八つ

Japanese JLPT N5 Vocabulary Japanese ★★★★ 4/5 neutral やっつyattsu
Reading やっつ
Romaji yattsu
Kanji breakdown 八 (ya) — eight; つ is a native counter suffix
Pronunciation /jat.tsɯ/

Meaning

Eight (things). The native Japanese counter for eight, used for general objects.

Part of the native Japanese counting system. Uses the や reading of 八 with gemination (やっ). Also seen in the expression 八つ当たり (yatsu-atari, taking out frustrations on someone), showing how the native number system extends beyond simple counting.

Examples

  1. クッキーを八つ焼きました。 I baked eight cookies.
  2. 箱に八つのボールが入っています。 There are eight balls in the box.
  3. 八つに分けてください。 Please divide it into eight pieces.

Usage Guide

Context: counting objects, daily life, dividing portions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From the native Japanese や (eight) plus the counter suffix つ. The geminated form やっつ is the standard pronunciation.

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.
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