ひとつ・ふたつ／〜人 (hitotsu, futatsu / -nin) — counters
How to count things and people — Japanese uses different counter words depending on what you count.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
When counting in Japanese, a 'counter' word attaches after the number. For general objects use ひとつ (one), ふたつ (two), みっつ (three) … とお (ten). To count people use 〜人 (nin), but 'one' and 'two' have the special forms 一人 (hitori) and 二人 (futari); from three on it is regular: 三人 (sannin), 四人 (yonin) … Machines and vehicles use 〜だい (dai), and thin/flat things (paper, tickets) use 〜まい (mai). The number + counter usually sits just before the verb.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
りんごを ひとつ ください。
ringo o hitotsu kudasai.
One apple, please.
学生が 三人 います。
gakusei ga sannin imasu.
There are three students.
車が にだい あります。
kuruma ga nidai arimasu.
There are two cars.
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
Question: 1/3Which word means 'one' for a general object?
💡 Hint: ひと〜 marks 'one'.
ひとつ = one (general counter).
How do you say 'three people'?
💡 Hint: Use 〜人 (nin) for people.
三人 (sannin) = three people.
Fill the blank: 学生が 二＿ います。('There are two students')
💡 Hint: The counter for people.
二人 (futari) = two people; 人 for people.
Your score: /3