Learn Japanese Japanese Counter Words Questions and Answers

Question 1

A student is describing a picture of their pets. They have two dogs and one cat. Which of the following sentences correctly describes the number of animals?

Accepted Answer

犬が二匹と猫が一匹います。

Answer

The correct counter for small to medium-sized animals like dogs and cats is 匹 (hiki). 台 (dai) is for machines, 人 (nin/ri) is for people, and 枚 (mai) is for flat, thin objects.

Question 2

You are at a cafe and want to order three pens and two sheets of paper. Which combination of counters is the most appropriate for this order?

Accepted Answer

本 (hon) for pens and 枚 (mai) for paper.

Answer

The counter for long, cylindrical objects like pens is 本 (hon). The counter for thin, flat objects like sheets of paper is 枚 (mai). 冊 (satsu) is for bound volumes like books, 個 (ko) is a general counter for small items, 匹 (hiki) is for small animals, and 台 (dai) is for machines.

Question 3

Which of the following items would be counted using the counter 台 (dai)?

Accepted Answer

Televisions

Answer

The counter 台 (dai) is used for machines, vehicles, and large household appliances. Televisions fall into this category. Oranges would be counted with 個 (ko) or つ (tsu). Books are counted with 冊 (satsu). Shirts are counted with 枚 (mai).

Question 4

When counting three long, thin objects like bottles or pencils, the counter 本 is used. What is the correct pronunciation for 三本?

Accepted Answer

さんぼん (san-bon)

Answer

The counter 本 (hon) undergoes sound changes (rendaku) depending on the number preceding it. For the number three (三), the pronunciation changes from 'hon' to 'bon', resulting in さんぼん (san-bon).

Question 5

A restaurant host asks your group, 「何名様ですか？」 (nan-mei-sama desu ka? - How many people are in your party?). If there are four people, what is the most appropriate and polite way to respond?

Accepted Answer

よにんです (yonin desu)

Answer

The standard counter for people is 人, which is pronounced にん (nin) for the number four. While 名 (mei) is a very polite counter often used by staff, customers typically respond with the standard 人 (nin) counter. よっつ (yottsu) is a general counter, ひき (hiki) is for animals, and だい (dai) is for machines.

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Learn Japanese Japanese Counter Words Questions and Answers