羽(わ)

わ
counter
birds, rabbits
1. birds, rabbits
A counter for birds and rabbits. Historically, rabbits were counted with this counter because monks could eat rabbit meat if they called them 'birds.'
鳥(とり)が二(に)羽(わ)いる。
There are two birds.
庭(にわ)に鳥(とり)が五(ご)羽(わ)います。
There are five birds in the garden.
一(いち)羽(わ)のにわとりが卵(たまご)を産(う)みました。
One chicken laid an egg.
うさぎを三(さん)羽(ば)飼(か)っています。
I have three rabbits.
昨日(きのう)公園(こうえん)で白(しろ)い鳥(とり)を六(ろっ)羽(ぱ)見(み)ましたが、今日(きょう)は一(いち)羽(わ)もいませんでした。
Yesterday I saw six white birds in the park, but today there wasn't even one.

羽(わ) is the counter for birds and rabbits.

COUNTING READINGS:

  • 一(いち)羽(わ) (1)
  • 二(に)羽(わ) (2)
  • 三(さん)羽(ば) or 三(さん)羽(わ) (3)
  • 四(よん)羽(わ) (4)
  • 六(ろっ)羽(ぱ) (6)
  • 八(はっ)羽(ぱ) (8)
  • 十(じゅっ)羽(ぱ) (10)
  • 何(なん)羽(わ) (how many)

Note the sound changes: ば after ん, ぱ after っ.

ETYMOLOGY:
The origin of counting rabbits with 羽(わ) is traditionally attributed to Buddhist monks: since eating meat was forbidden, they classified rabbits as "birds" (鳥(とり)) so they could eat them. While this folk etymology is well known, the actual origin is debated.

USAGE:
Used for all types of birds, from small songbirds to large birds like cranes. Also used for rabbits but not for other small mammals.

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Added 2026.1.7 21:57 · Revised 2026.3.28 13:11
01000/01007_wa