Counter Word (じょすうし: josuushi) ~satsu (~さつ) in Japanese
In today’s lesson, we will explore one of the counter words (josuushi) in
Japanese, ~satsu (~さつ). Japanese has many
different counters, so it’s important to use them correctly. This time, we’re
focusing on ~satsu (~冊), which is used to count items such
as books. Let’s take a closer look.
Usage of the Counter ~satsu (~冊)
The counter ~satsu (~冊) is used for counting items that are
bound or in book form. This includes novels, magazines, notebooks, collections
of papers bound together in a file, and even memo pads and sticky notes. So,
anything that has a form like a book or booklet will be counted with
~satsu.
Table of Usage for josuushi ~satsu (~冊)
Here’s a table showing how ~satsu (~冊) is used for counting:
| Kanji | Hiragana | Romaji | Meaning in English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 一冊 | いっさつ | Issatsu | One book |
| 二冊 | にさつ | Nisatsu | Two books |
| 三冊 | さんさつ | Sansatsu | Three books |
| 四冊 | よんさつ | Yonsatsu | Four books |
| 五冊 | ごさつ | Gosatsu | Five books |
| 六冊 | ろくさつ | Rokusatsu | Six books |
| 七冊 | ななさつ / しちさつ | Nanasatsu / Shichisatsu | Seven books |
| 八冊 | はっさつ | Hassatsu | Eight books |
| 九冊 | きゅうさつ | Kyuusatsu | Nine books |
| 十冊 | じゅっさつ | Juusatsu | Ten books |
| 十一冊 | じゅういっさつ | Juuissatsu | Eleven books |
| 十二冊 | じゅうにさつ | Juunisatsu | Twelve books |
| 十三冊 | じゅうさんさつ | Juusansatsu | Thirteen books |
| 百冊 | ひゃくさつ | Hyakusatsu | One hundred books |
| 千冊 | せんさつ | Sensatsu | One thousand books |
| 一万冊 | いちまんさつ | Ichimansatsu | Ten thousand books |
| 十万冊 | じゅうまんさつ | Juumansatsu | One hundred thousand books |
| 百万冊 | ひゃくまんさつ | Hyakumansatsu | One million books |
| 何冊 | なんさつ | Nansatsu | How many books |
Note:
-
In Japan, it’s more common to use Arabic numerals for large numbers instead
of kanji as it’s simpler and more efficient.
Example Sentences Using josuushi ~satsu (~冊)
Here are some example sentences showing how ~satsu (~冊) is
used in different contexts:
-
わたしはいちにちにほんをいっさつよみます
Watashi wa ichinichi ni hon o issatsu yomimasu
I read
one book per day. -
ともだちはわたしにラノベをにさつくれました
Tomodachi wa watashi ni ranobe o nisatsu kuremashita
My friend gave me two light novels. -
このたなにはひゃくさついじょうのしゃしんしゅうがあります
Kono tana ni wa hyakusatsu ijou no shashinshuu ga arimasu
There are more than one hundred photo books on this shelf. -
わたしのとしょかんではいちどにさいだいでじゅっさつまでかりられます
Watashi no toshokan de wa ichido ni saidai de jussatsu made
kariraremasu
At my library, you can borrow up to ten books at once. -
りょこうにいくまえに、ノートをごさつかいました
Ryokou ni iku mae ni, nooto o gosatsu kaimashita
I
bought five notebooks before going on my trip. -
ふせん100x50mmはいっさつごひゃくえんです
Fusen 100x50mm wa issatsu gohyakuen desu
A pack of
sticky notes (100x50mm) costs 500 yen per set. -
このほんにはデスノートがなんさつふくまれていますか？
Kono hon ni wa desu nooto ga nansatsu fukumareteimasu ka?
How many Death Notes are included in this book? -
よるがみライトにはデスノートがにさつあります
Yagami Raito ni wa desunooto ga nisatsu arimasu
Light
Yagami has two Death Notes.
The counter word ~satsu (~冊) is straightforward, and with a
little practice, you’ll easily master it. Remember, it’s crucial to use the
right counter for each object in Japanese, so be sure not to mix it up with
other counters. Practice makes perfect, so keep using
~satsu in your daily conversations and reading. Let’s keep
practising and get comfortable with all these counters!
