The Japanese language has this tricky thing known as “counters.” With counters, certain things have certain “counters” that you use to count them. For example, you don’t just say “one dog,” you say “ippiki” (一匹), which refers to one small animal. To say the least, there are a lot of counters, and sometimes even Japanese people have trouble remembering what goes with what (which is why there are some more “general” counters you could fall back on, if you needed).

Still, counters are a ton of work. After you’ve learned the more basic Japanese counters, it ends up coming down to experience if you want to use them correctly after that. Sadly, most of this experience comes over a very long period of time. You see a thing, you see someone count that thing, and then you get a little closer. There just isn’t a resource out there that shows the counter with a list of things that can be counted in this way. I’m hoping to fix that with this guide.

The Things We Count

This obviously doesn’t cover everything, but I wanted to show you a counter, then give you a list of things that are counted using said counter. You’ll notice that many of these things have multiple counters associated with them, and that’s okay. In fact, it should give you more idea around context. For example, you’ll see “soba” being counted a bunch of different ways. It can be counted using 本 (because each individual noodle is a long, cylindrical object). It can be counted with 束 because it can be bundled together into bundles. It can also be counted with 丁 because it is a serving of food. As you look at the counters, make sure to think about these items in context. It will help a lot when you’re trying to make sense of certain less-obvious examples.

Anyways, I hope this guide will help to make counters less abstract. I know that there is a lot of information here, but if you come back when you have a counter you’re not totally sure of and look them up one at a time, you’ll slowly begin to understand the counters as a whole, and perhaps you’ll even begin to contextualize things a bit too.

挺・ちょう (Counter For Guns, Inksticks, Palanquins, Rickshaws…)

Electric Iron, Axe, Palanquin, Sickle, Razor, Woodworking Plane, Abacus, Guitars, Pistol/Handgun, Shamisen, Ink, Saw, Chisel, Violin, Scissors, Ice Axe, Kitchen Knife, Carving Knife, Portable Shrine, File, Rifle, Wrench, Cello, Nail Clippers, Gun, Candle.

台・だい (Counter For Machines And Vehicles)

Electric Iron, Accordion, Air Conditioner, Motorcycle, Cage, Music Box, Car Navigation System, Wig, Camera, Vacuum Cleaner, Abacus, Push Car, Typhoon, Hurricane, Festival Float, Cello, Table, Television, Telephone, Lighthouse, Keyboard, Machine, Balloon, Blimp, Stepladder, Steps, Car, Vehicle, Cake, Kotatsu Table, Small Chair, Tricycle, Charcoal Brazier, Railroad Cars, Bicycle, Water Wheel, Rice Cooker, Heater, Stretcher, Sprinkler, Playground Slide, Washing Machine, Electric Fan, Scales (for weight), Piano, Airship, Windmill, Bed, Motor, Food Cart, Radio, Lift, Roulette, Radar, Potter’s Wheel, Robot.

点・てん (Counter For Goods Or Items)

Accessory, Carving, Alcohol Vase, Picture, Drawing, Horse Picture, Raindrops, Drops Of Water, Curtain, Pottery, Earthenware, Portrait, Cloth, Article, Book, Stuffed Animal, Stuffed Object, Lacquer Ware, Ring.

個・こ (Counter For Articles)

Accessory, Manila Clam, Head, Legless Chair, Earring, Rock, Umeboshi, Station Bento, Bucket, Cage, Music Box, Shellfish, Shell, Hand Warmer, Persimmon, Oyster, Fruit, Nut, Berry, Wig, Bell, Drum, Typhoon, Hurricane, Rice Bowl, Alcohol Vase, Teacup, Battery, Whetstone, Pottery, Donburi, Nut (and bolt), Doll, Puppet

匹・ひき (Counter For Small Animals, 2-han Size Cloth Rolls)

Devil, Cuttlefish, Squid, Dog, Rabbit, Cow, Eel, Sea Urchin, Horse, Prawn, Shrimp, Lobster, Trophy, Wolf, Mosquito, Shellfish, Silkworm, Frog, Oyster, Snail, Crab, Tortoise, Turtle, Octopus, Animal, Dragonfly, Sea Otter

