Japanese word

枚

Pronunciation

Romajimai

Meaning

  • countersheet, ___ sheets

Example

紙を一枚使います。kami o ichi mai tsuka i ma su

I use one sheet of paper.

Illustration for 枚 (sheet)

More examples

紙を三枚ください。kami o san mai ku da sa i

Please give me three sheets of paper.

旅行の写真を三枚印刷します。ryo kō no sha shin o san mai in satsu shi ma su

I print three photos from the trip.

Core concept

Treats a thin, flat object as one countable unit rather than as an amount of material.

Common phrases

  • 紙を一枚kami o ichi mai

    one sheet of paper

  • 写真を一枚sha shin o ichi mai

    one photo

Definition in Japanese

紙や布など、薄く平たい物の数を数えるのに用いる助数詞。kami ya nuno na do usu ku hira ta i mono no kazu o kazo e ru no ni mochi i ru jo sū shi

Word origin

The counter 枚 (mai, "flat piece") uses the Sino-Japanese reading of a character that served in Chinese as a classifier for individual flat objects, including sheets.

Usage tips

  • The counter 枚 (mai, "flat piece") also counts photographs, tickets, and shirts, so its use extends beyond paper and cloth.

Other meanings

  • piececounter

Word lists with this word