Japanese Numbers 1–100: Easy Guide for Beginners

Have you ever found yourself in a Japanese restaurant, wanting to order three pieces of sushi but freezing up when trying to say the number in Japanese? Or perhaps you’ve been browsing shops in Tokyo, staring blankly at price tags, wishing you could understand the numbers written before you? Learning Japanese numbers 1-100 is not just a fundamental step in your language journey—it’s a practical skill that will immediately enhance your ability to navigate daily situations in Japan or when interacting with Japanese speakers.

Unlike the complex kanji system that requires years to master, the Japanese counting system follows logical patterns that make mastering Japanese numbers 1-100 surprisingly accessible, even for beginners. With just a few hours of focused study, you can confidently count in Japanese, understand prices, tell time, and express quantities in a wide range of situations.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Japanese numbers 1-100, from basic counting to practical applications, complete with memory techniques and cultural insights that will accelerate your learning.

The Building Blocks: Japanese Numbers 1-10

The foundation of the entire 1 to 100 Japanese numbers system rests on these ten digits. Master these, and you’ll have the essential components to construct any number up to 100 and beyond.

Cultural Insight: The Numbers 4 and 9

You may have noticed that numbers 4 and 9 have alternative readings. This is because in Japanese culture, these numbers are considered unlucky:

• 4 (し / shi) sounds identical to the word for “death” (死)
• 9 (く / ku) sounds similar to the word for “suffering” (苦)

For this reason, the alternative readings よん (yon) and きゅう (kyū) are generally preferred, especially in daily conversation. This is similar to how the number 13 is avoided in some Western cultures.

Real-world example: When ordering at a restaurant, you would say:

• 「寿司を四つください」
• Sushi wo yottsu kudasai
• “Four pieces of sushi, please”

Notice the use of よん (yon) rather than し (shi) to avoid the death association.

The Logical Pattern: Building Japanese Numbers 11-19

One of the beauties of the Japanese counting system is its logical structure. For numbers 11-19, simply combine 10 (じゅう / jū) with the appropriate single digit.

Formula: 10 + single digit

Practical application: When telling someone that a meeting will last 15 minutes:

• 「会議は十五分かかります」
• Kaigi wa jū-go fun kakarimasu
• “The meeting will take 15 minutes”

Mastering Multiples of 10: Japanese Numbers 20, 30, 40…100

The pattern continues with elegant simplicity for multiples of 10. Simply place the multiplier digit before 十 (jū).

Formula: Digit + 10

Notice how 100 introduces a new kanji: 百 (hyaku). This is the first departure from the pattern, as Japanese uses unique kanji for larger number units (100, 1,000, 10,000, etc.).

In my JLPT N5 Kanji List article, I dive deeper into these essential numerical kanji and how they function in the Japanese writing system.

Putting It All Together: Forming Any Number from 21-99

Now for the final piece of the puzzle: combining tens and ones to create any number between 21 and 99.

Formula: (Tens digit × 10) + Ones digit

Let’s see some examples:

Daily life example: When discussing the temperature forecast:

• 「明日の気温は二十七度になるでしょう」
• Ashita no kion wa ni-jū-nana do ni naru deshou
• “Tomorrow’s temperature will be around 27 degrees”

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Practical Applications of Japanese Numbers 1-100

Now that we’ve covered the entire range of Japanese numbers 1-100, let’s explore practical contexts where you’ll use these numbers in everyday situations.

Shopping and Prices

In Japan, prices are typically written using Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3), but you’ll need to know how to count in Japanese when asking questions or discussing costs.

Example:

• 「このTシャツは三千五百円です」
• Kono T-shatsu wa san-zen go-hyaku en desu
• “This T-shirt is 3,500 yen”

Telling Time

The Japanese clock uses a combination of hours (時/ji) and minutes (分/fun or pun):

Example:

• 「今、七時四十五分です」
• Ima, shichi-ji yon-jū-go-fun desu
• “It’s now 7:45”

Age and Years

When discussing age or years, 1 to 100 Japanese numbers are combined with counters:

Example:

• 「私は二十八歳です」
• Watashi wa ni-jū-hachi-sai desu
• “I am 28 years old”

Phone Numbers

Phone numbers in Japan are read digit by digit, making knowledge of Japanese numbers 1-100 essential:

Example:

• 「私の電話番号は0八0-九三四六-五七二一です」
• Watashi no denwa bangō wa zero-hachi-zero kyū-san-yon-roku go-nana-ni-ichi desu
• “My phone number is 080-9346-5721”

Advanced Concept: Japanese Counters

While basic Japanese numbers 1-100 follow the patterns we’ve discussed, actual counting in Japanese adds another layer of complexity with counters. These are special suffixes that attach to numbers depending on what’s being counted.

Here are some common counters you’ll encounter:

• つ (tsu): General counter for things (used for small numbers 1-9)
• 人 (nin): Counter for people (with special forms for 1 and 2)
• 本 (hon): Counter for long, cylindrical objects
• 枚 (mai): Counter for flat objects
• 匹 (hiki): Counter for small animals
• 台 (dai): Counter for machines and vehicles

Examples:

• Three people: 三人 (san-nin)
• Five bottles: 五本 (go-hon)
• Two tickets: 二枚 (ni-mai)
• Four cats: 四匹 (yon-hiki)
• One car: 一台 (ichi-dai)

For a deep dive into Japanese counters and how to use them correctly, check out our Japanese Grammar Lessons that covers this topic extensively.