回・かい (Counter For Occurances)

Yawn, Fart, Chance, Opportunity, Mail, Times, Revolution

粒・りゅう (Counter For Tiny Particles)

Manila Clam, Adzuki Beans, Sweat, Umeboshi, Tears, Teardrop, Caviar, Medicine, Rice, Ruby, Raisin

本・ほん (Counter For Long Cylindrical Things)

Asparagus, Soba, Dart, Firewood, Bamboo, Stilts, Cord, Sliding Doors, Shoji, Tree Branch, Thread, Dumpling, Water Well, Seal, Stamp, Injection, Fan, Eel, Horsetail, Nail Clippers, Icicle, Strap (to hang onto), Fishing Rod, Film, Letter, Pencil, Chimney, Pylon, Folding Fan, Hand Towel, Tenugui, Decorations, Train, Sash, Telephone Pole, Battery, Dripping Water, Telephone, Telegram, Carpet, Pagoda, Stupa, Earthen Pipe, Screwdriver, Persimmon, Cocktail, Knife, Umbrella, Nagaimo, Scallion, Green Onion, Shallot, Gas Bomb, Sword, Katana, Rope, katsuoboshi, Meat, Hairpin, Tree, Necktie, Screw, Necklace, Article, News Story, Tree Ring, Mushroom, Saw, Script, Flag, Streamer, Banner, Chisel, Stepladder, Steps, Beacon, Skyrockets, Nail, Tooth, Herb, Lipstick, Cloud, Bridge, Flag, Flower, Spring (bouncy kind), Blood Vessel, Smoke Plume, Cigar, Television Program, Seal, Bowstring, Advertisement, Earrings, Perfume, Ladle, Ice Axe, Burdock Root, Konbu, Film, Flute, Whistle, Climbing Rope, Bamboo Pole, Rod, Alcohol, Writing Brush, False Tooth, Paperweight, Cactus, Bandage, Kitchen Knife, Hose, Threshold, Bamboo Sword, Cavity, Whip, Cane, Glasses, Noodles, Cotton Swab, Arrow, File, Spear, Canteen, Flask, Water Bottle, Shovel, Stick, Wand, Trumpet, Strap, Straw, Ribbon, Spoon, Spare Rib, Trousers, Pants, Charcoal, Rail, Flower Arrangement, Olympic Torch, Wrench, Clear Stream, Corridor, Rope, Candle, Incense Stick, Chromosome, Folding Fan, Wine, Vaccine, Chopsticks, Beer, Bottles

束・そく (Counter For Bundles)

Asparagus, Rice Plant, Soba, Firewood, Seedling, Scallion, Shallot, Green Onion, Rope, Konbu, Noodles, Incense Stick

筋・すじ (Counter For Long Straight Objects)

Sweat, Belt, Sash, Tears (crying kind), Rope, Beacon, Signal Fire, Cloud, Smoke Plume, Smoke, Arrow, Spear, Clear Stream

滴・てき (Counter For Drops Of Liquid)

Perfume, Sweat

件・けん（Counter For Matters, Items, and Cases)

Addressee’s name, Recipient’s name and address, Proposal, Suggestion, Marriage Proposal, Engagement, Legislative Bill, Agenda Item, Project, Plan, Complaint, Objection, Contract, Agreement, Mail, Financing, Loan

棟・とう (Counter For Homes And Buildings)

Apartment Building, Apartment, House, Hermitage, Tenement, Warehouse, Factory

軒・けん (Counter For Houses And Buildings)

Apartment Building, Apartment, House, Hermitage, Tenement, Warehouse, Factory

具・ぐ (Counter for Armor, Suits, and Sets of Furniture)

Stirrup, Comb, Hakama, Chopsticks, String Of Beads, Helmet Armor

足・そく (Counter For Pairs)

Stirrup, Japanese Sandals (zori), Japanese Socks (tabi), Gloves, Mittens, Shoes, Socks, Stockings, Wooden Clogs (geta), Slippers, Roller skate

