こ is the counter for small objects, so it's not incorrect. つ is the general counter used for things that don't have a special counter already, or when you can't think of/don't know the appropriate counter.
ひとつ (一つ) is specifically ONE thing. In this case, the kanji ichi (一) is read ひと.
EDIT: In other words, both are correct. Also, here's an nice big list of counters for you: Japanese counter word - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
so how do I say Ni hon without it coming back as "japan"?
Uh...context haha. As usual. There may be some pitch difference, but that's a rather advanced topic that usually doesn't prevent you from getting your point across.
Example: 端, 橋, and 箸 are all read はし, but mean "edge", "bridge", and "chopsticks" respectively. However, if you're in a restaurant, they will probably bring you chopsticks regardless of the pitch you use. Also, the pitch pattern is different depending on the dialect.
as long as i remember the type of object that nihon is used to count
ほん（本）is used to count long cylindrical objects. Not books even though 本 is also the word for book (the book counter is さつ (冊)). Think of it this way: when that counter was envisioned, "books" would have been scrolls. 本 is also similar to 木 (き) which means "tree" and trees have long cylindrical trunks which are marked by the little line on 本.
Indeed they are different.There may be some pitch difference
Google Translate is sometimes helpful.I would need to hear the difference
Confusingly, a decent number of words in Kansai dialect have the COMPLETELY opposite accent position to Standard Japanese.including studying at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka
Confusingly, a decent number of words in Kansai dialect have the COMPLETELY opposite accent position to Standard Japanese.端 vs 橋 vs 箸 is a typical one.
木は何本ありますか
きはなんぼんありますか
ki = tree and wa is the particle.
nanbon = how many using the 本 counter.
where did you get kiwa = can?
I looked at JA Sensei.
It is better than nothing, but the "lessons" are hardly deserving of the name.
...I don't know why you're using Google translate as a dictionary. Don't do that. Try jisho.org or buy a real dictionary.when i write 窶堋ｫ
into google translator, it comes back "can"
everything keeps coming back "honda" ....i'm not sure what I am doing wrong. i've tried different points of emphasis, i've tried just sayin "hon" a hundred times....but when i add "ga" on to it , it keeps coming back "honda".
any advice or how to seperate these two words to negate that coming back Honda?
when i write き
into google translator, it comes back "can"
Can....which "can"?
The auxiliary verb?
The verb meaning to preserve in a container?
The verb meaning to terminate employment?
The noun referring to a metal container?
Slang for the buttocks?
Slang for breasts?
See the problem?
Mike, i just want to say. I love you bro. lol
you have a way of making me laugh at something that frustrated me so.
but to answer your quesiton, I don't know. my success rate with my google translator app has been 100% up to this point....this is the first time it let me down. and RS actually got it right....don't that beat all?
but yes, message received. I have Jisho bookmarked AND have the app......I should have checked that before bringing it to you guys.
my bad