When counting machines and vehicles in Japanese, we use the counter 〜台 (~dai). This counter is versatile and applies to many everyday items. For example, if you're talking about cars, bicycles, or even large appliances, 〜台 is the counter you'll reach for.
To use it, you attach 〜台 to the number. For instance, two cars would be 車二台 (kuruma ni-dai). This makes it easy to specify quantities for a broad category of items.
〜台 en 30 segundos
- Counts machines.
- Counts vehicles.
- Attached to numbers.
§ What does 〜台 (dai) mean?
When you're learning Japanese, you quickly realize that counting isn't as straightforward as just using numbers. You need special counter words for different types of objects. Today, we're focusing on 〜台 (dai), an essential counter that helps you specify quantities of certain items. Think of it like saying "a head of cattle" or "a loaf of bread" in English – "dai" does a similar job, but for a specific category of things.
The counter 〜台 (dai) is primarily used for machines and vehicles. This includes everything from cars and bicycles to televisions, computers, and even large appliances. If it's got an engine, wheels, or is an electronic device, there's a good chance you'll use 〜台 (dai) to count it. It’s a very practical counter to know because machines and vehicles are everywhere in daily life.
§ When do people use 〜台 (dai)?
You use 〜台 (dai) whenever you need to count machines or vehicles. Let's break down some common scenarios. Imagine you're at a car dealership and want to ask how many cars they have. You'd use 〜台 (dai). If you're talking about the number of computers in an office, again, 〜台 (dai) is your counter. It's not just for big, expensive items; even something like a bicycle or a washing machine falls into this category.
- DEFINITION
- Counter for machines, vehicles.
Here are some concrete examples:
- Cars: 車一台 (kuruma ichi-dai) - one car
- Bicycles: 自転車二台 (jitensha ni-dai) - two bicycles
- Televisions: テレビ三台 (terebi san-dai) - three televisions
- Computers: パソコン四台 (pasokon yon-dai) - four computers
- Washing Machines: 洗濯機五台 (sentakuki go-dai) - five washing machines
Notice how the number comes before the counter word in Japanese, just like with other counters. It's important to remember that for numbers like 1, 6, 8, and 10, the pronunciation of 〜台 (dai) can sometimes change slightly due to sound changes (assimilation), but for 〜台 (dai), it's generally straightforward.
車が一台あります。
Hint: There is one car.
テレビが二台あります。
Hint: There are two televisions.
The key takeaway here is to identify whether the item you're counting is a machine or a vehicle. If it is, then 〜台 (dai) is almost certainly the correct counter to use. Mastering Japanese counters takes practice, but once you get the hang of them, your Japanese will sound much more natural and precise. Keep practicing with different numbers and different machines/vehicles, and you'll be counting like a pro in no time.
Remember, consistent practice with example sentences is the best way to solidify your understanding of Japanese counters. Try to make your own sentences using items you see around you every day. How many computers do you have? How many bikes are parked outside? Apply what you've learned!
§ What 「～台」means
- Japanese Word
- 「～台」(dai)
- Definition
- Counter for machines, vehicles.
When you want to count machines or vehicles in Japanese, you use the counter 「～台」 (dai). It's a super common counter, so you'll hear it a lot in everyday conversations, at work, or even on the news.
§ Basic Usage of 「～台」
You attach 「～台」 to the number to count things like cars, bicycles, televisions, computers, and even large appliances. Here's a quick look at how it works:
- 1 台 (ichi-dai): one machine/vehicle
- 2 台 (ni-dai): two machines/vehicles
- 3 台 (san-dai): three machines/vehicles
- 4 台 (yon-dai): four machines/vehicles
- 10 台 (jū-dai): ten machines/vehicles
§ Where You Actually Hear This Word — Work, School, News
Let's dive into some practical situations where 「～台」 comes up. You'll quickly see how useful it is.
At Work
In a business setting, you'll often need to count office equipment or company vehicles. Imagine you're in an office meeting discussing new equipment or inventory.
会社にはパソコンが10台あります。
The company has 10 (units of) personal computers.
新しいプリンターを2台注文しました。
We ordered 2 (units of) new printers.
