Mastering the Japanese Counter ~枚 (mai): Counting Flat Objects

The grammar for ~枚 is very straightforward. You take a standard Japanese number. Then you simply add 枚 (mai) after it. Unlike other counters, ~枚 is very consistent. The pronunciation rarely changes based on the number. This makes it a favorite for many students. You don't have to memorize many irregular forms. It follows the basic 1-10 numbering system. You just need to know the object's shape. If it looks flat, ~枚 is likely correct. It acts like a suffix for the number. You can use it in many sentence structures. It is much simpler than the general ~つ counter.

1. 1Look at the object you want to count.
2. 2Confirm that the object is thin and flat.
3. 3Choose the number of items you see.
4. 4Say the number in Japanese (e.g., ichi, ni).
5. 5Add the counter 枚 (mai) immediately after.
6. 6Place this unit after the object in your sentence.
7. 7Alternatively, place it after the particle o or ga.
8. 8Example: Kami (paper) + ni-mai (two flat things).
9. 9You now have a complete counting phrase!

You use ~枚 for a huge variety of items. Paper is the most obvious category here. This includes printer paper, letters, and postcards. It also covers thin items like photographs. Do you like to travel? Use ~枚 for your train tickets. It is also used for clothing. Specifically, use it for thin items like T-shirts. Sweaters and towels also fall into this category. Even your bed sheets are counted with ~枚. Let's talk about food now. Slices of bread are counted this way. So are slices of cheese or ham. If you order a pizza, use ~枚. Even a whole pizza is considered flat. Technology has flat items too. CDs and DVDs are perfect examples. Your credit cards and SIM cards count too. Even large flat things like rugs use it. It is a very versatile counter for daily life. Yes, even your gym towels use it!

Not everything that seems flat uses ~枚. Avoid using it for books or magazines. These are thick and bound together. For those, you must use ~冊 (satsu). What about long, thin things like pens? Those use ~本 (hon) instead. Don't use it for small, round objects. Apples or candies should use ~個 (ko). Be careful with electronic devices. A laptop is flat but is a machine. Machines usually use the counter ~台 (dai). If an object has significant volume, skip ~枚. It is strictly for thin, sheet-like items. Using the wrong counter can be confusing. However, people will usually still understand you. Just try to focus on the "thinness" factor. Think of it like a grammar traffic light.

Many people use ~つ (tsu) for everything. This is a safe backup but lacks precision. Avoid using ~枚 for people or animals. That would sound very strange indeed! If you do, they might feel very flat. Another mistake is the number four. Some people say shi-mai by mistake. The correct way is usually yon-mai. Also, watch out for the number seven. Nana-mai is much more common than shichi-mai. Don't use ~枚 for pairs of socks. Socks use the counter ~足 (soku). Even native speakers might slip up occasionally. But they usually correct themselves quickly. Just keep practicing and you will get it.

Let's compare ~枚 with ~個 (ko). ~個 is for small, compact, 3D objects. ~枚 is for thin, 2D-style objects. Think of a coin versus a bill. A coin is small and round (~個). A paper bill is thin and flat (~枚). Now look at ~本 (hon). This is for long, cylindrical items. A pencil is ~本, but a drawing is ~枚. Finally, compare it to ~冊 (satsu). A single page is ~枚. A whole notebook is ~冊. These distinctions help clarify what you mean. They provide extra detail to your listener. It is like adding color to a drawing. It makes your Japanese much more descriptive.