Specific counters: 本, 枚, 匹, and 回
Choose a counter for the kind of thing you are counting. Here are four common ones.
Learn
Japanese counters depend on the kind of thing being counted. Shape matters for many objects; animals and occurrences use other categories. The general つ series is useful, but it does not replace every specific counter.
| used for | example | |
|---|---|---|
| 本(ほん) | long, narrow objects | ペン 三本 |
| 枚(まい) | flat objects | 写真 二枚 |
| 匹(ひき) | small animals | 猫 一匹 |
| 回(かい) | times / occurrences | 二回 |
Learn the sound changes as part of each combination: 一本 is いっぽん, 三本 is さんぼん, 一匹 is いっぴき, and 三匹 is さんびき. Do not simply read the number and counter separately. There are other changes too, so check a counter table when needed.
Practice a few combinations in useful sentences, then build up the set. Use the matching counter when you know it, and review the readings you find difficult. Repeated practice helps; you do not need to memorize every table in one sitting.
Examples
ペン を 三本 買います。
I’m buying three pens.
写真 を 二枚 撮ります。
I’m taking two photos.
猫 が 一匹 います。
There is one cat.
一回 行きました。
I went once.