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B1 noun #1,500 most common 13 min read

~杯

Top 1,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ~杯 in 30 Seconds

Explanation ~杯 in your Level:

At the A1 beginner level, learning the counter ~杯 is your first major step into the unique world of Japanese counting systems. In English, you can simply say 'one coffee' or 'two waters', but in Japanese, numbers must be paired with specific words that describe the shape or type of the object. The counter ~杯 is specifically used for drinks served in cups, glasses, or mugs. As a beginner, your primary goal is to memorize the pronunciation for one, two, and three cups, as these are the most common quantities you will use when ordering at a cafe or restaurant. One cup is 一杯 (ippai). Two cups is 二杯 (nihai). Three cups is 三杯 (sanbai). Notice how the sound changes from 'pai' to 'hai' to 'bai'. This is a very common feature in Japanese pronunciation that makes the words flow more smoothly. You should practice the basic sentence pattern: 'Item + o + Number + kudasai'. For example, 'Kōhī o ippai kudasai' means 'Please give me one cup of coffee'. 'Mizu o ni-hai kudasai' means 'Please give me two glasses of water'. By mastering just these few phrases, you will be able to successfully order drinks anywhere in Japan, making your travel or daily life much more comfortable and authentic. Do not worry too much about the higher numbers yet; focus on getting the sounds for 1, 2, and 3 perfectly natural.

As you progress to the A2 level, your understanding of ~杯 needs to expand beyond just ordering a single coffee. You must now memorize the complete set of pronunciations from one to ten, as well as the question word 'how many'. This requires careful attention to the phonetic rules. Remember that 1, 6, 8, and 10 use the 'pai' sound with a small pause (ippai, roppai, happai, juppai). The number 3 and the question word 'nan' use the 'bai' sound (sanbai, nanbai). The rest use the standard 'hai' sound (nihai, yonhai, gohai, nanahai, kyūhai). You will also start using this counter in more complex sentences, describing your daily habits or past actions. Instead of just saying 'give me', you will say things like 'Mainichi ocha o sanbai nomimasu' (I drink three cups of tea every day) or 'Kinō bīru o roppai nomimashita' (I drank six glasses of beer yesterday). Furthermore, you should learn that ~杯 is not just for drinks, but also for bowls of food, particularly rice and soup. The phrase 'Gohan o mou ippai kudasai' (Please give me another bowl of rice) is extremely useful when dining at Japanese restaurants. Mastering these numbers and sentence structures will allow you to have much more detailed conversations about eating and drinking habits.

At the B1 intermediate level, your relationship with ~杯 deepens as you encounter it in broader contexts, particularly in cooking and idiomatic expressions. You will start reading Japanese recipes, where you will frequently see the terms 大さじ (oosaji - tablespoon) and 小さじ (kosaji - teaspoon). These are always quantified using ~杯. For example, 'Satō o oosaji ippai ireru' means 'Put in one tablespoon of sugar'. This practical application is crucial for anyone living in Japan or interested in Japanese cuisine. More importantly, at this level, you must fully grasp the dual meaning of the word 一杯 (ippai). While it literally means 'one cup', it is incredibly common as an adverb meaning 'full' or 'a lot'. You will hear phrases like 'Onaka ga ippai desu' (I am full / My stomach is full) or 'Hito ga ippai imasu' (There are a lot of people). You must be able to instantly distinguish between 'ippai' as a counter and 'ippai' as an adverb based on the context of the sentence. Additionally, you will start using ~杯 to count squids and crabs, a quirky but essential piece of vocabulary if you ever visit a supermarket or fish market. Understanding these varied uses marks a significant step toward natural fluency.

Reaching the B2 upper-intermediate level means you are comfortable with the basic and intermediate uses of ~杯 and are now ready to explore its role in compound words and cultural idioms. You will frequently encounter the word 乾杯 (kanpai), which translates to 'cheers' but literally means 'dry cup'. You will understand the cultural context of this word at drinking parties (nomikai). You will also learn the word 満杯 (manpai), which means 'full capacity', often used for parking lots or event venues (e.g., 'Chūshajō ga manpai desu' - The parking lot is full). At this level, your pronunciation of the phonetic changes (rendaku and gemination) should be flawless and automatic. You should no longer have to pause and think whether it is 'san-hai' or 'san-bai'. Furthermore, you will be able to use ~杯 in complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice or causative forms. For example, 'Kōhai ni bīru o nanbai mo nomasareta' (I was made to drink many glasses of beer by my junior). Your ability to seamlessly integrate this counter into sophisticated, multi-clause sentences demonstrates a high level of grammatical control and cultural awareness.

At the C1 advanced level, your use of ~杯 transcends literal counting and enters the realm of abstract expression and nuanced communication. You will master idioms like 精一杯 (seiippai), which means 'with all one's might' or 'doing one's absolute best'. For example, 'Seiippai ganbarimasu' (I will do my absolute best). This phrase metaphorically uses the image of a cup filled to the brim to represent maximum effort. You will also encounter ~杯 in literature and formal writing, where it might be used to evoke specific imagery or atmosphere. You will understand the subtle differences in nuance when a writer chooses to use the kanji 杯 versus writing it in hiragana, depending on the stylistic requirements of the text. At this level, you are also fully aware of the historical and etymological background of the counter, understanding why it is used for squids (due to the shape of their mantle) and how the concept of a 'vessel' applies to various aspects of Japanese life. Your command of ~杯 is indistinguishable from an educated native speaker, allowing you to participate in high-level discussions, read complex texts, and express yourself with precision and cultural depth.

