いくつか
ikutsuka
In Japanese, the word for "some" is いくつか (ikutsuka).
いくつか is used to refer to a certain, unspecified or unknown number of things. It is specifically used when talking about a quantity of countable nouns.
Meaning: certain, unspecified or unknown (det)
Which one should you use?
While いくつか refers to a quantity of countable items, 少し is used for uncountable amounts or degrees of something.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike English, where "some" can be used with uncountable nouns (for example, "some water"), いくつか is used specifically for countable items. For a more formal way to indicate some individuals or a few people, you can use 数人.
How do you pronounce it?
ikutsuka
Did you know?
- While いくつか refers to a small number, the word いくつ is also used to ask a person's age in years. This creates a linguistic link between 'some items' and 'how old'.
- When using いくつか to mean 'some' or 'a few' in a question, it can function as a way to softly approach a topic without being too direct. This helps maintain 'wa' or social harmony in polite conversation.
- In very formal or high-end service settings, such as in a traditional restaurant, the word for 'some' or 'a little' changes to 少々 (shōshō). This elevates the level of respect shown to the customer.
Examples in context
- いくつかお取り下さい。Please take some of them.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use いくつか when asking someone to take some items.Tatoeba #229206 by bunbuku, translation #66562 by CK
- いくつか報告があります。I have some news.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use いくつか when stating you have some news.Tatoeba #7534704 by Ninja, translation #2360332 by CK
- いくつか質問させてください。Please permit me to ask you some questions.This sentence is useful for showing how to use いくつか when asking for permission to ask some questions.Tatoeba #229187 by small_snow, translation #66545 by CM
- 会議には 少し 時間があります。We have some time for the meeting.
- ケーキを いくつか 食べました。I ate some cakes.
- 数人の学生が来ました。Some students came.
- キャンディを ちょっと もらった。I got some candy.
- 公園に 何人か 友達が集まりました。Some friends gathered at the park.
- いくつかの 本を読みました。I read some books.
- 61 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are planning a trip together.
- 蓮 Ren行きたい場所がいくつかあります。ikitai basho ga ikutsuka arimasu.There are some places I want to go.
- 陽葵 Himariいいですね。どこですか？ii desu ne. doko desu ka?That sounds good. Where are they?
- 蓮 Renあとでリストをいくつか送りますね。ato de risuto o ikutsuka okurimasu ne.I will send some lists later.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとうございます、楽しみです。arigatou gozaimasu, tanoshimi desu.Thank you, I'm looking forward to it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry いくつか, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
