Skip to content
Kyun

These four common counters cover different categories. 本 and 匹 have related sound changes; 回 has some doubled consonants, while 枚 keeps its まい reading. Learn each counter's pattern rather than applying one rule to all four.

Rows in yellow are irregular forms that do not follow the counter’s usual pattern.

Long, narrow objects such as bottles, pens, umbrellas, trees, and fingers. 本 also has extended uses, including counting phone calls.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10Also じゅっぽん
  • ?

Flat or thin objects such as sheets of paper, photos, stamps, shirts, plates, and tickets.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10
  • ?

Small animals, including dogs, cats, fish, and insects. Large animals such as cows and horses are generally counted with 〜頭(とう).

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9
  • 10Also じゅっぴき
  • ?

Occurrences: once, twice, or how many times something happens.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8Also はちかい
  • 9
  • 10Also じゅっかい
  • ?

Compare the sound changes

With 本 and 匹, 1, 6, 8, and 10 commonly produce a doubled p sound, while 3 changes h to b. 回 has its own pattern, including doubled k; 枚 stays まい throughout. The tables show the forms and alternatives to learn.

〜個 (こ) · A general counter for small objects

〜個 works for many small, separate objects: りんご三個(さんこ) means three apples, and これを二個(にこ)ください means two of these, please. It is useful when shopping, though some objects call for a more specific counter. Notice 1個 (いっこ), 6個 (ろっこ), 8個 (はっこ), and 10個 (じっこ / じゅっこ).

Examples

  • ビールを三本(さんぼん)ください。 — Three bottles of beer, please.
  • 切手(きって)を五枚(ごまい)買(か)いました。 — I bought five stamps.
  • 犬(いぬ)が二匹(にひき)います。 — There are two dogs.
  • 一回(いっかい)だけ行(い)ったことがあります。 — I have only been once.