Translation guide
In Japanese, counting is highly dependent on what is being counted. Numbers combine with counter suffixes (助数詞) that classify objects by shape, type, or nature. The basic number system has native Japanese and Sino-Japanese readings, and counters often trigger sound changes. This guide covers the most common counters and patterns.
How to count people (one person, two people, etc.)
Use the counter 人 (にん) for people, but note the irregular readings for 1 and 2: 一人 (ひとり) and 二人 (ふたり). From 3 onward, use number + 人 (にん).
I came alone.
I have two children.
Three of us watched a movie.
How to count flat things like paper, tickets, plates
Use the counter 枚 (まい) for flat, thin objects such as sheets of paper, tickets, shirts, plates, CDs, etc.
Please give me one sheet of paper.
I bought three stamps.
How to count small, often round items like eggs, apples, balls
The counter 個 (こ) is a general counter for small, often round or three-dimensional objects. It's very common and can be used when no specific counter is known. Note the sound change for 1 (いっこ) and 6 (ろっこ), 8 (はっこ), 10 (じゅっこ).
Buy three eggs.
I ate one apple.
How to count long, thin items like pens, bottles, umbrellas
Use the counter 本 (ほん) for long, cylindrical objects. Sound changes occur: 1 (いっぽん), 3 (さんぼん), 6 (ろっぽん), 8 (はっぽん), 10 (じゅっぽん).
Please lend me one pen.
I drank two bottles of beer.
How to count small animals like cats, dogs, fish, insects
Use 匹 (ひき) for small animals. Sound changes: 1 (いっぴき), 3 (さんびき), 6 (ろっぴき), 8 (はっぴき), 10 (じゅっぴき).
I have two cats.
There are three goldfish.
How to count large animals like horses, cows, elephants
Use 頭 (とう) for large animals. Sound changes: 1 (いっとう), 8 (はっとう), 10 (じゅっとう).
There is one horse.
I saw two elephants.
How to count cars, computers, appliances
Use 台 (だい) for machines, vehicles, and appliances. No irregular sound changes.
I have two cars.
I bought one computer.
How to count books, magazines, notebooks
Use 冊 (さつ) for bound volumes like books, magazines, notebooks. Sound changes: 1 (いっさつ), 8 (はっさつ), 10 (じゅっさつ).
I borrowed three books.
Please give me one notebook.
For native Japanese numbers 1–10, you can use the generic counter つ (e.g., ひとつ、ふたつ、みっつ). This is often used for abstract things or when a specific counter is unknown, but it's limited to 10 and sounds more casual or childlike beyond small numbers.
Please give me three apples.
In English, you can say 'three apples' with just the number. In Japanese, you must use a counter: りんごを三個 (さんこ) or りんごを三つ (みっつ). Saying りんごを三 (さん) is ungrammatical.
I ate three apples.