Various ways to say "how many"

[Cosaides]

Going through my language studies, it seems there's a large number of ways to say "how many". How do you know when to use nanko, nanbon, nanin, nandai or nanmai for asking how many?

Examples from the study material: bouru o nanko motte imaska = how many bowls do you have, but osara o nanmai motte imaska = how many plates do you have? ki wa nanbon arismasuka = how many trees are there? kodomo wa nanin imaska = how many children are there? jitensha wa nandai arimasuka = how my bicycles are there?

What's the difference? Thanks for any info

 

[Soloistic]

Japanese counter word - Wikipedia

What you refer to are known as counters.

 

[Caius]

Cool; thanks for the info. I would have responded with my previous account, but they banned it as I am in Korea, but put my residence as the U.S. even though my residence IS in the U.S. and I am just in Korea for a little while. Sheesh.

Question though: Is there a one-size-fits-all counter that can take the place of that long list of counters? Thanks.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

Sorry about that!

Cool; thanks for the info. I would have responded with my previous account, but they banned it as I am in Korea, but put my residence as the U.S. even though my residence IS in the U.S. and I am just in Korea for a little while. Sheesh.
Question though: Is there a one-size-fits-all counter that can take the place of that long list of counters? Thanks.

We have been plagued by a South Korean troll for almost 4 years. When he joins, he most always gives a false location under "Country/State of residence". Your listing of the US set off alarms, LOL. I usually run a GPS location check to make sure I have the right troll, but this morning when you logged on, I was just leaving for work. Anyway, glad you made it back on and I apologize for causing you the problem.\

Uncle Frank

 

[Glenn]

Question though: Is there a one-size-fits-all counter that can take the place of that long list of counters? Thanks.

hitotsu, futatsu, mittsu, yottsu, itsutsu, muttsu, nanatsu, yattsu, kokonotsu, tô, ikutsu for 1-10 and "how many?" After ten you can just use jûichi, jûni.... However, this doesn't do what you want it to do. You'll be understood, but it'll sound strange. There's nothing quite like what you're looking for.

 

[Caius]

I see; thanks. Wish there was just one universal way to say "how many". Ah well.

 

[nice gaijin]

alas, the counter you use depends on what you are counting. the closest you can get to a blanket term might be like "dono gurai," kind of like "about how much," but you still can't really use that across the board.

There are also a few special terms like ikura (how much, money-wise) and ikutsu (how old, same as nansai). It just takes practice and time to get used to it all.