by Adriana Disano

Created on: August 27, 2010

Counting in Japanese is practically an art. With a multitude of words for single numbers, it's important to know the mechanics you're using when counting to your martial arts moves. The system of Japanese counting that you will be using when performing martial arts is called On'Yomi, and is derived from traditional Japanese rather than Chinese (or Kun'Yomi).

Here are the first ten numbers and their pronunciations:

1 - Ichi (also spelled "Iti")

Pronounced "Ee-chee" with emphasis on the first syllable. In some traditions, the second syllable is silenced, making the number sound like "Eetch."

2 - Ni

Pronounced "Nee" all across the board.

3 - San

Pronounced "Sah-n,"  a two-syllable word. The "N" sound in Japanese is slightly different than that of English in some uses; pronounce the "N" with your throat as you would the "ng" in "song."

4 - Shi/Yon (also spelled "Si")

Pronounced "Shee" or "Yoh-n." Note that "Yon" is used when 4 is a prefix to another number, as in "Yonjuu" or "Forty." "Shijuu" is grammatically incorrect. "Shi" is typically used only to represent the number "4," not "40," or "54."

5 - Go

Pronounced "Goh" all across the board.

6 - Roku

Pronounced "Roh-kooh" with emphasis on the first syllable. "U" is often a silent vowel in Japanese. Some prefer to accent their "u" sound, however a more accurate way to pronounce the word would be "Rohk."

7 - Shichi or Nana (also spelled "Sichi" or "Siti")

Pronounced "Shee-chee" with emphasis on the first syllable or "Nah-nah." Note that "Nana" is used when 7 is a prefix to another number, as in "Nanajuu"" or "Seventy." "Shichijuu" is grammatically incorrect. "Chi" is often a syllable with a silent vowel in Japanese. Some prefer to accent their "chi" sound, however a more accurate way to pronounce the word would be "Sheetch."

8 - Hachi

Pronounced "Hah-chee" with emphasis on the first syllable. "Chi" is often a syllable with a silent vowel in Japanese. Some prefer to accent their "chi" sound, however a more accurate way to pronounce the word would be "Hahtch."

9 - Kyuu or Kuu

Pronounced "Kyooh-ooh" or "kooh-ooh," extending the length of the vowel. Both forms of the word may be used when counting.

10 - Juu

Pronounced "Jooh-ooh," extending the length of the vowel.

Counting multiples of ten

Multiples of ten are counted very simply: add the amount of tens in the number, for example "4" in "45" or "Yonjuugo," then add your "10" counter, or "Juu," then add your primary number, for example "5" in "45" or "Yonjuugo."

11 - Juuichi

12 - Juuni

13 - Juusan

24 - Nijuuyon

35 - Sanjuugo

Et cetera.

For counting into the hundreds, simply substitute "10" or "Juu" with "100" or "Hyaku." For example, "101" would be "Hyakuichi," and "200" would be "Nihyaku."

Enjoy your martial arts and impressing your sensei with your ability to count in Japanese! Learning the language behind the art and the art behind the language is a very rewarding process.

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