counter
general counter for things
Used with native Japanese numerals 1–9 (ひとつ, ふたつ, みっつ, etc.) to count generic objects, abstract items, or when no specific counter is required. Not used with numbers above 9.
りんごを三つください。
Please give me three apples.
質問が二つあります。
I have two questions.
counter
Used with native Japanese numerals 1–9 to express age, especially for children or in casual contexts. For ages above 9 or formal situations, 歳 (さい) is more common.
娘は今年で五つになります。
My daughter will be five years old this year.
三つ子の魂百まで。
The soul of a three-year-old lasts a hundred years. (proverb)
Native Japanese counter, historically derived from the Old Japanese suffix -tu used to count various items. The kanji 箇 and 個 are later Chinese borrowings applied to this reading, but the kana form つ is now standard.