01
PATTERN
counter words
Japanese uses different counters for people, flat objects, machines, books, age, and other categories.
EXAMPLE · 例文教室 に 学生 が 五人 います。
There are five students in the classroom.
第11課 · COMPLETE LESSON
いくつ ありますか
Counters and duration
Grammar first. Vocabulary ready when you are.These notes follow the grammar progression in the supplied Kanrin / Minna no Nihongo material. Each rule is summarized in English and paired with a fresh Japanese example, reading support, and translation.
GRAMMAR NOTES · 文法Build the pattern.
Build the pattern.
Then see it move.
Read the rule, cover the translation, and say the Japanese example aloud once.
02
PATTERN
quantifier placement
A quantity normally follows the particle that marks its noun and comes directly before the verb.
EXAMPLE · 例文りんご を 三つ 買いました。
I bought three apples.
03
PATTERN
duration + V
A duration is used without に. Add ぐらい to say “about.”
EXAMPLE · 例文毎日 二時間 ぐらい 勉強します。
I study for about two hours every day.
04
PATTERN
period に frequency
Use period に frequency to say how often something occurs within a period.
EXAMPLE · 例文一週間 に 二回 ジム へ 行きます。
I go to the gym twice a week.
05
PATTERN
N だけ
だけ means “only” and follows the word or amount it limits.
EXAMPLE · 例文休み は 日曜日 だけ です。
Sunday is my only day off.
LESSON WORDS · 語彙
Open spaced repetition →61 words from this lesson.
have [a child]
stay, be [in Japan]
take, cost (referring to time or money)
take a day off [work]
one (used when counting things)
two
three
four
five
six
seven
eight
nine
ten
how many
one person
two people
－ people
(counter for machines, cars, etc.)
(counter for paper, stamps, etc.)
－ times
apple
mandarin orange
sandwich
curry [with rice]
ice cream
postage stamp
postcard
envelope
parents
brothers and sisters
(my) elder brother
(someone else's) elder brother
(my) elder sister
(someone else's) elder sister
(my) younger brother
(someone else's) younger brother
(my) younger sister
(someone else's) younger sister
foreign country
foreign student
class
－ hour(s)
－ week(s)
－ month(s)
－ year(s)
about ～
how long
in total
all, everything, everyone
only ～
Certainly, (Sir/Madam)
Nice weather, isn't it?
Are you going out?
I'm just going to ～.
See you later./So long. (lit. Go and come back.)
See you later./So long. (lit. I'm going and coming back.)
sea mail
airmail
Please. (lit. ask for a favour)
Australia