N5Chapter 18

Counters Part 1 & the て-form (Connector)

Learning objectives

  • Master the native Japanese counting system (一つ, 二つ...) for general objects.
  • Learn specific counters for small/compact items (〜個) and thin items (〜枚).
  • Conjugate verbs into the て-form (te-form) to link multiple actions.
  • Explore the Japanese culture of Omiyage (souvenir giving).
N5 context

In English, we say “three books,” “three cars,” and “three people.” The word “three” never changes. In Japanese, however, you cannot just say a number. You must use a Counter—a specific suffix that depends on the shape, size, or type of the object you are counting!

Additionally, this chapter introduces the て-form (te-form), the “connector” of the Japanese language. Together, these tools allow you to describe complex scenarios like “I bought two apples and three oranges.”

Anime illustration of Susu counting groups of apples tagged ひとつ, ふたつ and みっつ.

1. The Universal Counters: 〜つ (tsu)

If you don’t know the specific counter for an object, the native Japanese number system is your “safety net.” These are used for generic items, abstract concepts, or anything that doesn’t have a more specific counter.

Vocabulary語彙
10 terms

  • ひとつ

    ひとつ

    Counter

    hitotsu

    1 (item)

  • ふたつ

    ふたつ

    Counter

    futatsu

    2 (items)

  • みっつ

    みっつ

    Counter

    mittsu

    3 (items)

  • よっつ

    よっつ

    Counter

    yottsu

    4 (items)

  • いつつ

    いつつ

    Counter

    itsutsu

    5 (items)

  • むっつ

    むっつ

    Counter

    muttsu

    6 (items)

  • ななつ

    ななつ

    Counter

    nanatsu

    7 (items)

  • やっつ

    やっつ

    Counter

    yattsu

    8 (items)

  • ここのつ

    ここのつ

    Counter

    kokonotsu

    9 (items)

  • とお

    とお

    Counter

    too

    10 (items)
Grammar文法
[Object] を [Number+Counter] [Verb]

means Counting objects in a sentence.

Formation

The counter usually comes AFTER the particle を and BEFORE the verb.

Examples

りんご を ふたつ たべました。

Ringo o futatsu tabemashita.

I ate two apples.

ハンバーガー を みっつ ください。

Hanbaagaa o mittsu kudasai.

Three hamburgers, please.

かばん が ひとつ あります。

Kaban ga hitotsu arimasu.

There is one bag.

みかん を いつつ かいました。

Mikan o itsutsu kaimashita.

I bought five mandarin oranges.

いす を よっつ ください。

Isu o yottsu kudasai.

Four chairs, please.

へや に テーブル が ふたつ あります。

Heya ni teeburu ga futatsu arimasu.

There are two tables in the room.

2. Small & Flat Items: 〜個 (ko) and 〜枚 (mai)

While 〜つ is universal, Japanese people prefer specific counters when the shape is clear.

  • 〜個 (ko): For small, round, or compact objects (apples, eggs, candy).
  • 〜枚 (mai): For thin, flat objects (paper, shirts, plates, tickets).
Vocabulary語彙
5 terms

  • いっこ

    いっこ

    Counter

    ikko

    1 (small item)

  • にこ

    にこ

    Counter

    niko

    2 (small items)

  • さんこ

    さんこ

    Counter

    sanko

    3 (small items)

  • いちまい

    いちまい

    Counter

    ichi-mai

    1 (flat item)

  • にまい

    にまい

    Counter

    ni-mai

    2 (flat items)

たまご を ろっこ かいました。

Tamago o rokko kaimashita.

I bought six eggs.

きっぷ を にまい かって ください。

Kippu o nimai katte kudasai.

Please buy two tickets.

シャツ を さんまい もっています。

Shatsu o sanmai motteimasu.

I own three shirts.

3. The て-form (The Connector)

The て-form is the most versatile conjugation in Japanese. It allows you to link verbs together without ending the sentence.

Conjugation Rules:

  • Group 2 (ru): Drop る ➔ add て (taberu ➔ tabete).
  • Group 1 (u): Use the “te-form song” (うつる➔って, むぶぬ➔んで, く➔いて, ぐ➔いで, す➔して). Exception: いく ➔ いって.
  • Group 3 (Irregular): する ➔ して, くる ➔ きて.
Grammar文法
(Verb 1 て-form)、(Verb 2)

means Do Action 1, AND THEN Action 2.

