Do you want to learn how to count Japanese numbers 1-100? You are in the right place. We will make your counting in Japanese in a fun and easy way.
In this article, we will provide you with the equivalent Romaji (romanized spelling) of the Japanese numbers so you can pronounce them without difficulty.
But before we start, we get to know first about the Japanese Counting System.
Let’s go!
Japanese Counting System
Japan employs two different number systems, the pure Japanese and the Sino-Japanese. Pure Japanese uses original words, while Sino-Japanese are words borrowed from the Chinese.
Reading Japanese Numbers
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- Onyomi reading is Sino-Japanese
- Kun’yomi reading is Japanese Yamato Kotoba
Interestingly, the difference between the counting systems is that the native Japanese reading is only available to 1-10, but the rest is Onyomi reading or Sino-Japanese.
Writing Japanese Numbers
The writing of the Japanese numbers comes in two ways, such as:
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- Arabic numerals – often used in horizontal writing.
- Chinese Numerals – adopted from the Chinese number system and commonly used in vertical writing.
Counting Japanese Numbers 1-100: 3 Easy Steps
Counting numbers in Japanese is easy to master when you know the first 10. You can start counting by a small group, and you can be able to count up to 100 or higher. That is why we created the easiest way to learn to count Japanese numbers in 3 simple steps.
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- Count Japanese numbers by ones (1-9),
then, - Count by tens (10, 20, 30, and so on),
- Count by joining tens and ones together.
- Count Japanese numbers by ones (1-9),
1. Count Japanese Numbers By Ones (1-9)
The first set of numbers you need to memorize is 1-9 or the ones. Indeed a significant part of learning to count in Japanese. When you memorize this set, the rest would be easy for you. Consider the helpful tip below when you memorize the numbers.
Tip: You can use the picture below to help you to remember the Japanese numbers. Did you know that linking the new words with something that you already know is one of the helpful tricks so far?
Number 1, in Japanese Ichi; Remember this picture “itchy.”
Number 2, in Japanese ni; Remember this picture “knee.”
Number 3, in Japanese san; Remember this picture “sun.”
Number 4, in Japanese yon; Remember this picture “yawn”
Number 5, in Japanese, go; Remember this picture “go.”
| Number | Romaji | Hiragana | Kanji |
| 1 | ichi | いち | 一 |
| 2 | ni | に | 二 |
| 3 | san | さん | 三 |
| 4 | yon | よん | 四 |
| 5 | go | ご | 五 |
| 6 | roku | ろく | 六 |
| 7 | nana | しち | 七 |
| 8 | hachi | はち | 八 |
| 9 | kyuu | きゅう | 九 |
2. Count in Japanese By Tens (10-90)
After learning how to count ones (1-9) in Japanese numbers, this another set of tens is what you need to memorize. Using the formula below, counting by tens in Japan is so easy that anyone can do it.
Tips: Try this format:
In 10 you say juu only
In 20, you say ni (2)+ juu (10) = ni juu, (number 2 to 9 add juu)
| Number | Romaji | Hiragana | Kanji |
| 10 | juu | じゅう | 十 |
| 20 | ni juu | にじゅう | 二十 |
| 30 | san juu | さんじゅう | 三十 |
| 40 | yon juu | よんじゅう | 四十 |
| 50 | go juu | ごじゅう | 五十 |
| 60 | roku juu | ろくじゅう | 六十 |
| 70 | nana juu | ななじゅう | 七十 |
| 80 | hachi juu | はちじゅう | 八十 |
| 90 | kyuu juu | きゅうじゅう | 九十 |
3. Count Japanese Numbers By Joining Tens and Ones Together
The last step can be a lot easier once you’ve mastered counting ones and tens in Japanese. This time, you will join the tens and ones together. Check the formula below.
Tips:
Remember this formula, juu (10) + ichi (1) = juu ichi (11).
