1.
ten (in the native Japanese count)
The native Japanese word for ten, the final element in the 一つ, 二つ, 三つ ... 十 counting sequence. This series stops at ten; from eleven onward, Japanese uses the Sino-Japanese system (十一).
Last word in the native counting sequence: 一つ, 二つ, 三つ, 四つ, 五つ, 六つ, 七つ, 八つ, 九つ, 十. Notice that 十 alone takes no つ suffix.
Usage
- For general items, especially with no special counter: りんごを十
- For age: 十になる ("turn ten") is a slightly literary alternative to 十歳
- After ten, switch to the Sino-Japanese system: 十一, 十二, etc.