七(なな)つ

七(なな)つ is the native Japanese counter for seven objects. It's part of the ひとつ counting system used for general objects.

THE NATIVE COUNTING SYSTEM (1-10):

• 一(ひと)つ: one
• 二(ふた)つ: two
• 三(みっ)つ: three
• 四(よっ)つ: four
• 五(いつ)つ: five
• 六(むっ)つ: six
• 七(なな)つ: seven
• 八(やっ)つ: eight
• 九(ここの)つ: nine
• 十(とお): ten (no つ)

WHEN TO USE:

• General objects without specific counters
• Age of children (under 10): 七(なな)つ = 7 years old
• Informal counting

CONTRAST WITH SINO-JAPANESE:

• 七(なな)つ (native): used alone or for general objects
• 七(しち) (Sino-Japanese): used with specific counters (七人(しちにん), 七個(ななこ))

NOTE ON 七(なな):
The reading なな is preferred over しち in many cases to avoid confusion with 一(いち) (one) and 四(し) (four).