Learn Numbers in Japanese in an easiest way only at Multibhashi

It turns out that learning one, two, three, and beyond in Japanese isn’t so easy. It can be difficult to learn Japanese numbers. Even if you have read, reviewed, and studied a list of Japanese numbers ranging from one to one million, you will not have truly learned Japanese numbers until you have practised extensively.

The number names in Japanese are represented by the Japanese numerals. In writing, they are the same as Chinese numerals, and large numbers are grouped by 10,000 as in Chinese. There are two pronunciations used: Sino-Japanese (on’yomi) readings of Chinese characters and Japanese yamato kotoba (native words, kun’yomi readings).

In Japanese, numbers are written in one of two ways: in Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) or in Chinese numerals (一, 二, 三).. In horizontal writing, Arabic numerals are more commonly used, while Chinese numerals are more commonly used in vertical writing.

Most numbers have two readings, one derived from Chinese for cardinal numbers (On reading) and one native Japanese reading (Kun reading) for numbers up to ten. In some cases (as listed below), Japanese reading is preferred for all purposes. Archaic readings are denoted by the symbol †.

There is also the special reading 〇 maru (which means “round” or “circle”). It can be used instead of a full number when reading individual digits of a number one after the other. A well-known example is the 109 store in Shibuya, Tokyo, which is read as ichi-maru-ky (Kanji:一〇九 ). (It can also be read as ‘ten-nine,’ which is pronounced tō-kyū and is a play on the name of the Tokyu department store that owns the building.) This use of maru for numerical 0 is equivalent to reading 0 in English as oh. However, it is only written as 0 or rei (零) as a number. Furthermore, in phone numbers, two and five are pronounced with a long vowel (i.e. にい and ごお and nii and goo).

Numbers begin with (ichi) if no digit precedes them starting at 万 (10,000). That is, 100 is simply百 hyaku, and 1000 is simply 千 sen, but 10,000 is一万 ichiman, not simply *man. (This is in contrast to Chinese, where numbers begin with if no digit would otherwise precede beginning at 100.) And, if 千 sen comes directly before the name of a power of myriad, 一 ichi is usually added before 千 sen, yielding 一千 issen. That is, 10,000,000 is commonly spelled 一千万 issenman. Attaching 一 ichi is optional if 千 sen does not immediately precede the name of powers of myriad or if the numbers are less than 2,000. That is, 15,000,000 is read as 千五百万 sengohyakuman or 一千五百万 issengohyakuman, and 1,500 as 千五百 sengohyaku or 一千五百 issengohyaku.

As previously stated, yon (4) and nana (7) are preferred over shi and shichi. It is said that this is because shi is also the reading of the word 死“death,” making it an unlucky reading; shichi, on the other hand, may sound too similar to ichi (1), shi, or hachi (8). However, shi and shichi are preferred in many established words and phrases; additionally, when counting (as in “ichi, ni, san, shi,…”), shi and shichi may be preferred.

In Japanese, the numbers 4 and 9 are considered unlucky: When pronounced shi, the number four is a homophone for death (死); when pronounced ku, the number nine is a homophone for suffering (苦). See also tetraphobia. Although this is a holdover from the Western tradition, the number 13 is sometimes considered unlucky. Numbers 7 and sometimes 8 are considered lucky in Japan, on the other hand.

Except for 4 and 7, which are called yon and nana in modern Japanese, cardinal numbers are given the ‘on readings.’ Month names, day-of-month names, and fixed phrases all use alternate readings. For example, the decimal fraction 4.79 is always read as yon-ten nana kyū, despite the fact that April, July, and September are referred to as shi-gatsu (4th month), shichi-gatsu (7th month), and ku-gatsu (9th month) respectively. When shouting out headcounts, the ‘on readings’ are also used (e.g. ichi-ni-san-shi). These elements are combined to form intermediate numbers.

Tens from 20 to 90 are denoted by “(digit)-jū,” as in (ni-jū) to 九十 (kyū-jū).

Hundreds, ranging from 200 to 900, are “(digit)-hyaku.”

“(digit)-sen” thousands range from 2000 to 9000.

There are some phonetic changes to larger numbers that involve voicing or gemination of certain consonants, as is common in Japanese (i.e. rendaku): for example, roku “six” and hyaku “hundred” yield roppyaku “six hundred.” 

This also holds true for multiples of ten. Change the -jū to -jutchō or -jukkei at the end. This also holds true for multiples of 100. Change the -ku to -kkei at the end.

Elements are combined from largest to smallest in large numbers, and zeros are implied.

Other than the basic cardinals and ordinals, Japanese has a variety of numerals.

Elements are combined from largest to smallest in large numbers, and zeros are implied.

Other than the basic cardinals and ordinals, the Japanese has a variety of numerals.

A cardinal number, a counter word, and the suffix -zutsu (ずつ), as in hitori-zutsu (一人ずつ, one person at a time, one person each), are used to create distributive numbers on a regular basis.

You will also know briefly about Powers of 10, Formal numbers, Old Japanese, Hand counting, Digits in written words with Multibhashi.

Once you’ve mastered the pronunciation of Japanese numbers, it’s time to put your ears to the test. Choose an audio clip or video from Japanese Circles, or a club that offers online classes. As you hear the numbers, jot them down. Depending on your comfort level with Japanese numbers, you can let the video play naturally, only pausing to write your answers. You can also pause and rewind, listening to the audio as many times as necessary. The answers are included at the end of audio and video dictations. Check yourself and record your score so you can see how far you’ve come with each dictation exercise. You’ve practised saying and hearing numbers. It’s now time to practise writing and spelling.

Using money to practise counting is a fantastic way to learn Japanese numbers. When it comes to financial transactions of any size, whether it’s buying sushi or paying rent on a Tokyo apartment, the stakes are higher than usual. If you don’t do your math correctly, you might end up paying too much.

Money is something everybody is familiar with, even if it is in English, and it is something you will do every day while studying in a Japanese-speaking country. You must become acquainted with the euro and learn how to construct sentences using Japanese numbers and currency. The best way to get started is to observe and learn. Fortunately, the internet simplifies these tasks.

You’re ready to make it happen. Take a partner and assign one person to play the shopkeeper and the other to play the customer. If you don’t have a partner, don’t worry—just play both parts. You can also read a pre-written dialogue online and play the role of your choice.

There are also numerous websites where you can connect with other Japanese learners. Try it with someone you met on one of these online platforms.

Second, decide what kind of store you want to simulate. Make sure to change the scenario each time so you can incorporate a variety of vocabulary while also learning your numbers.

You’ll also get to practise how to interact in a shop in Japanese, so this lesson is like getting three exercises for the price of one—look, we’ve already started playing!

It is critical to learn all aspects of Japanese numbers so that you can apply your knowledge in real-life situations. Learning them, fortunately, can be a lot of fun, so get started right away!

The following step, of course, is to start using your numbers in real life.

Find Japanese stores and restaurants where the language is spoken, and start treating yourself to Japanese cuisine and other treats with your newfound knowledge.

Enjoy your learning. Be carefree, learn that mistakes are stepping stone to your learning. Don’t feel embarrassed to speak up. Just don’t study it, Live it!

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