Anyone wanting to master the Japanese language must learn Japanese numbers at some point. Whether for travel, business, or daily conversation, numbers are used in everyday life and will likely be among the first vocabulary you learn.
Unlike English, the Japanese number system has some unique features that make it both logical in some ways and challenging to master in others.
Japanese numerals seem straightforward. Japanese speakers use Arabic numbers just like English speakers, but they also use traditional Japanese numbers written in kanji. Let's start learning about them.
Basic Japanese Numbers 1-10 and Their Readings
Before looking at complex numbers, you must learn the basic numbers from 10 to 10 in Japanese. After all, these numbers form the foundation for counting in Japanese, and if you can memorise them, you can technically count up to 100 and beyond with ease.
Japanese numbers can be written using Japanese writing systems like kanji, hiragana, and Arabic numerals.
Japanese Numbers 1-10 with Kanji, Hiragana, and Pronunciation
| Number | Kanji | Hiragana | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 一 | いち (ichi) | ee-chee |
| 2 | 二 | に (ni) | nee |
| 3 | 三 | さん (san) | sahn |
| 4 | 四 | し / よん (shi / yon) | shee / yohn |
| 5 | 五 | ご (go) | goh |
| 6 | 六 | ろく (roku) | roh-koo |
| 7 | 七 | しち / なな (shichi / nana) | shee-chee / nah-nah |
| 8 | 八 | はち (hachi) | hah-chee |
| 9 | 九 | きゅう / く (kyuu / ku) | kyoo / koo |
| 10 | 十 | じゅう (juu) | joo |
Notice that 4 and 7 have two different pronunciations. The shi (し) pronunciation for 4 sounds like the word for death (死), so yon (よん) is often preferred. Similarly, shichi (しち) sounds similar to shi, so nana (なな) is commonly used for clarity.
How to Read and Use Japanese Numbers 1-10
- Numbers 1-10 are used in everyday situations, such as telling the time, dates, and counting objects.
- Some numbers have multiple readings, depending on the context (more on this in the next section!).
- Japanese uses a logical counting system, so once you know these numbers, you can count higher by following simple patterns.
How to Count in Japanese: Beyond 10
Counting higher than this is relatively easy once you can count using the Japanese numbers 1-10. Japanese, unlike English, follows a logical pattern for creating larger numbers. Japanese numbers combine existing numbers rather than having unique words for numbers like eleven, twelve, and thirteen.
- For example:
- 11 is 十一 (juu-ichi) → "Ten-One"
- 12 is 十二 (juu-ni) → "Ten-Two"
- 20 is 二十 (ni-juu) → "Two-Ten"
This pattern continues all the way up to 100!
Counting from 1 to 100 in Japanese
You can follow this simple pattern if you'd like to count up numbers beyond 10.
| Number Range | Pattern & Example | Kanji Example | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-19 | Juu + [number] | 十一 (juu-ichi) → 11 | joo-ee-chee |
| 20-90 | [Tens digit] + Juu | 二十 (ni-juu) → 20 | nee-joo |
| 21-29 | [Tens] + Juu + [Ones] | 二十一 (ni-juu-ichi) → 21 | nee-joo-ee-chee |
| 30-99 | Same pattern as 20s | 三十五 (san-juu-go) → 35 | sahn-joo-goh |
| 100 | Hyaku (百) | 百 (hyaku) | hyah-koo |
Notice how Japanese counting is very systematic—there are no irregular forms like "eleven" and "twelve" in English!
Counting Beyond 100 in Japanese
Like counting from 1 to 100, counting beyond 99 is simple, too. Larger numbers follow this clear pattern.
- 100 = 百 (hyaku)
- 1,000 = 千 (sen)
- 10,000 = 万 (man)
To form bigger numbers, simply combine them:
- 101 = 百一 (hyaku-ichi) → "Hundred-One"
- 250 = 二百五十 (ni-hyaku go-juu) → "Two-Hundred Fifty"
- 5,000 = 五千 (go-sen) → "Five-Thousand"
Unlike English, where we count by thousands, Japanese groups numbers by ten-thousands (万, man). For example, 100,000 is 十万 (juu-man), meaning "Ten Ten-Thousands"!
