一
ichistandard, one
Japanese counts from 1 to 10 with 一 (ichi), 二 (ni), 三 (san), 四 (yon), 五 (go), 六 (roku), 七 (nana), 八 (hachi), 九 (kyū) and 十 (jū). Larger numbers are built from these. It is also called 二十 (nijū) and 百 (hyaku).
Meaning: counting from one to one hundred (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 一 | ichi | standard, one |
| 十 | jū | ten |
| 二十 | nijū | twenty |
| 百 | hyaku | one hundred |
Which one should you use?
Four, seven and nine each have two readings. Four is 四 (yon) or し (shi), seven is 七 (nana) or しち (shichi), and nine is 九 (kyū) or く (ku). yon, nana and kyū are the usual ones in counting.
How does it change in a sentence?
After ten the system is regular. Eleven is 十一 (jūichi), which is ten plus one. Twenty is 二十 (nijū), which is two tens. Ninety-nine is 九十九 (kyūjūkyū).
How do you pronounce it?
The long vowel in 十 (jū) and 九 (kyū) must be held a little longer.
When do people say it?
The reading し (shi) for four sounds like the word for death, so よん (yon) is preferred in daily life.
Did you know?
- One hundred is 百 (hyaku) with no 一 (ichi) in front of it, so 100 is not said as "one hundred".
Examples in context
- 二十五nijūgoTwenty-five
- 六十八rokujūhachiSixty-eight
- 九十九kyūjūkyūNinety-nine
