数える
kazoeru[ka̠zo̞e̞ɾɯ̟]
To count something in Japanese is to say 数える (kazoeru).
The verb 数える means to count, which involves determining the number of items in a group by naming them one by one. You may also use the expression カウントする to mean the same thing.
How does it change in a sentence?
The negative form of the verb is 数えられない, which can mean 'cannot count' or 'is uncountable'. If you want to refer to the specific method or way of counting something, you can use the noun form 数え方.
How do you pronounce it?
kazoeru
Did you know?
- Japanese uses an entire system of 'counters' that change based on the shape or type of the object being counted, such as 本 for long things and 枚 for flat things.
- Japanese has a specific term 数え年 for a traditional age system where you are one year old at birth and gain a year every New Year's Day.
- The verb 数える is believed to have evolved from a combination of the noun 数 (number) and the verb あう (to join or meet). This suggests the original concept of counting was 'joining numbers together'.
Examples in context
- 私はりんごを 数えました 。I counted the apples.
- 会議で出席者を カウントしました 。We counted the attendees at the meeting.
- みんなのハイタッチを 数えよう ！Let's count everyone's high-fives!
- 卵の数を数える。tamago no kazu o kazoeru.Count the number of eggs.
- 出席者を数えるのを忘れないで。shussekisha o kazoeru no o wasurenaide.Don't forget to count the attendees.
- お金を正しく数える。okane o tadashiku kazoeru.Count the money correctly.
Example conversation
At a convenience store, checking the stock of items.
- 陽太 Yota在庫の数を数える必要があるね。zaiko no kazu o kazoeru hitsuyou ga aru ne.We need to count the number of items in stock.
- 美咲 Misakiはい、すぐに数えます。hai, sugu ni kazoemasu.Yes, I will count them right away.
- 陽太 Yota美咲さん、手伝ってくれる？Misaki-san, tetsudatte kureru?Misaki, can you help me?
- 美咲 Misakiもちろんです、陽太さん。mochiron desu, Youta-san.Of course, Youta.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 数える, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 数える, CC BY-SA 4.0.
