In the Japanese language sound effects are commonly used in regular conversation....

Get more familiar with this concept from examples and learn some commonly expressed sounds used in regular Japanese communication.

Remove the confusion of the Japanese particles with this fun introduction. Hear textbook examples of each particle along with some insight from a local Japanese native speaker.

Wa (Main Object Marker)

• Kyle Wa Canada Jin = Kyle IS Canadian.
• Stating the topic of the sentence. Or X Is Y.

Ni (Location To Go)

• Tokyo NI Ikimasu = I Will Go To Tokyo.
• States location goin to.

Wo (Object Affected By Sentence Verb, Action)

• Ocha Wo Nomimasu = Drink Tea 
• States Object used with the main action of sentence.

De (Location Of Action)

• Densha De Shinjuku Ni Ikimasu = Train Takes you to Shinjuku.
• States location of action. In this case the train was the location that takes you to Shinjuku.

Master using the Japanese Tsu Counter. Used for counting various inanimate objects.

• 1   - Hito-Tsu (hee-toh-tsoo)
• 2   - Futa-Tsu (foo-tah-tsoo)
• 3   - Mit-Tsu (meet-tsoo)
• 4   - Yot-Tsu (yoht-tsoo)
• 5   - Itsu-Tsu (ee-tsoo-tsoo)
• 6   - Mut-Tsu (moot-tsoo)
• 7   - Nana-Tsu (nah-nah-tsoo)
• 8   - Yat-Tsu (yaht-tsoo)
• 9   - Kokono-Tsu (koh-koh-no-tsoo)
• 10 - Tō (toh)

*Bonus Tip

If your count exceeds the number 10. Use the KO (koh) Counter after saying the number that you wish to express.

For example, 11 - ju-ichi-ko.

Master using the Japanese Nin Counter. Used for counting people.

• 1   - Hitori (hee-toh-ree)
• 2   - Futari (foo-toh-ree)
• 3   - San-Nin (sahn-neen)
• 4   - Yon-Nin (yohn-neen)
• 5   - Go-Nin (goh-neen)
• 6   - Roku-Nin (roh-koo-neen)
• 7   - Nana-Nin (nah-nah-neen)
• 8   - Hachi-Nin (hah-chee-neen)
• 9   - Kyū-Nin (kyoo-neen)
• 10 - Jū-Nin (joo-neen)

*Bonus Tip

If your count exceeds the number 10. Use the KO (koh) Counter after saying the number that you wish to express.

For example, 11 - ju-ichi-ko.

Master using the Japanese Mai Counter. Used for counting flat items.

• 1   - Ichi-Mai (ee-chee-mah-ee)
• 2   - Ni-Mai (nee-mah-ee)
• 3   - San-Mai (sahn-mah-ee)
• 4   - Yon-Mai (yohn-mah-ee)
• 5   - Go-Mai (goh-mah-ee)
• 6   - Roku-Mai (roh-koo-mah-ee)
• 7   - Nana-Mai (nah-nah-mah-ee)
• 8   - Hachi-Mai (hah-chee-mah-ee)
• 9   - Kyū-Mai (kyoo-mah-ee)
• 10 - Jū-Mai (joo-mah-ee)

*Bonus Tip

If your count exceeds the number 10. Use the KO (koh) Counter after saying the number that you wish to express.

For example, 11 - ju-ichi-ko.

Master using the Japanese Hon Counter. Used for counting cylindrical items.

• 1   - Ip-Hon (eep-pohn)
• 2   - Ni-Hon (nee-hohn)
• 3   - San-Bon (sahn-bohn)
• 4   - Yon-Hon (yohn-hohn)
• 5   - Go-Hon (goh-hohn)
• 6   - Rop-Pon (rohp-pohn)
• 7   - Nana-Hon (nah-nah-hohn)
• 8   - Hap-Pon (hahp-pohn)
• 9   - Kyū-Hon (kyoo-hohn)
• 10 - Jup-Pon (joop-pohn)

*Bonus Tip

If your count exceeds the number 10. Use the KO (koh) Counter after saying the number that you wish to express.

For example, 11 - ju-ichi-ko.

Master using the Japanese Hiki Counter. Used for counting animals (small or medium sized).

• 1   - Ip-Piki (eep-pee-kee)
• 2   - Ni-Hiki (nee-hee-kee)
• 3   - San-Biki (sahn-bee-kee)
• 4   - Yon-Hiki (yohn-hee-kee)
• 5   - Go-Hiki (goh-hee-kee)
• 6   - Rop-Piki (rohp-pee-kee)
• 7   - Nana-Hiki (nah-nah-hee-kee)
• 8   - Hap-Piki (hahp-pee-kee)
• 9   - Kyū-Hiki (kyoo-hee-kee)
• 10 - Jup-Piki (joop-pee-kee)

*Bonus Tip

If your count exceeds the number 10. Use the KO (koh) Counter after saying the number that you wish to express.

For example, 11 - ju-ichi-ko.

Master using the Japanese Dai Counter. Used for counting mechanical items.

• 1   - Ichi-Dai (ee-chee-dah-ee)
• 2   - Ni-Dai (nee-dah-ee)
• 3   - San-Dai (sahn-dah-ee)
• 4   - Yon-Dai (yohn-dah-ee)
• 5   - Go-Dai (goh-dah-ee)
• 6   - Roku-Dai (roh-koo-dah-ee)
• 7   - Nana-Dai (nah-nah-dah-ee)
• 8   - Hachi-Dai (hah-chee-dah-ee)
• 9   - Kyū-Dai (kyoo-dah-ee)
• 10 - Jū-Dai (joo-dah-ee)

*Bonus Tip

If your count exceeds the number 10. Use the KO (koh) Counter after saying the number that you wish to express.

For example, 11 - ju-ichi-ko.

In Japanese the art of counting can get quite complex. Did you know there are more than 6 different ways to express numbers depending on what type of object you are counting!?

Yup its quite overwhelming. This course is here to save the day! Learn to count like a Ninja and master each of the Japanese counters within this course. Are you ready? 

THE SIX DIFFERENT COUNTERS IN JAPANESE

• Dai (dah-ee) - Used to count mechanical items.
• Hiki (hee-kee) - Used to count animals (small or medium sized).
• Hon (hohn) - Used to count cylindrical items.
• Mai (mah-ee) - Used to count flat items
• Nin (neen) - Used to count people
• Tsu (tsoo) - Used to count various inanimate Objects

Upgrade your daily Japanese communication skills by learning these basic daily phrases. Trust me you will be happy you did!

Basic Phrases.

• Do you have? - Motte Masuka?
• May I have the menu please? - Menu Wo Kudasai?
• May I have the bill? - Okaikei Wo Kudasai?
• What would you like to eat? - Nani Wo Tabemasu ka?
• May I have (an apple) - Ringo wa morattemo iidesu ka?
• Where is the (Toilet) - Toire Wa Dokodesu ka?
• Do You Take Credit Card? - Kurejittokādo wa Tsukai masuka?
• Ordering One Item Off Menu (Point and say) - Kore Wo Kudasai. 
• Ordering Multiple Items Off Menu (Point and say) - Kore To (Repeat Per Item) Last item say: Kore Wo Kudasai.
• I Like - Suki desu.
• I don’t like - Suki Janai.
• Do you like it? - Suki Desu ka?
• One More Time Please. - Mou Ichido Kudasai.

Word of the Episode.

Mugicha (moo-gee-chah) Japanese Barley Tea.