At the C2 mastery level, your understanding of ~杯 is comprehensive, encompassing its deepest etymological roots, classical usage, and subtle sociolinguistic variations. You know that the kanji 杯 is composed of the radical for 'tree/wood' (木) and the component for 'not yet' (不), originally signifying a wooden vessel that was perhaps unrefined or specifically carved for holding liquids. You are familiar with how this counter was used in classical Japanese literature (kobun) and how its usage has evolved over centuries. You can engage in academic or philosophical discussions about the Japanese counter system as a whole, analyzing how ~杯 reflects the Japanese cognitive categorization of the physical world. You understand regional dialects and how the pronunciation or usage of counters might subtly shift in different parts of Japan. Furthermore, you can creatively manipulate the concept of ~杯 in your own writing or speech, perhaps inventing poetic metaphors that play on the idea of vessels, fullness, and capacity. Your mastery is such that you not only use the word perfectly but can also explain its intricacies, history, and cultural significance to others, demonstrating a profound and scholarly command of the Japanese language.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

~杯 in 30 Seconds

Counts cups, glasses, and bowls.
Pronunciation changes: hai, pai, bai.
Also counts squids, octopuses, crabs.
一杯 (ippai) can mean 'full' or 'a lot'.

The Japanese counter suffix ~杯 (pronounced as hai, pai, or bai depending on the numeral that precedes it) is an absolutely essential grammatical tool used primarily to enumerate vessels that contain liquids or granular substances. When you are navigating daily life in Japan, whether you are at a bustling cafe, a traditional izakaya, or simply cooking in your own kitchen, you cannot simply use the generic numbers one, two, or three to count drinks. Instead, you must attach this specific counter to the number, creating a unified quantitative expression that conveys both the exact amount and the physical nature of the object being counted. This system of counters, known as josūshi in Japanese, categorizes the physical world by shape, function, and sometimes surprising biological taxonomies. The primary function of ~杯 is to count cups, glasses, mugs, and bowls that are filled with something. For instance, a cup of coffee, a glass of water, a mug of hot chocolate, or a bowl of rice or soup all require this counter. Furthermore, it is the standard counter for spoonfuls in culinary contexts, such as measuring tablespoons of soy sauce or teaspoons of sugar.

Primary Usage: Beverages: Used for counting glasses of water, cups of tea, mugs of coffee, and pints of beer. The focus is on the container holding the liquid.
Secondary Usage: Food Bowls: Used for counting bowls of rice (gohan), bowls of ramen, or bowls of miso soup. Even though rice is solid, the bowl container dictates the counter.
Tertiary Usage: Measurements: Used in cooking to count spoonfuls, such as one tablespoon (oosaji ippai) or one teaspoon (kosaji ippai) of ingredients.

Interestingly, the usage of ~杯 extends beyond inanimate containers. In a fascinating quirk of the Japanese language, this counter is also used to count certain marine animals, specifically squids, octopuses, and crabs. The historical reasoning behind this biological anomaly is that the mantle of a squid or octopus, and the rounded shell of a crab, visually resemble a cup or a bowl containing liquid.

コーヒーを二杯ください。

Please give me two cups of coffee.

市場でイカを三杯買いました。

I bought three squids at the market.

大さじ一杯の砂糖を加えます。

Add one tablespoon of sugar.

ご飯をもう一杯お願いします。

One more bowl of rice, please.

水を何杯飲みましたか。

How many glasses of water did you drink?

Understanding this counter is fundamental to achieving fluency, as drinking and eating are universal daily activities. Whether you are pouring tea for a guest, following a Japanese recipe, or enjoying a night out with friends, mastering the nuances of ~杯 will significantly enhance your communicative competence and cultural integration in Japan.

Using the counter ~杯 correctly requires understanding both its grammatical placement within a sentence and the complex phonetic changes it undergoes when combined with different numbers. In Japanese grammar, counters typically follow the noun they are quantifying and the particle that marks that noun. The most common and natural sentence structure is: Noun + Particle (usually を for direct objects or が for subjects) + Number + Counter + Verb. For example, to say 'I drink two cups of coffee', you would construct the sentence as 'Kōhī (coffee) o (particle) ni-hai (two cups) nomimasu (drink)'. This structure might feel backward to English speakers who are accustomed to saying 'two cups of coffee', but in Japanese, the quantity acts almost like an adverb modifying the verb, specifying how much of the action is taking place.

Standard Syntax: Noun + Particle + Quantity + Verb. Example: 水を三杯飲む (Mizu o san-bai nomu - Drink three glasses of water).
Noun Modification Syntax: Quantity + の (no) + Noun. Example: 三杯の水 (San-bai no mizu - Three glasses of water). This is less common in everyday speech but used when emphasizing the quantity as a characteristic of the noun.
Question Syntax: Noun + Particle + 何杯 (nanbai) + Verb. Example: ビールを何杯飲みますか (Bīru o nanbai nomimasu ka - How many glasses of beer will you drink?).

The most challenging aspect of using ~杯 for learners is mastering the phonetic mutations. Depending on the number, the 'h' sound in 'hai' can change to a 'p' sound ('pai') or a 'b' sound ('bai'). This phenomenon is known as rendaku (sequential voicing) and gemination (consonant doubling). Here is the strict pattern you must memorize: One cup is 一杯 (ippai). Two cups is 二杯 (nihai). Three cups is 三杯 (sanbai). Four cups is 四杯 (yonhai). Five cups is 五杯 (gohai). Six cups is 六杯 (roppai). Seven cups is 七杯 (nanahai). Eight cups is 八杯 (happai). Nine cups is 九杯 (kyūhai). Ten cups is 十杯 (juppai or jippai). The question word 'how many cups' is 何杯 (nanbai).

