匹(ひき)

匹(ひき) is the counter for small to medium-sized animals such as fish, insects, cats, and dogs.

Usage

• Small animals: 猫(ねこ), 犬(いぬ), 魚(さかな), 虫(むし)
• NOT used for: birds (羽(わ); rabbits were traditionally counted with 羽(わ) too, though 匹(ひき) is now usual for them), large animals like horses and cows (頭(とう)), or fish and shrimp in a commercial or culinary context (尾(び))

Counting patterns

The initial consonant changes depending on the preceding number:

• ひき: 二(に)匹(ひき), 四(よん)匹(ひき), 五(ご)匹(ひき), 七(なな)匹(ひき), 九(きゅう)匹(ひき)
• ぴき: 一(いっ)匹(ぴき), 六(ろっ)匹(ぴき), 八(はっ)匹(ぴき), 十(じゅっ)匹(ぴき)
• びき: 三(さん)匹(びき), 何(なん)匹(びき)