Numbers & Counting

Introduction

Japanese has a unique counting system that can seem daunting at first, but the basics are straightforward. N5 covers the essential numbers and counters you'll need for shopping, telling time, and everyday maths.

Once you master these, you'll find numbers popping up everywhere in daily Japanese life.

Themes

All JLPT N5 Vocabulary in This Chapter (23)

1. 一 いち One; 1. The most basic number in Japanese.
2. 二 に Two; 2. A fundamental number used in counting and everyday contexts.
3. 三 さん Three; 3. A number with cultural significance in Japan.
4. 四 し Four; 4. A number with two common readings in Japanese.
5. 五 ご Five; 5. A basic number used constantly in daily life.
6. 六 ろく Six; 6. A number commonly encountered in everyday Japanese.
7. 七 しち Seven; 7. A culturally significant number in Japan.
8. 八 はち Eight; 8. A lucky number symbolising prosperity in Japan.
9. 九 きゅう Nine; 9. The highest single digit, with two common readings.
10. 十 じゅう Ten; 10. The base number for the Japanese decimal system.
11. 百 ひゃく Hundred; 100. A basic large number unit in Japanese.
12. 千 せん Thousand; 1,000. A key unit in the Japanese number system.
13. 万 まん Ten thousand; 10,000. A fundamental large number unit unique to the Japanese counting system.
14. 零 れい Zero; nought. The number zero in formal Japanese.
15. 一つ ひとつ One (thing). The native Japanese counter for one, used for general objects.
16. 二つ ふたつ Two (things). The native Japanese counter for two, used for general objects.
17. 三つ みっつ Three (things). The native Japanese counter for three, used for general objects.
18. 四つ よっつ Four (things). The native Japanese counter for four, used for general objects.
19. 五つ いつつ Five (things). The native Japanese counter for five, used for general objects.
20. 六つ むっつ Six (things). The native Japanese counter for six, used for general objects.
21. 七つ ななつ Seven (things). The native Japanese counter for seven, used for general objects.
22. 八つ やっつ Eight (things). The native Japanese counter for eight, used for general objects.
23. 九つ ここのつ Nine (things). The native Japanese counter for nine, used for general objects.