When talking about company cars or delivery trucks, 「～台」 is indispensable.
営業車は全部で5台あります。
There are 5 (units of) company sales cars in total.
At School/Campus
At school, you might talk about the number of computers in the lab, projectors in classrooms, or even bicycles in the bike rack.
コンピューター室にはパソコンが30台あります。
There are 30 (units of) computers in the computer room.
学生の駐轂場には自転車が100台以上あります。
There are over 100 (units of) bicycles in the student bike parking lot.
In the News
When you're watching Japanese news, especially reports on natural disasters, traffic, or technology, 「～台」 will pop up frequently. It's used to count emergency vehicles, damaged cars, or new product shipments.
災害現場に救急車が5台出動しました。
5 (units of) ambulances were dispatched to the disaster site.
新型スマホが10万台販売されました。
100,000 (units of) new smartphones were sold.
Everyday Conversations
Even in casual chats, 「～台」 is common. Talking about household appliances, electronics, or personal vehicles is a perfect use case.
私は車を1台持っています。
I own 1 (unit of) car.
家にテレビが3台あります。
There are 3 (units of) televisions at home.
As you can see, 「～台」 is a versatile counter that you'll encounter in many different contexts. Pay attention to how native speakers use it, and you'll quickly get the hang of it!
§ Common Mistakes with 〜台
The Japanese counter 〜台 (dai) is used for counting machines and vehicles. While straightforward, learners often make a few common errors. Understanding these will help you use 〜台 correctly and sound more natural.
§ Using 〜台 for Things That Aren't Machines or Vehicles
This is the most frequent mistake. Remember, 〜台 is specifically for machines (like TVs, computers, refrigerators) and vehicles (like cars, bicycles, planes). You wouldn't use it for things like books, people, or animals.
- INCORRECT
- 本を三台 (hon o san dai) - Three books
- CORRECT
- 本を三冊 (hon o san satsu) - Three books (冊 is the counter for books)
テレビが一台あります。(Terebi ga ichidai arimasu.) - There is one TV.
車を二台持っています。(Kuruma o nidai motte imasu.) - I have two cars.
§ Forgetting the Proper Pronunciation Changes
Like many Japanese counters, 〜台 has some pronunciation changes when combined with certain numbers. While not as complex as some other counters, it's easy to forget these nuances.
- One machine/vehicle: 一台 (ichidai) - NOT ichi-dai
- How many machines/vehicles: 何台 (nan-dai) - NOT nani-dai
- INCORRECT
- テレビがイチ台あります。(Terebi ga ichi-dai arimasu.)
- CORRECT
- テレビが一台あります。(Terebi ga ichidai arimasu.) - There is one TV.
家に自転車が何台ありますか。(Ie ni jitensha ga nan-dai arimasu ka?) - How many bicycles do you have at home?
§ Confusing 〜台 with Other Similar-Sounding Counters
Japanese has many counters, and some can sound similar. It's important not to mix up 〜台 with others like 〜個 (ko, for small, general items) or 〜本 (hon, for long, cylindrical items).
- INCORRECT
- りんごを二台 (ringo o nidai) - Two apples
- CORRECT
- りんごを二個 (ringo o niko) - Two apples (個 is the counter for small, general items)
While both might be spoken quickly, using the wrong counter for apples (which are not machines or vehicles) will sound very odd to a native speaker.
新しいパソコンを一台買いました。(Atarashii pasokon o ichidai kaimashita.) - I bought one new computer.
§ Not Practicing with Real-World Examples
Simply knowing the rule isn't enough. You need to practice using 〜台 in context. Without practice, these mistakes are easy to make in a real conversation.
- Read: Look for examples of 〜台 in Japanese sentences, manga, or news articles.
- Listen: Pay attention to how native speakers use 〜台 in anime, dramas, or podcasts.
- Speak: Try to form your own sentences using 〜台 when describing machines or vehicles around you.
この駐車場には車が十台止められます。(Kono chuushajou ni wa kuruma ga juudai tomeraremasu.) - Ten cars can be parked in this parking lot.
§ Summary of Key Takeaways
To avoid common mistakes with 〜台:
- Use it ONLY for machines and vehicles.
