Count to 20 in Japanese: Exciting Number Games for Little Learners
Numbers are everywhere—from snacks to steps—and learning to count in another language builds both vocabulary and confidence. In Japanese, counting to 20 follows simple patterns that children grasp quickly. Pair these new words with fun games, and your little learner will be chanting ichi, ni, san (1, 2, 3) before you know it!
Japanese Number Basics
Japanese numbers 1–10 are consistent and phonetic:
ichi (1), ni (2), san (3), yon (4), go (5), roku (6), nana (7), hachi (8), kyū (9), juu (10).
Numbers 11–19 add 1–9 to juu (10): juu-ichi (11), juu-ni (12) … juu-kyū (19). Twenty is simply ni-juu (2×10) following the same rule
Fun Number Games
Number Treasure Hunt
Write 1–20 on separate cards. Hide them around the room. When children find a card, they call out the number in Japanese—“juu-go!” (15)—and hop that many times. This turns counting into an active adventure.
Counting Rhythm Clap
Choose a favorite song and insert claps after every few beats. Ask kids to count the claps in Japanese—“san, shi, go!” (3, 4, 5)—boosting both rhythm and recall.
Practice Corner
Keep a “Number Jar” with wooden blocks labeled 1–20. Each morning, draw one block. Challenge the family to use that number in Japanese five times—while pouring cereal, climbing stairs, or setting the table. Celebrate with high-fives when everyone joins in.
For a quick review, open Dinolingo and search “numbers.” Their family plan unlocks over 50 languages and 40 000+ bite-size activities—animated counting videos, matching quizzes, and surprise badge rewards. Age-specific paths (Pre-readers 2–5, Elementary 6–10, Tween/Teen 11–14) reinforce every numeral, while parents track progress on an ad-free dashboard.
Final Thoughts
Counting to 20 in Japanese needn’t be a chore. With scavenger hunts, rhythm games, and daily routines, numbers become memorable milestones. Pair these activities with Dinolingo’s interactive follow-ups, and your little learner will be counting aloud in Japanese with confidence—and joy!
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