組・くみ (Set Of Items)

Couple Of Lovers, Earring, Marriage Proposal, Gloves, Mittens, Playing Cards, Couples, Futon Beds, Stacked Food Boxes, Bedding, Suit

着・ちゃく (Counter For Suits Of Clothing)

Raincoat, Clothes, Garment, Overcoat, Cloak, Kimono, Yukata, Suit, Business Suit

枚・まい (Counter For Flat Objects)

Dust Cloth, Soba, Rice Field, Sliding Storm Shutter, Portrait of Deceased Person, Kite, Raft, Tatami Mat, Sheet Of Dried Sardines, Sliding Door Fittings, Tapestry, Clothes, Rock, Tea Cloth, Fan, Fish Scale, Picture, Painting, Drawing, T-Shirt, Apron, Commuter Pass, Picture Of A Horse, Tablecloth, Draft, Letter, Glove, Mitten, Charm, Curtain, Tent, Pavilion, Door, Whetstone, Curtain, Pottery, Carpet, Shellfish, Shell, Oyster, Musical Score, Naan, Wig, Meat, Stock Certificate, Portrait, Playing Cards, Roof Tile, Cloth, Ticket, Mushroom, Seaweed, Camisole, Sign Curtain, Kimono, Leaf, Comb, Postcard, Gear, Battledore, Contract, Ornamental Sumo Apron, Handkerchief, Japanese Writing Paper, Pounded Fish Cake, Hammock, Advertisement, Lattice Door, Pizza, Eaves, Croquette, CD, Film, Japanese Sliding Screen, Futon, Sake Lees, Sumo Apron, Sitting Pillow, Wall, Fence, Plate, Zarusoba, Bookmark, O-Bon Festival, Paving Stone, Pavement, Paper, Carpet, Rug, Curtain, Tongue, Straw Raincoat, Business Card, Fish Shaped Wooden Temple Drum, Sticky Rice Cake (mochi), Earthenware, File, Photograph, Yukata, Rusk, Bamboo Screen, Pants, Trousers, Cuttlefish, Record, Brick, Bill, Sweater, Rice Cracker, Arm Band, Haori (Japanese formal coat)

歩・ほ (Counter For Steps, Strides)

Walking

冊・さつ (Counter For Books)

Book Collection, Albums, Notebook, Memo Pad, Musical Score, Catalog, Notebook, Dictionary, Book, Publication, Documents,

帖・じょう (Counter For Units Of Paper And Seaweed)

Album, Notebook, Seaweed, Japanese Writing Paper, Folding Screen,

戸・と (Counter For Houses)

House, Warehouse

床・しょう (Counter For Beds)

Raft, Bed

杯・はい (Counter For Cupfuls, Ships, Octopuses, And Squid)

Zouni (new years mochi soup dish), Soba, Octopus, Squid, Flower Arrangement, Rice With Tea Poured On (chazuke), Donburi, Cocktail, Crab, Ship, Boat, When It’s Time To Drink, Whiskey Sour, Meal, Ramen,

鉢・はち (Counter For Potted Things)

Flower Arrangement, Garden Shrubs, Cactus, Brazier, Bonsai,

局・きょく (Counter For Boards)

Go (board game), Chess, Shogi,

番・ばん (Counter For Ordering and Boards)

Go (board game), Entertainment, Performance, Noh Theater, TV Program, Order, Rank, Shogi, Sumo,

体・たい (Counter For Statues, Bodies, and Images)

Statue, Large Statue Of Buddha (daibutsu), Ashes Of Deceased, Corpse, Carving, Horse Picture, Earthen Figure, Clay Figure, Doll, Puppet, Stuffed Toy, Plush Toy, Stuffed Animal, Haniwa, Buddhist Statue, Jizo Statue, Moai Statue, An Object In Which A Deity Resides, Stone Statue, Waxwork, Wax Model, Chromosome

脚・きゃく (Counter For Chairs And Seats)

Chairs With Legs, Desk, Table, Wine Glass

株・かぶ (Counter For Small Plants)