- Remember the phonetic changes (e.g., ichidai, nan-dai).
- Don't confuse it with other counters.
- Practice consistently with real-world examples.
By keeping these points in mind, you'll use 〜台 with confidence and accuracy in your Japanese conversations.
Nivel de dificultad
short
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Qué aprender después
Requisitos previos
Aprende después
Avanzado
Ejemplos por nivel
テレビは一台あります。
I have one TV.
その会社には車が三台あります。
That company has three cars.
パソコンを二台買いました。
I bought two computers.
駐車場に自転車が何台か停まっています。
Several bicycles are parked in the parking lot.
この部屋にはエアコンが一台しかありません。
There is only one air conditioner in this room.
工場には新しい機械が五台導入されました。
Five new machines were introduced to the factory.
彼女はカメラをたくさん持っていて、全部で四台あります。
She has many cameras; in total, she has four.
このアパートには、洗濯機が各部屋に一台ずつあります。
In this apartment, there is one washing machine in each room.
テレビは何台ありますか？
How many TVs do you have?
テレビ (terebi, TV) + は (wa, topic particle) + 何台 (nan-dai, how many units) + ありますか (arimasu ka, do you have/are there?)
この駐車場には車が20台停められます。
This parking lot can fit 20 cars.
この (kono, this) + 駐車場 (chūshajō, parking lot) + には (ni wa, in/at) + 車 (kuruma, car) + が (ga, subject particle) + 20台 (nijū-dai, 20 units) + 停められます (tomeraremasu, can be parked).
新しい洗濯機を1台買いました。
I bought one new washing machine.
新しい (atarashii, new) + 洗濯機 (sentakuki, washing machine) + を (o, direct object particle) + 1台 (ichi-dai, 1 unit) + 買いました (kaimashita, bought).
私たちの会社にはコンピューターが50台あります。
Our company has 50 computers.
私たちの (watashitachi no, our) + 会社 (kaisha, company) + には (ni wa, in/at) + コンピューター (konpyūtā, computer) + が (ga, subject particle) + 50台 (gojū-dai, 50 units) + あります (arimasu, have/there are).
その工場では、毎日何百台ものロボットが作られています。
Hundreds of robots are made every day in that factory.
その (sono, that) + 工場 (kōjō, factory) + では (de wa, at) + 毎日 (mainichi, every day) + 何百台 (nanbyaku-dai, hundreds of units) + もの (mono, indicating a large quantity) + ロボット (robotto, robot) + が (ga, subject particle) + 作られています (tsukurarete imasu, are being made).
彼はスマートフォンを3台持っています。
He has three smartphones.
彼 (kare, he) + は (wa, topic particle) + スマートフォン (sumātofon, smartphone) + を (o, direct object particle) + 3台 (san-dai, 3 units) + 持っています (motte imasu, has).
この部署にはコピー機が2台しかありません。
There are only two copy machines in this department.
この (kono, this) + 部署 (busho, department) + には (ni wa, in/at) + コピー機 (kopī-ki, copy machine) + が (ga, subject particle) + 2台 (ni-dai, 2 units) + しか (shika, only/nothing but) + ありません (arimasen, don't have/there aren't).
災害時には、多くの緊急車両が出動します。
In times of disaster, many emergency vehicles are dispatched.
災害時 (saigai-ji, in times of disaster) + には (ni wa, at) + 多くの (ōku no, many) + 緊急車両 (kinkyū sharyō, emergency vehicles) + が (ga, subject particle) + 出動します (shutudō shimasu, are dispatched).
Se confunde a menudo con
A general counter for small, non-specific items. While you might count a small toy car with "-ko," for an actual car, you'd use "-dai."
A very general counter for items, often used for things without a specific counter or when you're unsure. Never use this for machines or vehicles when "-dai" is appropriate.
A counter for thin, flat objects like paper or plates. Completely different category from machines and vehicles, but can be confused by beginners trying to generalize counters.
Fácil de confundir
Many learners struggle with the concept of counters in Japanese, especially when to use a specific counter like "-dai" for machines and vehicles. "Ichidai" means "one machine/vehicle."
