Japanese word

冊

Pronunciation

Romajisatsu

Meaning

  • countercounter for books

Example

毎日、本を一冊読みます。mai nichi hon o ichi satsu yo mi ma su

I read one book every day.

Illustration for 冊 (counter for books)

More examples

図書館で小説を二冊借りました。to sho kan de shō setsu o ni satsu ka ri ma shi ta

I borrowed two novels from the library.

Core concept

Treats each book or other bound publication as one separate volume.

Common phrases

  • 一冊読むichi satsu yo mu

    read one book

  • 本を一冊hon o ichi satsu

    one book

  • 二冊買うni satsu ka u

    buy two books

Similar words

巻maki: A counter used for volumes that make up a series or a work split into sections.
部bu: A counter for individual copies of printed works, including books and magazines.

Definition in Japanese

本や雑誌などの、紙をとじた出版物を数えるときに用いる助数詞。hon ya zas shi na do no kami o to ji ta shup pan butsu o kazo e ru to ki ni mochi i ru jo sū shi

Word origin

The counter 冊 (satsu, "volume") comes from the Chinese character 冊, whose early form represented writing slips tied together as a set.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese publishing, a long manga story can be divided into several 冊 (satsu), so the counter appears naturally in descriptions of collected volumes.

Word lists with this word