Japanese Plural

Welcome to the fourth Japanese lesson about the plural. This time we will learn about the singular form and what it looks like in the plural, followed by grammar rules, finally a list of emergency phrases. To hear the pronunciation, just click on the sound icon.

book 本 [hon]

books 本 [hon]

car 車 [kuruma]

cars 車 [kuruma]

tree 木 [ki]

trees 木 [ki]

flower 花 [hana]

flowers 花 [hana]

Plural Grammar Rules

The plural is the form which refers to more than one object or person. For example: I speak two languages the plural here is [languages] because it refers to more than one [language]. The examples below use plurals in different ways and places to demonstrate how they look when converted from their singular form.

Grammar + Rules - Japanese + Pronunciation
I speak one language [singular form] 私は1つの言語を話します。 [watashi wa hitotsu no gengo o hanashi masu]
we speak three languages [plural noun] 私たちは3つの言語を話します。 [watashi tachi wa mittsu no gengo o hanashi masu]
he visits many countries [adverb + plural noun] 彼は多くの国を訪問します。 [kare wa ooku no kuni o houmon shi masu]
they are happy now [plural pronoun] 彼らは今、幸せです。 [karera wa ima, shiawase desu]
she has five red shoes [adjective + plural noun] 彼女は赤い靴を5足持っています。 [kanojo wa akai kutsu o go soku mot te i masu]
I want a sandwich without onions [preposition + plural noun] 私はタマネギ抜きのサンドイッチがほしいです。 [watashi wa tamanegi nuki no sandoicchi ga hoshii desu]

The following is a list of examples showing both the singular and plural form. This demonstrates how the plural is used with humans, objects and animals.

woman 女性 [josei]

women 女性たち [josei tachi]

man 男性 [dansei]

men 男性たち [dansei tachi]

house 家 [ie]

houses 家 [ie]

cup コップ [koppu]

cups コップ [koppu]

cow 牛 [ushi]

cows 牛 [ushi]

horse 馬 [uma]

horses 馬 [uma]

Emergency Phrases

Now it's time to practice your Japanese by looking at these phrases which are related to emergencies. Be prepared when traveling abroad, just in case you need help or by offering help to someone else. I recommend writing these expressions down on a notebook before traveling.

English - Japanese - Pronunciation
Help 助けて！ [tasuke te!]
Call the ambulance 救急車を呼んでください。 [kyuukyuu sha o yon de kudasai]
I need a doctor 医者に診てもらう必要があります。 [isha ni mi te morau hitsuyou ga ari masu]
Where is the closest pharmacy? 近くに薬局がありますか？ [chikaku ni yakkyoku ga ari masu ka?]
Are you okay? 大丈夫ですか。 [daijoubu desu ka]
I am sick 気持ちが悪いです。 [kimochi ga warui desu]
Call the police 警察を呼んでください。 [keisatsu o yon de kudasai]

Did you enjoy this lesson about the plural in Japanese? I hope so, if you have any problem with this lesson contact me with questions you have homepage. You can now check the next lesson below.