Learn Japanese: Number from zero to billion

Understanding numbers and counting in Japanese is essential for navigating every day, whether you're shopping, traveling, or just learning the language. The Japanese numbering system is distinct and logical, combining smaller units such as ichi (one), juu (ten), and hyaku (hundred) to create greater numbers. It also uses terms like man (ten thousand) and oku (hundred million) for massive counting, which differ from Western conventions.

Counting in Japanese involves mastering the basic digits from 1 to 9 and how to build numbers step by step. Japanese numerals provide an intriguing view into the language's structure and logic, thanks to their systematic approach and culturally relevant counting units. Let's dig in and learn about Japanese counting!

To count in Japanese, knowing the digits from 0 to 10 is fundamental. The counting system follows a repetitive pattern. In the table above, we created the numbers from 11 to 20, as you can observe.

From 11 to 19, we combine "ten" + unit (e.g., 11 is "juu" + "ichi" = juuichi, 19 is "juu" + "kyuu" = juukyu).

For twenty, we say the unit first, followed by "ten" (e.g., 20 is "ni" + "juu" = nijuu).

For numbers between 21 and 99, the same pattern applies: unit + ten + unit. For example, 66 is "roku" + "juu" + "roku" = rokujuuroku.

Here are the numbers 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 in Japanese:

• 30: さんじゅう (sanjuu)
• 40: よんじゅう (yonjuu)
• 50: ごじゅう (gojuu)
• 60: ろくじゅう (rokujuu)
• 70: ななじゅう (nanajuu)
• 80: はちじゅう (hachijuu)
• 90: きゅうじゅう (kyuujuu)

These numbers follow the same pattern as before, where the unit (san, yon, go, roku, nana, hachi, kyu) is combined with "juu" (ten).

Counting from 100 to 999 in Japanese

Counting from 100 to 999 in Japanese follows the same structure as counting from 1 to 99. The key difference is the addition of 百 (ひゃく, hyaku) for 100. Let’s learn how:

The Cornerstone: 100

In Japanese, 100 is 百 (ひゃく, hyaku). This is the key number, and it works as the base for counting in the hundreds.

How It Works:

For 101 to 199, we simply take 百 (hyaku) and add the numbers from 1 to 99. For example:

• 101: 百 (hyaku) + 一 (ichi) = 百一 (hyaku ichi)
• 199: 百 (hyaku) + 九十九 (kyuujuukyuu) = 百九十九 (hyaku kyuujuukyuu)

Moving On to 200

Now, when we reach 200, we start with 二 (ni), which means "two," and combine it with 百(hyaku):

• 200: 二 (ni) + 百 (hyaku) = 二百 (nihyaku)

The same pattern continues for all the numbers between 200 to 299. You just add 百 to the unit:

• 201: 二百一 (nihyaku ichi)
• 250: 二百五十 (nihyaku gojuu)
• 299: 二百九十九 (nihyaku kyuujuukyuu)

What About 300 to 999?

This pattern is the same for the other hundreds as well:

• 300: 三百 (sanbyaku)
• 400: 四百 (yonhyaku)
• 500: 五百 (gohyaku)
• 600: 六百 (roppyaku)
• 700: 七百 (nanahyaku)
• 800: 八百 (happyaku)
• 900: 九百 (kyuuhyaku)

For example:

• 301: 三百一 (sanbyaku ichi)
• 350: 三百五十(sanbyaku gojuu)
• 399: 三百九十九 (sanbyaku kyuujuukyuu)
• 450: 四百五十 (yonhyaku gojuu)
• 999: 九百九十九 (kyuuhyaku kyuujuukyuu)

1,000 (千 / せん / sen)

千 (せん) speaks to one thousand. It's utilized in regular discussion, particularly when dealing with cash, amount, or estimations. "Sen" is the elocution, and it's direct.

10,000 (一万 / いちまん / ichiman)

The number 10,000 is spoken to by 一万 (いちまん). "Ichi" means "one," and "man" means "ten thousand." In Japan, 10,000 could be a common unit of degree, and they use "man" for large quantities, which is distinct from the Western framework that commonly uses "thousand" as a base.

100,000 (十万 / じゅうまん / juuman)

100,000 is 十万 (じゅうまん). The word "juu" means "ten," and when combined with "man," it creates the term for one hundred thousand. Typically used in contexts like populace counts or small-scale financial exchanges.

1,000,000 (百万 / ひゃくまん / hyakuman)

百万 (ひゃくまん) is 1 million. "Hyaku" means "hundred," and "man" remains steady. This number is used frequently in commerce, especially in estimating or in expansive measurements.

10,000,000 (千万 / せんまん / senman)

10,000,000 is 千万 (せんまん). The "sen" speaks to "thousand", and "man" remains for ten thousand, resulting in the term for ten million. It's regularly used in discussions about larger sums of money or national statistics.

100,000,000 (一億 / いちおく / ichioku)

一億 (いちおく) refers to 100 million. "Ichi" means "one," and "oku" refers to 100 million. This number is commonly used in trade, government, and financial sectors, particularly in markets dealing with large sums of money.

1,000,000,000 (十億 / じゅうおく / juoku)

1 billion is 十億 (じゅうおく). In this case, "juu" means ten, combined with "oku," it forms the term for one billion. This number is commonly heard when discussing large national economies, trade valuations, or budgets.

10,000,000,000 (百億 / ひゃくおく / hyakuoku)

Finally, 百億 (ひゃくおく) refers to ten billion. The "hyaku" means "hundred," and combined with "oku," the term represents ten billion. This number is found in national budgets, large multinational companies' profits, or high-level global financial discussions.

In summary, the Japanese number system uses patterns to combine smaller units (like one, ten, hundred) with "man" (ten thousand) and "oku" (hundred million) to represent larger numbers, which is a special feature compared to the Western framework. For example, the usage of "man" (ten thousand) and "oku" (hundred million) is especially important for numbers past 10,000.