Rice Plant, Garden Shrub, Persimmon, Seedling, Stock Certificate, Tree, Mushroom, Cabbage, Herb, Chinese Cabbage, Lettuce,

柱・はしら (Counter For Pillars)

Buddhist Mortuary Tablet, An Object In Which A Deity Resides

綛・かせ (Counter For Reels)

Thread

巻・かん (Counter For Rolls)

Thread, Movie, Film, Cloth, Cigar, Bandage, Hose, Scroll, Rolled Sheet, Dictionary, Book, Publication, Documents, Official Papers, Rope

頭・とう (Counter For Large Animals)

Elephant, Large Dog Breed, Seeing Eye Dog, Dolphin, Cow, Horse, Trophy, Silkworm, Monster, Whale, Bear, Large Stuffed Animal, Gorilla, Monkey, Camel, Sea Otter, Donkey

基・き (Counter For Machines)

Water Well, Fireplace, Hearth, Mill-stone, Mortar, Carving, Air Conditioner, Bank, Elevator, Chimney, Smokestack, Pylon, Cage, Toilet, Lighthouse, Stupa, Pagoda, Street Light, Garden Lantern, Bonfire, Shinto Shrine Archway, Gas Tank, Coffin, Casket, Machine, Gravesite, Tomb, Bridge, Wreath, Atomic Reactor, Stone Monument Bearing An Inscription, Incense Burner, Kotatsu Table, Pyramid, Windmill, Pinwheel, Buddhist Alter, Pillow, Portable Shrine, Moai Statue, Motor, Satellite, Water Wheel, Water Gate, Lamp, Lift, Sprinkler, Playground Slide, Radar, Stone Hut, Hearth, Stone Monument, Pagoda, Potter’s Wheel,

対・つい (Counter For Pairs)

Stilts, Hanging Scroll, Earrings, Brazier

玉・たま (Counter For Balls)

Soba, Branch Of A Sacred Tree, Udon, Persimmon, Fruit, Nut, Berry, Cabbage, Noodles, Watermelon, Lettuce

羽・わ (Counter For Birds And Rabbits)

Ostrich, Rabbit, Origami Crane, Bird, Peacock

曲・きょく (Counter For Music)

Song, Music

席・せき (Counter For Sitting Occasions)

Party, Banquet, Entertainment, Performance, Drinking Party

腹・はら (Counter For Inside-The-Belly-Area Things)

Sea Urchin, Salted Salmon Roe, Walleye Pollack Roe

壺・つぼ (Counter For Pots)

Sea Urchin

騎・き (Counter For Equestrians)

Horse, Horse-Riding,

作・さく (Counter For Works)

Movie, Film

折・おり (Counter For Bent Things)

Station Bento, Bento, Folded Paper Crane,

尾・び (Counter For Fish)

Fish, Shrimp, Prawn, Crab,

掛・かけ (Counter For Hung Things)

Stirrup, Apron,

口・くち (Counter For Bank Accounts, Donations, Things With Openings)

Teakettle, Alcohol Vase, Application, Sword, Bell, Razor, Contribution, Donation, Contract, Bank Account, Insurance, Financing, Loan, Japanese Soup Bowl

団・だん (Counter For Groups)

Orchestra

階・かい (Counter For Floors)

Floor

話・わ (Counter For Stories, Episodes)

Episodes

泊・はく (Counter For Nights Of A Stay)

Number Of Nights

年・ねん (Counter For Years)

Year

月・げつ (Counter For Months)

Month

歳／才・さい (Counter For Years Old)

Years Old

俵・たわら (Counter For Bags Of Rice)

Rice

週・しゅう (Counter For Weeks)

Week

荷・か (Counter For Cargo)

Bucket, Cask, Barrel

発・はつ (Counter For Gunshots)

Wind, Gas, Fart, Horse-riding, Fist, Bomb

張・はり (Counter For Umbrellas, Parasols, Tents)

Paper Lantern, Drum, Tent, Curtain, Pavilion, Curtain, Umbrella, Mosquito Net, Sign Curtain, Koto Instrument, Bow (and arrow), Bamboo Screen