What Makes Learning Japanese Numbers Easy
- Japanese counting follows simple, logical patterns—once you know 1-10, you can count almost anything.
- There are no irregular numbers, making it easier than English counting.
- Numbers are written using kanji, but Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) are also commonly used in Japan.
Sino-Japanese vs. Native Japanese Numbers
Some numbers have different pronunciations depending on the context. In Japanese, numbers have two main readings:
- Sino-Japanese (On’yomi - 音読み) – Derived from Chinese numerals and used for most counting situations.
- Native Japanese (Kun’yomi - 訓読み) – The original Japanese number system, mainly used for counting objects, people, and ages.
Both systems are used today and choosing the correct reading will vary according to what you're counting.
How kanji is read is also used for names in Japanese, with parents carefully considering which kanji characters to use for their babies' names.
Comparison of Sino-Japanese and Native Japanese Numbers
| Number | Sino-Japanese (On’yomi) | Native Japanese (Kun’yomi) | Used For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | いち (ichi) | ひとつ (hitotsu) | General counting, dates, money |
| 2 | に (ni) | ふたつ (futatsu) | Counting small objects |
| 3 | さん (san) | みっつ (mittsu) | Age, objects |
| 4 | し (shi) / よん (yon) | よっつ (yottsu) | Prefer yon (shi sounds like "death") |
| 5 | ご (go) | いつつ (itsutsu) | Counting things |
| 6 | ろく (roku) | むっつ (muttsu) | Age, objects |
| 7 | しち (shichi) / なな (nana) | ななつ (nanatsu) | Prefer nana (shichi sounds like "death") |
| 8 | はち (hachi) | やっつ (yattsu) | Counting |
| 9 | きゅう (kyuu) / く (ku) | ここのつ (kokonotsu) | Prefer kyuu (ku sounds like "pain/suffering") |
| 10 | じゅう (juu) | とお (too) | Counting |
Native Japanese numbers are primarily used for counting small objects, days, and age, while Sino-Japanese numbers are used for dates, money, and official numbers.
When to Use Sino-Japanese vs. Native Japanese Readings
- Use Sino-Japanese numbers for dates, phone numbers, money, and large numbers.
- Use Native Japanese numbers when counting small objects and ages.
- For cultural reasons, avoid certain pronunciations (shi = death, ku = suffering).
How Japanese Numbers Are Used in Daily Life
Numbers are essential in any language. Here are just some of the ways you may encounter Japanese numbers.
Phone Numbers
Japanese phone numbers are read digit by digit rather than in grouped numbers.
Example: 080-1234-5678 → zero-hachi-zero ichi-ni-san-yon go-roku-nana-hachi
Time & Dates
3:30 PM → 午後三時半 (gogo san-ji han)
March 5th → 三月五日 (san-gatsu itsuka)
Prices & Shopping
500 yen → 五百円 (go-hyaku en)
1,980 yen → 千九百八十円 (sen-kyuu-hyaku hachi-juu en)
Train & Bus Announcements
Public transport in Japan frequently uses numbers for station stops and schedules.
Next stop: Shinjuku, arriving in 5 minutes" → Tsugi wa Shinjuku desu. Go-fun de touchaku shimasu.
Age & Years
Japanese uses numbers to express age and years uniquely.
25 years old → 二十五歳 (ni-juu-go sai)
Year 2024 → 二千二十四年 (ni-sen ni-juu-yon nen)
Lucky and Unlucky Numbers in Japan
Like many other cultures around the world, Japanese culture has numbers that are believed to bring good luck and others that are thought to bring misfortune. When learning Japanese, or any other language, understanding cultural meanings is as important as understanding literal meanings, especially when speaking to native speakers.
Unlucky Numbers in Japan: Why 4 and 9 Are Avoided
In Japan, 4 (四, shi) and 9 (九, ku) are thought to be unlucky because their pronunciation sounds like negative words:
- 4 (shi - し) sounds like 死 (shi - death).