Memory Techniques for Learning Japanese Numbers 1-100

Memorizing 1 to 100 Japanese numbers might seem daunting, but with these proven techniques, you can master them quickly:

1. Mnemonic Associations

Create visual or sound associations for each number:

• いち (1): Picture a single “itchy” mosquito bite
• に (2): Visualize a “knee” (sounds like “ni”)
• さん (3): Think of the “sun” (sounds like “san”)
• よん (4): Imagine someone “yawning” at 4 AM
• ご (5): Think “go five” places
• ろく (6): Visualize a six-sided “rock” (sounds like “roku”)
• なな (7): Picture seven “bananas” (sounds like “nana”)
• はち (8): Imagine eight bees (“hachi” means bee in Japanese)
• きゅう (9): Think of throwing a ball and saying “catch you” (sounds like “kyū”)
• じゅう (10): Imagine drinking “juice” from ten cups

2. Pattern Recognition

Focus on the logical construction of numbers rather than memorizing each one individually:

• All teens (11-19) follow the pattern: じゅう + single digit
• All multiples of 10 follow the pattern: digit + じゅう
• All other numbers combine both patterns

3. Daily Practice Integration

Incorporate Japanese numbers 1-100 into your daily routine:

• Count steps as you climb stairs
• Set your phone language to Japanese to see numbers in context
• Practice reading prices while browsing Japanese online shops
• Use Japanese numbers when counting repetitions during exercise

4. Chunking Method

Instead of trying to learn all Japanese numbers 1-100 at once, break them into manageable chunks:

• Week 1: Master 1-10
• Week 2: Practice 11-30
• Week 3: Learn 31-60
• Week 4: Complete 61-100

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Learning Japanese Numbers

1. Using the Wrong Reading for 4 and 9

As mentioned earlier, the readings し (shi) for 4 and く (ku) for 9 are often avoided due to their unlucky connotations. In most contexts, use よん (yon) and きゅう (kyū) instead.

2. Forgetting to Use Counters

In Japanese, you rarely use plain numbers without appropriate counters. Remember to add the right counter based on what you’re counting.

3. Mixing Up Pronunciation of Similar-Sounding Numbers

Be careful with numbers that sound similar:

• さん (3) vs. しん (心/heart)
• しち (7) vs. いち (1)
• はち (8) vs. はつ (初/first)

4. Incorrect Kanji Writing Order

If you’re writing numbers in kanji, pay attention to stroke order, especially for numbers like 三 (3) and 四 (4), which have specific writing sequences.

Learning Resources for Japanese Numbers 1-100

To accelerate your mastery of Japanese numbers 1-100, I’ve created a comprehensive “Counting to 100 in Japanese” PDF guide that you can download for free from our resources page. This printable reference includes all the numbers from 1-100 with their kanji, hiragana, and romaji readings—perfect for quick reference or study on the go.

Additional resources that can help:

1. Flashcard Apps: Create digital flashcards with Japanese numbers on one side and their readings on the other
2. Number Practice Games: Use apps that quiz you on random numbers in Japanese
3. YouTube Tutorials: Watch videos of native speakers counting in Japanese to master proper pronunciation
4. Japanese Podcasts: Listen to numbers being used in context to train your ear

FAQ About Japanese Numbers 1-100

What is the easiest way to learn Japanese numbers 1-100?

The easiest way to learn Japanese numbers 1-100 is to focus first on the patterns rather than memorizing each number individually, starting with 1-10, then understanding how larger numbers are formed by combining these basic components.

Why does Japanese have different readings for the number 4?

Japanese has different readings for the number 4 (し/shi and よん/yon) because the し (shi) reading sounds identical to the word for “death” (死), making it culturally avoided in many contexts.

How do Japanese people count objects?

Japanese people count objects using number counters that vary depending on what’s being counted; there are specific counters for people (人/nin), animals (匹/hiki), flat objects (枚/mai), long objects (本/hon), and many more categories.

Are Japanese numbers written in kanji or Arabic numerals in modern Japan?

In modern Japan, both kanji and Arabic numerals are used for writing numbers; kanji are common in traditional contexts and formal documents, while Arabic numerals are prevalent in everyday situations like price tags, phone numbers, and technical documents.

How high can you count in Japanese using the same pattern as the numbers 1-100?

You can count to 9,999 in Japanese using the same number formation pattern before needing to learn new kanji for 10,000 (万/man), which marks the beginning of a different grouping system (10,000s instead of 1,000s).

Conclusion: Your Journey with Japanese Numbers 1-100

Mastering Japanese numbers 1-100 is one of the most rewarding early victories in your language learning journey. Unlike many aspects of Japanese that require years to perfect, the Japanese counting system follows logical patterns that allow you to make rapid progress with relatively little effort.

By understanding the basic principles outlined in this guide, you’ve gained more than just the ability to count—you’ve acquired a practical skill that will serve you in countless real-world situations, from shopping and dining to telling time and discussing dates.

Remember, consistent practice is key. Incorporate these numbers into your daily routine, leverage the memory techniques we’ve shared, and don’t forget to download our free “Counting to 100 in Japanese” PDF guide from our resources page for convenient reference anytime, anywhere.

What aspect of Japanese numbers 1-100 do you find most interesting? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let us know how you’re using your new counting skills in everyday life!