In like manner, ni juu (20) + ichi (1) = ni juu Ichi (21), and so forth.
| Number | Romaji |
| 11 | juu ichi |
| 22 | ni juu ni |
| 33 | san juusan |
| 44 | yon juu yon |
| 55 | go juu go |
| 66 | roku juu roku |
| 77 | nana juu nana |
| 88 | hachi juu hachi |
| 99 | kyuu juu kyuu |
It’s very easy, right? By just reading the Romaji, you will learn the proper pronunciation. Besides, counting numbers in Japanese has a similarity in counting numbers in English. That is why it’s not difficult to remember the numbers. So, let’s practice more.
Complete List of Japanese Number From 1-100
Use the following lists with the romanization of words in English to count fluently in Japanese. When you repeat the words after learning helps you not forget them. And if you see it interesting, you don’t want to stop counting. Keep practicing!
1-20
| 1 | ichi | 11 | juu ichi |
| 2 | ni | 12 | juu ni |
| 3 | san | 13 | juu san |
| 4 | yon | 14 | juu yon |
| 5 | go | 15 | juu go |
| 6 | roku | 16 | juu roku |
| 7 | nana | 17 | juu nana |
| 8 | hachi | 18 | juu hachi |
| 9 | kyuu | 19 | juu kyuu |
| 10 | juu | 20 | ni juu |
21-40
| 21 | ni juu ichi | 31 | san juu ichi |
| 22 | ni juu ni | 32 | san juu ni |
| 23 | ni juu san | 33 | san juu san |
| 24 | ni juu yon | 34 | san juu yon |
| 25 | ni juu go | 35 | san juu go |
| 26 | ni juu roku | 36 | san juu roku |
| 27 | ni juu nana | 37 | san juu nana |
| 28 | ni juu hachi | 38 | san juu hachi |
| 29 | ni juu kyuu | 39 | san juu kyuu |
| 30 | san juu | 40 | yon juu |
41-60
| 41 | yon juu ichi | 51 | go juu ichi |
| 42 | yon juu ni | 52 | go juu ni |
| 43 | yon juu san | 53 | go juu san |
| 44 | yon juu yon | 54 | go juu yon |
| 45 | yon juu go | 55 | go juu go |
| 46 | yon juu roku | 56 | go juu roku |
| 47 | yon juu nana | 57 | go juu nana |
| 48 | yon juu hachi | 58 | go juu hachi |
| 49 | yon juu kyuu | 59 | go juu kyuu |
| 50 | go juu | 60 | roku juu |
61-80
| 61 | roku juu ichi | 71 | nana juu ichi |
| 62 | roku juu ni | 72 | nana juu ni |
| 63 | roku juu san | 73 | nana juu san |
| 64 | roku juu yon | 74 | nana juu yon |
| 65 | roku juu go | 75 | nana juu go |
| 66 | roku juu roku | 76 | nana juu roku |
| 67 | roku juu nana | 77 | nana juu nana |
| 68 | roku juu hachi | 78 | nana juu hachi |
| 69 | roku juu kyuu | 79 | nana juu kyuu |
| 70 | nana juu | 80 | hachi juu |
81-100
| 81 | hachi juu ichi | 91 | kyuu juu ichi |
| 82 | hachi juu ni | 92 | kyuu juu ni |
| 83 | hachi juu san | 93 | kyuu juu san |
| 84 | hachi juu yon | 94 | kyuu juu yon |
| 85 | hachi juu go | 95 | kyuu juu go |
| 86 | hachi juu roku | 96 | kyuu juu roku |
| 87 | hachi juu nana | 97 | kyuu juu nana |
| 88 | hachi juu hachi | 98 | kyuu juu hachi |
| 89 | hachi juu kyuu | 99 | kyuu juu kyuu |
| 90 | kyuu juu | 100 | hyaku |
The new language you’ve learned can be easily forgotten, most especially when you don’t use them often. So the last and best tip is to share it with other people. Keep the learning alive!
Counting in Japanese is fun and easy. Right? So, why not learn the Japanese Alphabet as well. Check the
“Japanese Alphabet Katakana and Hiragana” article now!
But if you want to learn Japanese in one of the language schools located in Japan, FAIR Study in Japan would be glad to help you. You can contact us using the form below.
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