1.
five (things)
The native Japanese counter for five objects.
りんごを五つください。
Please give me five apples.
五つの質問があります。
I have five questions.
子供が五ついます。
There are five children.
箱の中に卵が五つあった。
There were five eggs in the box.
問題は五つあるので、一つずつ答えてください。
There are five questions, so please answer them one by one.
五つ is the native Japanese (やまとことば) number for five, used when counting general objects without a specific counter.
NATIVE COUNTING SERIES (1-10):
- 一つ, 二つ, 三つ, 四つ, 五つ
- 六つ, 七つ, 八つ, 九つ, 十
USAGE:
This series is used for counting general objects, abstract things, and when no specific counter applies. It only goes up to 10 — beyond that, use Sino-Japanese numbers with appropriate counters.
AGE:
Also used for age: 五つ means "five years old" (for young children). This usage is common in casual/family contexts.