[For Seniors] Surprisingly Unknown!? Quiz on Various Counters for Everyday Items and Animals

Social worker / Care workermoko
My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.

“Rabbits are counted as one ‘wa,’ two ‘wa’; soba noodles as one ‘mai,’ two ‘mai’… In Japanese, the way we count things and living creatures varies depending on what they are.

Even words we use without thinking can make us hesitate—‘Wait, how was that again?’—when asked for the correct counter.

In this article, we’ve gathered quiz-style questions that let you enjoyably learn these uniquely Japanese counting expressions.

They’re full of classic, beautiful turns of phrase and surprising origins, making them perfect for a bit of brain training.

They’ll also spark lively conversation with family and friends—‘Hey, did you know this?’ Give it a try!

[For Seniors] Surprisingly Unknown!? Quiz on How to Count Familiar Objects and Animals (11–20)

Which of the following is the correct way to count horses or cows?

counter for birds/rabbits (wa)
counter for small animals; animal (counter)
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The correct counter for horses and cattle is tou. You count them as itto, nito, and so on. This reflects a feature of Japanese where the counter changes depending on the type of animal. Hiki is also a well-known animal counter, but it’s mainly used for small animals like dogs and cats. Wa is used for birds and rabbits. For large mammals like horses and cattle, tou is the formal counter.

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In conclusion

In Japanese, there are truly a variety of ways to count things depending on their type and shape.

Through the quiz we introduced on different counting methods, I hope you were able to sense the origins and cultural backgrounds embedded in each—shrines and deities, animals, furniture, and more.

Please enjoy the beauty of traditional Japanese expressions while also spending a moment that helps stimulate your mind.