Basic Counters (助数詞)
Supporting / Numbers
👀 Layer A: Visual Guide (直感理解)
📝 Quick Summary (まとめ)
日本語では、数えるものによって数字の後ろにつく言葉（助数詞）が変わります。「形」に注目するのがポイントです。
In Japanese, counting words change depending on the shape or nature of the object. These are called “Counters”.
Key Counters:
Flat things: ～枚 (mai)
Long things: ～本 (hon)
Machines: ～台 (dai)
People: ～人 (nin) *Exception: 1&2*
General Things: ～つ (tsu)
🔍 Layer B: Deepening (深掘り)
💡 Raya’s Hack (攻略法)
困ったら「つ (tsu)」を使おう！
「ひとつ、ふたつ、みっつ…」という数え方は、人間と時間以外ならだいたい何にでも使えます！
「これ、2本ください」と言わなくても、「これ、ふたつ（2つ）ください」で十分通じます。
まずは「つ」をマスターしよう！
When in doubt, use the generic counter “~tsu” (Hitotsu, Futatsu…). It works for almost everything except people and time. “Futatsu kudasai” (Two please) is a perfect survival phrase!
🚧 Joy’s Mistake (よくある間違い)
Scene: Joy counts his two friends.
Joy: 「友達が 2つ います。」
(Tomodachi ga futatsu imasu.)
❌ Don’t treat friends like objects!
Why?
「つ」はモノに使います。人に使うと失礼になります。
人は「ひとり、ふたり、さんにん…」と数えます。
正解は「友達が ふたり います」です。
“Tsu” is for objects. Counting people with “tsu” is rude! Use “Hitori, Futari, Sannin”. Correct: “Tomodachi ga futari imasu”.
🔥 Layer C: Practice Loop
Now it’s time to test your learning through the next 10 practice drills!
Level 1: Pick the Suit
Q1. T-shirt (Flat) x 2
(Flat objects = Mai)
Q2. Pen (Long) x 3
(Long cylindrical objects = Hon/Bon/Pon)
Q3. Car (Machine) x 1
(Machines/Cars = Dai)
Q4. Apple (General/Round) x 5
(General counter = Tsu)
Q5. Student (People) x 4
(People = Nin. *Watch out for 4 (Yo-nin) not Yon-nin*)
Level 2: Sentences & Special Numbers
Q6. I have one older sister. (Ane)
(Ane ga hitori imasu.)
Q7. I bought two tickets. (Kippu)
(Kippu o nimai kaimashita. *Flat*)
Q8. Please give me 3 of these (Kore). (General)
(Kore o mittsu kudasai.)
Q9. There is one cat. (Neko)
(Neko ga ippiki imasu. *Small animal counter is Hiki*)
Q10. Translate: “How many (Ikutsu) apples are there?” (Ringo)
(Ringo ga ikutsu arimasu ka?)
