The Tsu (つ) Counter: A Guide to Counting Objects in Japanese

Welcome back, deer language learners! Today, we’re diving into an essential part of learning Japanese: measure words (or counters). This type of counting differs from the usual Japanese numbers like “ichi,” “ni,” and “san.” Instead, measure words are used to count specific objects in Japanese, and mastering them will help you sound more natural.

If you’ve already checked out our previous blog on counting in Japanese, you’re on the right track! In this post, we’ll explore how to count from 1 to 10 using one of the most common counters, the Tsu (つ) counter. This is a must-know for anyone learning Japanese！

What Are Measure Words/Counters?

In Japanese, measure words (助数詞, じょすうし, josūshi) are used to count objects, people, animals, and even abstract things. Unlike English, where you can say “five apples,” in Japanese, you need specific counters depending on what you’re counting. While there are many different types of Japanese measure words, today we’ll focus on the most general counter, Tsu (つ), which is used to count objects. By mastering this counter, you’ll not only expand your vocabulary but also become more fluent in Japanese conversations, especially in daily situations like shopping or dining.

Counting Objects with the Tsu (つ) Counter: ひとつ、ふたつ…

Let’s check out the pronunciation with Deer!

And some examples!

• 1 apple: りんごがひとつあります。 (Ringo ga hitotsu arimasu.) — There is one apple.
• 4 oranges: みかんがよっつあります。 (Mikan ga yottsu arimasu.) — There are four oranges.
• 7 bananas: バナナがななつあります。 (Banana ga nanatsu arimasu.) — There are seven bananas.
• 2 tables: つくえがふたつあります。 (Tsukue ga futatsu arimasu.) — There are two tables.
• 8 computers: コンピューターがやっつあります。 (Konpyūtā ga yattsu arimasu.) — There are eight computers.

How to Use Measure Words in Conversations

Now that you know how to count from 1 to 10 using Japanese counters, it’s time to practice incorporating them into your daily conversations! Here are some example sentences to get you started:

Examples:

• 本はいくつありますか？ (Hon wa ikutsu arimasu ka?)
  — How many books do you have?
• 本がむっつあります。 (Hon ga muttsu arimasu.)
  — I have six books.

• 椅子はいくつありますか？ (Isu wa ikutsu arimasu ka?)
  — How many chairs are there?
• 椅子がふたつあります。 (Isu ga futatsu arimasu.)
  — There are two chairs.

• チョコレートをいくつ買いましたか？ (Chokorēto wo ikutsu kaimashita ka?)
  — How many chocolates did you buy?
• チョコレートをみっつ買いました。 (Chokorēto o mittsu kaimashita.)
  — I bought three chocolates.

Tips for Learning Japanese Counters

Understanding and using Japanese measure words is critical for becoming fluent in Japanese. Finding it hard to remember all the counters? Don’t worry! Check out this cute song to help you memorize the Japanese Tsu (つ) counter from 1 to 10 : Japanese Couners Song 1-10【ひとつ・ふたつ・みっつの歌】Written in Roma-ji & Hiragana – YouTube 

Also, here’s a great video tip to help you memorize Tsu counter quickly (starts from 2:15):[GENKI Lesson 9] How to memorize General Counters (hitotsu, futatsu, mittsu…)

And of course, don’t forget to review our previous blog post for a broader overview of counting in Japanese and download the LingoDeer app to continue your Japanese learning journey!