Translation guide
In Japanese, classifiers (counter words) are used when counting objects, people, animals, and abstract things. Unlike English, where you can simply say 'three cats', Japanese requires a specific counter suffix attached to the number. The choice of counter depends on the shape, type, or nature of the item being counted. This guide covers the most common and useful classifiers for English-speaking learners.
three people
How to count small to medium-sized animals using 匹 (ひき/びき/ぴき)
Used for most animals smaller than humans, such as cats, dogs, fish, insects, and reptiles. The reading changes due to rendaku: いっぴき (1), にひき (2), さんびき (3), etc.
猫が3匹いる。
There are three cats.
犬を2匹飼っている。
I have two dogs.
How to count large animals using 頭 (とう)
How to count birds and rabbits using 羽 (わ)
Used for birds and rabbits (due to historical association). Readings: いちわ (1), にわ (2), さんわ (3), etc. Note: 1羽 is いちわ, not いっぱ.
鳥が3羽飛んでいる。
Three birds are flying.
How to count flat, thin objects like paper, tickets, plates using 枚 (まい)
Used for flat items: sheets of paper, photos, CDs, shirts, plates, etc. Regular readings: いちまい, にまい, さんまい.
紙を2枚ください。
Please give me two sheets of paper.
Tシャツを3枚買った。
I bought three T-shirts.
How to count long, thin objects like pencils, bottles, trees using 本 (ほん/ぼん/ぽん)
Used for long, cylindrical objects: pens, umbrellas, bananas, rivers, trains, etc. Rendaku applies: いっぽん (1), にほん (2), さんぼん (3).
ペンを1本貸してください。
Please lend me one pen.
ビールを2本飲んだ。
I drank two bottles of beer.
How to count small, often round or generic objects using 個 (こ)
A versatile counter for small, three-dimensional objects like apples, eggs, stones, erasers. Also used for abstract things like ideas or problems. Regular readings: いっこ, にこ, さんこ.
りんごを3個買った。
I bought three apples.
質問が2個ある。
I have two questions.
How to count mechanical devices, vehicles, and appliances using 台 (だい)
Used for cars, computers, TVs, washing machines, etc. Regular readings: いちだい, にだい, さんだい.
車が2台ある。
There are two cars.
新しいパソコンを1台買った。
I bought one new computer.
For many everyday items without a specific counter, or when you don't know the correct counter, you can use the native Japanese counter 〜つ. It works for numbers 1-10 (ひとつ, ふたつ, みっつ, etc.) and is very common in casual speech. However, it's less precise and cannot be used for people.
りんごをみっつください。
Please give me three apples.
In English, you can say 'three cats' without a classifier. In Japanese, omitting the counter (e.g., 猫が3いる) is ungrammatical. Always use a counter when specifying a quantity.
匹 (ひき) is for small animals (cats, dogs, insects), 頭 (とう) is for large animals (cows, elephants), and 羽 (わ) is for birds and rabbits. When in doubt, 匹 is a safe default for most pets and wild animals smaller than a human.