Introduction
Numbers are a fundamental part of any language, and Japanese is no exception. Whether you’re asking for prices, counting objects, or telling someone your age, numbers in Japanese come up daily. This complete beginner’s guide will help you understand the basics (0–10), move on to tens and hundreds, and even tackle large numbers like 万 (man) and 億 (oku). Let’s dive in!
Why Learn Numbers in Japanese?
Numbers aren’t just for counting in class. They help you:
- Talk about prices, dates, and times.
- Understand measurements (distance, weight, volume).
- Interact with native speakers naturally (in casual chats or formal settings).
Mastering Japanese numbers also gives you a great confidence boost, knowing you can handle practical tasks in daily life.
Getting Started: 0–10 in Japanese
Basic Digits (0 to 10)
| Number | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | ゼロ／零 | zero / rei |
| 1 | 一 | ichi |
| 2 | 二 | ni |
| 3 | 三 | san |
| 4 | 四 | yon / shi |
| 5 | 五 | go |
| 6 | 六 | roku |
| 7 | 七 | nana / shichi |
| 8 | 八 | hachi |
| 9 | 九 | kyuu / ku |
| 10 | 十 | juu |
Tips:
- 4 can be read as よん (yon) or し (shi). You’ll commonly hear よん in modern contexts.
- 7 can be read as なな (nana) or しち (shichi).
- 9 can be きゅう (kyuu) or く (ku).
Counting Beyond 10
From 11 to 99
Once you hit 10 (十, juu), you can create numbers up to 99 by combining the digits:
- 11 (juu ichi), 12 (juu ni), … 19 (juu kyuu)
- 20 (ni juu), 30 (san juu), … 90 (kyuu juu)
- Example: 21 = ni juu ichi, 45 = yon juu go
Hundreds, Thousands, and Ten-Thousands
- 100 = 百 (hyaku)
- 1000 = 千 (sen)
- 10,000 = 万 (man)
- This is where Japanese counting differs from English. In Japanese, 万 (man) stands for 10,000.
Examples:
- 100 → hyaku (百)
- 200 → ni hyaku (二百)
- 300 → san byaku (三百, note the pronunciation change)
- 1,000 → sen (千)
- 10,000 → ichi man (一万)
Large Numbers (Beyond 10,000)
万 (man), 億 (oku), 兆 (chou)
- 1万 (ichi-man) = 10,000
- 1億 (ichi-oku) = 100,000,000 (one hundred million)
- 1兆 (itchou) = 1,000,000,000,000 (one trillion)
Japanese uses a four-digit grouping system, so it’s helpful to think in multiples of 10,000.
Example:
- 20,000 = 二万 (ni man)
- 1,234,000 = 百二十三万四千 (hyaku nijuu san man yon sen)
Common Mistakes and Tips
- Mixing up 4 (yon) and 7 (nana):
- It’s common to stumble over which reading to use. Generally, よん (yon) and なな (nana) are safer to avoid confusion in daily conversation.
- Forgetting special pronunciations:
- 300 → さんびゃく (sanbyaku)
- 600 → ろっぴゃく (roppyaku)
- 800 → はっぴゃく (happyaku)
- 万 vs. “ten thousand”:
- English speakers might get confused when numbers pass the 10,000 mark. Practice grouping by 4 digits.
Practice Exercises
- Reading Practice:
- 58 (go juu hachi)
- 134 (hyaku san juu yon)
- 2,500 (ni sen go hyaku)
- 13,000 (ichi man san zen)
- Listening & Speaking
- Say the numbers out loud and record yourself. Compare your pronunciation with native speakers or an online tool.
- Try counting from 1 to 50 without pausing.
- Real-World Application
- Check prices on a Japanese website or app.
- Convert them into spoken Japanese (e.g., 1,280円 → sen nihyaku hachijuu en).
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
- QWhy does Japanese have two ways to say “four” (yon/shi) and “seven” (nana/shichi)?
- A
It comes from the mix of native Japanese readings (よん, なな) and Sino-Japanese readings (し, しち). Both are correct. In modern usage, よん and なな are more common in everyday conversation.
- QHow do I count objects or people in Japanese?
- A
Japanese uses counters like ～個 (ko) for small objects and ～人 (nin) for people. Example: 三個 (san ko) for three items, 三人 (san nin) for three people. Each counter has its own pronunciation rules.
- QIs there a difference between counting big numbers in everyday life vs. formal settings?
- A
Not particularly for numbers themselves, but you’ll often see 万 (man) used in daily life for prices and amounts. In very large figures (millions, billions), Japanese business contexts often list numbers in man or oku units.
- QShould I learn kanji for numbers right away?
- A
It’s up to you. Basic kanji like 一, 二, 三, 十, 百, 千, 万 can be helpful early on. For everyday practice, many resources also show Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3…).
Conclusion: Keep Practicing and Level Up!
Mastering numbers in Japanese is a key milestone for beginners. Once you grasp the basic pattern, you’ll find it easier to tackle money, dates, times, and more complex numerical expressions. Remember to practice aloud, work on tricky pronunciations, and think in multiples of 10,000 for big numbers. Stay consistent, and before you know it, you’ll be counting (and speaking!) like a pro in Japanese.
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