Language/Japanese/Vocabulary/Counting-Numbers-and-Time

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Japanese → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Greetings and Introductions → Counting Numbers and Time

Introduction

In this lesson, we will delve into the fascinating world of counting numbers and telling time in Japanese. These skills are essential for effective communication in any language, and Japanese is no exception. Whether you are asking for directions, ordering food, or simply engaging in small talk, being able to count and tell time accurately will greatly enhance your ability to navigate daily life in Japan.

Throughout this lesson, we will explore the various numerical systems used in Japanese, from the native Japanese numbers to the Sino-Japanese numbers. We will also learn how to tell time in Japanese, including both the traditional and modern systems. As we delve into these topics, we will provide comprehensive explanations, numerous examples, and engaging practice exercises to help reinforce your learning.

So, let's begin our journey into the world of counting numbers and telling time in Japanese!

Counting Numbers

Native Japanese Numbers

In Japanese, there are two primary systems for counting numbers: native Japanese numbers and Sino-Japanese numbers. Native Japanese numbers are used for counting objects, while Sino-Japanese numbers are used for counting money, telling time, and expressing dates. In this section, we will focus on the native Japanese numbers.

The native Japanese numbers are relatively simple and straightforward. They are used for counting objects, such as people, animals, and items. Here are the native Japanese numbers from 1 to 10:

Japanese	Pronunciation	English Translation
一	ichi	One
二	ni	Two
三	san	Three
四	yon / shi	Four
五	go	Five
六	roku	Six
七	nana / shichi	Seven
八	hachi	Eight
九	kyū / ku	Nine
十	jū	Ten

To count objects in Japanese, simply combine the native Japanese numbers with the counter for the specific object. For example, to count apples, you would use the native Japanese number for the desired quantity followed by the counter for apples, which is "個" (こ). Here are a few examples:

• 一個のりんご (いっこのりんご) - One apple
• 三個のりんご (さんこのりんご) - Three apples
• 五個のりんご (ごこのりんご) - Five apples

It's important to note that the pronunciation of some numbers can change depending on the counter they are combined with. This is known as "rendaku," a phonetic phenomenon in Japanese. For example, the number "one" (一) changes its pronunciation to "ich" (いち) when combined with certain counters. Here are a few examples:

• 一つのくつ (ひとつのくつ) - One shoe
• 一つのえんぴつ (ひとつのえんぴつ) - One pencil
• 一つのかばん (ひとつのかばん) - One bag

Sino-Japanese Numbers

While the native Japanese numbers are used for counting objects, the Sino-Japanese numbers are used for counting money, telling time, and expressing dates. The Sino-Japanese numbers are based on Chinese numerals and are often considered more formal and appropriate for official or business contexts.

Here are the Sino-Japanese numbers from 1 to 10:

Japanese	Pronunciation	English Translation
一	ichi	One
二	ni	Two
三	san	Three
四	shi / yon	Four
五	go	Five
六	roku	Six
七	shichi / nana	Seven
八	hachi	Eight
九	kyū / ku	Nine
十	jū	Ten

To count money or express large quantities, simply combine the Sino-Japanese numbers with the appropriate counter. For example, to express 1,000 yen, you would use the Sino-Japanese number for 1,000, which is "千" (せん), followed by the counter for yen, which is "円" (えん). Here's an example:

• 千円 (せんえん) - 1,000 yen

Similarly, to express the date, you would use the Sino-Japanese numbers for the day, month, and year, combined with the appropriate counters. For example:

• 二月十日 (にがつとおか) - February 10th
• 二千十年 (にせんじゅうねん) - the year 2010

Additional Counters

In addition to the native Japanese and Sino-Japanese numbers, Japanese also utilizes counters to specify different types of objects. Counters are an essential part of Japanese grammar and are used to count specific objects, such as people, animals, flat objects, long objects, and more. Here are a few common counters:

• 人 (にん) - for counting people
• 匹 (ひき) - for small animals
• 枚 (まい) - for flat objects, such as paper or photographs
• 本 (ほん) - for long, thin objects, such as pencils or bottles
• 冊 (さつ) - for books
• 台 (だい) - for machines or vehicles
• 杯 (はい) - for cups or glasses

To count objects using counters, simply combine the native Japanese or Sino-Japanese numbers with the appropriate counter. For example:

• 三人 (さんにん) - Three people
• 五匹 (ごひき) - Five animals
• 十枚 (じゅうまい) - Ten sheets

Telling Time

Traditional Time System

In Japan, there are two systems for telling time: the traditional time system and the modern time system. The traditional time system is based on the twelve-hour clock and is still widely used in formal and ceremonial contexts.