毎日お茶を五杯飲みます。

I drink five cups of tea every day.

友達とビールを六杯ずつ飲みました。

My friend and I drank six glasses of beer each.

スープをもう一杯いかがですか。

Would you like another bowl of soup?

ワインを三杯注文しました。

I ordered three glasses of wine.

このレシピには醤油が大さじ二杯必要です。

This recipe requires two tablespoons of soy sauce.

By practicing these phonetic patterns repeatedly, the transitions between the numbers and the counter will become muscle memory, allowing you to speak more fluidly and naturally in everyday situations.

The counter ~杯 is ubiquitous in Japanese society, deeply woven into the fabric of daily communication, culinary culture, and social interactions. You will encounter this word constantly in a variety of environments, from the lively atmosphere of traditional pubs to the quiet precision of a home kitchen. One of the most common places you will hear ~杯 is in an izakaya, a Japanese style pub. When a group of coworkers or friends sits down, the first order of business is usually drinks. You will frequently hear the phrase 'Toriaezu nama ippai!' which translates to 'For now, one draft beer!'. As the night progresses, you will hear people calling out to the staff, ordering 'Lemon sour ni-hai' (two lemon sours) or 'Highball san-bai' (three highballs). The ability to quickly and accurately use this counter is essential for participating in these social drinking events. Beyond alcoholic beverages, cafes and kissaten (traditional coffee shops) are prime locations for this word. Customers order 'Kōhī ippai' (one cup of coffee) or 'Kōcha ni-hai' (two cups of black tea). In restaurants serving traditional Japanese set meals (teishoku), you will hear ~杯 used when customers request a refill of rice or soup. The phrase 'Gohan no okawari ippai onegaishimasu' (Please give me one more bowl of rice) is a standard expression every learner should know.

Izakaya and Bars: Used constantly for ordering beers, cocktails, and sake. It is the lifeblood of social drinking communication.
Kitchens and Recipes: Used for measuring ingredients. You will see '大さじ一杯' (oosaji ippai - one tablespoon) and '小さじ一杯' (kosaji ippai - one teaspoon) in almost every Japanese cookbook.
Fish Markets: Used uniquely by fishmongers and shoppers to count fresh squids (ika), octopuses (tako), and crabs (kani).

Another critical context is the culinary world. If you ever attempt to cook Japanese food using a native recipe, you must understand how to read measurements. The terms oosaji (tablespoon) and kosaji (teaspoon) are always followed by ~杯 to indicate the quantity. For example, a recipe for teriyaki sauce might call for 'Shōyu oosaji san-bai' (three tablespoons of soy sauce). Furthermore, if you visit a vibrant fish market like Tsukiji or Toyosu, you will hear vendors shouting out prices for seafood. This is where the unique biological application of ~杯 comes into play. You might hear a vendor say 'Kono ika, ni-hai de go-hyaku en!' (These two squids for 500 yen!).

とりあえず生ビール一杯！

For now, one draft beer!

お味噌汁のおかわりを一杯ください。

Please give me one refill bowl of miso soup.

新鮮なカニを二杯買いました。

I bought two fresh crabs.

塩を小さじ一杯入れます。

Put in one teaspoon of salt.

みんなで乾杯しましょう！

Let's all say cheers (dry the glass)!

Immersing yourself in these environments, whether through actual travel or by watching Japanese dramas and cooking shows, will solidify your understanding of how ~杯 functions in real, unscripted communication.

When English speakers learn Japanese counters, they often encounter significant stumbling blocks, and ~杯 is no exception. Because the English language does not employ a rigid, mandatory system of shape-based counters for every noun, the entire concept can feel alien. The most frequent and glaring mistake learners make is defaulting to the generic counter ~個 (ko) or the traditional Japanese numbers (hitotsu, futatsu, mittsu) for everything, including drinks. A beginner might walk into a cafe and say 'Kōhī o futatsu kudasai' (Please give me two [general items] of coffee). While a Japanese barista will certainly understand this request and politely serve the coffee, it sounds unnatural and slightly childish. To speak with maturity and fluency, you must use 'Kōhī o ni-hai kudasai'. Another major area of difficulty lies in the phonetic mutations. Learners frequently forget the rendaku (voicing) and gemination (doubling) rules. It is very common to hear a student say 'san-hai' instead of the correct 'san-bai' (three cups), or 'roku-hai' instead of 'roppai' (six cups). These pronunciation errors, while usually understood in context, immediately mark the speaker as a novice.

The Generic Counter Trap: Using ~個 (ko) or ~つ (tsu) instead of ~杯. Example: Saying 水を二つ (mizu o futatsu) instead of 水を二杯 (mizu o ni-hai).
Phonetic Inconsistencies: Failing to apply the p/b/h sound changes. Example: Saying ろくはい (roku-hai) instead of ろっぱい (roppai) for six cups.
The 'Ippai' Confusion: Misinterpreting the dual meaning of 一杯 (ippai). It can mean 'one cup' but is also an adverb meaning 'full' or 'a lot'.