This is the basic form for counting one item. It's often confused with other counters that might seem applicable, like for general objects (ひとつ) or for thin, flat objects (一枚). The key is to remember "-dai" is specifically for machines, appliances, and vehicles.
新しい車を一台買いました。 (I bought one new car.)
This is the interrogative form, meaning "how many machines/vehicles?". Learners often confuse it with other interrogative counters like "いくつ" (how many, general) or "何本" (how many, long cylindrical objects).
Use "nandai" specifically when asking about the quantity of machines or vehicles. The "nan" (何) part indicates a question, and "-dai" specifies the type of item being counted.
テレビは何台ありますか。 (How many televisions do you have?)
The pronunciation of counters can be tricky, and "sandai" (three machines/vehicles) is a common point of confusion. Some numbers change their pronunciation when combined with certain counters.
While the number three is usually "san," when combined with "-dai," it remains "sandai" without a consonant change (like in "sanbon" for long objects). Pay attention to these specific sound changes with counters.
自転車を三台持っています。 (I have three bicycles.)
Adding demonstratives like "kono" (this) before a counter can be confusing for learners, especially understanding the natural flow and word order.
When you want to specify "this one machine/vehicle," you place "kono" before the numbered counter. It's a common structure for pointing out a specific item from a group.
この一台のコンピューターは新しいです。 (This one computer is new.)
Combining the counter with the existence verb "arimasu" (to have/there is) is fundamental but can be challenging to construct correctly, especially when specifying the number of items.
The pattern is [Noun] が [Number + counter] あります. This construction is used to state how many of a particular item (machines/vehicles) exist or are possessed.
家にエアコンが二台あります。 (There are two air conditioners at home.)
Cómo usarlo
When counting machines or vehicles in Japanese, we use the counter 〜台 (dai). For example, to say "two cars," you would say 車二台 (kuruma ni dai). This counter is used for a wide range of objects, from televisions and computers to bicycles and cars. It's a very practical counter to learn!
A common mistake is confusing 〜台 (dai) with other counters that might seem similar, like 〜個 (ko) for general small objects or 〜本 (hon) for long, cylindrical objects. Remember that 〜台 specifically refers to machines and vehicles. For instance, you wouldn't say テレビ二個 (terebi ni ko) for two TVs; it should be テレビ二台 (terebi ni dai). Also, be careful with pronunciation changes: for one machine/vehicle, it's 一台 (ichidai), but for two, it's 二台 (nidai).
Ponte a prueba 60 preguntas
この部屋にはテレビが2___あります。
テレビは機械なので、「台」を使って数えます。
駐車場には車が何___いますか。
車は乗り物なので、「台」を使って数えます。
新しい洗濯機を1___買いました。
洗濯機は機械なので、「台」を使って数えます。
会社にはパソコンが20___あります。
パソコンは機械なので、「台」を使って数えます。
このバスは1日に3___運行しています。
バスは乗り物なので、「台」を使って数えます。
自転車を2___持っています。
自転車は乗り物なので、「台」を使って数えます。
Choose the correct counter for 'two cars'.
〜台 (dai) is the correct counter for vehicles like cars.
How do you say 'three televisions' using the correct counter?
〜台 (dai) is used for machines such as televisions.
Which sentence correctly uses 〜台 (dai)?
〜台 (dai) is used for counting machines like computers.
You can use 〜台 (dai) to count bicycles.
Bicycles are considered vehicles, so 〜台 (dai) is appropriate.
To count pieces of paper, you should use 〜台 (dai).
〜台 (dai) is for machines and vehicles, not flat objects like paper. 〜枚 (mai) would be used for paper.
If you have 'one washing machine', you would say '洗濯機一台 (sentakuki ichidai)'.
Washing machines are machines, so 〜台 (dai) is the correct counter.
Choose the correct counter for 'two cars'.
〜台 (dai) is the correct counter for vehicles like cars.
Which of these uses 〜台 (dai) correctly?
〜台 (dai) is used for machines, and a TV is a machine.
How do you say 'one bicycle' using the correct counter?
Bicycles are considered vehicles, so 〜台 (dai) is the appropriate counter.
