Learning to count in different languages is always a fun and useful skill to have. In this guide, we will explore how to say the numbers 1 to 10 in Japanese, covering both formal and informal ways. So, let’s dive in and start counting!
Table of Contents
Formal Way of Counting
When it comes to formal situations in Japan, there is a specific way of counting. Below, you’ll find the Japanese numbers 1 to 10 in their formal form:
1 – いち (ichi)
2 – に (ni)
3 – さん (san)
4 – よん (yon)
5 – ご (go)
6 – ろく (roku)
7 – しち (shichi)
8 – はち (hachi)
9 – きゅう (kyuu)
10 – じゅう (juu)
Remember that Japanese pronunciation tends to be precise, so try to enunciate each syllable clearly. Take note of the following examples to help you get familiar with the formal way of saying these numbers:
List of Examples
- There is 1 apple on the table – テーブルの上にりんごがいちこあります。(teeburu no ue ni ringo ga ichi ko arimasu)
- She has 3 cats – かのじょはねこさんびきをかっています。(kanojo wa neko san-biki o katteimasu)
- We need 5 chairs for the meeting – かいぎのためにいすをごこつつかいます。(kaigi no tame ni isu o go-kotsu kaimasu)
- He bought 9 books at the bookstore – かれはほんやさんできゅうさつをかいました。(kare wa honya san de kyuu-satsu o kaimashita)
Informal Way of Counting
In casual and informal situations, you’ll often encounter a different set of numbers used in Japanese. Here are the informal versions of numbers 1 to 10:
1 – ひとつ (hitotsu)
2 – ふたつ (futatsu)
3 – みっつ (mittsu)
4 – よっつ (yottsu)
5 – いつつ (itsutsu)
6 – むっつ (muttsu)
7 – ななつ (nanatsu)
8 – やっつ (yattsu)
9 – ここのつ (kokonotsu)
10 – とお (too)
The informal counting system is often used in daily conversations, among friends, and in less formal settings. Let’s take a look at some example sentences below to further understand the informal way of counting numbers:
List of Examples
- I have 2 pens – ペンがふたつあります。(pen ga futatsu arimasu)
- Can I borrow 4 chairs? – いすをよっつかしてもいいですか？(isu o yottsu kashite mo ii desu ka?)
- There are 6 books on the shelf – 本棚に本がむっつあります。(hondana ni hon ga muttsu arimasu)
- We need 10 cups for the party – パーティーのためにコップをとおつつつかいます。(paatii no tame ni koppu o tootsu kaimasu)
Regional Variations
While the formal and informal ways of counting are used universally across Japan, it is worth mentioning that some regional dialects might have slight variations in number pronunciation. However, for basic usage purposes, the standard forms we have covered should suffice in most situations.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have learned how to count from 1 to 10 in Japanese. Remember to practice these numbers regularly to become comfortable with their pronunciation. Whether you find yourself in a formal or informal setting, you can now confidently count and communicate numerical quantities in Japanese.
