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 Japanese Basic Counting System
In the MISJ programs, Japanese numbers are introduced as sets: SET A, B and C.
This makes it easier for you to learn various number-related expressions.
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NUMBER SET A |
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| 1(ichi) |
2(ni) |
3(san) |
4(yon) |
| 5(go) |
6(loku) |
7(nana) |
| 8(hachi) |
9(kyuu) |
10(juu) |
NUMBER SET A is the most important
because more than 80% of number-related expressions are based on this set. For example,
this set is used as the base of the Japanese counting system.
e.g. 400=yon-hyaku, 700=nana-hyaku, 900=kyuu-hyaku
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NUMBER SET B |
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| 1(ichi) |
2(ni) |
3(san) |
4(shi) |
| 5(go) |
6(loku) |
7(shichi) |
| 8(hachi) |
9(ku) |
10(juu) |
Only three numbers, 4, 7 and 9 are different.
Most time-related expressions are based on this set.
e.g. April(4)=shi-gatsu, July(7)=shichi-gatsu, September(9)=ku-gatsu,
7 o'clock=shichi-ji, 9 o'clock=ku-ji
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NUMBER SET C |
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| 1(hitotsu) |
2(futatsu) |
3(mittsu) |
4(yottsu) |
| 5(itsutsu) |
6(muttsu) |
7(nanatsu) |
| 8(yattsu) |
9(kokonotsu) |
10(too) |
NUMBER SET C is
used to count things except for humans or animals, to order things at a coffee shop
or a restaurant and to state infants' age.
This is the traditional way of counting; however, you can count things only up to ten with this set.
| PATTERN: NOUN-o SET C kudasai |
This is the pattern for ordering things.
In Japanese, number or quantity information is not an indispensable part of
a sentence and is only added when necessary.
Thus, If the number is not mentioned, it is automatically understood as one. |
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