The dual nature of the word 一杯 (ippai) causes immense confusion. A learner might hear someone say 'Onaka ga ippai desu' and wonder why the person is saying 'My stomach is one cup'. In this context, ippai has evolved to mean 'full to the brim' or 'completely satisfied'. Similarly, 'Ippai asobimashita' means 'I played a lot', not 'I played one cup'. Recognizing from the context whether ippai is acting as a literal counter or an adverb of degree is a crucial listening skill. Furthermore, learners sometimes struggle with the grammatical placement of the counter. In English, the quantity comes before the noun ('two cups of tea'). If a learner directly translates this, they might say 'Ni-hai no ocha o nomimasu'. While grammatically permissible, it places heavy emphasis on the quantity itself. The much more natural, everyday phrasing places the counter after the particle: 'Ocha o ni-hai nomimasu'.

❌ 水を二つください。
⭕ 水を二杯ください。

Use the specific counter for liquids in cups, not the general counter.

❌ コーヒーをさんはい飲む。
⭕ コーヒーを三杯（さんばい）飲む。

Remember the phonetic change to 'bai' for the number three.

❌ お腹が一杯飲みます。
⭕ お腹が一杯です。

When meaning 'full', it is used with the copula (desu/da), not a drinking verb.

❌ イカを二匹買いました。
⭕ イカを二杯買いました。

Squids are counted with hai, not the general small animal counter hiki.

❌ 何はい飲みますか。
⭕ 何杯（なんばい）飲みますか。

The question word 'nan' also triggers the 'bai' pronunciation.

By consciously avoiding these common pitfalls, you will sound much more natural and precise, demonstrating a deeper respect for and understanding of the mechanics of the Japanese language.

To truly master the counter ~杯, you must understand how it contrasts with other counters that occupy similar semantic spaces. The Japanese language possesses dozens of counters, and choosing the wrong one can completely alter the visual image you are conveying to the listener. The most frequent point of comparison is with the counter ~本 (hon/pon/bon). While ~杯 is used for liquids in wide, open vessels like cups and bowls, ~本 is used for long, cylindrical objects. This means that if you are drinking water from a glass, you use ~杯 (mizu o ippai). However, if you are drinking water from a plastic PET bottle, you must use ~本 (mizu o ippon). The liquid is the same, but the container dictates the counter. This distinction is crucial when ordering at a restaurant versus buying from a vending machine.

~本 (hon) vs ~杯 (hai): Use ~本 for bottles of beer or wine (cylindrical). Use ~杯 for glasses of beer or wine (open cups). Example: ビールを一本 (one bottle of beer) vs ビールを一杯 (one glass of beer).
~滴 (teki) vs ~杯 (hai): Use ~滴 for tiny drops of liquid, such as eye drops or a dash of lemon juice. Use ~杯 for full cups or spoonfuls. Example: レモン汁を一滴 (one drop of lemon juice).
~口 (kuchi) vs ~杯 (hai): Use ~口 for sips or bites. If you just want a taste of someone's drink, you ask for 一口 (hitokuchi - one sip), not 一杯 (one full cup).

Another important distinction is with the generic counter ~個 (ko). As mentioned previously, ~個 is used for solid, three-dimensional objects. If you are counting empty paper cups stacked in a pantry, you might use ~個 because they are just objects at that moment. However, once they are filled with coffee and serving their purpose, they become ~杯. Furthermore, when dealing with food, you must differentiate between bowls (~杯) and plates (~皿 - sara). A bowl of rice or soup is ~杯, but a plate of sushi or a plate of pasta is ~皿. Understanding these boundaries helps you paint an accurate picture of the dining table. Finally, when discussing the biological use of ~杯 for squids and crabs, it is important to contrast it with ~匹 (hiki), the general counter for small animals. While a fish or a dog is counted with ~匹, applying ~匹 to a squid sounds incorrect to a native speaker, highlighting the deep cultural categorization embedded in the language.

ワインをボルトで一本、グラスで二杯頼みました。

I ordered one bottle of wine and two glasses of wine.

そのスープを一口飲ませて。

Let me take one sip of that soup.

目薬を二滴さします。

I will put in two drops of eye medicine.

棚に紙コップが十個あります。

There are ten paper cups (as empty objects) on the shelf.

カレーライスを一皿食べました。

I ate one plate of curry rice.

By carefully observing native speakers and noting which counter they select for different objects and situations, you will gradually build an intuitive sense for the rich, descriptive power of the Japanese counter system.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Why count squids and crabs with a cup counter? In ancient Japan, the hollow mantle of a squid and the empty shell of a crab were thought to resemble cups or bowls that could hold liquid. This visual metaphor stuck, and the counter is still used for them today!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /haɪ/

US /haɪ/

In Japanese pitch accent, the counter usually attaches to the number. For example, ippai is usually pronounced with a high pitch on the 'pa' (i-PPA-i).

Rhymes With

ai kai sai tai nai mai yai rai wai

Common Errors

Saying 'san-hai' instead of the correct 'san-bai' (three cups).
Saying 'roku-hai' instead of the correct 'roppai' (six cups).
Saying 'hachi-hai' instead of the correct 'happai' (eight cups).
Saying 'juu-hai' instead of the correct 'juppai' or 'jippai' (ten cups).
Failing to pronounce the small 'tsu' (gemination) clearly in ippai, roppai, happai, juppai.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji 杯 is relatively simple (tree radical + not yet). It is commonly seen on menus and recipes.

Writing 3/5

Easy to write, only 8 strokes. The challenge is remembering the phonetic changes when writing in hiragana/romaji.

Speaking 7/5

High difficulty due to the mandatory phonetic changes (hai, pai, bai) depending on the number.

