At the Post Office (6)
Native Japanese Numbers
In Japanese there are two numerical systems. One is the numbers you have already learned, Chinese origin numbers, and the other is the native Japanese numbers. The native Japanese numbers are limited to one through ten.
| 1 | hitotsu
| 2 | futatsu
|
| 3 | mittsu
| 4 | yottsu
|
| 5 | itsutsu
| 6 | muttsu
|
| 7 | nanatsu
| 8 | yattsu
|
| 9 | kokonotsu
| 10 | too
|
For things which are not clearly categorized or which are shapeless (stones, boxes, stars, idea, problem etc.), the native Japanese numbers are used.
Counting things can be done in two ways.
(1) Using the native Japanese number independently.
| Hako o futatsu kaimashita.
| I bought two boxes. |
| Mondai ga hitotsu arimasu.
| There is one problem. |
(2) Using Chinese origin number combined with a counter.
| Hon o san-satsu yomimashita.
| I read three books. |
| Inu ga ni-hiki imasu.
| There are two dogs. |
