Why Japanese Counters Are Hard
Japanese doesn't just count objects — it categorises them. Two sheets of paper are 2枚, two pens are 2本, two cats are 2匹. Using the wrong counter is grammatically incorrect, not just stylistically awkward. The counter also controls sound changes: いっぽん (1本), さんぼん (3本), ろっぽん (6本) all come from the same counter 本 — the difference is 促音便 (double-consonant insertion) and 濁音 (voicing). These changes aren't random: numbers ending in the sounds い or く before a p-sound always trigger a double consonant, which is why 1, 6, 8 and 10 cause changes for 本 and 匹.
The Six Counters in This Test
人 (にん/じん) counts people, with the completely irregular forms ひとり (1人) and ふたり (2人) — relics of Old Japanese. 本 (ほん) counts long, thin objects: pens, bottles, umbrellas, rivers, even movies. 枚 (まい) counts flat, thin objects: paper, stamps, plates, T-shirts — and causes no sound changes at all. 匹 (ひき) counts small animals (cats, dogs, fish, insects) with the same voicing pattern as 本. 台 (だい) counts machines and vehicles — cars, computers, washing machines, pianos — also with no sound changes. 冊 (さつ) counts bound publications: books, manga volumes, dictionaries.
How to Use This Test
Start with "All 6 counters" in practice mode to learn the sound-change patterns as you go — each feedback note explains why the reading changes. Once you can explain every change to yourself, switch to exam mode for a clean score. The counter breakdown on the results screen shows exactly which counter is costing you points. For a complete counter reference, see the Japanese Counter Guide.