Translation guide
How to express the quantity of articles (items, products, goods) in Japanese, using counters and general quantity words.
The speaker wants to state or ask how many articles there are, using the standard counter for miscellaneous items.
Use the counter 個 (こ) for small, often three-dimensional objects, including many articles. This is the most common and versatile counter for miscellaneous items.
箱の中にリンゴが３個あります。
There are three apples in the box.
How many articles/products are there in this store?
Use this pattern when requesting a specific number of items, such as in a shop.
このクッキーを５個ください。
Please give me five of these cookies.
A noun meaning 'the number of items' or 'quantity'. Often used in formal or business contexts.
個数を確認してください。
Please check the number of items.
Used for the number of items, especially in retail or inventory contexts. Can also mean 'score' or 'points'.
お買い上げ点数は３点です。
The number of items purchased is three.
The speaker wants to count written articles, such as newspaper articles, essays, or documents.
Use the counter 本 (ほん) for long, thin objects, which includes documents, letters, and sometimes articles when viewed as rolled or bound papers. Note the sound changes: 1本 (いっぽん), 3本 (さんぼん), 6本 (ろっぽん), 8本 (はっぽん), 10本 (じゅっぽん).
論文が３本あります。
There are three articles/papers.
The counter 件 (けん) is used for matters, cases, or items such as news articles, reports, or incidents. Common in news and business.
今日の新聞には関連記事が５件あります。
In today's newspaper, there are five related articles.
A noun meaning 'number of articles' (specifically news or magazine articles).
記事数が多すぎます。
The number of articles is too many.
The speaker wants to refer to the number of articles in a non-specific way, without using a counter.
Means 'number' or 'amount'. Can be used for articles in a general sense.
商品の数が足りません。
The number of articles/products is insufficient.
Means 'quantity' or 'volume'. More often used for uncountable amounts, but can apply to a large number of articles.
取り扱い商品の量が増えました。
The quantity of articles handled has increased.