Counter Word (じょすうし: josuushi) ~kai (~かい) in Japanese
In this lesson, we will explore josuushi, or counter words in
Japanese, specifically the usage of ~kai (~回). You may have
come across this word before, but today we’ll dive deeper into its meaning and
usage in different contexts.
Function of ~kai (~回)
~kai (~回) is used to count occurrences or repetitions of an
event. In Indonesian, it is equivalent to the word “times,” as in “once,”
“twice,” “three times,” and so on. In sports like baseball,
~kai (~回) is also used to count innings.
Table of Usage for josuushi ~kai (~回)
Below is a table showing the use of ~kai (~回) to count
repeated events:
| Kanji | Romaji | Meaning in Indonesian |
|---|---|---|
| 一回 | Ikkai | Once |
| 二回 | Nikai | Twice |
| 三回 | Sankai | Three times |
| 四回 | Yonkai | Four times |
| 五回 | Gokai | Five times |
| 六回 | Rokkai | Six times |
| 七回 | Nanakai | Seven times |
| 八回 | Hakkai | Eight times |
| 九回 | Kyuukai | Nine times |
| 十回 | Jukkai / Jikkai | Ten times |
| 十一回 | Juuikkai | Eleven times |
| 十二回 | Juunikai | Twelve times |
| 十三回 | Juusankai | Thirteen times |
| 百回 | Hyakkai | One hundred times |
| 千回 | Senkai | One thousand times |
| 一万回 | Ichimankai | Ten thousand times |
| 十万回 | Juumankai | One hundred thousand times |
| 百万回 | Hyakumankai | One million times |
| 何回 | Nankai | How many times |
Note:
-
For large numbers, people often use Arabic numerals instead of kanji because
it is simpler and easier to read.
Example Sentences with ~kai (~回)
Here are some example sentences using ~kai (~回) to indicate
repeated events:
-
もういっかいおねがいします
Mou ikkai onegaishimasu
Please do it once more. -
われわれはいちにちにさんかいしょくじをします
Wareware wa ichinichi ni sankai shokuji o shimasu
We eat three
times a day. -
このしごとはまいしゅうごかいおこなっています
Kono shigoto wa maishuu gokai okonatteimasu
I do this
job five times a week. -
そのえいがはじゅうにかいじょうえいされました
Sono eiga wa juunikai jouei saremashita
The movie was
shown twelve times. -
しけんをうけるのはなんかいめですか？
Shiken o ukeru no wa nankaimesu ka?
How many times have
you taken this exam? -
あなたはそのほんをなんかいよんだのですか？
Anata wa sono hon o nankai yonda no desu ka?
How many
times have you read that book? -
つぎのたいかいでは、さんかいしょうりするひつようがあります
Tsugi no taikai de wa, sankai shouri suru hitsuyou ga arimasu
In the next tournament, we need to win three times. -
このスライドショーはなんかいもみるかちがあります
Kono suraidoshoo wa nankai mo miru kachi ga arimasu
This slideshow is worth watching multiple times. -
わたしのじんせいで、いちどだけおおきなぼうけんをしました
Watashi no jinsei de, ichido dake ookina bouken o shimashita
In my life, I have only had one big adventure.
The use of josuushi ~kai (~回) is quite straightforward as it
is used to count repeated occurrences. However, it’s important to pay
attention to the pronunciation and writing differences, especially so as not
to confuse it with ~kai (~階), which is used to count floors
in a building. Although both are pronounced the same, their meanings are very
different.
By understanding the usage of ~kai (~回), you will be able to
easily talk about the frequency of events in Japanese.