Listening 6/5

Requires distinguishing between 'ippai' (one cup) and 'ippai' (full/a lot) based purely on context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

水 (mizu - water) お茶 (ocha - tea) 飲む (nomu - to drink) ください (kudasai - please give me) 一〜十 (numbers 1-10)

Learn Next

〜本 (hon - counter for bottles/cylinders) 〜個 (ko - general counter) 〜枚 (mai - counter for flat objects) おかわり (okawari - refill) 乾杯 (kanpai - cheers)

Advanced

精一杯 (seiippai - with all one's might) 満杯 (manpai - full capacity) 杯盤狼藉 (haiban-rōzeki - wild feast aftermath) 苦杯 (kuhai - bitter defeat) 祝杯 (shukuhai - celebratory toast)

Grammar to Know

Counter Placement: Noun + Particle + Quantity + Verb

水を三杯飲む (Drink three glasses of water)

Noun Modification: Quantity + の + Noun

三杯のコーヒー (Three cups of coffee)

Question Word: 何 + Counter

何杯飲みますか (How many cups will you drink?)

Approximation: Quantity + くらい/ほど

二杯くらい飲みました (I drank about two cups)

Adverbial Use: Noun + が + 一杯 + だ/です

お腹がいっぱいです (My stomach is full)

Examples by Level

コーヒーを一杯ください。

Please give me one cup of coffee.

Noun + を + 一杯 + ください

水を二杯飲みます。

I drink two glasses of water.

二杯 (nihai) is the pronunciation for two cups.

お茶を三杯ください。

Please give me three cups of tea.

三杯 (sanbai) has a 'b' sound.

ビールを一杯飲みました。

I drank one glass of beer.

Past tense verb 飲みました.

ジュースを二杯買います。

I will buy two cups of juice.

Using the verb 買います (buy).

ワインを一杯お願いします。

One glass of wine, please.

お願いします is a polite way to request.

ミルクを二杯飲みました。

I drank two glasses of milk.

Katakana word ミルク.

紅茶を三杯飲みます。

I drink three cups of black tea.

紅茶 (kōcha) means black tea.

毎日コーヒーを四杯飲みます。

I drink four cups of coffee every day.

四杯 is pronounced yonhai.

ビールを何杯飲みましたか。

How many glasses of beer did you drink?

何杯 (nanbai) is the question word.

友達とワインを六杯飲みました。

I drank six glasses of wine with my friend.

六杯 is pronounced roppai (gemination).

ご飯をもう一杯ください。

Please give me another bowl of rice.

もう一杯 means 'one more cup/bowl'.

お茶を八杯も飲みました。

I drank as many as eight cups of tea.

Particle も emphasizes the large quantity.

水を十杯飲みました。

I drank ten glasses of water.

十杯 is pronounced juppai or jippai.

スープを二杯作りました。

I made two bowls of soup.

Using the verb 作る (to make).

ジュースを五杯ください。

Please give me five cups of juice.

五杯 is pronounced gohai.

砂糖を大さじ一杯入れてください。

Please put in one tablespoon of sugar.

大さじ (oosaji) means tablespoon.

お腹がいっぱいなので、もう食べられません。

I am full, so I cannot eat anymore.

いっぱい used as an adjective/adverb meaning 'full'.

醤油を小さじ二杯加えます。

Add two teaspoons of soy sauce.

小さじ (kosaji) means teaspoon.

会場には人がいっぱいいました。

There were a lot of people at the venue.

いっぱい meaning 'a lot' or 'many'.

ラーメンを二杯も食べてしまった。

I accidentally ate two bowls of ramen.

〜てしまった expresses regret or unintended action.

とりあえず生ビールを三杯お願いします。

For now, three draft beers please.

とりあえず (for now) is common in izakaya.

塩を大さじ半分、つまり小さじ一杯半入れます。

Put in half a tablespoon of salt, which is one and a half teaspoons.

一杯半 means one and a half cups/spoons.

胸がいっぱいで、何も言えなかった。

My heart was so full (of emotion) that I couldn't say anything.

Metaphorical use of いっぱい for emotions.

市場で新鮮なイカを三杯買ってきた。

I bought three fresh squids at the market.

Using ~杯 to count squids.

みんなのグラスが揃ったところで、乾杯しましょう。

Now that everyone's glasses are ready, let's toast.

乾杯 (kanpai) uses the kanji for cup.

駐車場はすでに満杯で、車を停められなかった。

The parking lot was already full, so I couldn't park my car.

満杯 (manpai) means full capacity.

彼はビールを何杯飲んでも酔わない。

No matter how many glasses of beer he drinks, he doesn't get drunk.

何杯〜ても means 'no matter how many cups'.

カニを二杯もらったので、今夜はカニ鍋だ。

I received two crabs, so tonight is crab hot pot.

Using ~杯 to count crabs.

グラスになみなみと一杯のワインが注がれた。

A glass was poured full to the brim with wine.

なみなみと emphasizes being filled to the brim.

この仕事が終わったら、一杯飲みに行こう。

When this work is done, let's go for a drink.

一杯飲む is an idiom for 'going out for a drink'.

バケツ一杯の水を頭からかぶった。

I poured a bucketful of water over my head.

Noun + 一杯 means 'a [noun] full of'.

自分の夢を叶えるために、精一杯努力するつもりだ。

I intend to make my utmost effort to make my dream come true.

精一杯 (seiippai) means 'with all one's might'.

コップ一杯の冷たい水が、砂漠での何よりのごちそうだった。

A single cup of cold water was the greatest feast in the desert.

Poetic/literary phrasing emphasizing the value of one cup.

