匹
hiki
In Japanese, 匹 (hiki) is a counter used when counting small animals.
The counter 匹 is used to count small animals, and it is also commonly used for fish and insects.
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronunciation of 匹 changes depending on the number used before it. For example, when counting one animal, it becomes ippiki and when counting three animals, it becomes sanbiki. In other instances, the sound may change to piki or biki depending on the preceding number.
How do you pronounce it?
hiki
Did you know?
- If you use the counter 匹 (hiki) to describe a person in a derogatory way, it can imply that the person is behaving like a lowly animal or a beast.
- The reading hiki is thought to have evolved from the word 引 meaning 'to pull', referencing the action of pulling an animal's leash.
- If you count a rabbit as 匹 (hiki) but then count a bird, you must switch to the counter 羽 (wa), which refers to feathers.
Examples in context
- 引き継ぐto take over
- ヒッキーオタクshut-in otaku (an enthusiast)
- 猫を三匹飼っています。Neko o sanbiki katte imasu.I have three cats.
- あそこに犬が二匹います。Asoko ni inu ga nihiki imasu.There are two dogs over there.
- ハムスターが五匹います。Hamusutaa ga gohiki imasu.There are five hamsters.
Example conversation
Youta and Himari are looking at a pet shop window.
- 陽太 Yotaあそこに、子猫が四匹いますね。Asoko ni, koneko ga yonhiki imasu ne.There are four kittens over there, aren't there?
- 陽葵 Himari本当ですね、とても可愛いです。Hontou desu ne, totemo kawaii desu.You're right, they are very cute.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵さんは、猫が好きですか？Himari-san wa, neko ga suki desu ka?Himari, do you like cats?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、大好きです！Hai, daisuki desu!Yes, I love them!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 匹, CC BY-SA 4.0.
