頭

• Reading: とう
• Romaji: tou
• Kanji breakdown: 頭 (tou/atama) — head, counter for large animals
• Pronunciation: /toː/

Meaning

Counter for large animals. Used to count cattle, horses, elephants, and similar creatures.

A specialized counter (助数詞) used primarily for large animals. Unlike 匹 (hiki) for small animals, 頭 is reserved for bigger creatures such as cows, horses, and zoo animals. Also used in academic contexts for counting insects in a collection or specimens. Pronounced とう when used as a counter.

Examples

1. 牧場に牛が三頭います。 There are three cows on the ranch.
2. 動物園で象を二頭見ました。 I saw two elephants at the zoo.
3. この馬は一頭五百万円です。 This horse costs five million yen per head.

Usage Guide

Context: farming, zoo, animal counting

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Originally from counting animals by their heads, a practice shared across many languages. The kanji 頭 means 'head,' reflecting this method of tallying livestock.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal