つ (tsu): The Universal Native Counter
Quick Answer: つ uses the native Japanese number system (ひとつ, ふたつ, みっつ...) and counts general objects from 1-10. After 10, switch to the Sino-Japanese system (十一個, etc.).
The go-to counter when you don't know the right one
Category: Counters
The Rule
つ uses the native Japanese number system (ひとつ, ふたつ, みっつ...) and counts general objects from 1-10. After 10, switch to the Sino-Japanese system (十一個, etc.). It works for almost any physical object and is the safe fallback when you don't know the specific counter.
Why This Matters
English doesn't have counters (we just say 'three apples'). Japanese requires a counter word between the number and noun. つ is the beginner's best friend because it works for most objects. The catch: it uses the native Japanese numbers (ひと, ふた, みっ...) which are a separate number system from いち, に, さん.
Examples
• りんごをみっつください。 — "Three apples, please." [みっつ = 3 things. Works for any countable object] • ふたつの問題があります。 — "There are two problems." [Abstract things can use つ too] • おにぎりをひとつ買いました。 — "I bought one rice ball." [ひとつ = 1 thing] • 理由はいつつあります。 — "There are five reasons." [いつつ = 5 things — note the sound change from いつ]
Common Mistakes
❌ じゅういちつ ✅ 十一個 (じゅういっこ) → つ counter only goes from 1-10 (ひとつ to とお). For 11+, use 個 (こ) with Sino-Japanese numbers ❌ いちつ, にーつ ✅ ひとつ, ふたつ → つ uses native Japanese numbers, not Sino-Japanese. It's ひとつ (not いちつ), ふたつ (not にーつ)
Quick Tip
Memorize the full つ sequence: ひとつ, ふたつ, みっつ, よっつ, いつつ, むっつ, ななつ, やっつ, ここのつ, とお. After とお (10), switch to 個. In casual speech, Japanese people often just use つ for everything.
Memorize the full つ sequence: ひとつ, ふたつ, みっつ, よっつ, いつつ, むっつ, ななつ, やっつ, ここのつ, とお. After とお (10), switch to 個. In casual speech, Japanese people often just use つ for everything.
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: じゅういちつ → Correct: 十一個 (じゅういっこ). つ counter only goes from 1-10 (ひとつ to とお). For 11+, use 個 (こ) with Sino-Japanese numbers
Incorrect: いちつ, にーつ → Correct: ひとつ, ふたつ. つ uses native Japanese numbers, not Sino-Japanese. It's ひとつ (not いちつ), ふたつ (not にーつ)
Quiz
How do you say 'four (things)' using the つ counter?