彼の言葉には、皮肉がたっぷりと一杯詰まっていた。

His words were fully packed with sarcasm.

Metaphorical use of 一杯詰まっている (fully packed).

スケジュールが一杯で、来月まで空きがありません。

My schedule is completely full, and I have no openings until next month.

スケジュールが一杯 is a common business expression.

タコを一杯茹でて、刺身にして食べた。

I boiled one octopus and ate it as sashimi.

Using ~杯 to count octopus.

この件に関しては、私としては精一杯の対応をさせていただきました。

Regarding this matter, I have responded to the very best of my ability.

Formal business apology using 精一杯.

苦労の末に手に入れた勝利の美酒を、心ゆくまで何杯も味わった。

I tasted the sweet wine of victory, obtained after much hardship, cup after cup to my heart's content.

Literary style using 勝利の美酒 (sweet wine of victory).

部屋一杯に広がる花の香りが、春の訪れを告げていた。

The scent of flowers filling the room heralded the arrival of spring.

部屋一杯 means 'filling the entire room'.

杯を交わすことで、両者の間には固い絆が生まれた。

By exchanging cups (of sake), a firm bond was born between the two parties.

杯を交わす (sakazuki o kawasu) is a formal idiom for forming a pact.

彼は杯に注がれた酒を、一気に飲み干した。

He drained the sake poured into his cup in one gulp.

杯 (sakazuki) used as a standalone noun for a sake cup.

優勝杯を手にした彼の目には、光るものがあった。

There were tears shining in his eyes as he held the championship cup.

優勝杯 (yūshōhai) means championship cup/trophy.

この一杯の茶に、千利休のわびさびの精神が凝縮されている。

The spirit of Sen no Rikyu's wabi-sabi is condensed into this single cup of tea.

Philosophical discussion of tea culture.

苦杯をなめる結果となったが、この経験は必ず次に活きるだろう。

It resulted in drinking a bitter cup (experiencing defeat), but this experience will surely be useful next time.

苦杯をなめる (kuhai o nameru) is an idiom for experiencing a bitter defeat.

祝杯をあげる準備はすでに整っている。

The preparations to raise a toast of celebration are already complete.

祝杯をあげる (shukuhai o ageru) means to raise a celebratory toast.

杯盤狼藉の限りを尽くした宴の跡には、ただ静寂だけが残っていた。

After the banquet, where cups and plates were scattered in wild disorder, only silence remained.

杯盤狼藉 (haiban-rōzeki) is a four-character idiom (yojijukugo) meaning a messy aftermath of a feast.

一杯の掛けそばという物語は、多くの日本人の涙を誘った。

The story 'A Bowl of Kakesoba' brought tears to the eyes of many Japanese people.

Reference to a famous Japanese short story.

Common Collocations

一杯飲む

お腹がいっぱい

精一杯

大さじ一杯

乾杯する

胸がいっぱい

満杯になる

もう一杯

何杯も

一杯やりに行く

Common Phrases

とりあえず生一杯

— A standard phrase used at izakayas to order a draft beer immediately before looking at the menu.

とりあえず生一杯お願いします。

お腹いっぱい

— Means 'I am full'. Used after eating a satisfying meal.

もうお腹いっぱいです。

精一杯頑張る

— To do one's absolute best. A common phrase to show dedication.

明日の試合、精一杯頑張ります。

一杯いかがですか

— Would you like a drink? A polite invitation.

仕事帰りに一杯いかがですか。

おかわり一杯

— One refill. Used for rice or soup.

ご飯のおかわり一杯ください。

手一杯

— Having one's hands full; being too busy to take on more work.

今は自分の仕事で手一杯です。

一杯食わされる

— To be tricked or deceived. (Literally: to be made to eat one bowl).

あいつに見事に一杯食わされた。

一杯機嫌

— Being in a good mood from drinking a little alcohol.

父は一杯機嫌で帰ってきた。

苦杯をなめる

— To suffer a bitter defeat or experience.

決勝戦で苦杯をなめた。

祝杯をあげる

— To raise a toast in celebration.

優勝を記念して祝杯をあげた。

Often Confused With

~杯 vs 〜本 (hon)

Confused because both count drinks. Remember: ~本 is for bottles (cylinders), ~杯 is for cups/glasses (open vessels).

~杯 vs 〜個 (ko)

Confused because learners use ~個 for everything. Remember: ~個 is for general solid objects, ~杯 is specifically for liquid containers fulfilling their purpose.

~杯 vs 〜匹 (hiki)

Confused when counting squids/crabs. Learners want to use the animal counter ~匹, but tradition dictates ~杯 for these specific sea creatures.

Idioms & Expressions

"精一杯"

— With all one's might; to the best of one's ability. Metaphorically giving a full cup of effort.

精一杯の努力をします。

Formal/Neutral

"手一杯"

— Having one's hands full; being extremely busy and unable to take on more.

今は仕事で手一杯です。

Neutral

"胸がいっぱい"

— Being overwhelmed with emotion; having a full heart.

感謝の気持ちで胸がいっぱいです。

Neutral/Poetic

"一杯食わす"

— To trick, deceive, or pull a fast one on someone.

彼に一杯食わされた。

Informal

"一杯機嫌"

— Being slightly drunk and in a good mood; tipsy.

上司は一杯機嫌で話し続けた。

Neutral

"苦杯をなめる"

— To experience a bitter defeat or hardship.

そのチームは何度も苦杯をなめてきた。

Formal/Literary

"祝杯をあげる"

— To drink a toast in celebration of a success or victory.