To express the time in the traditional system, use the following pattern:

Hour + 時（じ） + Minutes + 分（ふん）

Here are a few examples:

• 一時 (いちじ) - One o'clock
• 三時十五分 (さんじじゅうごふん) - Three fifteen (3:15)
• 八時四十五分 (はちじよんじゅうごふん) - Eight forty-five (8:45)

Note that the traditional time system uses the native Japanese numbers for the hours. However, when expressing minutes, the Sino-Japanese numbers are used.

Modern Time System

The modern time system, based on the twenty-four-hour clock, is commonly used in everyday conversations and written communication. To express the time in the modern system, use the following pattern:

Hour + 時（じ） + Minutes

Here are a few examples:

• 13時 (じゅうさんじ) - 13:00 (1:00 PM)
• 15時30分 (じゅうごじさんじゅっぷん) - 15:30 (3:30 PM)
• 21時45分 (にじゅういちじよんじゅうごふん) - 21:45 (9:45 PM)

Note that when expressing the hours in the modern time system, the Sino-Japanese numbers are used.

AM and PM

To differentiate between AM and PM, you can use the following expressions:

• 午前 (ごぜん) - AM
• 午後 (ごご) - PM

For example, to express 8:00 AM, you would say "午前八時" (ごぜんはちじ). And to express 8:00 PM, you would say "午後八時" (ごごはちじ).

It's important to note that the modern time system is often used in conversations, while the traditional time system is more commonly used in formal or ceremonial settings.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have covered the basics of counting numbers and telling time in Japanese, let's put your knowledge into practice with a few exercises. Choose the correct answer for each question, and then check your answers below.

1. How do you say "five apples" in Japanese? a) 五りんご b) 五個のりんご c) 五つのりんご

2. How do you say "three o'clock" in Japanese? a) 三時 b) 三時十分 c) 三時三十分

3. How do you say "1,000 yen" in Japanese? a) 千円 b) 百円 c) 一万円

4. How do you say "February 10th" in Japanese? a) 二月十日 b) 二千十年 c) 二十日

5. How do you say "9:45 PM" in Japanese? a) 午後九時四十五分 b) 午前九時四十五分 c) 九時四十五分

Answers: 1. b) 五個のりんご 2. a) 三時 3. a) 千円 4. a) 二月十日 5. a) 午後九時四十五分

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to count numbers and tell time in Japanese. These skills will greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in various situations, whether you are ordering food, talking about dates, or simply engaging in small talk with native Japanese speakers.

Remember to practice regularly and gradually expand your vocabulary and understanding of these topics. As you continue your Japanese language journey, you will become more confident and proficient in using numbers and telling time in Japanese.

Keep up the great work, and happy learning!

Table of Contents - Japanese Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Hiragana Basics

• Hiragana Reading and Writing Practice
• Introduction to Japanese Sentence Structure
• Particle は and が
• Verb Conjugation
• Noun and Adjective Modification
• Question Words and Phrases

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Greetings
• Introducing Yourself and Others
• Describing People
• Counting Numbers and Time
• Basic Food and Drink Terminology
• Daily Activities and Hobbies
• Basic Directions and Transportation

  ---

Geography and History

• Introduction to Japanese Geography
• Brief History of Japan
• Traditional Arts and Customs
• Popular Culture and Entertainment

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Conjugation
• Adjective Types and Usage
• Adverb Types and Usage
• Comparison and Superlative
• Adjective and Adverbial Modification

  ---

Family and Social Relations

• Family Members and Titles
• Social Etiquette and Expressions
• Basic Workplace and Business Terminology
• Shopping and Consumer Culture

  ---

Religion and Philosophy

• Shinto and Buddhism
• Zen and Samurai Culture
• Contemporary Spiritual Movements

  ---

Particles and Conjunctions

• Particles に and で
• Particles へ and を
• Particles も and しか
• Conjunctions and Compound Sentences
• Conditional and Hypothetical Sentences

  ---

Travel and Tourism

• Basic Travel and Tourism Vocabulary
• Famous Tourist Attractions and Landmarks
• Japanese Hospitality and Service Culture

  ---

Education and Science

• Educational System and Vocabulary
• Traditional and Modern Science and Technology
• Natural Disasters and Risk Prevention

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Prepositions and Interjections

• Prepositions and Postpositions
• Emphasis and Intensification
• Exclamation and Impression Expressions

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Arts and Media

• Film and Theater Terminology
• Music and Dance Terminology
• Art and Literature Terminology

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Politics and Society

• Basic Political Vocabulary
• Social Issues and Controversies
• Japanese Business and Work Culture

Sources

• Telling Time in Japanese - Everything You Need to Know
• Count In Japanese - A Complete Guide To Japanese Numbers
• Japanese Numbers: How to Count 1-10 in Kanji & Hiragana ...
• Japanese Numbers and Counting System | OptiLingo

Other Lessons

• Shellfish
• Art and Literature Terminology
• Feelings and Emotions
• Months of the Year
• How to say Good Bye?
• Film and Theater Terminology
• Health
• Bird
• Constellations
• Basic Workplace and Business Terminology

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