Number

How to read numbers

Number of people

There are different words for the number of people.

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The number 1 is pronounced Ichi, “one” is pronounced Nin, and one is pronounced Hitori instead of Ichinin. This may be because it is difficult for a Japanese person to pronounce one person.

The number 2 also sounds irregular like the above. 2 is pronounced ni, 「2人」 is pronounced futari, not ninin.

The number 4 also sounds irregular like the above. 4 is pronounced yon, The four are pronounced yonin, not yonnin.

Pieces

There are different words for the pieces, too.

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1個

いっこ

i k k o

1つ

ひとつ

hitotsu

The number 1 is pronounced ichi, and ”「1個」 is pronounced nin, One pronounces hitotsu, not ichiko. This may be difficult for Japanese people to pronounce ichiko.

2個

にこ

n i k o

2つ

ふたつ

hutatsu

The number 2 also sounds irregular like the above.

3個

さんこ

sanko

3つ

みっつ