助数詞 – Japanese Counters for Counting Things
In Japanese, there are special words that combine with numbers in order to count things. These are called 助数詞 and there are many of them. Depending on what you are counting you will need to learn a different type of counter. Below are some basic counters used for counting things. Let’s take a look.
INDEX
個 – Counts Almost Anything
The most commonly used counter for counting things is 個. You can use this convenient counter for almost anything from fruits, cups, products, or whatever. If you are not sure what counter to use to count something you can usually use 個 as default. However, this counter mainly counts small things. You would not use it for cars, houses, or other large items.
https://japaneseuniverse.com/2024/02/18/pac-man-in-japaneseconcepts-behind-development-to-global-icon/粒 – Small and Round
個 may count small everyday things, but 粒 counts even smaller things. 粒 is actually a word by itself which means something that is small and round, or a grain of something. Hence the word is used to count things that are small like seeds, pebbles, and so forth. The things it counts don’t need to all be round though. You can also use 粒 for counting grains of rice or other things that are around the same size.
枚 – Counting Flat Things
Paper, plates, towels, you name it there are flat things lying around all over the place. If you want to count things that are flat you will want to know 枚. This counter counts all sorts of flat things.
本 – Long and Skinny
Next, we have 本. This Kanji means book by itself but when used for counting it means something different. 本 counts things that are long and skinny such as pencils.
台 – Cars, Machines, and Appliances
We know that 個 counts small or average everyday things which are not too large. Well, if you want to know how to count cars, stoves, refrigerators and so on you will need to know 台. This character counts large things such as machines, appliances, cars, etc.
両 – Trains and Vehicles
両 is similar to 台. But, this Kanji counter is more specifically used for counting trains or even other vehicles.
機 – Counting Airplanes
The Japanese word for an airplane is 飛行機. The last character in this word is 機 which is the Kanji for machines. Quite literally if you translated 飛行機 into English it would mean flying machine.
So, if you want to count flying machines you just need to take this last Kanji 機 and add a number before it. 機 can count planes, jets and whatever other flying machines there may be.
冊 – Books
Most flat things are counted with 枚. However, books have their own special character to count them. No, it is not 本. That is used for long skinny things as mentioned above. The Kanji 冊 is the Kanji you use to count books.
束 – Counting Bunches and Bundles
束 is the Japanese word for bundle. It also conveniently is the word you use to count bundles. So, if you have a bundle of sticks, wood, a bunch of green onions or whatever you would say 束 to count them.
軒 – Houses
Finally, we have 軒. This Kanji is a special Kanji which counts houses.
