Quantity + verb
Where to put numbers and counters
You’ll be able to place counters correctly in a sentence to say how many items are involved.
りんごを二つ買います。
ringo o futatsu kaimasu.
What do you think this sentence means?
I’ll buy two apples.
Put a counted amount near the action
In Japanese, a number plus counter often comes after the object and before the verb instead of directly before the noun.
卵を四つ使いました。
tamago o yottsu tsukaimashita.
I used four eggs.
Object + amount + verb
State the object, mark it with its particle, then place the number and counter before the verb.
本を二冊読みました。
hon o ni-satsu yomimashita.
I read two books.
水を一杯飲みました。
mizu o ippai nomimashita.
I drank a glass of water.
学生が五人います。
gakusei ga go-nin imasu.
There are five students.
スーパーでりんごを三つ買いました。
suupaa de ringo o mittsu kaimashita.
I bought three apples at the supermarket.
朝、パンを二つ食べました。
asa, pan o futatsu tabemashita.
I ate two pieces of bread in the morning.
今日は卵を四つ使います。
kyou wa tamago o yottsu tsukaimasu.
I will use four eggs today.
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