N5Chapter 18

Counters Part 1: General & Small Items

Learning Objectives

  • Master the native Japanese counting system (一つ, 二つ...) for general objects.
  • Learn specific counters for small/compact items (〜個) and thin items (〜枚).
  • Conjugate verbs into the て-form (te-form) to link multiple actions.
  • Explore the Japanese culture of Omiyage (souvenir giving).
N5 Context

In English, we say “three books,” “three cars,” and “three people.” The word “three” never changes. In Japanese, however, you cannot just say a number. You must use a Counter—a specific suffix that depends on the shape, size, or type of the object you are counting!

Additionally, this chapter introduces the て-form (te-form), the “connector” of the Japanese language. Together, these tools allow you to describe complex scenarios like “I bought two apples and three oranges.”

1. The Universal Counters: 〜つ (tsu)

If you don’t know the specific counter for an object, the native Japanese number system is your “safety net.” These are used for generic items, abstract concepts, or anything that doesn’t have a more specific counter.

Vocabulary10 terms

  • ひとつ

    Counter

    hitotsu

    1 (item)

  • ふたつ

    Counter

    futatsu

    2 (items)

  • みっつ

    Counter

    mittsu

    3 (items)

  • よっつ

    Counter

    yottsu

    4 (items)

  • いつつ

    Counter

    itsutsu

    5 (items)

  • むっつ

    Counter

    muttsu

    6 (items)

  • ななつ

    Counter

    nanatsu

    7 (items)

  • やっつ

    Counter

    yattsu

    8 (items)

  • ここのつ

    Counter

    kokonotsu

    9 (items)

  • とお

    Counter

    too

    10 (items)

Grammar Point
[Object] を [Number+Counter] [Verb]
MeaningCounting objects in a sentence.
Formation:
The counter usually comes AFTER the particle を and BEFORE the verb.
Examples (3)
Example

りんご を ふたつ たべました。

Ringo o futatsu tabemashita.

I ate two apples.

Example

ハンバーガー を みっつ ください。

Hanbāgā o mittsu kudasai.

Three hamburgers, please.

Example

かばん が ひとつ あります。

Kaban ga hitotsu arimasu.

There is one bag.
Example

みかん を いつつ かいました。

Mikan o itsutsu kaimashita.

I bought five mandarin oranges.
Example

いす を よっつ ください。

Isu o yottsu kudasai.

Four chairs, please.
Example

へや に テーブル が ふたつ あります。

Heya ni tēburu ga futatsu arimasu.

There are two tables in the room.

2. Small & Flat Items: 〜個 (ko) and 〜枚 (mai)

While 〜つ is universal, Japanese people prefer specific counters when the shape is clear.

  • 〜個 (ko): For small, round, or compact objects (apples, eggs, candy).
  • 〜枚 (mai): For thin, flat objects (paper, shirts, plates, tickets).
Vocabulary5 terms

  • いっこ

    Counter

    ikko

    1 (small item)

  • にこ

    Counter

    niko

    2 (small items)

  • さんこ

    Counter

    sanko

    3 (small items)

  • いちまい

    Counter

    ichi-mai

    1 (flat item)

  • にまい

    Counter

    ni-mai

    2 (flat items)

Example

たまご を ろっこ かいました。

Tamago o rokko kaimashita.

I bought six eggs.
Example

きっぷ を にまい かって ください。

Kippu o nimai katte kudasai.

Please buy two tickets.
Example

シャツ を さんまい もっています。

Shatsu o sanmai motteimasu.

I own three shirts.

3. The て-form (The Connector)

The て-form is the most versatile conjugation in Japanese. It allows you to link verbs together without ending the sentence.

Conjugation Rules:

  • Group 2 (ru): Drop る ➔ add て (taberu ➔ tabete).
  • Group 1 (u): Use the “te-form song” (うつる➔って, むぶぬ➔んで, く➔いて, ぐ➔いで, す➔して).
  • Group 3 (Irregular): する ➔ して, くる ➔ きて.
Grammar Point
(Verb 1 て-form)、(Verb 2)
MeaningDo Action 1, AND THEN Action 2.
Formation:
[Verb て] + [Verb]
Examples (3)
Example

みせ へ いって、パン を かいました。

Mise e itte, pan o kaimashita.

