Translation guide
Expressing the count or quantity of houses in Japanese, from casual conversation to formal statistics.
家が10軒あります。
There are 10 houses.
The speaker wants to state or ask how many houses there are.
The standard way to say 'there are N houses'. Uses the counter 軒 (けん) for buildings.
この町には家が100軒あります。
There are 100 houses in this town.
家が3軒並んでいる。
Three houses are lined up.
Literally 'the number of houses'. Used when talking about the count itself, often in more abstract or formal contexts.
この地域の家の数は増えている。
The number of houses in this area is increasing.
Uses the counter 戸 (こ), which is also for houses but less common than 軒 in everyday speech. Sometimes used in official contexts.
この村には家が50戸ある。
There are 50 houses in this village.
The speaker wants to ask about the number of houses.
Polite way to ask 'How many houses are there?'. Uses the counter 軒.
この通りに家は何軒ありますか？
How many houses are on this street?
Asks 'What is the number of houses?' using 数 (かず). Slightly more formal or abstract.
この地区の家の数はいくつですか？
What is the number of houses in this district?
Referring to the number of houses in a formal, statistical, or written context.
Formal term for 'number of housing units', used in reports and official documents.
この地域の住宅戸数は5万を超える。
The number of housing units in this area exceeds 50,000.
Another formal term for 'number of houses', often used in census or survey data.
国勢調査による家屋数は前年比で増加した。
The number of houses according to the census increased year-on-year.
軒 (けん) is the most common counter for houses and small buildings. 戸 (こ) is also used for houses but can sound more formal or statistical. 棟 (むね/とう) is used for larger buildings or apartment blocks, not individual houses.
アパートが1棟ある。
There is one apartment building.
Using the generic counter 個 (こ) for houses is unnatural. Always use 軒 or 戸.
✕ 家が3個ある。
Unnatural: 'There are three houses.'