Tsu Counter (〜つ) - Native General Counter
〜つ is the native (Yamato) general counter, inherited from pre-Chinese-influence Japanese. It takes the native readings hitotsu, futatsu, mittsu, and works only 1 to 10. Above 10, switch to a specific counter or to 〜個 (ko).
The native (Yamato) general counter, used 1 to 10 only with hitotsu, futatsu, mittsu forms. The safe fallback when the specific counter is unknown.
| # | Kanji | Romaji | Notes | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 一つ | hitotsu | ||
| 2 | 二つ | futatsu | ||
| 3 | 三つ | mittsu | ||
| 4 | 四つ | yottsu | ||
| 5 | 五つ | itsutsu | ||
| 6 | 六つ | muttsu | ||
| 7 | 七つ | nanatsu | ||
| 8 | 八つ | yattsu | ||
| 9 | 九つ | kokonotsu | ||
| 10 | 十 | to | drops the tsu suffix; irregular |
When to use tsu
- You do not know the specific counter: tsu is the safe fallback for objects 1 to 10. Native speakers accept it without correction.
- Abstract objects: ideas (アイディア aidia), problems (問題 mondai), suggestions, examples. There is no specific counter for these, so tsu fills in.
- Small / casual objects: a candy, a small piece of fruit, a souvenir, a question. Often interchangeable with ko in casual speech.
- Mixed-category groups: “four items” where the items are different types of objects. Tsu treats them as a generic count.
The irregular 10
All other native numbers take the tsu suffix: hitotsu, futatsu, mittsu, yottsu, itsutsu, muttsu, nanatsu, yattsu, kokonotsu. The tenth drops the suffix: to (十), not totsu. The native Japanese system shifts back to a standalone form at 10, the boundary of the productive native count.
Above 10: switch to a specific counter or to ko
You cannot say “eleven tsu” in Japanese. Above 10, the speaker must commit to a specific counter. For small objects, the natural follow-on is 〜個 (ko, the Sino general counter that has no upper limit): jū-ik-ko, jū-ni-ko, jū-san-ko. For other categories, switch to the specific counter (hon, mai, hiki, nin).
The native (Yamato) connection
The tsu counter preserves a fragment of the older native Japanese number system that existed before Chinese influence (5th century onward). The same native base shows up in:
- The day-of-the-month names: tsuitachi (1st), futsuka (2nd), mikka (3rd), yokka (4th), itsuka (5th), muika (6th), nanoka (7th), yooka (8th), kokonoka (9th), tooka (10th).
- The hito-/futa- roots in hitori (1 person), futari (2 people).
- Hatachi (はたち, 20 years old), the irregular Yamato form for age 20.
See /native-numbers for the full native number system, and /dates for the day-of-month forms.
Frequently asked questions
When do I use the tsu counter instead of a specific counter?
Use tsu when (a) you do not know the specific counter for the object, (b) the object is abstract (ideas, problems, suggestions, examples), (c) you are speaking casually and the object is small or compact. Tsu is a Yamato (native) fallback that native speakers accept without correction.
Why does tsu only go to 10?
Historical. The native Japanese number system itself only had productive forms 1 to 10 (hitotsu, futatsu, mittsu through to). Numbers above 10 in native Japanese (hatachi for 20 is the famous survivor; ozaki for 100, momo for 100 are archaic) have been displaced by Sino readings. The tsu counter inherits this limit. Above 10, switch to a specific counter or 〜個 (ko).
How is yottsu different from yotsu?
Yottsu has a small tsu (sokuon), creating gemination: yot-tsu. This is the standard form. Yotsu without gemination is not the standard reading for the counter, though it appears in compound words like 四つ葉 (yotsuba, "four-leaf"). For the counter, write yottsu (yo-ssu).
Why does 10 use to instead of totsu?
Irregular. Old Japanese had to (十) as a standalone form. When the tsu suffix attaches to other digits (hitotsu, futatsu), to drops the suffix to keep the older standalone form. Source: Daijirin entry for 十.
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