How to Count to Ten in Japanese

Last Updated: September 25, 2022 References Approved

Counting is typically one of the first skills you master when learning a new language. In Japanese, there are 2 sets of numbers to learn: the Sino-Japanese system and the native Japanese, or Wago, system. The Wago system is only used to count up to 10. The Sino-Japanese system also requires that you add a specific character or "counter" after the number to indicate the type of thing being counted.^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Counting to 10 in Native Japanese (Wago) Style

1
Learn when you can use the native Japanese style counting. Native Japanese counting tends to be simpler than the Sino-Japanese system and is only used to count things from 1 to 10. This set of numbers is also considered a universal counter. However, you can't use native Japanese to count money, time, or people.^{[2]
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- There are no counters in native Japanese style, which makes it simpler to use in daily life, for example, if you want to order 1 coffee or 3 pieces of sushi.
2
Start with the numbers from 1 to 5. Use flashcards or a similar method to learn the first 5 numbers in the native Japanese style counting. If you already know how to read hiragana, you can sound out the words.^{[3]
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- One (1) is ひとつ (hitotsu, pronounced "hee-toh-tsoo").
- Two (2) is ふたつ (futatsu, pronounced "foo-tah-tsoo").
- Three (3) is みっつ (mittsu, pronounced "mee-tsoo." Pause a beat between the two syllables).
- Four (4) is よっつ (yottsu, pronounced "yoh-tsoo").
- Five (5) is いつつ (itsutsu, pronounced "ee-tsoo-tsoo").
- There is no number for zero (0) in native Japanese style. For a zero, you would use the kanji character from the Sino-Japanese system.
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3
Add the numbers 6 through 10. Once you've mastered the first 5 numbers, move on to the next 5 using the same practice methods you used for the first 5. Now you can count to 10 in the native Japanese, or Wago, style.^{[4]
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- Six (6) is むっつ (muttsu, pronounced "moo-tsoo").
- Seven (7) is ななつ (nanatsu, pronounced "nah-nah-tsoo").
- Eight (8) is やっつ (yattsu, pronounced "yah-tsoo").
- Nine (9) is ここのつ (kokonotsu, pronounced "koh-koh-noh-tsoo").
- Ten (10) is とう (tou, pronounced toh).
- You might have noticed that except for 10, all of these numbers end in "tsu" (つ). When you're reading kanji, you can tell which number system is being used based on whether the number ends with this symbol.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using the Sino-Japanese System

1
Memorize the symbols and words for the numbers from 1 to 5. The Sino-Japanese system uses kanji characters to represent each number. The pronunciations of these characters differ from the pronunciations of the native Japanese characters. Use flashcards or a similar system to memorize these characters and their pronunciations.^{[5]
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- One (1) is 一 (ichi, pronounced "ee-chee").
- Two (2) is 二 (ni, pronounced "nee").
- Three (3) is 三 (san, pronounced "sahn").
- Four (4) is 四 (shi, pronounced "shee"). Because this word sounds like the Japanese word for death, the alternate pronunciation yon is also used – especially when talking about people.
- Five (5) is 五 (go, pronounced "goh").
2
Move on to the symbols and words for the numbers from 6 to 10. Once you've memorized the kanji characters and pronunciations of the numbers from 1 to 5, add the next 5. Practice until they come as smoothly as the first five. Then you are able to count to 10 using the Sino-Japanese system.^{[6]
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- Six (6) is 六 (roku, pronounced "loh-koo").
- Seven (7) is 七 (shichi, pronounced "shee-chee"). Because this has the same shi sound as in the number four, the alternate pronunciation nana is common.
- Eight (8) is 八 (hachi, pronounced "hah-chee").
- Nine (9) is 九 (kyuu, pronounced "kyoo").
- Ten (10) is 十 (juu, pronounced "joo").
- You can also use these kanji with the native Japanese system. Simply add the "tsu" (つ) symbol after the kanji character. For example, 1 would be 一つ. You would read it as hitotsu, not ichi.
3
Combine symbols to create larger numbers. Once you know how to count to 10, creating larger numbers is a breeze. Unlike in English and other European languages, there are no new words to learn. If you break the number down into its parts and combine the symbols for each of those parts, you can count all the way to 99 with 10 characters.^{[7]
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- For example, 31 is 三十一: three tens and a one. You say it san juu ichi. 54 is 五十四: five tens and a four. You say it go juu shi.
4
Add 目 (me, pronounced "meh") to use a number as an ordinal. If you want to refer to the "first" or "second" rather than the cardinal number, put a 目 after the number. Then read the number and the 目 together.^{[8]
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- For example, 一目 means "first." You would read it ichi me (pronounced "ee-chee meh").
- You do the same thing with larger numbers. For example, 三十一目 means "thirty-first." However, in most cases you would be talking about the 31st something, such as the 31st time or someone's 31st birthday. To say that, you would need an additional character, known as a counter, that is appropriate for that thing.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Learning Basic Counters