Formation

[Verb て] + [Verb]

Examples

みせ へ いって、パン を かいました。

Mise e itte, pan o kaimashita.

I went to the store and bought bread.

て を あらって、ごはん を たべます。

Te o aratte, gohan o tabemasu.

I wash my hands and eat.

ちょっと まって ください。

Chotto matte kudasai.

Please wait a moment. (matsu ➔ matte)

あさ、おきて、コーヒー を のみました。

Asa, okite, koohii o nomimashita.

In the morning, I woke up and drank coffee.

ほん を よんで、ねます。

Hon o yonde, nemasu.

I will read a book and go to sleep.

にほんご を べんきょうして、えいが を みました。

Nihongo o benkyoushite, eiga o mimashita.

I studied Japanese and watched a movie.
Culture文化

4. Cultural Note: Omiyage Culture (お土産)

In Japan, Omiyage (souvenirs) are much more than just travel mementos. They are a social tool used to show gratitude to colleagues, friends, and family.

  • Not just for yourself: Unlike “souvenirs” in the West, Omiyage are almost always intended to be given away.
  • Regional Specialties: Each region in Japan has its own Meibutsu (famous product), usually a specific food like Yatsuhashi in Kyoto or Ringo (apples) in Aomori.
  • Counting Gifts: When buying Omiyage, you’ll use counters constantly!
    • Okashi o jukko kaimashita. (I bought 10 sweets.)
    • Hagaki o gomai kaimashita. (I bought 5 postcards.)

The presentation is key—Omiyage are always beautifully wrapped, reflecting the Japanese aesthetic of care and respect.

Conversation Practice

Anime illustration of Susu holding up three postcards at a shop counter and saying さんまいください to the clerk.
Shopping for Omiyage会話
Smith

すみません、この おかし を いつ つ ください。

Sumimasen, kono okashi o itsutsu kudasai.

Excuse me, five of these sweets, please.

Clerk

はい。ほか に なに か あります か。

Hai. Hoka ni nani ka arimasu ka?

Yes. Is there anything else?

Smith

ええと、ポストカード を さんまい ください。あと、きれいな はこ を ひとつ おねがいします。

Eeto, posutokaado o sanmai kudasai. Ato, kireina hako o hitotsu onegaishimasu.

Umm, three postcards, please. And one beautiful box, please.

Clerk

わかりました。ぜんぶ で ２５００えん です。

Wakarimashita. Zenbu de nisen gohyaku-en desu.

Understood. That's 2,500 yen in total.

Smith

カード で はらって、かえります。

Kaado de haratte, kaerimasu.

I'll pay by card and then go home.
A Busy Day会話
Tanaka

きのう、なに を しました か。

Kinou, nani o shimashita ka?

What did you do yesterday?

Lee

デパート へ いって、シャツ を にまい かいました。それから、ともだち に あいました。

Depaato e itte, shatsu o nimai kaimashita. Sorekara, tomodachi ni aimashita.

I went to the department store and bought two shirts. After that, I met a friend.

Tanaka

いい です ね。わたし も かいもの を して、ごはん を たべました。

Ii desu ne. Watashi mo kaimono o shite, gohan o tabemashita.

That's nice. I also did some shopping and ate a meal.

Lee

りんご を みっつ もらいました。たべます か。

Ringo o mittsu moraimashita. Tabemasu ka?

I received three apples. Do you want to eat one?

Chapter Summary

Key takeawaysまとめ
  • 1Japanese uses specific counters based on the item's shape and type.
  • 2一つ (hitotsu) to 十 (too) is the universal 'safety net' counting system.
  • 3Use 〜個 (ko) for small/compact items and 〜枚 (mai) for thin/flat items.
  • 4The counter usually sits between the particle を and the verb.
  • 5The て-form (te-form) links multiple actions together sequentially.
  • 6Omiyage (souvenirs) are an essential part of Japanese social etiquette and gift-giving.

Knowledge Check

Test your counting and connecting skills!

Practice Quiz
1 / 20

Which counter is used for flat items like paper or shirts?

Applied review

Use what you learned

Focus: Counters and て-form. Try the task before revealing the model.

Guided practice練習

Produce the Japanese sentence, then compare it with the model answer.

  1. 1.Ask for three apples, then connect “buy and eat”.

Reading practice読解

Counters and て-form in context

N5 mini-reading

Target: 1 minute
店で みかんを 五つ 買って、家で 二つ 食べました。
Study this passage
  1. How many mandarins remain?