The Japanese Counting Song – Ippon demo Ninjin

The Japanese Counting Song – Ippon demo Ninjin

Counters might be confusing for beginners, but don't get overwhelmed by them. Just get familiar with the concept of counters, and try remembering some that are useful for you. "Ippon demo Ninjin" is a fun children song for learning about counters. Pay attention to the different counters for each item.

Ippon demo ninjin
Nisoku demo sandaru
Sansou demo yotto
Yotsubu demo gomashio
Godai demo roketto
Rokuwa demo shichimenchou
Shichihiki demo hachi
Hattou demo kujira
Kyuuhai demo juusu
Jukko demo ichigo

Here is the vocabulary and counters in the song. "Demo" is a particle that can be translated as, "even".

ninjin – carrot
sandaru – sandal
yotto – yacht
gomashio – sesame salt
roketto – rocket
shichimenchou – turkey
hachi – bee
kujira – whale
juusu – juice
ichigo - strawberry

hon - long, cylindrical objects: trees, pens, etc.
soku - pairs of footwear: sock, shoes, etc.
sou - small ships
tsubu - tiny things: pill, tear, etc.
dai - vehicles, machines etc.
wa - birds
hiki - insects, fish, small animals: cats, dogs, etc.
tou - large animals: horses, bears, etc.
hai - liquid in cups, glasses, bowls, etc.
ko - broad category of small and compact objects

Japanese Translation

?????? ??????????

???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????２，３????????????????｢????????｣???????????????????????????????????????????????????

????????
????????
????????
???????
???????
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???????
????????
???????

Romaji Translation

Suushi wa, shoshinsha ni totte wa wakarinikui mono kamo shiremasen ga, amari futan ni omowanaide kudasai.

Suushi no arikata ni najinde, jibun ni totte yoku tsukaru to omowareru mono o 2,3 oboeru koto kara hajimete kudasai. "Ippon demo ninjin" wa, suushi o manabu no niwa pittari no tanoshii kodomo no uta desu. Mono ni yotte kawaru suushi ni ki o tsukete kiite mite kudasai.

Note: The translation is not always literal.

Beginner's Phrases

Counters might be confusing for beginners.