五(いつ)つ

五(いつ)つ is the native Japanese (やまとことば) number for five, used when counting general objects without a specific counter.

Counting patterns

• 一(ひと)つ, 二(ふた)つ, 三(みっ)つ, 四(よっ)つ, 五(いつ)つ
• 六(むっ)つ, 七(なな)つ, 八(やっ)つ, 九(ここの)つ, 十(とお)

Usage

• Used for counting general objects, abstract things, and when no specific counter applies; only goes up to 10 — beyond that, use Sino-Japanese numbers with appropriate counters
• Also used informally for age: 五(いつ)つ can mean "five years old" for young children, common in casual/family contexts