Translation guide
The number six in Japanese is 六 (ろく). It is used for counting, quantities, and in compound words. When counting objects, the counter suffix changes depending on the type of object.
六
six
Expressing the number six in isolation, such as in mathematics, phone numbers, or abstract counting.
The basic numeral for six. Used in counting, math, and when stating the number itself.
六は偶数です。
Six is an even number.
電話番号の最後は六です。
The last digit of the phone number is six.
Counting small, generic objects or when the counter is unknown.
The native Japanese counter for general objects. Used for items that don't have a specific counter, or when the counter is not known. Often used for small, inanimate objects.
りんごを六つください。
Please give me six apples.
机の上に本が六つあります。
There are six books on the desk.
Counter for small, often round or compact objects. More specific than 六つ, but very common.
卵を六個買いました。
I bought six eggs.
Specifying six people.
The counter for people. Note the irregular reading.
家族は六人です。
There are six people in my family.
六人で映画を見に行きました。
Six of us went to see a movie.
Counting animals like cats, dogs, fish, insects.
Counter for small to medium-sized animals. For larger animals, 六頭 (ろくとう) is used.
猫を六匹飼っています。
I have six cats.
Counting flat things like paper, tickets, plates.
Counting things like pencils, bottles, trees.
Counter for long, cylindrical objects.
ペンを六本持っています。
I have six pens.
Expressing the sixth item in a sequence.
Means 'sixth' in a sequence. 六番 alone can be used for numbered items (e.g., bus number six).
六番目の問題は難しいです。
The sixth question is difficult.
Formal or written ordinal, often used in titles or official names.
第六感
sixth sense
Stating someone is six years old.
Japanese uses counter words (助数詞) after numbers when counting objects. The counter changes based on the shape, size, or type of object. When in doubt, 六つ (むっつ) is a safe general counter for inanimate objects.
Many counters cause the pronunciation of 六 to change. For example, 六匹 is ろっぴき, not ろくひき. Pay attention to these sound changes.