プロジェクトの成功を祝って祝杯をあげた。

Formal/Neutral

"杯を交わす"

— To exchange sake cups; to make a pledge or form a bond.

二人は兄弟の杯を交わした。

Formal/Literary

"杯盤狼藉"

— A four-character idiom meaning a scene of wild disorder after a feast.

宴の後は杯盤狼藉の有様だった。

Literary

"一杯水"

— A single cup of water, often symbolizing a small but crucial relief.

砂漠での一杯水は黄金より価値がある。

Literary

Easily Confused

~杯 vs 一杯 (ippai) as 'One Cup'

Looks and sounds exactly the same as the adverb 'ippai'.

As a counter, it directly quantifies a drink (e.g., コーヒーを一杯). It answers the question 'how many?'.

コーヒーを一杯飲む。

~杯 vs 一杯 (ippai) as 'Full/A lot'

Looks and sounds exactly the same as the counter 'ippai'.

As an adverb/adjective, it describes a state of fullness or a large quantity (e.g., お腹がいっぱい, 人がいっぱい). It does not mean 'one cup' in this context.

お腹がいっぱいです。

~杯 vs 三杯 (sanbai)

Learners often say 'sanhai' instead of 'sanbai'.

The number 3 causes sequential voicing (rendaku), changing the 'h' to a 'b'.

お茶を三杯（さんばい）ください。

~杯 vs 六杯 (roppai)

Learners often say 'rokuhai' instead of 'roppai'.

The number 6 causes gemination (a small 'tsu'), changing 'ku-ha' to 'ppa'.

ビールを六杯（ろっぱい）飲んだ。

~杯 vs 何杯 (nanbai)

Learners often say 'nanhai' instead of 'nanbai'.

The question word 'nan' also causes sequential voicing, changing the 'h' to a 'b'.

水を何杯（なんばい）飲みますか。

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] を [Number]杯ください。

コーヒーを二杯ください。

[Noun] を [Number]杯飲みます。

水を三杯飲みます。

[Noun] を何杯飲みましたか。

ビールを何杯飲みましたか。

[Noun] をもう一杯お願いします。

お茶をもう一杯お願いします。

[Ingredient] を大さじ/小さじ [Number]杯入れる。

砂糖を大さじ一杯入れる。

[Noun] がいっぱいです。

お腹がいっぱいです。

[Noun] を [Number]杯ずつ頼む。

ワインを二杯ずつ頼みました。

精一杯 [Verb]。

精一杯頑張ります。

Word Family

Nouns

杯 (sakazuki - a sake cup)

乾杯 (kanpai - a toast/cheers)

満杯 (manpai - full capacity)

祝杯 (shukuhai - celebratory toast)

苦杯 (kuhai - bitter defeat)

Verbs

乾杯する (kanpai suru - to make a toast)

Adjectives

手一杯な (teippai na - fully occupied/busy)

コップ (koppu - glass/cup)

グラス (gurasu - glass)

茶碗 (chawan - rice/tea bowl)

大さじ (oosaji - tablespoon)

小さじ (kosaji - teaspoon)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely High. One of the top 5 most used counters in the Japanese language.

Common Mistakes

コーヒーを二つください。 → コーヒーを二杯ください。
Using the generic counter ~つ (tsu) for drinks is a beginner mistake. You must use the specific counter ~杯 for liquids in cups.
お茶をさんはい飲みます。 → お茶を三杯（さんばい）飲みます。
Failing to apply the phonetic change (rendaku). The number 3 changes the 'h' sound to a 'b' sound.
お腹が一杯飲みます。 → お腹が一杯です。
Confusing the adverb 'ippai' (full) with the counter 'ippai' (one cup). When meaning 'full', it is used with the copula (desu/da), not a drinking verb.
イカを二匹買いました。 → イカを二杯買いました。
Using the general animal counter ~匹 for squids. Squids, octopuses, and crabs uniquely use the ~杯 counter.
ビールをろくはいください。 → ビールを六杯（ろっぱい）ください。
Failing to apply gemination (the small 'tsu'). The number 6 changes 'ku-ha' to 'ppa'.

Tips

The 1-6-8-10 Rule

Memorize that 1, 6, 8, and 10 trigger the 'P' sound with a small pause (ippai, roppai, happai, juppai). This pattern applies to many other counters too!

Particle Placement

Always put the counter AFTER the particle. 'Kōhī o ni-hai' is natural. 'Ni-hai no kōhī o' is grammatically okay but sounds like you are emphasizing the number.

Ippai vs Ippai

Treat 'ippai' (one cup) and 'ippai' (full/a lot) as two completely different vocabulary words in your mind. This will help you parse sentences faster.

Pouring Drinks

When drinking with others, keep an eye on their cups. When their ~杯 is almost empty, offer to pour more. It's a key part of Japanese etiquette.

Reading Recipes

When you see 大1 or 小2 in a Japanese recipe, it is shorthand for 大さじ一杯 (1 tablespoon) and 小さじ二杯 (2 teaspoons).

Buying Seafood

Impress the fishmonger by asking for 'Ika o ni-hai' (two squids) instead of using the generic animal counter.

Dropping the Particle

In casual speech or when ordering quickly, drop the 'o'. Just say 'Bīru, san-bai!' (Beer, three cups!). It sounds very native.

Using Seiippai

Use 'Seiippai ganbarimasu' (I will do my absolute best) in job interviews or when taking on a new task. It shows great dedication.

The Number 3

The number 3 is a troublemaker in Japanese counters. It almost always changes the sound. For ~杯, it becomes 'san-bai'.

