Japanese Counting Numbers

Learn Counting in Japanese

Welcome to the Japanese lesson on Counting Numbers. This page is all about Japanese numbers. In the English language, numbers are used in the same way when counting different types of things. But in the Japanese language, numbers are used in many ways. Why?

Because Japanese uses different counters for different types of things ranging from simple objects, people, flat things, long slender things to books. See below on how Japanese number counting varies.

With “hyaku” (100) and “sen” (1000), the pattern is basically the same. However, there are some changes in pronunciation. Numbers with pronunciation changes are underlined.

The Japanese uses 10,000 as a counting unit. Each unit of 10,000 is called “man”. This continues until 100,000,000 (ichioku).

“Man” and “oku” follow a regular rule except for 10,000 and 100,000,000. They are always “ichiman” and “ichioku,” not just “man” and “oku.”

In most cases, the Japanese use the Arabic (Western) numbers when they write horizontally.

Sample Pattern in Japanese Counting

21 = 20 + 1 –> nijuu ichi

123= 100 + 20 + 3 –> hyaku nijuu san

1999 = 1000 + 900 + 90 + 9 –> sen kyuuhyaku kyuujuu kyuu

20864 = 20000 + 800 + 60 + 4 –> niman happyaku rokujuu yon

543210 = 540000 + 3000 + 200 + 10 –> gojuuyonman sanzen nihyaku juu

Counting Generic Objects in Japanese

Here are the Japanese counters for objects, learn this well!
1 – hitotsu
2 – futatsu
3 – mittsu
4 – yottsu
5 – itsutsu
6 – muttsu
7 – nanatsu
8 – yatsu
9 – kokonotsu
10 – too
Then continue counting with regular numbers.
How Many – ikutsu

Counting People in Japanese

Here, we use the suffix “nin” but this changes depending on the number of people. 1 person and 2 people are exceptions. Again, just learn by counting over and over out loud.
1 – person hitori
2 – people futari
3 – people sannin
4 – people yonin
5 – people gonin
6 – people rokunin
7 – people shichinin
8 – people hachinin
9 – people kunin
10 – people junin
How many people –  nannin

Learn Counting Flat Objects in Japanese

The counter here is the suffix “mai.” Examples: paper, plates, etc.
1 – ichimai
2 – nimai
3 – sanmai
4 – yonmai
5 – gomai
6 – rokumai
7 – nanamai
8 – hachimai
9 – kyumai
10 – jumai
How Many – nanmai

Counting Long Slender Objects in Japanese

The counter here is the suffix “hon.” Examples: Pencils, sticks, etc.
1 – ippon
2 – nihon
3 – sanbon
4 – yohon
5 – gohon
6 – roppon
7 – nanahon
8 – happon
9 – kyuhon
10 – jyuppon
How Many – nanbon

Counting Books in Japanese

The counter here is the suffix “satsu.”
1 Book – issatsu
2 Books – nisatsu
3 Books – sansatsu
4 Books – yonsatsu
5 Books – gosatsu
6 Books – rokusatsu
7 Books – nanasatsu
8 Books – hassatsu
9 Books – kyusatsu
10 Books – jissatsu
How Many – nansatsu

Next, why don’t you check out some useful Japanese phrases and Japanese greetings, and learn about telling time in Japanese?