Learn to Count in Japanese: Numbers from 0 to 1000 Explained
Last updated: September 18, 2024
Knowing the numbers and how to count are important things you should be able to do in any language you learn, but as always, Japanese is a bit special. As with any other kanji, the kanji for numbers also have a native Japanese reading (kun-reading) and a Sino-Japanese reading (on-reading) imported from China. When it comes to numbers and counting, these two reading types are heavily mixed, depending on whether you are just counting numbers, or using counter words. And when using counter words, there are many exceptions and sound shifts that occur. But before you worry too much about the details, it is important to be able to simply count numbers.
Let's learn the basic numbers in Japanese, starting with the numbers from 0-10.
Forming Numbers 0-10
Generally, for normal counting, the numbers use the Sino-Japanese readings, with two exceptions, 四 and 七. But more on those two below.
Numeral | Kanji | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
0 | 零・ゼロ | rei・zero |
1 | 一 | ichi |
2 | 二 | ni |
3 | 三 | san |
4 | 四・四 | shi・yon |
5 | 五 | go |
6 | 六 | roku |
7 | 七・七 | shichi・nana |
8 | 八 | hachi |
9 | 九 | kyuu |
10 | 十 | juu |
四 and 七 are both a bit unusual, especially when counting, since the way they are read changes when counting up versus counting down.
When counting up, they are read as し and しち, respectively.
When counting down, on the other hand, they are read as よん and なな, respectively.
So, the Chinese reading is used when counting up, and the Japanese reading is used when counting down.
However, in almost all numbers above ten and in most other cases, you will find 四 and 七 use よん and なな for their readings.
As it falls into neither of the two categories but is still important to mention due to its frequent use, ゼロ is another way you can express 0.
Forming Numbers Greater than 10
Luckily, forming numbers greater than 10 is relatively straightforward. You simply combine the numbers and their readings as needed (for the most part!). There are two things you have to know:
- Placing a number in front of 十 tells you how many tens.
- Placing a number after 十 tells you how many ones.
Examples:
- 十二 = 12 (literally: ten two)
- 二十 = 20 (literally: two ten)
- 九十九 = 99 (literally: nine ten nine)
For numbers above 99, you just need to learn one new word, 百 for one hundred; the rest of the rules stay the same.
- 百 = 100
For numbers starting from 1000 we need to use 千.
- 三千 = 3000 (literally: three thousand)
IMPORTANT: This is only a basic rundown of how numbers above 10 work, but depending on the numbers, some small sound shifts may occur that you have to remember. 300, for example, is not pronounced さんひゃく, but さんびゃく.
As you can see, Japanese numbers are a quite complex, but interesting. If you want to learn more about Japanese through a comprehensive course, we recommend you to try out our Migaku Japanese Academy course, which will allow you to quickly learn Japanese from anime.