In Japanese, basic numbers and counting can be challenging for English speakers to master. However, with a few key phrases and concepts, you can quickly become proficient in counting upwards of 100. For example, the Japanese phrase for 'one' is , ichi, while 'two' is , ni. Moving up the number line, 'three' is , san, followed by , yo, four, , go, five, , roku, six, , nana, seven, , nan, eight, , hachi, nine, , kyuu, ten, and . To count higher numbers, you can use a combination of these numbers. For instance, to say 'eleven', you would say . To help with counting, the Japanese also use a system of 0-9, with each number having its own unique kanji character.
Counting backwards can be just as useful in everyday situations. In Japan, it's common to see people counting down from a high number when checking off items on a list or during a countdown event. For example, to say 'five minutes until the start of the meeting', you would say . To help with this type of counting, the Japanese also use a system of -0-9, which is similar to the Western system but uses different kanji characters.
One final tip for mastering basic numbers and counting in Japanese: pay attention to the different ways that numbers can be written depending on their size. For example, the number 1,000,000 is written as , and the number 1000,000 is . With practice and patience, you can quickly become comfortable with these complex number systems.
If you're planning a trip to Japan or need help with basic Japanese math, this guide should provide you with a solid foundation in counting numbers from 1-1000,000 and beyond.