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# The Tsu (つ) Counter: A Guide to Counting Objects in Japanese
- URL: https://blog.lingodeer.com/the-tsu--e3-81-a4-counter-a-guide-to-counting-objects-in-japanese/
- Published: 2024-09-25T05:38:31.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-04T01:23:24.000Z
- Author: Dear Deer
- Tags: Learn Japanese, Japanese Resources, About LingoDeer, #Migrated-1785499243338, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-31 12:01

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.

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

The native Japanese つ counter counts general things from one to ten using forms such as ひとつ, ふたつ and みっつ. It is useful when a more specific counter is unknown, but it does not replace every counter.

| Topic     | Key point from this guide                             |
| --------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| Section 1 | What Are Measure Words/Counters?                      |
| Section 2 | Counting Objects with the Tsu (つ) Counter: ひとつ、ふたつ... |
| Section 3 | How to Use Measure Words in Conversations             |

*Editorial note:* This summary is extracted from the examples and explanations in the original article; it does not replace their context and usage notes.

If you’ve already checked out our [previous blog on counting in Japanese](https://blog.lingodeer.com/a-simple-guide-to-counting-in-japanese-numbers/), 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...

![Tsu counter](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1a/04/1a0403d3-6352-4489-b286-d9de13f43972/content/images/2026/07/blog-10-2.jpg "Blog 10-2")

| Number | Kanji | Hiragana | Pronunciation |
| ------ | ----- | -------- | ------------- |
| 1      | 一つ    | ひとつ      | hitotsu       |
| 2      | 二つ    | ふたつ      | futatsu       |
| 3      | 三つ    | みっつ      | mittsu        |
| 4      | 四つ    | よっつ      | yottsu        |
| 5      | 五つ    | いつつ      | itsutsu       |
| 6      | 六つ    | むっつ      | muttsu        |
| 7      | 七つ    | ななつ      | nanatsu       |
| 8      | 八つ    | やっつ      | yattsu        |
| 9      | 九つ    | ここのつ     | kokonotsu     |
| 19     | 十     | とお       | tō            |

---

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](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz5%5FkgTKwc4&ref=blog.lingodeer.com) 

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...)](https://youtu.be/xiccIqAslRM?si=92-nG3jKuLZT3MmE&ref=blog.lingodeer.com)

And of course, don’t forget to review our [previous blog post](https://blog.lingodeer.com/a-simple-guide-to-counting-in-japanese-numbers/) for a broader overview of counting in Japanese and download the [**LingoDeer app**](https://www.lingodeer.com/?ref=blog.lingodeer.com) to continue your Japanese learning journey!

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## Frequently Asked Questions

### What should readers focus on first?

Start with the article’s core explanation and one practical example before expanding.

### Is every detail universal?

No. Usage, register, regional variation and current policies may require additional context.

### How should this be practised?

Use short examples, active recall and repeated exposure rather than reading once.

### Where should changing information be checked?

Use current official or primary sources for dates, rankings, availability and formal requirements.

*Scope:* These answers summarize this article. Language varies by context, speaker and region, so consult the full examples before applying an expression.