七つ

Japanese JLPT N5 Vocabulary Japanese ★★★★ 4/5 neutral ななつnanatsu
Reading ななつ
Romaji nanatsu
Kanji breakdown 七 (nana) — seven; つ is a native counter suffix
Pronunciation /na.na.tsɯ/

Meaning

Seven (things). The native Japanese counter for seven, used for general objects.

Part of the native Japanese counting system. Uses the なな reading of 七. Preferred over しちつ (which does not exist) — the native counter always uses なな for seven. Appears in stories and cultural contexts, such as the seven items in traditional tales.

Examples

  1. お弁当箱が七つあります。 There are seven lunch boxes.
  2. 七つの星を見つけました。 I found seven stars.
  3. プレゼントを七つ用意しました。 I prepared seven presents.

Usage Guide

Context: counting objects, daily life, stories

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From the native Japanese なな (seven) plus the counter suffix つ. Unlike the Sino-Japanese reading しち, the native なな is the only form used with the つ counter.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Related Phrases

一 One; 1. The most basic number in Japanese. 一つ One (thing). The native Japanese counter for one, used for general objects. 七 Seven; 7. A culturally significant number in Japan. 万 Ten thousand; 10,000. A fundamental large number unit unique to the Japanese counting system. 三 Three; 3. A number with cultural significance in Japan. 三つ Three (things). The native Japanese counter for three, used for general objects. 九 Nine; 9. The highest single digit, with two common readings. 二 Two; 2. A fundamental number used in counting and everyday contexts.
Practice this on WordLoci

Flashcards, quizzes, audio pronunciation and spaced repetition