku}}
| {{translit|ja|hassen}}
| {{translit|ja|hassai}}
| {{translit|ja|hakkai}}
|-
| 9
|{{lang|ja|ここのつ}}<br />{{translit|ja|kokonotsu}}
| {{translit|ja|kokonoka}}
|
|
| {{translit|ja|kugatsu}}
| {{translit|ja|kuji}}
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| 10
|{{lang|ja|とお}}<br />{{translit|ja|tō}}
| {{translit|ja|tōka}}
|
|
|
|
| {{translit|ja|jippun}}
|
|
| {{translit|ja|jissai}}
| {{translit|ja|jikkai}}
|-
| 14
|
| {{translit|ja|jūyokka}}
| {{translit|ja|jūyonin}}
| {{translit|ja|jūyonen}}
|
| {{translit|ja|jūyoji}}
| {{translit|ja|jūyonpun}}
|
|
|
|
|-
|17
|
|{{translit|ja|jūshichinichi}}
|{{translit|ja|jūshichinin}}
|
|
|{{translit|ja|jūshichiji}}
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|19
|
|{{translit|ja|jūkunichi}}
|
|
|
|{{translit|ja|jūkuji}}
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| 20
|
| {{translit|ja|hatsuka}}
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| {{translit|ja|hatachi}}
|
|-
| 24
|
|{{translit|ja|nijūyokka}}
|{{translit|ja|nijūyonin}}
|{{translit|ja|nijūyonen}}
|
|{{translit|ja|nijūyoji}}
|{{translit|ja|nijūyonpun}}
|
|
|
|
|-
| {{lang|ja|何}} {{translit|ja|nan}}
|
| 
| {{efn|Both {{lang|ja|幾人}} {{translit|ja|ikunin}} and {{lang|ja|何人}} {{translit|ja|nannin}} are used to mean "how many people".}}
|
|
|
| {{translit|ja|nanpun}}
| {{translit|ja|nanbyaku}}
| {{translit|ja|nanzen}}
| 
| {{translit|ja|nangai}}
|}
{{notelist}}

==Ordinal numbers==
In general, the counter words mentioned above are [[cardinal number (linguistics)|cardinal numbers]], in that they indicate quantity.  To transform a counter word into an [[ordinal number (linguistics)|ordinal number]] that denotes position in a sequence, {{lang|ja|目}} {{translit|ja|me}} is added to the end of the counter.  Thus "one time" would be translated as {{lang|ja|一回}} {{translit|ja|ikkai}}, whereas "the first time" would be translated as {{lang|ja|一回目}} {{translit|ja|ikkaime}}.

This rule is inconsistent, however, as counters without the {{translit|ja|me}} suffix are often used interchangeably with cardinal and ordinal meanings.  For example, {{lang|ja|三階}} {{translit|ja|sangai}} can mean both "three floors" and "third floor."

==Periods of time==
To express a period of time one may add {{lang|ja|間}} {{translit|ja|kan}} to the following words: {{lang|ja|秒}} {{translit|ja|byō}}, {{lang|ja|分}} {{translit|ja|fun}}, {{lang|ja|時}} {{translit|ja|ji}}, {{lang|ja|日}} {{translit|ja|nichi}} (and its irregular readings aside from {{translit|ja|tsuitachi}}), {{lang|ja|週}} {{translit|ja|shū}}, {{lang|ja|ヶ月}} {{translit|ja|kagetsu}} and {{lang|ja|年}} {{translit|ja|nen}}. Usage varies depending on the word, though. For example, omitting {{translit|ja|kan}} in the case of {{lang|ja|時間}} {{translit|ja|jikan}} would be a mistake, whereas {{translit|ja|shūkan}} and {{translit|ja|shū}} are both in frequent use. In addition, {{translit|ja|kagetsukan}} is rarely heard due to essentially being superfluous, the {{translit|ja|ka}} already functioning to express the length.

== Counter for rabbits ==
The counter for rabbits is {{translit|ja|-wa}} ({{lang|ja|羽}}), which is the same as the counter for birds. Usually, {{translit|ja|-hiki}}  ({{lang|ja|匹}}) is used for "small-to-medium-size animals",<ref name=":03">{{Cite journal |last1=Miura |first1=Akira |last2=Tanimori |first2=Masahiro |date=1996 |title=Handbook of Japanese Grammar |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/329477 |journal=The Modern Language Journal |volume=80 |issue=3 |pages=424 |doi=10.2307/329477 |jstor=329477 |issn=0026-7902|url-access=subscription }}</ref> therefore, the counter for rabbits is an exception. There are many theories about why {{translit|ja|-wa}} ({{lang|ja|羽}}) is used for rabbits instead of {{translit|ja|-hiki}} ({{lang|ja|匹}}).

One of the theories is that in Edo-era, eating four-legged animals was strictly forbidden by the government, and people were not allowed to consume rabbit meat.<ref name="Tsurumi">{{Cite book |last=Tsurumi |first=Noriaki |script-title=ja:干支ってなぁ～に？ |publisher=Chikuma Shubansha |year=2000 |location=Japan |pages=92 |language=Japanese}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite book |script-title=ja:Japonica時事百科 : 大日本百科事典編 |publisher=Shogakukan |year=1980 |location=Japan |pages=85–86 |language=Japanese}}</ref> Then, people started to categorize rabbits as birds so that they can consume rabbit meat, and the counter was also changed from {{translit|ja|-hiki}} ({{lang|ja|匹}}) to {{translit|ja|-wa}} ({{lang|ja|羽}}).<ref name="Tsurumi" /><ref name=":2" /> Another theory is that taste of rabbit meat is similar to bird meat, and in addition, the rabbits were captured using a net just like birds so {{translit|ja|-wa}} ({{lang|ja|羽}}) is used instead of {{translit|ja|-hiki}} ({{lang|ja|匹}}).<ref>{{Cite book |script-title=ja:平凡社大百科事典 |publisher=Heibinsya |year=1984 |location=Japan |pages=221–222 |language=Japanese}}</ref> Takemitsu says that the origin of the word rabbit, {{lang|ja|兎}} {{translit|ja|usagi}}, is {{lang|ja|羽}} {{translit|ja|u}} which describes birds feather: therefore, the counter, {{translit|ja|-wa}} ({{lang|ja|羽}}), is used for rabbits.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Takemitsu |first=Makoto |script-title=ja:歴史から生まれた日常語の由来辞典 |publisher=Tokyodo Shuppan. |year=1998 |location=Japan |language=Japanese}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Measure words]]
* [[Japanese units of measurement]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

<section begin="list-of-glossing-abbreviations"/><div style="display:none;">
OBJ:object
</div><section end="list-of-glossing-abbreviations"/>

==External links==
* [http://japanese.about.com/library/weekly/aa061001a.htm About.com - Counters] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203191621/http://japanese.about.com/library/weekly/aa061001a.htm |date=2010-12-03 }}
* [https://www.trussel.com/jcount.htm A list of numeral counters with ichi/hito set indicated.]
{{Japanese language}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Japanese Counter Word}}
[[Category:Japanese grammar|Counter words]]
[[Category:Japanese vocabulary|Counter words]]
[[Category:Science and technology in Japan|Counter word]]
[[Category:Parts of speech]]