Kanji lesson 1
Learn 一・二・三・四・五, pause for recall, then add六・七・八・九・十. Use words to connect each character with the reading you need.
Quick reference
Say the familiar number sequence, then test the characters in a mixed order. The cards below add native counting and date forms.
Part 1
Start with five shapes. Notice how the first three build with horizontal lines, then give four and five their own careful recall.
Curriculum #3
1 stroke
一つ
one thing
一人
one person
This is an irregular counter reading.
一日
one day
The first day of a month uses a special reading; learn it as a whole word.
Example sentence
Curriculum #4
2 strokes
二つ
two things
二人
two people
This is an irregular counter reading.
二日
the second day; two days
Learn this date reading as a whole word.
Example sentence
Curriculum #5
3 strokes
三つ
three things
三人
three people
三日
the third day; three days
Learn this date reading as a whole word.
Example sentence
Curriculum #6
5 strokes
四つ
four things
四人
four people
四日
the fourth day; four days
Learn this date reading as a whole word.
Example sentence
Curriculum #7
4 strokes
五つ
five things
五人
five people
五日
the fifth day; five days
Learn this date reading as a whole word.
Example sentence
Check your recall
Try each question before opening the answer. These checks work without JavaScript.
三 What is the core meaning, and name one useful word?
三人（さんにん）The core meaning is “three”; this word means “three people.”
五 What is the core meaning?
五つ（いつつ）・五人（ごにん）The core meaning is “five.” Notice that the reading changes with the expression.
四人 How is this people counter read?
よにんCounter readings are worth learning as complete words.
Part 2
Add the second group only after you can distinguish the first five without relying on chart order.
Curriculum #8
4 strokes
六つ
six things
六人
six people
六日
the sixth day; six days
Learn this date reading as a whole word.
Example sentence
Curriculum #9
2 strokes
七つ
seven things
七人
seven people
七日
the seventh day; seven days
Learn this date reading as a whole word.
Example sentence
Curriculum #10
2 strokes
八つ
eight things
八人
eight people
八日
the eighth day; eight days
Learn this date reading as a whole word.
Example sentence
Curriculum #11
2 strokes
九つ
nine things
九人
nine people
九日
the ninth day; nine days
Learn this date reading as a whole word.
九月
September
Example sentence
Curriculum #12
2 strokes
十
ten things
十人
ten people
十日
the tenth day; ten days
Learn this date reading as a whole word.
十分
ten minutes
Learn this counter form as a whole word.
Example sentence
A bare number is only the beginning. Japanese counters label what is being counted.人 counts people, while the general forms一つ・二つ・三つ can count many ordinary things.
Sound changes are normal. 一人and 二人 are special, while 三人 follows the common にん pattern.
Dates need vocabulary study
Common dates include 一日（ついたち）,二日（ふつか）, 三日（みっか）, and 十日（とおか）. Learn each date form as a whole word.
Check your recall
Try each question before opening the answer. These checks work without JavaScript.
八日 How is this date word read?
ようかIt means the eighth day, or eight days.
九月 How is this month read?
くがつIt means September.
十人 How is this people counter read?
じゅうにんIt means ten people.
