How to Say 1 to 10 in Japanese: A Simple Guide for Beginners
Counting is usually the first skill every Japanese learner picks up, and the good news is that it is far easier than most people expect. Japanese numbers are short, consistent and easy to pronounce. At iNihon Japanese Language Institute, we teach this in the very first class, and most students can count to ten confidently within minutes.
What are the Japanese numbers from 1 to 10?
One is ichi. Two is ni. Three is san. Four is shi or yon. Five is go. Six is roku. Seven is shichi or nana. Eight is hachi. Nine is kyuu or ku. Ten is juu.
Why do four, seven and nine have two names?
Japanese numbers come from two sources. One set came from old Chinese and the other is native Japanese. Over time, speakers began to prefer certain versions in daily life.
Shi, the first word for four, sounds exactly like the word for death. Because of this, most people choose yon instead. In the same way, nana is often preferred over shichi for seven, and kyuu is more common than ku for nine. If you are unsure, use yon, nana and kyuu and you will always sound natural.
How are Japanese numbers written?
In kanji, the numbers are written as 一, 二, 三, 四, 五, 六, 七, 八, 九 and 十. The first three are simply one, two and three horizontal lines, which makes them some of the friendliest kanji for a beginner.
Easy ways to remember Japanese numbers
Count out loud while climbing stairs. Say the numbers when you tap your fingers. Use them when you check the clock or look at a price tag. Real life repetition makes numbers stick much faster than writing them again and again.
Once you are comfortable with one to ten, building bigger numbers is surprisingly simple. Eleven is juu ichi, which literally means ten one. Twenty is ni juu, meaning two tens.
Start learning Japanese with expert guidance
If you want to move beyond numbers and begin speaking real Japanese, the trainers at iNihon Japanese Language Institute are ready to help you from day one.
Visit www.inihon.in
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