Chapter in 30 Seconds
Unlock the Japanese logic of counting objects by their shape and size.
- Distinguish between counting shapes like 'long' vs 'flat'.
- Select the correct counter for animals based on size.
- Quantify daily activities and drinks with precision.
你将学到什么
Hey smart learner! You've already made amazing progress with the Japanese basics, and now it's time to take another huge leap towards speaking like a native! Did you know that in Japanese, counting isn't just saying one, two, three? It actually depends on *what* you're counting! In this exciting chapter, you'll master how to count long, slender things like pencils using ~hon (本), flat objects like sheets of paper with ~mai (枚), and even differentiate between small animals (～匹, hiki) and large beasts (～頭, tou). We'll also dive into counting machines and gadgets with ~dai (台) and books with ~satsu (冊). Imagine confidently ordering exactly two cups of tea at a cafe using ~hai (杯), or telling your friend how many times (～回, kai) you practice Japanese each week. These counters might seem a little unusual at first, but I promise that once you master them, your conversations will become much more natural and precise. By the end of this chapter, you'll never make a counting mistake again and will be able to accurately quantify anything and everything, just like a true Japanese speaker. Ready for this fun challenge? Let's go!
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细长物品的数法 (~本 hon)数“细长条”的东西就找 «~本»，记得盯紧 «1, 3, 6, 8, 10» 这几个变音小怪兽！
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数扁平物品 (~枚 mai)只要是薄薄、平平的东西，从名片到折好的 T 恤，用 «枚» 就对了！
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动物计数 (匹 vs. 头)记住“小动物用 «匹»，大动物用 «头»”，还有别忘了给工作犬一点“头”等的尊重！
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数机器和电子产品：量词 ~台 (~dai)只要是带引擎、带屏幕、插电的机器，或者是像床、钢琴这样的大件，用 «台» 就对了！
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用日语数书 (～册 satsu)只要是有“书脊”或装订成册的东西，都用 «～冊»，记得 1、8、10 要变音成 «いっさつ»、«はっさつ»、«じっさつ» 哦！
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数杯子和饮料: ～杯 (hai)用 «杯» ({杯|はい}) 来数杯子、碗或玻璃杯里的东西。记得 1, 3, 6, 8, 10 的发音会变哦。
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次数与频率的计数 (～回)只要在数字后面加上 «回» 就能数次数啦！别忘了 «一回»、«六回»、«八回» 和 «十回» 的小促音哦。
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
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1
By the end you will be able to order specific quantities of drinks and food at a restaurant using ~hai and ~mai.
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2
By the end you will be able to describe the number of pets or zoo animals using ~hiki and ~tou.
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3
By the end you will be able to quantify technical possessions like phones and cars using ~dai.
章节指南
Overview
one, two, three?How This Grammar Works
times, as in 一回 (ikkai - once) or 三回 (sankai - three times). Mastering these specific Japanese counters will significantly enhance your A2 Japanese proficiency.
Common Mistakes
- 1✗ Wrong: ペン二つ (Pen futatsu)
- 1✗ Wrong: 象一匹 (Zou ippiki)
- 1✗ Wrong: コーヒー三杯 (Koohii sanhai)
three cups, san + hai becomes sanbai, not sanhai. Practice these variations!
Real Conversations
A
B
A
B
A
B
Quick FAQ
What's the most common Japanese counter if I forget the specific one?
While it's always best to use specific counters, ~tsu (一つ, 二つ, 三つ, etc.) is a generic counter for many small, non-specific items up to ten. However, using the correct specific counter sounds much more natural and advanced.
Do all Japanese numbers have special pronunciations with counters?
Many counters have specific pronunciation changes, especially for numbers 1, 3, 6, 8, and 10, and also for how many (nan). It's crucial to learn these alongside the counter itself for accurate Japanese grammar.
Can I use the same counter for both living and non-living things?
Generally, no. Counters are highly specific. For instance, ~hiki is for small animals, while ~hon is for long, inanimate objects. Each counter has its own category of items, making Japanese counting unique.
Cultural Context
关键例句 (8)
技巧与窍门 (4)
“书本”陷阱
折叠的衣服也算！
服务犬的特殊待遇
tou 会显得你非常有礼貌！«公園に盲導犬が一頭います。»“机械化”原则
核心词汇 (7)
Real-World Preview
At a Stationery Store
Ordering at a Cafe
Review Summary
- Number + 本 (ほん/ぽん/ぼん)
- Number + 杯 (はい/ぱい/ばい)
常见错误
Because the kanji for 'book' is 本, beginners often use the ~hon counter. However, books are bound and use ~satsu.
While ~tsu is a general counter, it sounds less natural for drinks in a formal cafe setting where ~hai is expected.
Elephants are large animals and require ~tou instead of the small animal counter ~hiki.
本章规则 (7)
Next Steps
You've just conquered one of the most unique parts of the Japanese language. Keep practicing and soon these counters will feel like second nature!
Go through your room and name 5 objects with their correct counters.
Write a grocery list using counters for every item.
快速练习 (10)
我有两台电脑。 パソコンが ___ あります。 (Pasokon ga ___ arimasu.)
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 数机器和电子产品：量词 ~台 (~dai)
猫を___飼っています。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 动物计数 (匹 vs. 头)
选择语法正确的句子：
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 次数与频率的计数 (～回)
Find and fix the mistake:
{お皿を二つください|おさらをふたつください}。
futatsu 是通用的，但对于平整的盘子，ni-mai 是更具体、更自然的量词。frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 数扁平物品 (~枚 mai)
マンガを{八冊|はちさつ}{读|よ}みました。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 用日语数书 (～册 satsu)
Find and fix the mistake:
{本|ほん}を{三本|さんぼん}{买いました|かいました}。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 细长物品的数法 (~本 hon)
选择正确的句子：
sanbai，而不是 sanhai。frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 数杯子和饮料: ～杯 (hai)
{紙を|かみを} ___ {持っています|もっています}。
san-mai。frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 数扁平物品 (~枚 mai)
{一週間|いっしゅうかん}に___、パーティーをします。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 次数与频率的计数 (～回)
{伞|かさ}を[ ]{持って|もって}います。
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 细长物品的数法 (~本 hon)
Score: /10
常见问题 (6)
Ichi-hon 读快了很费劲，Ippon 就顺滑多了。tou 是最佳选择。如果是电影里的小型恐龙，用 hiki 也可以！«恐竜が二頭います。»