面・めん (Counter For Mirrors, Boards), Stages, Walls, And Courts)

Abacus, Rice Field, Drum, Sliding Door, Sports Ground, Playing Field, Folding Fan, Tennis Court, Curtain, Tent, Pavilion, Mirror, Plot Of Land, Framed Picture, Noh Mask, Biwa (Japanese lute), Koto Instrument, Go Board, Biwa (Japanese lute), Newspaper, Inkstone, Folding Fan

重・かさね (Counter For Piles)

Mirror Shaped Mochi, Tree Ring, Futon, Multi-tiered Food Box, Mochi (rice cakes),

架・か (Counter For Frames)

Framed Picture

艘・そう (Counter For Small Boats)

Kayak, Ship, Boat

両・りょう (Counter For Railway Cars)

Freight Car, Car, Automobile, Railroad Car, Vehicle, Van, Train

車・しゃ (Counter For Cars)

Freight Car

把・わ (Counter For Bundles)

Soba, Firewood, Noodles, Incense Stick,

丁・ちょう (Counter For Servings Of Food)

Soba, Udon, Tofu, Ramen

門・もん (Counter For Cannons)

Gun, Cannon, Artillery

尊・そん (Counter For Revered Things)

Jizo Statue, Large Buddha Statue (daibutsu)

畳・じょう (Counter For Tatami Mats)

Tatami Mats

駄・だ (Counter For Horse Loads)

Barrel, Cask

首・しゅ (Counter For Tanka Poems)

Tanka (31-syllable poem), Waka (classic Japanese poem)

棹・さお (Counter For Drawers, Chests, And Flags)

Chest Of Drawers, Tansu Cabinet, Cupboard or Chest For Tea Implements, Large Oblong Chest, Banner, Flag, Shamisen (three string Japanese guitar), Sweet Bean Jelly (youkan),

串・くし (Counter For Skewers)

Sweet Dumpling, Skewers

戦・せん (Counter For Matches)

Chess

服・ふく (Counter For Bowls Of Medicine)

Tea, Medicine, Bowls Of Matcha, Puffs Of A Cigarette

袋・ふくろ (Counter For Pouches)

Snacks, Tea Leaves

箱・はこ (Counter For Boxes)

Tea Leaves, Snacks, Sweet Bean Jelly (Youkan), Box

缶・かん (Counter For Containers, Tin Cans)

Tea Leaves

客・きゃく (Counter For Pairs Of Cups And Saucers)

Rice Bowl, Tea Cup, Plate, Wine Glass, Japanese Soup Bowl

波・は (Counter For Waves)

Tsunami

翼・よく (Counter For Wings)

Wing, Bird

卓・たく (Counter For Tables)

Table, Desk

晩・ばん (Counter For Nights)

All-Night, Night

寺・じ (Temples)

Temple

宇・う (Counter For Roofs)

Temple

堂・どう (Counter For Halls)

Temple

人・ひと (Counter For People)

Angel, Human, People

名・めい (Polite Counter For People)

People

通・つう (Counter For Letters)

Draft, Note, Telegram, Letter, Postcard, Written Contract, Email, Excerpt, Book, Volume, Bond, Documents, Official Papers, Bill, Job Invoice

箇所・かしょ (Counter For Places)

Toilet

灯・とう (Counter For Lights)

Lighthouse

層・そう (Counter For Floors, Layers)

Stupa, Pagoda

筆・ひつ (Counter For Pieces Of Land)

Plot Of Land

区画・くかく (Counter For Sections)

Plot Of Land

掬・きく (Counter For Scoops Of Water)

Tears

間・ま (Counter For Intervals, Space)

Back Room, Closet, Storage Room, Tatami Room, Period Of Time

室・しつ (Counter For Rooms)

Back Room, Closet, Storage Room, Room

部屋・へや (Counter For Rooms)

Back Room, Closet, Storage Room, Room

塊・かたまり (Counter For Lumps)

Meat, Cloud

切れ・きれ (Counter For Slices Of Things)

