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).
りんごを十数える。
Count out ten apples.
息子は十になった。
My son turned ten.
一つ、二つと数えていって、十でちょうど箱がいっぱいになった。
Counting one, two, and so on, the box was exactly full at ten.
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: ringo o 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.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 十: ten (Sino-Japanese) — used with most counters (十冊, 十人)
- 十歳: ten years old — standard expression for age