You can use 〜台 (dai) to count small animals.
〜台 (dai) is specifically for machines and vehicles, not animals. For small animals, you'd typically use 〜匹 (hiki).
A refrigerator is counted using 〜台 (dai).
Refrigerators are machines, so 〜台 (dai) is the correct counter.
To count books, you should use 〜台 (dai).
Books are not machines or vehicles. For books, you would use 〜冊 (satsu).
You are at a store looking at two washing machines. Write a sentence in Japanese asking how much the two washing machines cost. Use a counter word.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
洗濯機は二台でいくらですか？ (How much are the two washing machines?)
You want to buy a new car. You see three cars you like. Write a sentence in Japanese saying "I want to buy three cars." Use a counter word.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
車を三台買いたいです。 (I want to buy three cars.)
You are talking about computers at your office. Write a sentence in Japanese saying "There are five computers in this office." Use a counter word.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
このオフィスにはコンピューターが五台あります。 (There are five computers in this office.)
How many cars can be parked at the apartment?
Read this passage:
A: このアパートには車が何台停められますか？ B: 二台まで停められます。ですが、自転車は五台まで置けますよ。
How many cars can be parked at the apartment?
The passage states 「二台まで停められます」which means 'Up to two cars can be parked.'
The passage states 「二台まで停められます」which means 'Up to two cars can be parked.'
What did the person buy?
Read this passage:
デパートで新しいテレビを一台買いました。家に持って帰るのが大変なので、配送をお願いしました。
What did the person buy?
The passage says 「新しいテレビを一台買いました」which means 'I bought one new television.'
The passage says 「新しいテレビを一台買いました」which means 'I bought one new television.'
How many rice cookers does the family have?
Read this passage:
私の家族は大きいです。だから、毎日たくさんの料理を作ります。冷蔵庫が二台と、電子レンジも二台あります。炊飯器は一台だけです。
How many rice cookers does the family have?
The passage states 「炊飯器は一台だけです」meaning 'There is only one rice cooker.'
The passage states 「炊飯器は一台だけです」meaning 'There is only one rice cooker.'
この駐車場には車が何___停められますか？
「台」は車や機械を数えるのに使います。
新しい冷蔵庫を2___注文しました。
冷蔵庫のような家電製品は「台」で数えます。
駅前にタクシーが3___待っていました。
タクシーも車の一種なので、「台」で数えます。
会社にはパソコンが全部で何___ありますか？
パソコンは機械なので「台」を使います。
このバイクは中古ですが、まだ何___か走れます。
バイクは車両なので「台」で数えます。
今日、新しい洗濯機が1___届きました。
洗濯機のような大型家電は「台」で数えます。
The particles and word order combine to say 'I have two cars.'
This sentence means 'I am using one computer.'
The sentence translates to 'I bought a new bicycle.'
この駐車場には何___車が停められますか？
「台」は車や機械などの数を数えるときに使う助数詞です。
新しい冷蔵庫を2___買いました。
冷蔵庫は機械なので、「台」で数えます。
工場にはロボットが100___以上あります。
ロボットは機械なので、「台」で数えます。
パソコンは「台」で数える。
パソコンは機械なので「台」で数えます。
自転車は「台」で数えない。
自転車は乗り物なので「台」で数えます。
テレビは「台」で数える。
テレビは機械なので「台」で数えます。
The factory operates hundreds of robots daily. Focus on the counter for machines.
They plan to buy three new cars. Listen for the counter for vehicles.
This office has many latest-model computers. Pay attention to the counter for machines.
Read this aloud:
駐車場に何台の車が停まっていますか？
Focus: なん-だい
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
私たちは五台のトラックで荷物を運びました。
Focus: ご-だい
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
展示会には最新の家電製品が十台以上並べられていました。
Focus: じゅう-だい い-じょう
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
The factory produces hundreds of cars daily.
I bought three new smartphones. They are very high-performance.
Several emergency vehicles, with sirens blaring, headed to the scene in a convoy.