Sashimi, Pizza, Mochi, Meat, Bread, Cake

度・ど (Counter For Occurrences, Degrees)

Chance, Opportunity, Number Of Times, Degrees, Temperature

剤・ざい (Counter For Doses)

Medicine

包・ぽう (Counter For Wraps)

Medicine

錠・じょう (Counter For Pills)

Medicine

条・じょう (Counter For Thin Objects, Rays Of Light, Streaks Of Smoke, Streaks)

Cloud, Belt, Smoke, Arrow, Spear

領・りょう (Counter For Collars)

Haori (Japanese formal coat), Kasaya (monk’s stole), Twelve Layered Ceremonial Kimono, Armor

腰・こし (Counter For Hips)

Ornamental Sumo Apron, Hakama, Sword

升・しょう (Counter For 1.8 Liter Measuring Boxes)

Rice

編・ぺん (Counter For Completed Poems)

Song

葉・は (Counter For Small Flat Things)

Leaf, Postcard, Bookmark, Business Card, Photograph

景・けい (Counter For Scenes)

Play, Drama

場・ば (Counter For Scenes Of A Play)

Play, Drama

島・とう (Counter For Islands)

Island

管・かん (Counter For Flutes, Brushes)

Shakuhachi Flute, Flute, Writing Brush

部・ぶ (Counter For Copies Of A Newspaper Or Magazine, Packets Of Paper)

Music Score, Catalog, Back Room, Closet, Storage Room, Book, Publication, Documents, Official Papers, Newspaper,

斤・きん (Counter For Loaves Of Bread)

Plain Bread, White Bread, Loaf

膳・ぜん (Counter For Pairs Of Chopsticks, Bowls Of Rice)

Chopsticks, Splittable Wood, Meal

座・ざ (Counter For Seats)

Object In Which A Deity Resides, Shinto Shrine

紙・し (Counter For Paper)

Newspaper

椀・わん (Counter For Wooden / Lacquered Bowls)

Japanese Style Soup (suimono)

揃・そろい (Counter For Sets)

Chopsticks, Biwa (Japanese lute), Futon, Bedding, Suit, Business Suit

貫・かん (Counter For Nigiri Sushi)

Sushi, Nigiri Sushi

隻・せき (Counter For Ships)

Battleship, Ship, Boat, Vessel

句・く (Counter For Haiku)

Comic Haiku, Haiku

針・はり (Counter For Needlework)

Seam, Stitch, Suture

機・き (Counter For Aircraft, Machines)

Airplane, Airship, Blimp, Balloon, Blimp, Hot-Air Balloon

床・しょう (Counter For Beds)

Bed, Raft

旒・りゅう (Counter For Flags)

Flag, Banner

流れ・ながれ (Counter For Flags)

Flag, Banner

歯・し (Counter For Teeth)

Tooth

日・ひ (Counter For Days)

Day, Day Of The Month

顆・か (Counter For Small Spheres)

Seal, Stamp, Ruby, Gem, Jewel

軸・じく (Counter For Book Scrolls)

Scroll, Rolled Sheet, Hanging Scroll

品・ひん, しな (Counter For Meal Courses)

Cooking, Sashimi, Meal Course

Please Be Warned

As you go through these, not all of the counters will be the ones you’re looking for. Try to think about the context of why something is using a counter when it is. Just because it’s listed under a counter doesn’t mean it’s the most appropriate way to count that item all the time. There is a lot of crossover depending on the state of the thing, so only experience will help you to understand that.

Instead, I want you to look at this list the opposite way. You should have some knowledge of a certain counter already, then come here to look at all the examples for that item. By looking at examples, it should give you a better idea of how that particular counter works on a whole.

There are also plenty of other counters and things to be counted that haven’t been included in this guide. Like… a lot of them. Be sure to go out into the world and experience them as it’s the only real way to become familiar and comfortable with Japanese counters. It won’t be easy, but I hope this guide helped!

I got some help  on this guide from:

• http://hanntaigo.main.jp/count/
• http://www.benricho.org/kazu/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_counter_word