九(ここの)つ

九(ここの)つ is the native Japanese (和語(わご)) number nine, used as a general counter for objects. This counting system only goes up to ten and is used when no specific counter applies.

NATIVE COUNTING SYSTEM (和語(わご)):

• 一(ひと)つ (1), 二(ふた)つ (2), 三(みっ)つ (3), 四(よっ)つ (4), 五(いつ)つ (5)
• 六(むっ)つ (6), 七(なな)つ (7), 八(やっ)つ (8), 九(ここの)つ (9), 十(とお) (10)

WHEN TO USE:

• General objects without specific counters
• Abstract things: 理由(りゆう)が九(ここの)つある (there are nine reasons)
• Food items at restaurants: りんごを九(ここの)つ (nine apples)
• Age for children: 九(ここの)つ (nine years old, informal)

COMPARISON WITH SINO-JAPANESE:

• 九(ここの)つ: native counter (general objects)
• 九(きゅう)/九(く): Sino-Japanese reading (used with specific counters like 九人(きゅうにん), 九個(きゅうこ))

NOTE: For numbers above ten, use Sino-Japanese numbers with appropriate counters.