1
Count people with the 人 (nin, pronounced "neen") counter only. While many counter words can apply for broad categories of things, none of them can be applied to people. If you're counting people, you always add 人 after the number.^{[9]
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- For example, 九人 (kyuu nin, pronounced "kyoo neen") means "nine people."
- The first 2 counters are irregular. If you're referring to one person, 一人, you say hitori (pronounced "hee-tohr-ee"). If you're referring to two people, 二人, you say futari (pronounced "foo-tah-lee"). For all others, simply add nin to the word for the number.
2
Use the つ (tsu, pronounced "tsoo") counter for any 3-dimensional object. While Japanese has hundreds of very specific counters, this one can be used to count virtually any object that exists. It works not only for solid 3-dimensional objects but also for things with no definite shape, such as shadows or sound waves.^{[10]
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- For numbers 1 through 10, つ is used with the native Japanese system, not the Sino-Japanese system.
- While this counter applies to any 3-dimensional object, it can also be used for abstract things, such as thoughts, opinions, ideas, or reasons.
- Use the tsu counter when you're placing an order for something – anything from a cup of coffee to pieces of sushi or concert tickets.
3
Try the 個 (ko, pronounced "koh") counter to count things with a clear boundary. The ko counter is almost as useful as the tsu counter and there is a lot of overlap between the two. However, ko has some limitations that tsu does not.^{[11]
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- For example, you can use ko to talk about the difference in ages between to people, but not about how old a single person is.
- Generally speaking, if you use either ko or tsu as a counter, your meaning will be understood.
4
Add 目 (me, pronounced "meh") after a counter to show order. When using just a number and a counter, you express a number of the thing being counted. However, if you add 目 after the counter, it indicates the order in which that thing is placed (rather than the number).^{[12]
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- For example, 一回 means "one time." However, if you add 目 to it you get 一回目, which means "the first time."
- Similarly, 四人 means "four people." Add the 目 and it becomes 四人目, "the fourth person."

Community Q&A

Question

When ordering a coffee do you use ichi or hitotsu?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

If you use ichi, be sure to also use a counter, such as tsu. Hitotsu is more commonly used than ichi in daily life because not needing a counter makes it less complicated. However, you can use either and you'll usually be understood.
Question

Is Japanese similar to Hindi?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Japanese and Hindi do have one similarity – they both use a syllabic alphabet (at least if you're using hiragana characters). While the characters used and the sounds they make are significantly different, if you understand the concept of a syllabic alphabet, you might find it easier to learn another language with a syllabic alphabet.
Question

I learned a lot of French pronunciation. Knowing that, would that help me in pronunciation for Japanese?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Absolutely. French and Japanese have close pronunciation, with most letters (or syllables) being pronounced the same way. Additionally, each syllable of a word in Japanese has the same length and strength, similar to French. Also, there are no diphthongs in either language.