I went to the store and bought bread.

Example

て を あらって、ごはん を たべます。

Te o aratte, gohan o tabemasu.

I wash my hands and eat.

Example

ちょっと まって ください。

Chotto matte kudasai.

Please wait a moment. (matsu ➔ matte)
Example

あさ、おきて、コーヒー を のみました。

Asa, okite, kōhī o nomimashita.

In the morning, I woke up and drank coffee.
Example

ほん を よんで、ねます。

Hon o yonde, nemasu.

I will read a book and go to sleep.
Example

にほんご を べんきょうして、えいが を みました。

Nihongo o benkyoushite, eiga o mimashita.

I studied Japanese and watched a movie.

4. Cultural Note: Omiyage Culture (お土産)

In Japan, Omiyage (souvenirs) are much more than just travel mementos. They are a social tool used to show gratitude to colleagues, friends, and family.

  • Not just for yourself: Unlike “souvenirs” in the West, Omiyage are almost always intended to be given away.
  • Regional Specialties: Each region in Japan has its own Meibutsu (famous product), usually a specific food like Yatsuhashi in Kyoto or Ringo (apples) in Aomori.
  • Counting Gifts: When buying Omiyage, you’ll use counters constantly!
    • Okashi o jukko kaimashita. (I bought 10 sweets.)
    • Hagaki o gomai kaimashita. (I bought 5 postcards.)

The presentation is key—Omiyage are always beautifully wrapped, reflecting the Japanese aesthetic of care and respect.

Conversation Practice

Shopping for Omiyage
Smith

すみません、この おかし を いつ つ ください。

Sumimasen, kono okashi o itsutsu kudasai.

Excuse me, five of these sweets, please.

Clerk

はい。ほか に なに か あります か。

Hai. Hoka ni nani ka arimasu ka?

Yes. Is there anything else?

Smith

ええと、ポストカード を さんまい ください。あと、きれいな はこ を ひとつ おねがいします。

Eeto, posutokādo o sanmai kudasai. Ato, kireina hako o hitotsu onegaishimasu.

Umm, three postcards, please. And one beautiful box, please.

Clerk

わかりました。ぜんぶ で ２５００えん です。

Wakarimashita. Zenbu de nisen gohyaku-en desu.

Understood. That's 2,500 yen in total.

Smith

カード で はらって、かえります。

Kādo de haratte, kaerimasu.

I'll pay by card and then go home.
A Busy Day
Tanaka

きのう、なに を しました か。

Kinou, nani o shimashita ka?

What did you do yesterday?

Lee

デパート へ いって、シャツ を にまい かいました。それから、ともだち に あいました。

Depāto e itte, shatsu o nimai kaimashita. Sorekara, tomodachi ni aimashita.

I went to the department store and bought two shirts. After that, I met a friend.

Tanaka

いい です ね。わたし も かいもの を して、ごはん を たべました。

Ii desu ne. Watashi mo kaimono o shite, gohan o tabemashita.

That's nice. I also did some shopping and ate a meal.

Lee

りんご を みっつ もらいました。たべます か。

Ringo o mittsu moraimashita. Tabemasu ka?

I received three apples. Do you want to eat one?

Chapter Summary

Key Takeaways
  • 1Japanese uses specific counters based on the item's shape and type.
  • 2一つ (hitotsu) to 十 (too) is the universal 'safety net' counting system.
  • 3Use 〜個 (ko) for small/compact items and 〜枚 (mai) for thin/flat items.
  • 4The counter usually sits between the particle を and the verb.
  • 5The て-form (te-form) links multiple actions together sequentially.
  • 6Omiyage (souvenirs) are an essential part of Japanese social etiquette and gift-giving.

Knowledge Check

Test your counting and connecting skills!

Practice Quiz
🧩

Quiz

1 / 15

Which counter is used for flat items like paper or shirts?