also: ヶ · ケ
counter
counter for small objects; counter for pieces
The most common general counter for small, discrete, often three-dimensional objects. Used for items like apples, eggs, cups, erasers, and many everyday things. Also written as ヶ in some contexts.
りんごを三個ください。
Please give me three apples.
この箱には何個入っていますか。
How many are in this box?
counter
Specialized counter for military formations or units. Rare in everyday conversation.
三個連隊が演習に参加した。
Three regiments participated in the exercise.
noun
Noun use referring to a single person as an individual, often in contrast to a group. Can sound slightly formal or analytical.
個としての意見を尊重する。
Respect the opinion of the individual.
彼は一個の人間として立派だ。
He is admirable as an individual person.
counter
counter for years of age difference; counter for school years
Colloquial counter for age gaps or school-year differences. Often used in phrases like 一個上 (one year older) or 二個下 (two years younger).
彼は私より一個上の先輩です。
He is my senior by one school year.
妹は二個下です。
My younger sister is two years below me.
Rarely used kanji form; learners will almost always encounter 個.
Search-only form; full-size katakana ke is occasionally used as a substitute for the small-ke abbreviation.
The character 個 originally meant 'individual' or 'piece'. Its use as a general counter for small objects developed in Chinese and was adopted into Japanese. The reading こ is the Sino-Japanese on'yomi.