- 9 (ku - く) sounds like 苦 (ku – suffering/pain).
This means that, like floor number 13 in the West, there are hospitals in Japan that skip the fourth floor.
Similarly, apartment buildings mightn't include numbers 4 and 9 since people are less likely to want to live in them.
Gifts with four items, like plates or cups, are bad luck and should be avoided.
When counting things, it’s safer to use "yon" for 4 instead of shi, and kyuu for 9 instead of ku.
Lucky Numbers in Japan: 3, 5, and 7
In Japanese culture, some numbers are considered lucky due to positive meanings or traditional rituals.
The numbers 3, 5, and 7 are traditionally considered lucky.
- 3 (三, san) – Represents harmony and is often seen in Buddhism.
- 5 (五, go) – Symbolises balance and appears in traditional Japanese elements (earth, water, fire, wind, and void).
- 7 (七, nana) – Associated with happiness and good fortune.
4 (shi) and 9 (ku) are considered unlucky due to their pronunciation.
Many hotels, hospitals, and apartments avoid using these numbers.
3, 5, and 7 are considered lucky and are linked to prosperity and happiness.
When counting, it's best to use "yon" (4) and "kyuu" (9) instead of "shi" and "ku".
Japanese Counters: How to Count Objects, Animals, and People
In Japanese, counting is different to using numbers. In English, where we can say “three books”, “two cats”, etc., Japanese uses counters, which indicate what type of object is being counted.
Typically, these refer to the shape, size, or category of the object.
What Are Japanese Counters?
A counter (助数詞, josuushi) is a word that comes after a number to describe the type of object being counted. Different counters are used for:
- People
- Animals
- Flat objects (paper, plates, shirts)
- Long objects (pencils, umbrellas, bottles)
- Machines and vehicles
For example:
- Three people → 三人 (san-nin)
- Two cats → 二匹 (ni-hiki)
- One bottle → 一本 (ippon)
Counters are essential in Japanese—sentences can sound unnatural or confusing without them!
Here are some of the most common Japanese counters and how to use them. Consider learning some basic Japanese phrases and expressions before you tackle counters, though.
| Type of Object | Counter | Example (3) | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| People | ～人 (-nin) | 三人 (san-nin) | sahn-neen |
| Small Animals | ～匹 (-hiki) | 三匹 (san-biki) | sahn-biki |
| Large Animals | ～頭 (-tou) | 三頭 (san-tou) | sahn-toh |
| Thin, Flat Objects | ～枚 (-mai) | 三枚 (san-mai) | sahn-mai |
| Long, Cylindrical Objects | ～本 (-hon) | 三本 (san-bon) | sahn-bon |
| Machines / Vehicles | ～台 (-dai) | 三台 (san-dai) | sahn-dai |
| General Objects | ～つ (-tsu) | 三つ (mittsu) | meet-tsoo |
Using Counters in Sentences
To correctly count objects, follow this structure:
✔ [Object] + [Number] + [Counter]
For example:
- I bought three books.
- → 本を三冊買いました。(Hon o san-satsu kaimashita.)
- There are two cars.
- → 車が二台あります。(Kuruma ga ni-dai arimasu.)
- I drank one cup of coffee.
- → コーヒーを一杯飲みました。(Koohii o ippai nomimashita.)
Use ～人 (-nin) for people (except one person = hitori, two people = futari).
Use ～匹 (-hiki) for small animals and ～頭 (-tou) for large animals.
Use ～枚 (-mai) for flat objects and ～本 (-hon) for long, thin objects.
Use ～つ (-tsu) as a general counter if you're unsure!
How to Learn and Practice Japanese Numbers
Now that you have a better idea of how Japanese numbers and counters work, start practising regularly so you can use them naturally in conversation.
Beginners should consider the following approaches to studying numbers and new vocabulary in Japanese:
- Use flashcards for memorisation
- Read prices, dates, and time in Japanese
- Practise counting objects around you
- Watch Japanese shows to hear numbers in context
- Consider online courses, learning apps, or private Japanese tutoring
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