Visualize the Shape

If you can pour liquid into it and it has a wide opening, it's ~杯. If it has a narrow neck, it's ~本. Visualize the shape to choose the right counter.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a HIGH (hai) stack of cups. When you have ONE, you eat a PIE (ippai). When you have THREE, you say BYE (sanbai).

Visual Association

Visualize a cup of coffee. Now visualize a squid sitting inside that cup of coffee. This weird image will help you remember that ~杯 counts both cups and squids.

Word Web

杯 (hai) Drinks (coffee, tea, beer) Bowls (rice, soup) Spoons (tablespoon, teaspoon) Animals (squid, crab, octopus) Full (ippai) Cheers (kanpai) Pronunciation (hai, pai, bai)

Challenge

Next time you are in your kitchen, count every cup, glass, and bowl you see using the ~杯 counter. Point to them and say 'ippai, nihai, sanbai...' out loud to build muscle memory.

Word Origin

The kanji 杯 originated in ancient China. It is composed of two parts: the radical 木 (tree/wood) on the left, and the phonetic component 不 (not/not yet) on the right. Originally, it referred to a wooden vessel or container used for drinking.

Original meaning: A wooden cup or vessel for holding liquids.

Sino-Japanese (Kan'on reading: hai).

Cultural Context

No specific cultural sensitivities, but be aware that inviting someone for '一杯' (a drink) usually implies alcohol. If the person does not drink, clarify that it is for coffee or tea.

English speakers often struggle with counters because English uses plural 's' (cups) or measure words only for uncountable nouns (a glass of water). In Japanese, the counter is mandatory for everything.

一杯の掛けそば (Ippai no Kakesoba) - A famous heartwarming short story about a poor family sharing one bowl of noodles on New Year's Eve. とりあえず生 (Toriaezu Nama) - A ubiquitous cultural catchphrase meaning 'For now, draft beer', always implying 'ippai' (one glass). ルビーの指環 (Ruby no Yubiwa) - A famous Japanese song that mentions drinking cups of coffee.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Ordering at a Cafe or Restaurant

コーヒーを二杯ください
お水をもう一杯お願いします
とりあえず生一杯
ワインをグラスで三杯

Cooking and Following Recipes

大さじ一杯
小さじ二杯
カップ一杯の水
醤油を大さじ三杯入れる

Expressing Fullness or Quantity

お腹がいっぱい
胸がいっぱい
人がいっぱいいる
スケジュールがいっぱい

Social Drinking

乾杯しましょう
一杯やりに行く
何杯でも飲める
祝杯をあげる

Buying Seafood

イカを二杯ください
カニを一杯買う
新鮮なタコを三杯
このイカは一杯いくらですか

Conversation Starters

"毎日コーヒーを何杯飲みますか？ (How many cups of coffee do you drink every day?)"

"ビールとワイン、どちらを何杯くらい飲めますか？ (Between beer and wine, how many glasses can you drink?)"

"お腹がいっぱいになるまで食べたいものは何ですか？ (What is something you want to eat until you are completely full?)"

"仕事の後に一杯飲みに行くのは好きですか？ (Do you like going for a drink after work?)"

"最近、精一杯頑張ったことは何ですか？ (What is something you did your absolute best at recently?)"

Journal Prompts

Write about your morning routine. How many cups of coffee or tea do you drink? (毎朝、コーヒーを何杯飲みますか？)

Describe a time you went to an izakaya. What did you order and how many? (居酒屋で何を何杯頼みましたか？)

Write a simple recipe using tablespoons (大さじ) and teaspoons (小さじ).

Describe a situation where your heart was full of emotion (胸がいっぱいになった経験).

Write about a time you tried your absolute best (精一杯頑張ったこと).

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In ancient times, the hollow mantle of a squid and the empty, bowl-like shell of a crab were thought to resemble cups or vessels that could hold liquid. This visual metaphor became standardized in the language, and the tradition continues today. Octopuses are also sometimes counted this way.

No. A bottle is a long, cylindrical object, so you must use the counter ~本 (hon). You only use ~杯 if you pour that water into a glass or cup.

You must look at the context. If it is paired with a drink and a verb like 'drink' or 'order' (コーヒーを一杯飲む), it means one cup. If it is paired with words like 'stomach' (お腹), 'people' (人), or 'schedule' (予定), it means full or a lot.

You must say 'san-bai'. The number 3 always changes the 'h' sound of the counter to a 'b' sound. This is a strict pronunciation rule in Japanese.

大さじ (oosaji) means tablespoon, and 小さじ (kosaji) means teaspoon. So 大さじ一杯 is one tablespoon, and 小さじ一杯 is one teaspoon. Both use the ~杯 counter.

Generally, no. If the cups are just sitting on a shelf as objects, you use the general counter ~個 (ko). You use ~杯 when they are filled with a drink or when you are ordering a drink.

It is the Japanese word for 'Cheers!'. It literally translates to 'dry cup' (乾 = dry, 杯 = cup), implying that you should drink until your cup is empty.

It is not grammatically 'wrong' and you will be understood, but it sounds slightly unnatural or childish. Using the specific counter ~杯 (コーヒーを一杯ください) sounds much more fluent and mature.

You use the question word 何 (nan) combined with the counter, which becomes 何杯 (nanbai). Notice the pronunciation changes to a 'b' sound.

It is an idiom meaning 'with all one's might' or 'to the best of one's ability'. It metaphorically uses the image of a cup filled to the brim to represent maximum effort.