Japanese numbers from one to ten are ichi, ni, san, yon, go, roku, nana, hachi, kyū, jū. The kanji are 一, 二, 三, 四, 五, 六, 七, 八, 九, 十. Four, seven, and nine have alternate readings, so this guide explains when to use the common counting forms and where you may hear variations.
1 ichi · 2 ni · 3 san · 4 yon · 5 go · 6 roku · 7 nana · 8 hachi · 9 kyū · 10 jū
Japanese Numbers 1 to 10
| Number | Kanji | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 一 | ichi |
| 2 | 二 | ni |
| 3 | 三 | san |
| 4 | 四 | yon |
| 5 | 五 | go |
| 6 | 六 | roku |
| 7 | 七 | nana |
| 8 | 八 | hachi |
| 9 | 九 | kyū |
| 10 | 十 | jū |
Using Japanese Numbers
Counting Objects
The basic number words are useful when reading digits, reciting a sequence, or counting in contexts that do not require a special counter. When counting objects in a sentence, Japanese commonly adds a counter suffix. For example, hon counts long objects such as books, while mai counts flat items such as sheets of paper. The number can change sound before some counters, so learn common number-counter combinations as vocabulary.
Alternate Readings: Shi, Shichi, and Ku
Four can be read yon or shi, seven as nana or shichi, and nine as kyū or ku. For simple counting, yon, nana, and kyū are clear choices. Set words use particular readings: April is shigatsu, July is shichigatsu, and September is kugatsu.
Dates and Months
Japanese dates combine numbers with time and calendar words, but some day-of-month readings are irregular. The first day is tsuitachi, and the second through tenth have special readings such as futsuka and yōka. The number sequence is still a useful foundation, but use the dedicated date form when naming a calendar day.
Practice Counting Aloud
Meaning: One, two, three, four, five
Continue with roku, nana, hachi, kyū, jū. Short, regular practice helps you remember the rhythm and hear long vowels in kyū and jū.
Numbers 1–10 at a Glance
The table lists the standard kanji and a practical reading for beginner counting. Kana spelling is not shown, but the readings correspond to いち, に, さん, よん, ご, ろく, なな, はち, きゅう, and じゅう.
Pronunciation Tips
Japanese vowels are pronounced clearly and consistently. In kyū and jū, the line marks a long vowel: hold it for about twice the length of a short vowel. Do not add an English-style stress accent to one syllable; keep the rhythm even.
Example Sentences
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 本を三冊買いました。 | hon o sansatsu kaimashita | I bought three books. |
| 紙を四枚ください。 | kami o yonmai kudasai | Four sheets of paper, please. |
| 七時に会いましょう。 | shichiji ni aimashō | Let’s meet at seven o’clock. |
Frequently Asked Questions About One to Ten in Japanese
Tap a question below to see the answer.
Should I say yon or shi for four?
Both readings exist. Yon is a useful default for basic counting; learn the reading used in each common word.
Is seven nana or shichi?
Both are correct. Nana is clear in a counting sequence, while shichi appears in words such as shichigatsu (July).
Summary: One to Ten in Japanese
Learn ichi, ni, san, yon, go, roku, nana, hachi, kyū, jū with their kanji. Remember the alternate readings in dates and set words, and use counters when counting objects in sentences.
