Counters (つ・人・本・枚・匹・冊・台・杯・回・階)
counters
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
Numbers must be followed by a counter matching the type of object.
In Japanese you cannot just say "three"; you need a counter word that matches what you count. つ for general things (三つ), 人 for people (三人), 本 for long thin things (bottles, pens), 枚 for flat things (paper, tickets), 匹 for small animals, 冊 for books, 台 for machines, 杯 for cups, 回 for times, 階 for floors. The number + counter usually sits right before the verb: りんごを三つください.
Shopping, ordering, describing your family, counting anything. Some readings change: 一人 ひとり, 二人 ふたり, 一本 いっぽん, 三本 さんぼん, 一匹 いっぴき, 一杯 いっぱい, 一冊 いっさつ.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Noun + を／が + Number + counter + verb (the counter phrase usually sits right before the verb)
Visual diagram
| Aspect | Counts | 1 / 2 / 3 |
|---|---|---|
| つ | general objects | ひとつ / ふたつ / みっつ |
| 人 | people | ひとり / ふたり / さんにん |
| 本 | long thin things | いっぽん / にほん / さんぼん |
| 枚 | flat things | いちまい / にまい / さんまい |
| 匹 | small animals | いっぴき / にひき / さんびき |
| 杯 | cups, glasses | いっぱい / にはい / さんばい |
Natural examples
りんごを三つください。
りんごを みっつ ください。
Three apples, please.
General objects: つ.
家族は四人です。
かぞくは よにんです。
There are four people in my family.
People: 人 (よにん, not しにん).
ビールを二本と、コーヒーを一杯お願いします。
ビールを にほんと、コーヒーを いっぱい おねがいします。
Two bottles of beer and one coffee, please.
Bottles: 本; cups: 杯.
切手を五枚ください。
きってを ごまい ください。
Five stamps, please.
Flat things: 枚.
うちに猫が二匹います。
うちに ねこが にひき います。
We have two cats at home.
Small animals: 匹.
Similar grammar and the difference
The counter for occurrences. Compare side by side
Number + counter goes before あります／います: 学生が三人います. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 三つ人
- ✓
- 三人
- Why
- People take 人, not つ.
- ✗
- ビールを二つ (in a bar, for bottles)
- ✓
- ビールを二本／二杯
- Why
- Bottles are 本, glasses are 杯. (二つ is understood but not the tested form.)
- ✗
- 四人 read as しにん
- ✓
- よにん
- Why
- 四人 is always よにん.
Key irregulars: 一人（ひとり）, 二人（ふたり）, 四人（よにん）; 一本（いっぽん）, 三本（さんぼん）, 六本（ろっぽん）; 一枚（いちまい）; 一匹（いっぴき）, 三匹（さんびき）; 一冊（いっさつ）; 一台（いちだい）; 一杯（いっぱい）, 三杯（さんばい）; 一階（いっかい）, 三階（さんがい）. Native numbers ひとつ〜とお (十) for general objects; ask "how many" with いくつ／何人／何本 etc.
JLPT N5 tips
On the exam
- Match the counter to the object: paper/tickets → 枚, pens/bottles → 本, books → 冊, animals → 匹, people → 人, cars/machines → 台.
- Reading questions test ひとり, ふたり, よにん, いっぽん, さんぼん, いっぴき, いっぱい.
Frequently asked questions
What does Counters (つ・人・本・枚・匹・冊・台・杯・回・階) mean?
Numbers must be followed by a counter matching the type of object. In Japanese you cannot just say "three"; you need a counter word that matches what you count. つ for general things (三つ), 人 for people (三人), 本 for long thin things (bottles, pens), 枚 for flat things (paper, tickets), 匹 for small animals, 冊 for books, 台 for machines, 杯 for cups, 回 for times, 階 for floors. The number + counter usually sits right before the verb: りんごを三つください.
How do you form Counters (つ・人・本・枚・匹・冊・台・杯・回・階)?
Noun + を／が + Number + counter + verb (the counter phrase usually sits right before the verb). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is Counters (つ・人・本・枚・匹・冊・台・杯・回・階) used?
Shopping, ordering, describing your family, counting anything. Some readings change: 一人 ひとり, 二人 ふたり, 一本 いっぽん, 三本 さんぼん, 一匹 いっぴき, 一杯 いっぱい, 一冊 いっさつ.
What is the difference between Counters (つ・人・本・枚・匹・冊・台・杯・回・階) and 回?
The counter for occurrences.
What is the difference between Counters (つ・人・本・枚・匹・冊・台・杯・回・階) and あります／います?
Number + counter goes before あります／います: 学生が三人います.
What is a common mistake with Counters (つ・人・本・枚・匹・冊・台・杯・回・階)?
Wrong: 三つ人 Right: 三人 People take 人, not つ.
Quick check
What goes in ( )? りんごを（ ）ください。