Explore 数 in everyday counting and numerical words. Learn each reading with a complete word and a useful sentence.

The idea

数 has 13 strokes; follow the linked stroke-order diagram. 数える is かぞえる, 数 is かず, 数学 is すうがく and 人数 is にんずう. Learn readings with their words.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
数えるかぞえるI count the books.
数かずThe number of students has increased.
数学すうがくI study mathematics at school.
人数にんずうPlease check the number of people.

Examples

  • 本ほんを数かぞえます。I count the books.
  • 生徒せいとの数かずが増ふえました。The number of students has increased.
  • 学校がっこうで数学すうがくを勉強べんきょうします。I study mathematics at school.
  • 数字すうじを書かいてください。Please write the number.
  • 数日すうじつ旅行りょこうに行いきます。I will travel for a few days.
  • 人数にんずうを確認かくにんしてください。Please check the number of people.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

数 as a noun means a number or quantity; 数える means to count. In 人数, 数 is ずう, not すう; the reading depends on the whole word.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 数える in hiragana.

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    かぞえる

    数える is かぞえる: 本を数えます means “I count the books.” The ending える belongs to the verb.

  2. Write the reading of 数学 in hiragana.

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    すうがく

    数学 is すうがく, meaning mathematics. Remember the long vowel in すう.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: 人＿（にんずう）［数／教］.

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    数

    数 completes 人数（にんずう）, the number of people. Here 数 is read ずう.

Use it today

Write 数 using the diagram. Cover the table, read 数える and 数学, and make a sentence with one of them.