Japanese word

個

Pronunciation

Romajiko

Meaning

  • countercounter for small things, ___ pieces

Example

りんごを三個買います。ri n go o san ko ka i ma su

I will buy three apples.

Illustration for 個 (counter for small things)

More examples

ケーキを三個ください。kē ki o san ko ku da sa i

Please give me three pieces of cake.

卵を二個、冷蔵庫に入れます。tamago o ni ko rei zō ko ni i re ma su

I put two eggs in the refrigerator.

Core concept

Presents each counted object as a distinct unit rather than as part of a mass.

Common phrases

  • 一個ik ko

    one

  • 何個nan ko

    how many

  • 二個ずつni ko zu tsu

    two each

Similar words

つtsu: A general object counter used for items of various shapes and types.

Definition in Japanese

物を個別の単位として数えるとき、数の後に付ける助数詞。mono o ko betsu no tan i to shi te kazo e ru to ki sū no ato ni tsu ke ru jo sū shi

Word origin

個 (ko, "individual") is the Sino-Japanese reading of a Chinese-derived character meaning an individual or unit, which became a counter for items in Japanese.

Usage tips

  • With 個 (ko), the number and counter form a single pronunciation, as in 二個 (niko) for two items and 三個 (sanko) for three.

Other meanings

  • piececounter

Word lists with this word