Read this aloud:
このオフィスには何台のパソコンがありますか？
Focus: なん-だい
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
展示会には最新のロボットが多数出展されていました。
Focus: たく-さん-の-ろ-ぼっ-と
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
駐車場にはすでに多くの車が停まっています。
Focus: おお-く-の-くるま
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You are a technician explaining to a new colleague how many different types of machines are in the factory. Describe the variety and count of machines, using '〜台' correctly. Your explanation should cover at least three different types of machines.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
この工場には様々な機械があります。例えば、生産ラインには最新のロボットが十台、品質検査には高精度カメラが五台、そして従業員が使用するパソコンが三十台設置されています。
Write a short blog post entry (3-4 sentences) for a technology enthusiast forum comparing the number of electric vehicles (EVs) and gasoline-powered vehicles (ICEs) in your city, emphasizing the trend. Make sure to use '〜台' accurately for both vehicle types.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
最近、私の住む街では電気自動車の数が急速に増えています。数年前はガソリン車が圧倒的に多かったですが、今では電気自動車も数百台見かけるようになりました。この傾向は今後も続くと予想されています。
Imagine you are writing a report about the inventory of office equipment after a company relocation. Detail the count of specific items like printers, scanners, and servers using '〜台'. Focus on clarity and accuracy.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
移転後のオフィス設備在庫報告です。現在、高性能プリンターが三台、多機能スキャナーが二台、そして重要なデータ管理用のサーバーが五台稼働しています。全ての機器が問題なく動作していることを確認しました。
この家電量販店で、発売初日に限定モデルのテレビは何台売れましたか？
Read this passage:
先日、ある家電量販店で最新のテレビが発売されました。発売初日には、用意された限定モデルのテレビ五十台がわずか数分で完売。さらに、通常のモデルも百台以上売れるという驚異的な売上を記録しました。この人気ぶりは、家電業界全体に大きな影響を与えるでしょう。
この家電量販店で、発売初日に限定モデルのテレビは何台売れましたか？
文章中に「用意された限定モデルのテレビ五十台がわずか数分で完売」と明記されています。
文章中に「用意された限定モデルのテレビ五十台がわずか数分で完売」と明記されています。
この建設現場で、ダンプカーは何台以上稼働していますか？
Read this passage:
高速道路の建設現場では、毎日多くの重機が稼働しています。特に、大型クレーンは五台、ブルドーザーは八台、そしてダンプカーは常に二十台以上が現場を行き交っています。これらの重機のおかげで、工事は予定通りに進められています。
この建設現場で、ダンプカーは何台以上稼働していますか？
文章中に「ダンプカーは常に二十台以上が現場を行き交っています」と記載されています。
文章中に「ダンプカーは常に二十台以上が現場を行き交っています」と記載されています。
自動車ショーで、試乗車として用意されていた電気自動車は何台でしたか？
Read this passage:
最近の自動車ショーでは、環境に配慮した新しい電気自動車が多数発表されました。特に注目を集めたのは、一度の充電で500km走行可能なモデルで、試乗車が三台用意されており、来場者は長蛇の列を作っていました。今後、これらの電気自動車が市場に何台投入されるか期待されています。
自動車ショーで、試乗車として用意されていた電気自動車は何台でしたか？
文章中に「試乗車が三台用意されており」と明記されています。
文章中に「試乗車が三台用意されており」と明記されています。
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Summary
Use 〜台 (dai) when counting objects like cars, bicycles, televisions, or computers.
- Counts machines.
- Counts vehicles.
- Attached to numbers.
Contenido relacionado
Esta palabra en otros idiomas
Más palabras de general
いくつか
B1An unspecified small number of things; some, a few.
ちょっと
A2A little; a moment; a bit. Small amount or short time.
すこし
A2A little; a few.
さっき
A2A little while ago; a short time past.
能力
A1Nouryoku refers to the mental or physical power, skill, or capacity required to perform a specific task or function. It can describe both innate talent and skills acquired through learning and practice.
異常
A1A word used to describe something that deviates from the normal state, standard, or expected pattern. It often implies a problem, malfunction, or an extraordinary occurrence that requires attention or investigation.
～について
A2About, concerning; indicates topic.
〜について
B1About, concerning; on the subject of.
～ぐらい
A2about, approximately
ぐらい
A2About; approximately; to the extent of.
